This is where our love for Bali began! Canggu is a hip and relaxed coastal town surrounded by rice fields where you won't be bored for a single moment. It is a backpackers paradise where you can surf, do yoga retreats and find many hip restaurants, bars and beach clubs. You won't find any perfect white beaches in Canggu, on the contrary. Nor are there any other notable sights. But if you like eating, shopping, partying and surfing, this is the place to be. It is an hour's drive from the airport, is a lot quieter than Kuta or Seminyak and is therefore our favourite place to spend the first and last days.
All about Canggu
Transport to and in Canggu
From the airport in Denpasar, you can reach Canggu within an hour. But also from Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud or Sanur in Canggu easily. If you are in Canggu then we recommend renting a scooter. If you'd rather not, Gojek or Grab (scooter) taxis are a perfect solution. Check out all our tips on transport to and in Canggu, Bali here.
Where is the best place to stay in Canggu?
In Canggu, you have three main areas, each very different:
- Batu Balong: This is the main area where you'll find all the shops, bars and restaurants. It is relatively busy but then you have everything within easy reach.
- Berawa: More and more hip restaurants and shops are popping up here. It is a bit less crowded than Batu Balong and the perfect mix with local life.
- Pererenan: Here you will find the best beach and be close to the rice fields. It is very quiet and you will find few restaurants and shops. It is about a 5 - 10-minute drive to Batu Balong.
What to do in Canggu and surroundings
There is an awful lot to do and explore in Canggu and the surrounding area. You can divide Canggu into 3 areas; Batu Bolong, Berawa and Pererenan. Each with new things to discover but all with the laid-back vibe.
Surfing: In Bali and the islands around it, there are several great places to surf but Canggu is surely ‘the place to be’. It is therefore not surprising that you see many scooters with ‘surfboard holders’, already early in the morning. At 6am, the first surfers can already be found on the water. This sounds early, but soon it gets even busier on the water.
Three well-known surfspots in Canggu are:
- Echo Beach
- Berawa Beach
- Batu Balong Beach (at Old Man's)
If you want to learn to surf, you can easily do so here. On the beach or through your hotel/hostel, you will find several surf schools where you can rent a surfboard and take lessons. The official surfing season is between May and September but actually, surfing is all year round!
Beaches and beach clubs: Batu Bolong, Echo beach, Berawa beach and Pererenan beach are lovely beaches. You won't find white beaches with clear blue water but there is a lovely relaxed ‘surfing atmosphere’.
- Easy to reach by scooter
- Surrounded by several restaurants.
Feel like spending an afternoon or a whole day lounging by a pool, sipping cocktails and eating good food? Then you can head to one of the beach clubs.
What to do in Canggu and surroundings
Pura Tanah Lot temple: If you are in Canggu, a visit to Tanah Lot temple cannot be missed. It is a well-known religious temple in the middle of a cliff that is visited by many tourists. You will also find several souvenir shops and restaurants.
- 30-minute drive from Canggu.
- Entrance fee: IDR 60,000 (€3.75) for adults and IDR 30,000 for children.
- Best time: Visit the Pura Tanah Lot temple at sunset.
Explore the rice fields: Tired of the crowds for a while? Then grab a scooter and check out the area outside Canggu and discover true Balinese culture. Go from Jalan Pantai Pererenan to Jalan Raya seseh for a beautiful green view. You won't find rice terraces here like in Ubud but it's definitely worth it.
- Best time: In the morning or evening, when it is quiet
What to do in Canggu and surroundings
Tasty and healthy food: On holiday, you want nothing more than to make every meal a party, right? In Canggu, you have come to the right place for this, because with over 311 restaurants, there is something for everyone. You can also attend one of the many cooking workshops here, so you can make the most delicious dishes at home. We have listed our favourite restaurants for you
Markets and shops: In Canggu, you can shop well. New shops are added every month from local brands to big brands like Havaianas. From clothes and bags to jewellery and home decorations.
Take a walk on Jalan Pantai Batu Balong. Here you will find a mini bazaar; Love Anchor Canggu and several small boutique shops, among others.
Also check out Echo beach; The organic Sunday Market where you can get delicious fresh food.
Finally, the Old Men's Market. Besides being a well-known bar in Canggu, Old Men's is also a great shopping spot! On every last Sunday of the month, you'll find a market with clothes, handmade items, vegetables and much more!
Tip: For the biggest selection of shops, head to Kuta or Seminyak.
Tip: Prefer to take an organised trip to Canggu? Then check out the website of BaliTravel. BaliTravel has been a specialist in organising trips to Bali for many years.
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