Planning for a relaxing beach getaway at Bali? Most of us will naturally gravitate to Seminyak, for its perpetually buzzy beachside town, or Ubud, a quiet, town brimming with culture nestled among Bali’s iconic rice terraces. But for those who want a happy balance between the sophistication of Seminyak and the peace of Ubud, head to Sanur. It’s a coastal town that provides the best of both worlds.
Sanur is Peaceful
For a beautiful coastal town, Sanur is surprisingly peaceful, especially in comparison to places like Seminyak or Kuta. At Sanur, when you stroll down the beach, you won’t encounter persistent peddlers or have to weave your way among the endless spread of beach towels of tourists.
Instead, you might encounter a family taking a slow walk to drink in the sunset, a happy dog frolicking in the sand, and then – nothing and no one between you and the soothing, rhythmic waves.
Sanur has Warm, Calm Waters
Sanur’s waters are surrounded by many offshore reefs, which create a safe zone of warm, calm, and shallow lagoons near its shore. This makes Sanur an ideal destination for families with young children who want to splash about in the water without the parents having to worry unduly about strong waves. Incidentally, these lagoons also make for good snorkelling spots.
The Sanur Boardwalk
Trailing along the entire length of the beach is the Sanur Boardwalk, which is a paved 5-kilometre path that allows you to either walk or cycle along the beach.
This path is perfect for those who love the beach but are unable to walk on the sand either due to mobility or health issues. At Sanur, everyone is welcome on the beach.
Sanur’s Sindhu Market
Known in local parlance as Pasar Tradisional Desa Sanur, Sindhu Market is unlike the other markets in Bali because of how traditional it is—as its name suggests.
At daybreak, the market operates as a traditional market, selling fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, nasi campur, and so on.
After the locals have done their shopping, the art stalls roll up their shutters, offering traditional Balinese handicraft.
When the sun sinks into the sea, the street vendors roll in on their carts, offering satay, nasi goreng, murtabak, and all manner of delicious things grilled right in front of you.
Sanur’s International Kite Festival
Every July, a huge congregation of kite enthusiasts gather at Padang Galak beach near Sanur and launch their kites into the air for the annual International Kite Festival.
These are not normal kites, but gigantic and traditional Balinese kites that can stretch up to 10 m in length.
The sight of these vibrant and colourful kites—more artwork than contraptions—fluttering in the wind is one to behold.
If you can’t make it for the festival itself, don’t worry. Enthusiasts still gather and fly their kites around June to August, when the weather conditions are optimal for kite-flying.
ONE of the BEST!