Looking for a bit of glam and luxury when in Bali? Seminyak is your answer. Seminyak travel guide is what you need to enjoy the high life in the southern part of Bali. A popular spot for expatriates and splurging travelers alike, Seminyak should be on the list of anyone looking for a posh and exclusive holiday.
Why Should You Visit Seminyak?
South Bali is the most accessible part of Bali for most tourists; the closest area to visit after your plane lands on Ngurah Rai International Airport. Most of the South Bali areas are popular among backpackers and low-budget travelers. However, what if you want to enjoy something more sophisticated without leaving this strategic area?
Enter Seminyak, an upmarket neighborhood not far from Kuta and Legian. However, unlike its closest neighbors, Seminyak has a more laid-back atmosphere. The beach is quieter and more famous for boutiques, upscale bars and restaurants, and luxury spas. Seminyak is also close to villages like Petitenget, Kerobokan, and Umalas, popular locations of private, luxury villas.
You can enjoy so many activities in Seminyak while enjoying high-end places. Its location also gives you easy access to other areas, should you want to explore further. Seminyak is also a great place for culinary adventures and honeymoon; a piece of a bustling yet laidback paradise that is not as costly as further high-end locations.
Best Time to Visit Seminyak
April to October is generally the best time to visit Bali, especially if you want more sunny days and fewer rain drops. However, Seminyak is a great place to visit all year round. There are many activities that do not depend on the weather or sunny days.
If you want to cut costs, try visiting between mid-January to early June or mid-September to early December. They are considered low seasons and you can find cheaper tickets and accommodations more easily.
How to Get to Seminyak
Seminyak is only 10 km away from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Unless you have arranged a car, shuttle, or hotel pick-up service, an airport taxi is the most convenient way to go to Seminyak. The trip lasts around 30 to 35 minutes, depending on the traffic. Make sure you get your taxi from the official counter at the airport.
What to Do in Seminyak?
Here are several fun things you can do in Seminyak.
Enjoying the Wellness Treatments
Most Seminyak travel guides will mention wellness treatments such as spas and yoga, and it’s not wrong. Seminyak is peppered with high-end spa establishments, offering everything from traditional full-body treatments to high-tech wellness packages. Places like Bodywork, Prana Spa, AWAY, and The Cottage Beauty Spa are favorites among spa lovers.
Don’t miss out on the opportunities for pleasant yoga sessions. Seminyak has a lot of yoga and Pilates studios, perfect for refreshing and invigorating sessions during your holiday.
Having a Culinary Experience
Seminyak has everything you love from a culinary adventure: cozy coffee shops, authentic Balinese and other Indonesian dishes, steakhouses, posh international restaurants, and vegan establishments. Seminyak is also a place for many fine dining restaurants, like Mauri, Seasalt, Teatro Gastroteque, and Sarong.
Having Fun at Sunset Bars
The sunset bars in Seminyak are perfect for enjoying the beach vibe in a glamorous way. The famous Ku De Ta, Potato Head, and La Plancha are festive, while Alila and the posh rooftop bar at Double Six have more exclusive atmospheres.
Bar-hopping and Clubbing
When the evening comes, Seminyak offers more options to spend the night at bars and clubs. Places like Motel Mexicola and Frankenstein’s Bar offer unique concepts, while Akademi Bar and Above Rooftop are posh and elegant. Ryoshi provides a relaxing vibe with its Jazz band; Sling Bar has a vibrant Roaring Twenties interior.
Shopping Until You Drop
The main streets of Seminyak are home to many stylish shops. From chic boutiques to kid’s stores and men’s apparel, there are a lot of things to explore and buy to complete your style. Want to see something more vibrant without spending too much? Visit Kereneng night market, Oberoi flea market, and Pasar Badung market.
Visiting Art Galleries
Seminyak is a home for art galleries where you can appreciate art and even take home original artworks. Purpa Fine Art Gallery, for example, houses the works of local and international artists like I Gusti Nyoman Lempand, Antonio Blanco, and Miguel Covarrubias. Positive Negative Visual Gallery primarily houses works of local artists with colorful and even quirky styles. Syah Gallery features artworks and in-house artists that can turn your photo into a painting.
Riding Horse on the Beach
Ever dream of riding a horse on a beautiful beach? Seminyak has several commercial stables where you can ride well-trained horses on the beach. They offer horse-riding lessons for children and adults; you don’t need to be an experienced rider! Bali Equestrian Centre, Mesari Stables, and Royal Sport Horse Bali are just some examples.
Visiting Petitenget Temple
Pura Petitenget is one of the most important temples in Bali and definitely a worthy place to see. Built-in the Fifteenth Century, Petitenget Temple is an essential religious venue for locals, especially during sacred days like Pujawali, Piodalan, and Merakih. Every weekend, many local youths practice traditional dances in the temple area. You can also watch traditional dance performances or take beautiful sunset pictures.
Signing Up for Cooking Class
Want to make your culinary adventure more memorable? Join one of the numerous cooking classes in Seminyak. Join a short class alone or with your friends and loved ones, learning about diverse ingredients and delicious Indonesian dishes beyond fried rice and satay. Many cooking classes take you to rice fields, traditional markets, or organic gardens, while others are parts of scheduled tours.
Where to Eat
Despite being an upscale neighborhood, Seminyak offers delicious dining experiences for all budgets. Here are some recommendations for you to try, based on your budget.
Cheap Eats
Seminyak has a lot of warung (cheap food stalls) and humble restaurants that serve delicious local dishes. Nasi campur, or rice with a lot of side dishes, is a go-to menu for affordable and fulfilling dishes. You can also find a lot of cheap dishes at a night market. Places like Alleyway Shack, Ingka, and Warung Souvlaki serve affordable dishes at comfortable venues. Many dishes cost less than US$5 for one person.
You can also find a streetside snack and food vendors selling popular snacks and meals like nasi jingo (small-portion rice dishes), gorengan (deep-fried fritters), bakso (soup with meatballs and noodles), and many more. If you have a sensitive stomach, ensure only to eat cooked or hot food, and stay away from chili peppers and sambal, which are staple condiments.
Mid-range Eats
Seminyak offers a lot of mid-range restaurants and coffee shops for moderately-priced but satisfying dishes. For example, Seminyak Kitchen and Hibiscus Restaurant have cozy vibes for families. Corner House serves coffee and typical Western café fare. Naughty Nuri is perfect for steak lovers, while Warung Chef Bagus offers Asian dishes and grills, including grilled pork ribs.
For mid-range eats, you can expect to spend around USD$10 to US$20 per person.
Fine Dining
If you have no budget limits, you must try Seminyak’s best fine dining restaurants. Examples include Fire Restaurant and The Plantation Grill grilled meat, John Hardy Boutique Restaurant, Seasalt, the exotic Da Maria, and Mejekawi, which offers local ingredients and delicious cocktails.
If you are just returning from Petitenget Temple, stop at La Lucciola, a legendary restaurant with a rotating menu and romantic setting. Sardine serves the best seafood with ingredients from mostly local suppliers. Tanaman is a place to experience food with high concepts, with innovative chefs creating vibrant, unique, and delicious dishes.
Where to Sleep
Seminyak has a lot of comfortable two and three-star hotels that give great experiences with US$20 to US$30 per night. Mesari Beach In & Stables has traditional touch in every corner, with decent rooms and amenities. 7 Bidadari is a beautiful and cozy boutique hotel close to Seminyak’s top nightlife centers, like Potato Head and Ku De Ta. Astana Kunti is a tremendous homey hideaway, yet still close to Seminyak Square.
Seminyak boasts sophisticated four-star and five-star hotels for splurging trips. Alila, Courtyard Resort, Double Six, Montigo Resorts, and Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa are among the most famous names for luxury accommodations in Seminyak.
Seminyak also offers luxury villas for extra privacy and exclusive experiences. The Claremont, The Cotton House, Windu Asri, Villa Atas Ombak, and The Samaya offer spacious living areas, beautiful surroundings, and complete amenities.
How to Get Around in Seminyak
Seminyak has a pleasant atmosphere for walking, and you can find a lot of hidden gems, from cute boutiques to colorful murals. However, a rental car with a driver is still the easiest way to explore without much effort. You can rent a car for a couple of hours, a day, or several weeks.
Expect to spend around US$70 to US$90 for a full-day rental car in Seminyak with the driver. The cost does not include gas, but you can negotiate the numbers if you only need a car for several hours.
Taxi is the next best thing for easy and convenient transportation. Most Seminyak travel guides mention Bluebird, a go-to name for high-quality taxi services. You can call for this taxi from the airport or your hotel/villa. Avoid hailing random taxis on the street and always agree upon a fixed price before getting into one.
Costs in Seminyak
Seminyak costs a little more than the neighboring Kuta and Legian. Depending on where you stay, expect to spend at least US$30 to US$70 per night for a decent three-star hotel. As a solo traveler, you might spend at least US$50 to US$80 for one day, which covers eating out and sightseeing.
If you are a luxury traveler who wants to splurge, there are no limits on how much you can spend. However, the average cost could be around US$80 to US$150 per night in a posh hotel and US$80 to US$150 for having fun and eating out.
Tips when Visiting Seminyak
Make your trip safer and more convenient by following these tips:
Book Your Transportation Beforehand
Public transportation in Bali can be a bit unreliable, so arranging your transport beforehand will save you from trouble. This includes using a hotel shuttle service, renting a car, or booking a tourist shuttle service. Use a taxi as your next choice after these options, and stick to reliable services like Bluebird.
Download WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the most commonly used messaging apps in Indonesia. Most locals, including drivers and other important people you will meet when traveling, prefer this app instead of SMS. WhatsApp can be downloaded for free and it is easy to use. If you use a local SIM card during your stay, the service package usually covers WhatsApp, which helps you save phone credit or data.
Start Early when Surfing
Seminyak is not as iconic as Kuta or Canggu for surfing, but its waves are better for novices, which makes the activity popular. Make sure to visit the beach early to get the best spot and larger space.
Rent Bicycles Instead of Scooters
Scooters or motorbikes are the go-to rental vehicles for many local tourists. However, avoid renting scooters or motorbikes unless you have licenses and are already skilled. They can be hard to control, especially on crowded roads. Bicycles are often better choices; you can explore more languidly, and they are easier to maneuver. Since Seminyak is not a big place, bicycles are enough for casual tourists.
Book Activities at Your Hotel
If you only stay for a short time, pick a good hotel and book their activities. Many decent hotels in Seminyak offer fun activities such as yoga classes, cooking classes, spa days, and cultural tours. Use this opportunity to maximize your stay before exploring other areas in Bali during your holiday.
Seminyak is a popular upscale destination in South Bali, with distinctive charm and a quaint atmosphere in a coastal neighborhood. Use this Seminyak travel guide as a start to create the most satisfying itineraries and enjoy your stay.
