Why Sanur is the Best Place in Bali

Known for its laid-back vibe and family-friendly beaches, Sanur is an idyllic spot for a quiet Bali holiday. Sanur is east of Denpasar and only 12 kilometers from Ngurah Rai International Airport.  

While not as busy as Kuta, Sanur still has everything you need and is truly a hidden gem when it comes to the restaurants, beach clubs, and accommodation on offer. 

When is the best time to visit Sanur?

The best weather in Sanur is from April to November. The temperature is mild and humid and steadily sits between 25 C and 29 during this time. Between December and March is when Sanur gets monsoon-like rains, but it doesn’t last too long. 

If you are going to Sanur for relaxing in the sun and enjoying the beach vibe, travel between April and October as these are commonly the driest, sunniest months. If you are more interested in sightseeing around Bali, and not just sticking to Sanur between May and September is a great option. Especially if you are coming from Australia and you are not a fan of winter (like our family).

Consider heading to Bali during Nyepi

Nyepi is the festival celebrating the New Year in the Balinese Saka Calendar. On this day the island comes to a complete stop. No traffic, lights, or noise. Shops and restaurants are closed too. Even the airport is closed. Hotels will follow these rituals as well although, unlike the locals, you will still have access to wifi, room service, etc. (hotel dependant). 

The first time we went to Bali we didn’t mean to stay during Nyepi, but we are so glad we did. The night before, each village makes giant paper mache creatures called Ogoh-Ogah. A parade goes down the main street, with loud music playing as they move. It is said that the Ogoh-Ogoh will get rid of the evil spirits and diseases that have entered the island that past year. The next day, Nyepi, the island is still and quiet to reset itself. It was such a great sight to see. My photos don’t do these spectacular floats justice. 

We had rented a villa but as the streets were being patrolled by a local watchman, we were even shushed in our private pool and asked to turn the ceiling fans off in the evening.  We used this day to be forced to relax because as you know holidays are not always “relaxing”. 

The next day, we were told by a driver to head to the beach. In Sanur, the beach is full of locals swimming and selling food, and sometimes burning the Ogoh-Ogoh, now the cleansing has been done. 

Every part of Bali celebrates Nyepi differently so it pays to research in advance the different areas to find the best one to suit you. Also, check with your hotel how they manage Nyepi as not all hotels cater for a bit of tourist flexibility. 

Getting around Sanur

The sleepy streets of Sanur are fairly easy to navigate by foot. If you plan to go a little further outside of Sanur, you’ll need a taxi. We do not advise driving on your own, simply because the rules of driving in Indonesia are fairly lax, and the traffic can be nothing short of crazy. Some parts of Bali outside of Sanur won’t be safe to walk on foot simply because of the traffic. Most villas and hotels offer recommendations for private drivers. We have used this option when heading to Ubud as having a private driver often gives you insights into other attractions and locations you may not know about. When we head to Seminyak or Waterbom we use a regular taxi. 

Why we love Sanur

It’s natural for a family like ours to head to somewhere warm and relaxing. And Sanur has this vibe. Everywhere is easy to walk to and is very safe too. We also find it isn’t as busy as Kuta or Seminyak. 

Heading to the beach is easy. There are so many beach clubs and restaurants to choose from. Some inland hotels also have beach lounges allocated for their guests and offer door to beach shuttles. The water is protected; making the water safe and flat. This swimming bay is perfect for families, especially with younger children. 

Eating out is easy and the range is huge. We prefer to eat local food instead of what we can get at home. Find a warung – a small family-owned eatery – to really embrace eating locally. Every warung offers something different and is an experience you at least need to try once. We recommend Coconut Tree, especially on the nights they have live music.  If local food is not your style, or you have a couple of fussier eaters in your family, there are plenty of places to get pizza, nuggets, and fries. Ramay Resto is our favourite and offers items like these on their menu. 

Final Thoughts

If you have never been to Bali, then we believe Sanur is a good place to start. Quiet and very family-friendly, it is also a great base to explore the rest of Bali. But be careful. Sanur is so perfect you will want to come back!