The diverse island of Bali, Indonesia boasts an incredible array of idyllic towns. Some feature stylish beachfront mega-resorts, while others remain quiet, secluded villages.
The west coast area of Canggu, located on the southern tip of Bali just north of resort-ridden Seminyak Beach, falls somewhere in between. Here, boutique hotels are situated among rice fields.
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There are also plethora of dining options and activities range from spa massages to surfing. Adventurers, couples, health enthusiasts, foodies and families can all find fun things to do in Canggu!
Best Things To Do in Canggu, Bali
Alright, let’s get right to it! Our list of essential experiences will hopefully enhance your Bali Itinerary.
#1 Chill Out on Echo Beach, Bali
One of the absolute best Bali things to do is spend time on the beach! There are three main beaches in Canggu – Echo, Batu Bolong and Berawa – along with smaller stretches of sand taking up the space between.
Of the three, we preferred Echo Beach. Often less crowded than the two beaches to the south, Echo exudes a laid-back vibe that fell right in line with our holiday mentality.
At the top of Echo Beach is a row of random warungs (mostly locally-owned shops) selling cold drinks and inexpensive meals. Most of these also rent beach accessories, as well as surf boards.
We highly recommend settling into a beach bean bag or lounger under the shade of a colorful umbrella and soaking up the seaside atmosphere!
Pro Tip: Unfortunately, Canggu beaches aren’t suitable for swimming. The rocks lurking beneath the surface and thundering waves don’t make for a good combination.
#2 Go on a Canggu Beach Walk
We love the feel of sand beneath our feet, so walking on the beach was naturally one of our favorite Canggu activities.
The coastline stretches north and south from Canggu – and we walked in both directions basking in the sunshine and gazing at the vividly contrasting colors.
Before heading out, you need to keep a few things in mind. Avoid mid-day walks if you can – as the sun will be strong and sand will be hot. Anytime of day, we suggest wearing sunscreen and a hat.
Pay attention to the tides; high tide can almost take out the entire beach, making a walk more of a task than a peaceful stroll!
Be mindful of recent heavy rainfall. There are several streams that enter the sea and they might be swift, deep and (most likely) carrying rubbish. Use your best judgement and don’t cross if it looks unsafe.
North of Canggu
Pura Gede Luhur Batu Ngaus temple sits on a rocky peninsula that juts into the sea about two miles to the north.
It sees fewer visitors than the nearby popular Tanah Lot and makes a great destination for a leisurely beach walk. The stroll includes five water crossings and passes by private villas, grazing cows and exclusive resorts.
Top Tip: Be sure to wear – or bring – something to cover your shoulders and knees so you can enter the temple.
South from Canggu
The Canggu-Seminyak route to the south sees more foot traffic. In fact, most of the people we passed were heading north to Canggu!
Wooden structures – warungs, boathouses, temples, restaurants, hotels – line most of the flat beaches from Canggu to Seminyak.
Although the seascape garners most of the attention, we let our eyes wander from the water to take in the street art decorating the boathouses along Nelayan Beach.
Here, Balinese outrigger canoes sit fading in the sun. If you are looking for a place to eat or drink, three popular spots are just north of Seminyak: CARAVAN, Atlas Beach Club and Finns.
Safety Tip: The powdery sand is ideal for walking, but keep an eye out. We found numerous pieces of broken glass and sharp plastic.
#3 Unwind with a Bali Massage
You can’t go far in Canggu without spotting a spa offering a full range of services – from massages to pedicures to waxings. Much to my delight, I indulged in more than one during our time in Canggu!
Steeped in tradition, a Bali massage incorporates acupressure, skin rolling and the use of essential oils. I highly recommend putting a massage on your Canggu to-do list!
Top Tip: Looking for a special Indonesian spa treatment? Take a look at these Bali Spa Tours.
#4 Watch a Canggu Sunset
Of all the Canggu things to do, watching the sunset is a must! Some of the most beautiful sunsets we witnessed in Bali were from the beaches in Canggu.
Just about anywhere along the coast will provide a stunning vantage point at sundown. That said, we gravitated toward the beachfront establishments where we could sip a cold Bintang.
Instagram Tip: The two most fashionable spots for sunset in Canggu are The Lawn and La Brisa.
#5 Center Yourself with a Canggu Yoga Class
As a fitness hot-spot, one of the top things to do in Canggu is take a yoga class. We found a long lineup being offered – from Hatha yoga for beginners to Ashtanga classes for advanced yoga students.
The sessions, which are often led by newly certified (or still in training) teachers, are held in quaint studios, on the beach at dawn and on rooftops at sunset.
Zen Tip: Yoga classes in Canggu can cost as little as $10, and some studios offer multi-class discounts. Check out this list of Canggu yoga studios to find the one that suits your mood.
#6 Visit the Famous Temple in Bali: Tanah Lot
The ancient Hindu temple, Pura Tanah Lot, is one of the seven coastal places of worship and an important pilgrimage destination in Bali. Built on a jagged outcrop in the 16th century, the name translates to Land in the Sea.
Because of its picturesque placement, it’s also a hot tourist destination. Its popularity – especially at sunset – has made visiting the temple somewhat of a racket and hordes of people are common.
Top Tip: For a full-day experience, book a tour of Bali that includes art villages, cultural experiences, a coffee farm and Tanah Lot at sunset.
#7 Take a Day Trip from Canggu
Some of the most beautiful places in Bali are inland and found in the off-the-beaten-path villages. These top-rated tours feature the best things to do around Canggu.
- Traditional Village Sightseeing Trip (with lunch): This popular Bali tour packs it all in! A guide leads the way to small villages, sacred temples, a luwak coffee plantation, terraced rice fields, monkey forest, a local market, the king’s palace and a waterfall!
- Mount Batur Sunrise Trek (with breakfast): If you’re looking for unique things to do in Bali, a pre-dawn hike to the top of a volcano might fit the bill! You’ll set off in the wee hours and reach the summit just before sunrise.
- Other popular options include: Cooking Classes, Snorkeling Cruises and Bicycle Tours.
Tour Tip: To find more of the best adventures in Bali, check out the top tours and activities on Viator!
#8 Explore the Canggu Rice Paddies
Balinese rice fields are a spectacular sight – especially for those who have never seen terraced rice paddies before.
Perfectly straight rows of sprouting green rice plants sit in muddy, flooded fields while workers, donning traditional coconut leaf hats, tend to the crop.
Perhaps not as impressive as the terraced fields on the sloping hills near Ubud, the paddies in Canggu are beautifully tucked away between buildings and found along main roads leading to the beach.
The rice fields are easily reached on foot, bicycle or scooter. The largest ones we found were near the intersection of Echo Beach Road and Subak Canggu.
Exploring the less-traveled backroads is a great way to find out what Canggu is really like for locals.
#9 Learn To Surf in Canggu
Bali is a legendary surf destination with some of the most epic breaks in the world. However, it isn’t easy for beginners. Those with little experience should head to Batu Bolong Beach.
The reef here creates a consistent break with gentle swells – making conditions ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers. Novices can hire experienced coaches to give surf lessons, as well.
First-timer sessions begin on the beach, where coaches teach footwork on the board before venturing into the water where the lesson continues.
When surfing conditions are ideal, Batu Bolong is packed with people getting their first surf lesson or a refresher course. Those who don’t need any tips can simply rent a board and paddle out!
#10 Devour Delicious Food in Canggu
The restaurant scene here overwhelmed us. We were astounded by the ample choices of where to go in Canggu to eat!
Unlike some destinations in Southeast Asia, we were pleasantly surprised to find numerous restaurants in Canggu serving Western food that was both affordable and incredibly delicious.
We love eating local cuisine, but couldn’t resist consuming some of our favorite comfort foods as well. If you’re looking for the best places to go in Canggu for a good meal, here are our top recommendations.
- Old Man’s – A Canggu classic, Old Man’s is a sprawling restaurant/bar that features theme nights, happy hours and good music. What to eat: The burgers are stellar, but the Mahi Mahi Sandwich was insane!
- PokePoke – Offering a variety bowls, PokePoke is a small, shabby chic spot complete with an indoor Bali swing. What to eat: Aloha Bali Bowl and Thai Dynamite Bowl.
- The Green Spot – Lucky for us, The Green Spot is located where we were staying (more on that below). They seriously had the best included breakfast! What to eat: The Avocado Salsa with Poached Egg and the Breakfast burger.
- Pizza Fabbrica – Dedicated to excelling at Italian cuisine, Pizza Fabbrica was astounding in both atmosphere and quality. What to Eat: Pizze Bianche Nonna and Capricciosa.
Tips for Your Trip to Canggu, Bali
Now that we’ve filled you in with all the details on top Canggu, Bali activities and attractions, we have a few more tips for your vacation to Bali!
Canggu Accommodation
We loved staying at Ecosfera for the affordable price, large rooms, refreshing pool, on-site spa and delicious breakfast.
The location was also fantastic – just a short walk to the beach and near necessities (grocery, pharmacy, laundry).
Looking for something else? No worries! Start searching for your perfect place in Canggu on Booking.com – but be sure to read our tips for finding low prices first!
Getting Around Canggu
It’s often proclaimed that a vehicle (scooter or taxi) is necessary in Canggu, but we didn’t find that to be true.
Everything on our list (besides day trips) is easily accessed on foot. Just be aware of traffic, walk single file and carry a light at night.
Before You Go to Canggu
- Flip flops and mosquito repellent are definitely necessary!
- Bring a refillable water bottle. Many places allow you to refill from their clean source for a small fee.
- We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip to Indo! Rather than relying on your phone, upgrade to an actual camera. We travel with a Canon Rebel.
- We spent long days outdoors and it helped to carry a day pack for our everyday essentials.
- Consider traveling protected with World Nomads. Insurance may come in handy for lost luggage, cancelled flights or unexpected illness.
Also read our guides to Uluwatu, Bali and the amazing Nusa Islands!
Start planning your trip to Indonesia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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