7 Days in Sanur, Bali

Shopping in Sanur can be a lot of fun—but you need to have a plan. Do you want to wander around some local markets and just browse for the experience, or do you have something specific in mind that you want to purchase? There are some great, high-quality ‘fake’ products you can purchase, including leather bags and shoes that are very popular with tourists.

I like to start at the large homewares shop on the main street, Magita Home Deco XL. It has a huge range of quality handmade decor and everything is very reasonably priced. I will then continue to head south along the main street, stopping in at other clothing and jewelry shops along the way.

I prefer visiting shops where all items are marked with prices. However, if you enjoy the ‘bargaining’ side of things, you will find plenty of open market-style shops where you are welcome to haggle over the price. Just remember, don’t take it too seriously and if you are not happy with the cost, smile politely and walk away.

Icon Mall is a brand new shopping precinct in Sanur. While similar to malls you’d find in any large city, Icon combines a very contemporary design with an open-air beachy vibe that makes it feel distinctly Balinese. There is also a cinema on the top floor with cheap movie tickets.

I like to visit Ubud as it offers quite a contrast in experiences compared to Sanur. Ubud conjures up images of rice-fields, temples, and yoga loving hippies. It has many popular tourist attractions, including the (in)famous Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. I had a blast here, and for someone that doesn’t enjoy visiting zoos, it is great to see these monkeys in their natural habitat.

There are also many ‘Instagramable’ attractions, such as the ‘Bali Swing’ and the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. I especially enjoy hunting down a rustic coffee shop selling local coffee and finding a scrumptious vegetarian eating venue.

For me, a trip to Bali is not complete without some sort of health and beauty treatment—think ‘to-die-for’ massages, manicures, pedicures, and a relaxing facial treatment.

There can be a very wide range of prices for these services. My personal advice would be to spend more on a pedicure/manicure, as a cheaply done one can be quite obvious. Then you can spend a little less on a massage. I’ve had some wonderful deep tissue massages for a fraction of the cost you would pay in Australia.

There are places that will accept ‘walk-ins’ although I would recommend making a booking where possible. Even just a couple of hours’ notice is often enough time to secure a booking, and if you use WhatsApp, you’re sure to get a quick response.

The Sanur Harbour allows you easy access to a number of nearby islands. Nusa Lembongan is one such place, and definitely worth a visit. Snorkeling and diving are popular here, and you can organize a tour package while still in Sanur or once you get to the island.

If you don’t want to get in the water, a boat tour is another good option, with plenty of scenic coves and rock formations to explore.

Why not spend a day that revolves around sampling some of Bali’s most delicious dining?

After enjoying a relaxing complimentary breakfast at your hotel, head out on a mission to find the perfect coffee spot.

For lunch, I would recommend somewhere along the beachfront, such as Genius Cafe Sanur, that serves up great Mexican and vegetarian food in a casual beachside cafe.

In the evening, take a stroll up the main street where you will be spoilt for choice. You can view the menus outside and then decide which venue best suits you and your group.

You must finish the night with a gelato from Massimo Italian Restaurant. Although the queues here can get long, it’s definitely worth the wait. The visual appeal of the various flavors is definitely a drawcard, and the value for money is sure to keep you coming back.

Have you really been on holiday if you haven’t spent a decent amount of time by the pool?

Spend your last day in Bali really enjoying the fantastic amenities and services offered at your resort/villa. As an Australian, I find the Bali sun less harsh than back home and can therefore spend a little more time poolside, while of course, still taking precautions to stay covered and hydrated at all times.

Now could be a good time to scroll through your camera roll and start editing and sorting the thousands of photos you have taken—and posting to social media to ensure everyone knows about the fabulous time you are having!

It’s time to say farewell the beautiful island of Bali. If you haven’t done so already, and still have time, you can make a quick trip to pick up some last-minute souvenirs.

Make sure you leave plenty of time for your transfer to the airport as Bali traffic is notoriously bad, meaning traffic jams can arise out of nowhere, turning once 30-minute trips into a one hour-plus trek.