Sanur is a small beach resort in the southeast of the Indonesian island of Bali. It enchants with its relaxing flair, a beautiful long sandy beach and many recreational opportunities. What you can experience there and for whom a trip to Sanur is worthwhile, we want to explain in the following article.
In keeping with the spiritual flair of the city, several yoga studios and “healers” have settled here. If you are looking for holistic healing, this is the place to be. The numerous yoga studios offer classes in every style, there are workshops on meditation, chakras, breathwork, reiki and much more. In addition, many stores specialize in yoga clothing, gemstones and esoteric books.
Where is Sanur located?
Sanur is only about 25 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport. This makes the coastal resort easily accessible and also suitable for a shorter vacation. Due to its location, Sanur is a good starting point for excursions in all directions: Ubud, Kuta, Canggu and the Bukit Peninsula can be reached in less than an hour.
The town also has a port from which you can take a speedboat to the neighboring islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands and Lombok. The crossing to Nusa Lemongan and Nusa Penida takes less than an hour. Therefore, these two small islands are also a good destination for a day trip. However, they are so idyllic with their white sandy beaches that you can easily stay there longer.
The beach in Sanur
But also Sanur itself has a very beautiful, long, white and well-kept sandy beach. Due to the offshore reef, the swell directly on the beach is moderate and invites you to swim and splash. This makes it also very suitable for children.
The beach is lined by a more than six kilometer long promenade, the “Jalan Sanur Beach Street Walk”. Promenades are very uncommon in Bali and thus Sanur offers the unique opportunity to stroll, jog or bike along the beach on a paved path. This also gives wheelchair users and parents with strollers the opportunity to enjoy the view of the sea in motion and to stop here and there in one of the cozy beach restaurants.
If you get up early enough, you can marvel at the beautiful sunrises on the beach due to the location in the southeast of the island. The sun rises on Bali between 6:00 and 6:30, depending on the season.
Culinary in Sanur
Sanur offers many cozy cafes and restaurants, not only on the beach. The selection ranges from typical Indonesian restaurants (“Warungs”) to the classics such as Italian or Mexican to healthy lifestyle restaurants, which offer vegan and vegetarian dishes in the form of a “Healthy Bowl”.
If you like it really authentic on vacation, you have to visit the night market. The “Pasar Sindhu” in Sanur is open daily from 5 pm to 11 pm and offers local dishes at various stalls. The portions are rather smaller, but very cheap. Therefore, the night market is perfect to taste your way through Balinese cuisine and dive into the culinary world of the locals. But beware: Indonesians like to eat spicy! In the morning, the market is used to sell fresh fruits and vegetables and freshly caught fish. At both times of the day, the marketplace is definitely worth a visit.
Sanur activities
Water sports
Those who like to move in and on the water are in good hands in Sanur. From surfing to windsurfing, kiting, stand-up paddling and jet skiing, everything is possible here. If you want to go diving, you can take a boat to the diver’s paradise Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida and explore the impressive underwater world.
For kiters and windsurfers, the dry season between May and September is the perfect time to travel, as strong trade winds blow during these months, resulting in ideal wind conditions. Sanur is also well suited for beginners, as the waves break very far out and thus offer plenty of space to practice on shallow water. On the beach you will find several surf and kite stores and schools.
For surfers, the rainy season between November and April is best for a vacation in Sanur. During these months, the wind blows offshore and creates perfect waves. Due to the offshore reef you have to take a boat to most of the surf spots in Sanur. The world-class spot “Keramas” is only a 20-minute drive away and is worth a trip for its black, glittering sandy beach and the volcano view.
Art Museum Le Mayeur
In the museum on the beach you can admire, among other things, the works of the Belgian artist Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merpres (1880 – 1958). The painter lived in Bali for a long time and married his muse Ni Nyoman Pollok. The Balinese dancer can be seen in many of his paintings. The museum is located in the former home and studio of the artist, built in traditional Balinese architecture.
Turtle Sanctuary
Also directly on the beach of Sanur you can find a turtle sanctuary, which takes care of the breeding and release of baby turtles. Since many turtles are eaten shortly after hatching and do not make it in time to their habitat, the sea, this organization has made it its mission to accompany them on their way into the water. In addition, old and sick animals are cared for and looked after here.
Yoga, sports and wellness
Sanur is home to a number of spas, fitness centers and yoga schools. So if you want to be pampered or crave exercise, you can let off steam here. The spa “The Nest” and the yoga studio “Power of Now Oasis” are located directly on the beach and offer relaxation with sea view.
Excursion destinations around Sanur
Big Garden Corner
The “Big Garden Corner” is a recreational park for the whole family and only about ten minutes drive from Sanur. There you will find a garden with exotic plants, impressive statues, a playground and a restaurant.
Taman Festival
If you want to see something obscure and maybe even get a little spooky, visit the abandoned amusement park “Taman Festival”. This closed its doors in 2000 and has been abandoned ever since. Nature is reclaiming what was once hers, everything is decaying and rotting. Nevertheless, there is a self-appointed park keeper who keeps order and keeps the paths clear. For a small fee, he guides visitors through the park and tells them about the ghosts that have supposedly settled here. This extraordinary establishment is located only 15 minutes drive from Sanur on the beach “Pantai Galak”.
Hidden Canyon
Only about 30 minutes drive from Sanur is the “Hidden Canyon”, which offers a real adventure. Together with a guide you climb over rocks, walk through the riverbed and swim through the river in places to marvel at three canyons.
Bali Zoo and Bali Bird Park
Those who want to marvel at the colorful animal and bird world of Bali can pay a visit to the Bali Zoo and the Bali Bird Park. Both zoos are just under a 30-minute drive from Sanur.
Conclusion: For whom is a trip to Sanur worthwhile?
The small coastal town is perfect for a cozy beach vacation for young and old. Couples and families with children appreciate the good infrastructure, the excursion possibilities, the well-kept beach with little swell and the relaxed atmosphere. Due to the quiet ambience free of party tourism, some retirees have also settled in Sanur to enjoy their retirement here.
Nevertheless, there is a lot to experience both in and around Sanur, so that no boredom must arise. Water sports enthusiasts get their money’s worth in the respective season and adventurers can make trips to the canyon. In addition, Sanur is the perfect starting point for excursions to the surrounding islands.
Sanur is therefore worth a visit for both young and old.
