People visiting Bali tend to congregate in different areas (and it saves a lot of time if you can find the place that’s right for you). There’s Kuta for the young party kids, Canggu with the hipster crowd and trendy coffee shops, Ubud for the nature and yoga lovers and finally Seminyak. It is the most stylish corner of Bali and there are plenty of things to do in Seminyak for the luxury traveller. 

While there are plenty of obvious choices for things to do in Seminyak, we thought we’d shortlist some of our favourite places that you should add to your itinerary. We’ll start with the essential list of things to do (I’m sure you’ll get inspired). Let’s get started.

5 Essential Things to do in Seminyak

1. Pick up Some One-of-a-Kind Fashion Pieces

As Seminyak’s reputation has grown, so too has its abundance of fashion boutiques. Many of them line Jl Laksmana, which is a great place to shop and pick up some unique items. Stores include the rock ‘n’ roll favourite Religion, longtime favourite Milo’s, and the high-end women’s clothing store, Bong’s.

2. Enjoy a Night Out on the Town

Seminyak is home to Bali’s most fashionable bars and nightclubs, the island’s premier places to see and be seen. Chief among them is Hu’u, a stylish club centred around a swimming pool. There’s also Baker Street Social, a speakeasy specialising in some very creative cocktails. The prices in this part of Bali tend to match the reputation – you can easily spend Rp 150,000 on a drink. If you enjoy your nightlife add this to your list of things to do in Seminyak.

3. Enjoy a Luxury Hotel

The luxury resorts which line the beachfront are Seminyak’s defining characteristic. This is the place to come for unashamed luxury, and it feels a million miles away from the brash atmosphere of neighbouring Kuta. If you’ve got the budget for it, a stay in one of the area’s luxury hotels is a great experience. The Oberoi is a Seminyak landmark which kickstarted Seminyak’s ascent to luxury status. The W Retrat and Spa meanwhile is one of my personal favourites.

4. Have a Traditional Balinese spa

Bali is famous the world over for its spa treatments. Balinese massage is an ancient art which combines techniques from China, India and Southeast Asia. Seminyak, with its world-class hotels and ever-increasing numbers of tourists, is a great place to try out traditional Balinese wellness treatments. Head to Lagoon Spa on Jl Baik-Baik for acupressure, aromatherapy, hot stone massages, and many more.

5. Have a Michelin Star Meal

If you want to experience Seminyak’s jet set side but don’t have the budget to stay in one of the top hotels, try a fancy meal out instead. The Restaurant at The Legian is an acclaimed restaurant which will also afford you a taste of Seminyak’s luxury hotel lifestyle. It specialises in a fusion of French and Southeast Asian cookery styles, with creative dishes including olive oil sorbet. Another great choice is Settimo Cielo, a fantastic Italian on Jl Pangkung Sari.

10 Ideas for Things to do in Seminyak

6. Visit the Dream Museum Zone

Bali’s fine art traditions are widely renowned. For a more modern artistic experience head to the Dream Museum Zone (DMZ). The pieces here play with perception and comprise one of the world’s finest collections of ‘trick art’. 2D paintings create the impression of depth with amazing realism, making for some great Instagram opportunities!

7. Indulge in Delicious Balinese Cuisine

Balinese cuisine may well be the best – though Indonesians could argue about this all day. The most famous Balinese dish is probably babi guling roast suckling pig. This spicy, juicy treat is enjoyed across the island. There are plenty of great restaurants in Seminyak where you can try Babi Guling. If you want to sample this dish we recommend Babi Guling Pak Malen on busy Sunset Road.

8. Marvel at the Centuries-old Petitenget Temple

While Seminyak is not home to as many as spiritual centres like Ubud, there are a few temples that you should visit. Top of the list is the beautiful Petitenget Temple. This red-brick Hindu temple is a cultural landmark for the local community, and one of Bali’s famous sea temples.

9. Learn to Cook the Balinese Way!

Seminyak is a great place not just to try Balinese cuisine, but to learn how to cook it. There are numerous cookery classes in Seminyak, but one of the best is run by British chef Dean Fisher. You can learn how to whip up delicious specialities including bebek betutu (spicy duck), chicken satay, and kambing mekuah (spicy lamb and coconut stew).

10. Go Scuba Diving

Bali is home to some of the finest scuba diving in Indonesia, and, by extension, the world. Seminyak is a great place for divers, whether you’re a complete beginner looking to learn or a seasoned veteran. You can find some great diving packages for Seminyak and other parts of Bali on this page.

11. Hit the Beach

Seminyak’s beautiful golden beach is one of the areas main attractions. It’s a lovely place to swim or surf, although the currents are strong. Therefore, this area is recommended mainly for advanced surfers. The main draw of Seminyak Beach is simply the chance to see and be seen. It’s a fashionable spot, and its beachfront bars and restaurants are great places to watch the beautiful people go by.

12. Check out an Art Gallery

Art lovers will find plenty to keep them occupied in Seminyak, with everything from traditional religious art to cutting-edge modern design. The latter can be found at Nyaman, an acclaimed contemporary gallery on Jl Raya Basangkasa. The art here spans jewellery, painting, photography and sculpture courtesy of artists from around the world.

13. Go Bungee Jumping

If you enjoy extreme sports then try bungee jumping. Daredevils can get their fix, though, at The Bungy Co, a huge tower just north of Sunset Road – unsurprisingly, it’s run by a New Zealander. Regular, tandem and harness jumps are all available. Real thrill seekers can make the jump on a BMX, a motorbike, or even in a ball of flame wearing a fire suit! This is definitely one of the more extreme thing to do in Seminyak.

14. Take a Tour on Horseback

A horseback ride is a peaceful and unforgettable way to experience Seminyak. Options range from a gentle 2-hour ride on the beach to a whole day tour. If you choose the latter, you’ll take in beautiful rice terraces and explore mysterious caves, finishing up at Tanah Lot. This ancient water temple is one of Bali’s most famous landmarks.

15. Exercise your Body and Soul with some Yoga

Bali is a famous centre for yoga and meditation, and Seminyak is no exception. A particularly highly regarded centre is Seminyak Yoga Shala, which runs daily classes spanning Hatha, Ashtanga Mysore, and Led Ashtanga styles. The teachers are very experienced and lead classes for those of all ability levels. A yoga class is a great way to redress the balance after indulging in one of Seminyak’s nightclubs the night before.

Final thoughts

Seminyak is the glamorous face of Bali. From the luxury hotels through to the bars, clubs and upscale restaurants there are plenty of interesting things to do in Seminyak. Even if you’re travelling on a budget, we hope this list gave you some inspiration for making your trip.

Have you been to Seminyak? Do you have any suggestions for other things to do in Seminyak? Let us know in the comments below.