When researching a holiday in Sanur, Bali, you will often see the area described in sections: North Sanur, Central Sanur and South Sanur. For first-time visitors this can be confusing when trying to decide where to stay. This guide covers everything you need to know about the southern end of Sanur, including where it is, what it is like, the best hotels, places to eat and what to do.
Where is South Sanur?
South Sanur does not have a hard boundary but generally starts where Jalan Danau Tamblingan ends and transitions into Jalan Cemara, Jalan Danau Paso and Jalan Kusuma Sari. The area extends southward along the coastline toward Mertasari Beach, where the beachfront properties gradually give way to more open coastal landscape.
The area includes beachfront resorts, boutique hotels, restaurants, cafes and residential streets. It is quieter than central Sanur but still has plenty of options within walking distance. Walk out the gate at Prama or Puri Santrian onto Jl. Cemara and you have restaurants in every direction. Warung Baby Monkeys, Vietnamese at Hanoi by MeVui, or morning coffee at the Bare Bottle.
Is South Sanur a good place to stay?
Yes, if you want a quieter, more relaxed base that is still close to the beach and a good range of restaurants. South Sanur suits couples, families and solo travellers who do not need to be in the thick of it every night. The beach is less crowded than the central and northern sections, the streets are less busy, and it is easier to move around on foot or by bike.
It is not the right choice if you want to be within easy walking distance of the main market strip, the beach clubs at the northern end or the buzz of Jalan Danau Tamblingan. For that you would be better placed in central Sanur. But for a relaxed stay with good food, a quieter beach and easy access to Jl. Cemara, South Sanur is hard to beat.
Having stayed in all areas of Sanur, South Sanur is our preferred base. The beach is cleaner and less crowded, the streets are quieter, and the food on Jl. Cemara rivals anything on the main strip. The only trade-off is the distance to the northern markets and beach clubs.
Accommodation in South Sanur
South Sanur has a good range of accommodation from beachfront resorts to mid-range hotels and small villas. Below are some of the best options in the area. You can also browse the full range of accommodation in Sanur on TripAdvisor.
Puri Santrian
Address: Jl. Cemara 35, Sanur
Puri Santrian is a popular beachfront resort in Sanur that suits travellers looking for a tranquil escape. Rooms and suites range from garden views through to beach-facing options. There are on-site restaurants with Indonesian and international menus, a pool area with sun lounges, and spa treatments for guests who want to relax and rejuvenate. A big plus for couples is the adults-only area within the resort.
Check current rates at Puri Santrian on TripAdvisor.
Prama Sanur Beach Hotel
Address: Jl. Cemara, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan
The Prama Sanur Beach Hotel is one of the largest hotel complexes in Bali. It offers rooms and suites with pool, garden or ocean views and five different dining options including an Italian restaurant and a beach bar cafe. The pool area has kid-friendly facilities including slides and fountains. Spa treatments and sun lounges on the beach round out a solid family-friendly package.
Check current rates at Prama Sanur Beach Hotel on Agoda.
Mercure Resort Sanur
Address: Jl. Sudamala No.20, South Sanur
Mercure Resort Sanur is at the far southern end of Sanur and is a reliable option for families and couples who want a consistent standard of accommodation. On-site restaurants, swimming pools, beach access, spa treatments and watersports including jet skis and paddleboards make it a self-contained option. There is also a fitness centre for those who want to keep up their routine.
Just out the front of the Mercure along the beach path there is a kids play area — worth knowing if you are travelling with young children.
Check current rates at Mercure Resort Sanur on Trip.com.
More accommodation options in South Sanur
South Sanur has a number of other good hotels worth considering. The Holiday Inn Sanur and Artotel are both on Jl. Kusuma Sari and are newer, more polished properties. The Palm Garden Hotel sits between them and offers good value for a mid-range stay. For the top end of the market the Intercontinental Sanur is at the southern tip. You can also search the full range of accommodation near Mertasari Beach on Booking.com.
Places to eat in South Sanur
One of the best things about staying in South Sanur is the food. Jl. Cemara and the surrounding streets have a solid mix of local warungs, international restaurants and casual cafes all within walking distance.
Massimos — Italian and Gelato
Address: Jl. Danau Tamblingan No. 228, Sanur
Hours: Mon-Sun 9am to 11pm
Massimos has been a fixture of the Sanur restaurant scene for more than two decades. It serves authentic Italian food including wood-fired pizzas, homemade pasta and fresh salads. The menu caters for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets. The gelato is well known. Both locals and tourists line up outside for the ever-changing flavours, and is considered the best in Sanur by many regular visitors.
If you are dining in at Massimos you can get your gelato delivered to the table. If you are just going for gelato you need to join the queue outside like everyone else. Reservations are recommended during peak season especially for larger groups.
Hanoi by MeVui — Vietnamese
Address: Jl. Cemara No. 33, Sanur
Hours: Mon-Sun 9am to 10pm
Hanoi by MeVui is one of the best restaurants in South Sanur and one of our personal favourites. It is named after the owner’s mother and prides itself on fresh ingredients and traditional Vietnamese recipes. The menu runs from pho and spring rolls through to savoury rice bowls and good vegan options with tofu and mushroom dishes.
Even on a hot day, try the Vietnamese coffee. It is one of our favourite things to order here. Reservations are not required but may help for larger groups.
Warung Baby Monkeys — local Indonesian
Address: Jl. Sudamala 6, Sanur
Hours: Mon-Sun 8am to 11.30pm
For local food at local prices, Warung Baby Monkeys is the pick. It is casual, friendly and serves good-sized portions of Indonesian favourites. The spring rolls, satay skewers and nasi goreng are all worth ordering. It is a good choice for budget-conscious travellers or anyone who wants a no-fuss taste of Balinese food. No reservations needed. Just turn up, though it can be busy in the evenings.
Sanur Beer Garden
Address: Jl. Danau Poso 36b, Denpasar
The Sanur Beer Garden is one of those places we head to as soon as we arrive in Sanur. It is a tradition. The atmosphere is relaxed and it suits solo travellers, couples or groups who want a cold beer and decent food without any fuss. There is an extensive craft beer list including local and international options on tap. The menu covers burgers, pizzas and Indonesian dishes.
There is also a swimming pool on site which is a genuine bonus on a hot afternoon. Live music some nights and sport on the big screen means it can get busy in the evenings. Check their Facebook page for events and live music nights. The snakebite, half cider and half stout, is worth trying if you have not had one before.
Other good options nearby include Studja Di Pantai, Tapha, The Fire Station and Red Manna. The Fire Station does a Sunday Roast that is worth booking ahead. It fills up fast.
Things to do in South Sanur
South Sanur has its own stretch of beach that is cleaner and less crowded than the central and northern sections. The beach path runs the full length and is good for morning walks, cycling and watching the sunrise over Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan on the horizon.
You can hire push bikes from shops on Jl. Cemara. Blue Wheels bike rentals is a good option. Larger beachfront hotels offer watersports including jet skis, banana boats, paddleboards and surfing lessons to guests and the public. Sun loungers are available for hire on the beach if you are not staying at a beachfront property.
The area also has cultural and nature attractions worth including in your stay. Pura Belanjong is a local temple near the southern end of Sanur. The mangrove forest and turtle conservation centre on Serangan Island are a short trip away. You can see and learn about sea turtles that have been rescued and are being rehabilitated.
South Sanur has less traffic than the central area which makes it much better for cycling. If you want to explore the whole beach path by bike this is a good base to start from — you can ride north toward the main strip and back without having to navigate heavy traffic.
Shopping in South Sanur
South Sanur is not a shopping destination on the level of central Sanur or the northern markets but it has a few options worth knowing about.
Sanur Art Market
Location: Jl. Cemara, just past the roundabout on the left
The Sanur Art Market is an undercover market with a few aisles of local crafts, clothing and the typical souvenirs you find across Bali. It is generally quiet which means you can browse without being pressured. Prices are negotiable at most stalls. Bring rupiah and be prepared to barter. There is also a Popular Express supermarket right next to the market.
Nuii Collections
A small boutique on Jl. Cemara run by Sari, the owner, who is warm and welcoming. The shop is air-conditioned, has a small changing room and is packed with clothing and accessories. Easy to walk past and easy to spend more time in than expected.
FAQs — South Sanur Bali
Is South Sanur a good place to stay in Bali?
Yes, for travellers who want a quieter, more relaxed base that is still close to the beach and a good range of restaurants. South Sanur suits couples, families and solo travellers who do not need to be in the busiest part of Sanur. The beach is less crowded, the streets have less traffic and food options on Jl. Cemara are excellent. If you want to be within easy walking distance of the main market strip or northern beach clubs, central Sanur would be a better fit.
Where does South Sanur start?
South Sanur generally starts where Jalan Danau Tamblingan ends and transitions into Jalan Cemara, Jalan Danau Paso and Jalan Kusuma Sari. There is no hard boundary but this is the area most locals and visitors consider the southern end of Sanur. It extends south toward Mertasari Beach.
Is South Sanur too quiet?
It depends on what you want. South Sanur is quieter than the central and northern sections but it is not isolated. Jl. Cemara has restaurants, cafes and shops within walking distance. The beach path connects south Sanur to the rest of the area. If you want live music, a busy bar scene or the Sindhu Night Market on your doorstep, you would be better placed further north.
What are the best hotels in South Sanur?
Some of the best options include Puri Santrian and Prama Sanur Beach Hotel for beachfront stays, the Holiday Inn and Artotel for newer mid-to-upper range hotels, Palm Garden Hotel for good-value mid-range accommodation and the Intercontinental Sanur at the top end. Mercure Resort Sanur is at the far southern end and is a solid family-friendly choice.
Is South Sanur good for families?
Yes. Several hotels in South Sanur have family-friendly pools including Prama which has slides and fountains. The beach in South Sanur is calmer and less crowded than further north which suits families with young children. There is also a kids play area near the Mercure along the beach path. The streets have less traffic which makes getting around easier with kids.
How far is South Sanur from the main Sanur strip?
South Sanur is roughly 1 to 2 kilometres from the main market strip and restaurants on Jalan Danau Tamblingan. Walking takes around 15 to 20 minutes depending on where you are staying. A GRAB ride takes a few minutes. Most visitors staying in South Sanur use GRAB or hire a scooter to get to the northern end rather than walking every time.
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