Plan your Sanur holiday

Start Here for Your Sanur Holiday

Everything you need to plan a perfect trip to Sanur, Bali — from visas and flights to where to stay, eat and explore

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Welcome

Your Complete Guide to a Sanur Holiday

Welcome to Things to Do in Sanur. If you want to plan a holiday to Bali and are interested in visiting or staying in Sanur, you have come to the right place. We believe that Sanur is one of the best places in Bali for a relaxing holiday. You can experience Balinese culture, relax on the beach, and enjoy the slower pace of Bali. Become part of our community and join the Things to Do in Sanur Facebook group.

What makes Sanur different from other Bali destinations?

Sanur offers a peaceful, authentic Balinese escape unlike Bali’s busier spots. Known for its calm, shallow beaches, it’s perfect for swimming, sunrise walks and family outings. The 6-kilometre beach path is ideal for cycling and strolling. Unlike Kuta’s parties or Uluwatu’s surf breaks, Sanur has a laid-back vibe and genuine cultural charm.

White sand beach at Sanur Bali with calm shallow water perfect for swimming and sunrise walks

The beach plays a big part in any Sanur holiday

It’s also the gateway to Nusa Penida and Lembongan. With fewer crowds, great warungs and a relaxed nightlife scene, Sanur suits travellers seeking a quieter, more traditional Bali experience.

Who is a Sanur holiday best for?

Families

The beaches are shallow and calm, perfect for swimming and playing. You’ll find several kid-friendly restaurants with playgrounds and green spaces.

Couples

A laid-back atmosphere with less traffic, boutique shops and amazing beachfront resorts. Local warungs, French restaurants, street beers or rooftop cocktails — Sanur has it all.

Solo travellers

Safe, walkable and welcoming. Easy to meet people through beach activities, the café scene and our Facebook community.

Those wanting authentic Bali

Fewer tourists, genuine local culture, real warungs and a pace of life that lets you actually relax. Sanur vs Seminyak — it’s no contest.

Practical information

Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

When is the best time to visit Bali?

Dry Season — Best

May to September. Sunny with low humidity — perfect for the beach, outdoor activities and day trips.

Shoulder Season — Good

April and October. Pleasant weather in Sanur with fewer crowds and better prices.

Wet Season — Still OK

October to March. Lush and green, cooler temperatures. Bring a waterproof bag and umbrella for afternoon showers.

Peak season tip: June to August is the busiest and most expensive time. Book accommodation early or visit in April, May or September for the best combination of good weather and value.

Getting there — visa, tourist tax & airport transfers

Bali has one major international airport — Ngurah Rai International Airport (also known as Denpasar International Airport) — located in the southern part of the island near Denpasar. Before you arrive there are three things you need to sort:

Visa on Arrival — Visitors require a 30-day visa on arrival costing IDR 500,000 (around 35 USD). You can obtain it online before you arrive or queue at the airport.
Tourist Tax — You also need to pay the tourist tax of IDR 150,000, which can be done at the Love Bali website before you travel.
Customs Declaration — Fill out your customs declaration form online at Indonesia Arrival before you fly.

Arrivals hall at Ngurah Rai International Airport Bali Indonesia getting to Sanur

Arrivals hall at Bali Airport

The best way to get from Bali airport to your hotel is by car. Your hotel may offer a pick-up service, or you can book a driver through Klook, Viator or Get Your Guide. You should not be paying more than 35,000 IDR for the trip to Sanur. Always agree on a price before getting in a car.

Read more: Our Arriving in Sanur article covers everything about visas, tourist tax and customs declarations in detail.

Electrical plugs in Bali

Bali uses Type C and F plugs — two-pin plugs with round pins. The standard voltage is 230V at 50Hz. Bring a universal travel adaptor if you’re coming from the UK, USA or Australia.

Your Sanur guide

Staying, Eating, Exploring & Day Trips

Staying in Sanur

Sanur offers a variety of accommodation for different preferences and budgets — from on-beach resorts to off-beach homestays. On-beach accommodations are ideal for couples and families wanting direct beach access, while off-beach options give a more local experience. Popular options include the Intercontinental Sanur Beach Bali, Hyatt Regency Bali, Griya Santrian and Segara Village Hotel.

All accommodation in Sanur →

Eating in Sanur

Sanur is a culinary haven. The food scene ranges from traditional Indonesian warungs and street food to international restaurants and beachfront seafood. Whether you want nasi goreng for breakfast or grilled lobster at sunset, Sanur has it all. Don’t miss Warung Rainbow for local food, or Tootsie Beach Bar for happy hour.

Where to eat in Sanur →

Things to do in Sanur

Sanur offers a wide range of activities — biking and walking the 6km beach path, snorkelling and watersports, visiting temples and museums, shopping at local markets, or simply relaxing on the beach with a cold Bintang. There is no shortage of things to do in Sanur.

Things to do in Sanur →

Day trips from Sanur

Sanur is the perfect base for exploring all of Bali. Visit Ubud, Mount Batur, Tanah Lot Temple, Tirta Empul, Uluwatu Temple, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Nusa Penida. From hiking active volcanoes to watching the Kecak Fire Dance at sunset — there’s something for everyone.

Mount Batur volcano sunrise hike popular day trip from Sanur Bali Indonesia

A sunrise hike on Mount Batur is one of the most popular day trips from Sanur

With Sanur’s convenient location, you can easily make day trips to these sites and return to your accommodation for a relaxing evening. See our top 10 day trips from Sanur.

Day trips from Sanur →

Our recommendations

Top 10 Day Trips from Sanur

Some of the day trips we have done — from visiting Nusa Penida and the Rice Terraces to sunrise on Mount Batur. Day trips aren’t just checklist items — they’re the stories you’ll retell for years.

Here are the top 10 hotels in Sanur on TripAdvisor, rated by travellers — not sponsored, not advertising, just rated by people like you who have actually stayed at these hotels in Sanur.

Rankings based on TripAdvisor traveller ratings. Links are affiliate links — clicking them costs you nothing extra.