Awesome Things To Do In Canggu, Bali
Welcome to Canggu!
Canggu is located of the south coast of Bali, a short distance from Denpasar and the Ngurah Rai International Airport. There is no shortage of things to do in Canggu, as you will discover throughout this article.
Canggu is considered a resort village, with a plethora of beautiful seaside accommodation, pristine beaches, and great surf. It also boasts an array of wonderful restaurants and of course, amazing shopping opportunities at both local markets and high-end shops.
The nearby town of Kuta is home to a buzzing nightlife and street culture scene, while the beaches of Seminyak are some of the best around. There is also no shortage of cultural activities to immerse yourself in, with the Pura Tanah Lot Temple being one of the top favorite sites to visit.
So, sit back with your beverage of choice (a mimosa will suffice for me) and prepare to transport yourself to the beautiful seaside village of Canggu. Here are our favourite things to do in Canggu.
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Visit a Beach club in Canggu
It is common knowledge that Bali has some of the best beaches in the world. Canggu contributes to this fact, boasting some of the most beautiful beaches itself. What better way to cool off after a day in the sun and the sea at a popular Canggu beach club.
Some of the most popular beach clubs in Canggu include La Brisa, The Lawns, Finns, Como Beach, and the smaller beach clubs at Echo Beach. What better way to enjoy an ice cold Bintang or a meticulously prepared cocktail while overlooking the pristine beaches.
The best part is, at the end of the day, you will be treated to some of the most magical sunsets as you sip of that perfectly shaken margarita. The various beach clubs differ largely in price and their offering so you will undoubtedly be able to find something that suits both your pocket and your vibe.
Check out our post on Bali Beach Clubs.
Try Your Hand at Surfing
Bali and the rest of Indonesia is said to have some of the best surf in the world – warm water and perfect waves, what more could you ask for?
Canggu has it all. From mellow waves for beginners to more hardcore waves for advanced surfers and everything in between. There are surf schools that rent out equipment and provide surf lessons for those wanting to try their hand at surfing for the first time.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or are in search of some world-class surf, Canggu is the perfect spot. The beaches are easily accessible and if you’re not interested in catching waves, your partner or the rest of the family can do so while you lie on the beach and watch. As previously mentioned, you can also sit at one of the beach clubs and watch from a distance whilst sipping on that hard-earned cocktail. You’re welcome!
Ready to get your surf on? Book your Canggu surfing lessons!
Watch a Sunset in Canggu
Sunsets in Canggu mark of the end of the day in paradise. Whether you’re watching the sun go down from the comfort of you beach club lounger or while plonked down on the sand, you’re bound to be blown away by these wondering natural sky paintings that nature so generously provides for us.
There are number of options when it comes to watching the sunset in Canggu, each proving a unique perspective of these daily wonders. The most popular spot is hands-down from the beaches. Echo Beach is a great option or even at Old Man’s Beach Bar above Batu Bolong Beach, cocktail or Bintang in hand.
Another popular spot to watch the sunset is from the Canggu rice terraces. It requires a bit of navigating to get there and is best done on either a scooter or bicycle. Once there, you’ll be treated to an amazing sunset as the light shines through the rice crops and eliminates colours of orange, yellow and pink.
Visit the Pristine Beaches in Canggu
There’s no shortage of coastline in Canggu and some of the most amazing beaches can be found in the seaside village. Whether you’re looking to just relax and read your book or take the kids down for a day of building sandcastles and playing various beach games, the lava sand beaches await. Some of the beast beaches in Canggu include Bato Bolong Beach, Echo Beach, Nelayan Beach, and Berawa Beach.
Bato Bolong Beach is located at the end of Bato Bolong Street in Canggu. It is the perfect beach to learn to surf at as there are fun, forgiving waves to surf. Although it is one of the busiest beaches in the village, both on the sand and in the water, there is plenty of room for everyone to have a great time.
Echo Beach Canggu, or Pantai Batu Mejan as it’s known locally, is one of the most popular beaches in Bali. A close commute from both Kuta and Seminyak, Echo Beach has no shortage of surfboard rental stand, ding repair shops and cafes. It’s the perfect spot to catch a tan or a surf and of course, watch the sunset.
Nelayan Beach and Berawa Beach are also popular options when wanting to visit the beach. The usual activities can be done at both and are definitely not going to disappoint. Although still busy, they’re not as crowded as Echo Beach but offer much the same experience.
Immerse yourself in Canggu café culture
The Canggu café culture is one of significant importance to both the locals and tourists and there is no shortage in the village. There multitude of cafes are perfect for a drink, snack, cup of coffee, or a full meal and are normally conveniently located a mere stone’s throw from the beaches.
They also provide a base for digital nomads who call Bali home, providing internet and a source of food and drink. A few of the most popular cafes in Canggu for digital nomads include Sprout, Nude in Canggu and Milks and Madu.
Digital nomads aside, Bali has an amazing coffee culture, and the local cafes offer their own rendition of the local brew. The island also hosts the greatest number of cafes compared to anywhere else in the world – a pretty amazing feat!
A Visit to the Pura Tanah Lot Temple
If, at this point, you’re still asking yourself what to do in Canggu, fear not. I have you covered. Tap into your cultural side and plan a visit to the Pura Tanah Lot Temple, located just to the north of the village.
A short motorbike ride takes you up to the temple site, followed by a short 20-meter walk across the water at low tide. Tanah (Earth) Lot (Sea) is an appropriate name as the temple is essentially in the ocean.
It’s an incredibly popular tourist attraction when visiting the Land of the Gods and one of the top things to do in Canggu. No trip is complete without a visit to the temple. It also provides an amazing photo opt for watching the sunset and is considered one of the best spots in the entire country. There is a small entrance fee payable but the visit and the view alone more than make the marginal amount worth it.
Book sunset at Tanah lot here.
Visit a Market in Canggu
There are a number of amazing markets in Canggu worth visiting where you can purchase local cuisine, fresh produce, and many traditional items – the perfect souvenir or gift for your loved ones back home.
Love Anchor market is centrally located and boasts a broad array of accessories, clothing, and other artisanal products. It can be a bit expensive compared to other markets in the country but if you’re a good haggler you’ll be sure to get a good deal.
Samadi Sunday market is focussed on food items and produce, and as the names suggests, operates on the weekend. You can sample some of the favourite local cuisine and fresh food and vegetables that the village has to offer as well as stock up on household items and kitchen essentials.
The Bali Niki Natural Art market is slightly further out than the other markets but as a result, is a bit quieter and not as touristy. Many of the same items sold at Love Anchor market are available here but at a better price. This is incentive to make the slightly further drive.
Final Words
So now you’ve read all this, I’m sure no convincing is necessary. Canggu is an amazing place to visit when embarking on your winter escape to the beautiful island of Bali. It’s fun for the whole family or couples alike, with a broad variety of activities available at your leisure.
With so many things to do in Canggu, from amazing beaches, surfing, cultural activities, markets, and more, the small seaside village is the perfect escape when temperatures back home start to plummet. You will return home with many a memory and an incredible tan too – bound to make your friends jealous. But fear not, this is where your visit to the local market to buy them souvenirs will come in handy.
Ready to head to Bali? Check out our best places to stay in Canggu.
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