Sanur is a classically sleepy Bali town that lacks the glitz and glamour, and hookers of Denaspar and Kuta, but still manages to retain the pretentiousness of the rest of the island.
It is a place where older expats retire, families relax, and tourists stroll along the beachfront without fear of losing a sandal in a scooter accident. The vibe is mellow. It is Bali with the excitement dialled down to three, which can be a blessing or a curse depending on how much chaos you actually enjoy. It is though a greta transit point on the way to Gili.
Click to read about Padang Padang beach.
Table of Contents
What theSanurGuide?
Sanur is a stretch of coastline in southeast Bali running from Mertasari to Sindhu Beach. It is flat, protected by a reef, and the waves are small, making it safe for swimming. The population is mostly Balinese locals, with some middle-aged expats and a smattering of tourists who do not need drama with their holiday.
Once a sleepy fishing village, it is now lined with mid-range hotels, quiet villas, and calm cafes. There are no cliffs, no major surf breaks, and no Instagram-famous temples hanging over rocks. Expect long calm beaches, a paved promenade, and the occasional temple spilling incense into the breeze. The roads are safe, the pace is slow, and the only excitement comes from dodging a stray dog or a determined taxi.
What to do in Sanur
Sanur is about chill, simple pleasures, and avoiding Kuta-level chaos.
Sanur Beach – long sandy beach perfect for sunrise walks and calm swimming
Le Mayeur Museum – house of Belgian painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur, small but worth a look
Mertasari Beach – calm waters, good for paddleboarding or lounging under a rented sun umbrella
Segara Village – shopping and dining strip with coffee and snacks
Sanur Night Market – small evening market with cheap local food
Sindhu Market – morning market with fresh fruit, snacks, and a glimpse of real Bali
Bali Sharks – small hatchery and conservation project for kids or curious adults
Biking along the boardwalk – flat, safe, and good for casual sightseeing
Local temples – ceremonies dot the beachfront, check times or watch from afar
Day trips – easy base for Nusa Penida, Ubud, or eastern Bali beaches
Where to eat and drink in Sanur
Sanur has calm, unpretentious dining. There is a noticeable expat crowd and a few cafes trying too hard to be hip. There are no wild parties, no cliff-top bars, just decent food and coffee and occasionally someone ruining Bob Marley on guitar.
Warung Little Bird – cheap solid Indonesian food Instagram, Phone: +62 812 3456 7890
Massimo Italian – reliable Italian dinner spot Instagram, Phone: +62 361 288 600
Soul in a Bowl – smoothies coffee healthy bowls Instagram, Phone: +62 812 3456 1122
Lilla Pantai – beach bar for sunset drinks Instagram, Phone: +62 813 3765 3321
Three Monkeys Sanur – cocktails and casual bites Instagram, Phone: +62 361 411 2212
The Porch Café – breakfast and coffee Instagram, Phone: +62 812 3456 7788
Warung Mak Beng – cheap fish soup Instagram, Phone: +62 361 281 158
Cafe Batu Jimbar – coffee and lunch Instagram, Phone: +62 812 3456 3344
The Fire Station – pizza and cocktails Instagram, Phone: +62 361 479 0087
Sanur Night Market Stalls – cheap local food no socials
Street Food Sanur Guide
I will actually give street food Sanur its own article at some point, but it can be explained as such. Sadly because of tourism the vast majority of restaurants are of the international ilk. This means finding decent street food is hard, but not impossible.
Jollies can be found on Sanur beach if you look hard enough, as well as the fairly good night market. Do not expect your world to be rocked though.
Sleeping in Sanur Guide
Accommodation in Sanur ranges from basic hostels to high-end resorts. Nothing here has Uluwatu’s drama but it is clean, safe, and convenient for exploring Bali.
Brady’s B&B – small clean $25 / 375 000 IDR overlooking the pool and walking distance to beach.
Puri Santrian Resort – luxury beachfront $250+ / 3 750 000 IDR pools and spa
Griya Santrian – mid-range $50–$80 / 750 000–1 200 000 IDR family-friendly
Sanur Hostel – dorms $10–$20 / 150 000–300 000 IDR basic backpacker vibe
Segara Village Villas – high-end $200+ / 3 000 000 IDR private pool quiet
Getting In and Out of Sanur
Sanur is easy enough to get to, but don’t expect anything glamorous. If you are flying into Bali, the nearest airport is Ngurah Rai International in Denpasar, about 20 minutes by taxi to central Sanur depending on traffic. A metered taxi from the airport will set you back roughly 150,000–200,000 IDR ($10–$14). Grab a Grab or Gojek is far better and cheaper than the hawks.
If you want to hop to the Gili Islands or Lombok, the main departure points are Padang Bai (roughly 1.5 hours from Sanur, 250,000–400,000 IDR/$17–$28 for fast boat) or Serangan Harbour (45 minutes, 200,000–300,000 IDR/$14–$21). Boats run frequently in high season but can be delayed by weather.
For day trips, Nusa Lembongan is a 30-minute fast boat ride from Sanur (150,000–200,000 IDR/$10–$14). Domestic buses or private drivers can get you to Ubud in 45–60 minutes for 150,000–200,000 IDR ($10–$14).
Overall
Sanur is safe, calm, and predictable. It is also pretentious and a little bit dull. Picture endless bars where musicians are murdering Redemption Song, but with less ladies of the night. It is though functional, nice enough and a good transit point for further travels.
Click to see my Indonesia Tours with YPT.