Canggu –pronounced as Chang-goo– is hot and happening. What once started as a sleepy surf village has now grown into one of the most popular coastal spots in Bali. In Canggu, there’s always something happening, and the waves are attractive for surfers of all levels year-round. You don’t visit Canggu for cultural sights but mainly for the many culinary hotspots, fun shops, fantastic parties, and great surf sessions. If this sounds appealing, Canggu is a wonderful destination to start or conclude your journey through Bali, as it’s only about an hour’s drive from the airport. I’ve searched for the best things to do in Canggu and am sharing them here in this mini travel guide.

Tip: From the Airport Directly to Canggu

Canggu is the ideal destination to relax for a few days after your flight to Bali. After a long flight, it’s not pleasant to have to negotiate the price of a taxi ride immediately, so it’s recommended to book a pick-up to your hotel in advance. Someone will be waiting for you with your name on a sign, and you can get right into the car to head to your hotel in Canggu. This is also much cheaper, as taxi drivers at Bali’s airport charge ridiculously high prices.

What to Do in Canggu?

Every day in Canggu brings something new to experience. Eating, surfing, relaxing, and partying; nothing is mandatory, but everything is possible. We think you shouldn’t miss the following places and activities in Canggu.

Chill at the Best Beach Clubs in Canggu

Of all the coastal towns in Bali, Canggu absolutely has the finest beach clubs. During the day, you can lounge in the sun on a sunbed while enjoying food, drinks, and music. In the evening, there are often fun parties. Each beach club is different and has its own charm. Additionally, there are several fun pool bars in Canggu. Panama Kitchen & Pool, Sol Rooftop, Boheme, Le Bajo, and Alternative Beach come highly recommended.

• Finns Beach Club – This is one of the largest and most famous beach clubs in Canggu. It features a modern design with multiple pools, bars, and lounge areas. The atmosphere is lively and cheerful, with a DJ playing regularly.
• The Lawn – This beach club has a relaxed, bohemian vibe with a mix of modern and rustic elements. Perfect for a laid-back day! It has cozy seating areas and an infinity pool with a sea view.
• La Brisa – This is a beautiful beach club at Eco Beach. It has multiple levels and feels a bit like a large treehouse. Everything is built with recycled wood from fishing boats, giving it a unique, natural, and rustic look.

Good to Know: Keep in mind that at many beach clubs, you need to spend a minimum amount for those nice luxury sunbeds. For this ‘minimum spend’, you can order food and drinks. If you don’t want to spend that much, there are usually tables without a minimum spend where you can just sit for a snack or drink. If there are bean bags available at the beach club, they are generally free to use without a set spend.

Must Do: Discover Balinese Cuisine During the Food Tour

Balinese cuisine is definitely something to savor. We all know nasi goreng and chicken satay, but there are so many more dishes you’ll want to try. If you love good food and want to understand the menus at local warungs for the rest of your trip, you should definitely join the Food Tour in Old Denpasar. Just a short one-hour drive from Canggu lies the old town of the capital, Denpasar, where you can best taste the authentic flavors of Bali. Treat your taste buds to snacks from the best stalls and small warungs at the local market. Make sure you’re hungry, as you’ll sample over 15 different snacks and drinks and learn all about the ingredients and culinary culture of Bali. It’s a fun and surprising tour that’s best scheduled at the beginning of your trip.

Note: This tour is not suitable for vegetarians.

Shop at La Brisa Sunday Market

La Brisa Sunday Market takes place every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the grounds of La Brisa. You’ll find many stalls with delightful items from small entrepreneurs. From organic creams to trendy clothing and unique handmade goods. You can arrive with an empty stomach, as there are also plenty of food stalls available.

Visit the Beaches of Canggu

To get straight to the point, the beaches of Canggu don’t exactly fall into the category of ‘the most beautiful beaches in Bali.’ Due to the volcanic rock, the sand is dark in color. Nevertheless, the beaches are vibrant, and there are bean bags everywhere to relax in. I visited all the beaches in Canggu and have listed the differences for each one.

• Berawa Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Canggu. Known for its wide stretch of sand, it’s a wonderful place for a stroll. In the late afternoon, locals come here for some fun, and it gets lively during sunset.
• Batu Bolong Beach is another popular beach with great surfing opportunities. It’s easily accessible and has a vibrant atmosphere with both locals and travelers.
• Canggu Beach is located next to Batu Bolong Beach and is considered the central beach. It has a relaxed vibe with bean bags and surf stalls.
• Echo Beach is a bit rougher, featuring rocks in the surf.
• Pererenan Beach is a quieter and less developed beach compared to other beaches in Canggu.
• Seseh Beach is a secluded and calm beach located a bit further away from the busy areas of Canggu. It has a rugged coastline surrounded by rice fields and palm trees. This beach is less known among tourists, making it an ideal spot for those seeking peace and privacy.

Good to Know: Coming by scooter? You’ll likely need to pay a small fee for parking at most beach spots.

(Learn to) Surf in Canggu

Canggu is an ideal place to surf because there are perfect waves year-round. Each beach has its own unique wave conditions, suitable for both beginner and experienced surfers. If you want to take surf lessons, Batu Bolong and Canggu Beach are the right spots. Here, you’ll find plenty of surf schools and places to rent boards. If you already have some surfing experience, Berawa Beach and Pererenan Beach also have great waves for experienced surfers. The real pros tackle the challenging waves at Echo Beach, where you need to watch out for the rocks and reefs offshore.

Surf Lesson Tip: If you’d like surf lessons in Canggu, it’s fun to take them from professional surfer Curly. Balinese Curly has been surfing for almost 20 years and has been giving surf lessons for 10 years. He explains everything clearly before you dive into the sea. Once you’re on your board, he guides you exceptionally well, sharing all the tips and tricks so you’ll be riding a wave in no time!

Help Clean Up Canggu’s Beach

Trash often washes up on the beaches of Canggu. Luckily, there are people and organizations committed to keeping the beaches clean. Trashhero focuses on educating the local community and organizes a beach clean-up every Sunday afternoon. They welcome anyone who wants to lend a hand in cleaning up the trash. This great initiative starts at 4:30 PM near Old Man’s on the beach. You can join without registering and will receive a bag to collect the waste. Check their Instagram for more specific information.

Delicious Food at the Best Hotspots in Canggu

Canggu is a paradise for foodies. It’s known for its many trendy restaurants and cafés that serve dishes that not only taste amazing but look fantastic as well. The selection of restaurants and cafés is vast, making it difficult to choose. If you don’t want to spend time figuring it all out but still want to end up at the best hotspots, check out these tips for the 15 best restaurants and cafés in Canggu.

Shop at Love Anchor Canggu

Love Anchor Canggu is a mini bazaar featuring small stalls and boutique shops. From bags to jewelry and cute home decor items to clothing and shoes, there’s a lot to explore. The atmosphere is great, and it’s also a nice place to grab a drink.

Tip: Didn’t find anything you like at Love Anchor? You can also visit this market next to La Brisa.

Nightlife in Canggu

The nightlife in Canggu is fantastic! There are many cozy bars, and there’s always a different place where a party is happening each day. You can grab a drink at the following spots any day of the week, but on certain nights, specific locations become popular due to the parties they host. Here’s the nightlife agenda for your visit to Canggu:

• Monday kicks off the week at Luigi’s Hot Pizza with house and techno beats.
• Tuesday is pretty relaxed, but for some fun disco music, check out the cocktail bar Shady Pig or the more upscale bar MissFish.
• Wednesday is one of the busier nights in Canggu. Start your evening at Old Man’s with a beer pong competition. Across the street, Mexicola is also lively, and you can have a good time at Mamasita Bali for a fun party.
• Thursday is happening at Pretty Poison. Think of an empty pool for skating with music ranging from rock & roll to hip hop and techno. Atlas Super Club features mostly international acts spinning melodic techno. At Playroom, they play urban tunes until the early hours.
• Friday offers several options. At Black Sand Brewery, you can enjoy your Friday afternoon with craft beer brewed on-site. Vault is always lively, and The Lawn has half-price drinks on select items in the evening, along with a mix of disco, house, RnB, and hip-hop beats. Deus livens up the night with live stand-up comedy.
• Saturday includes the regular nights at Vault and Atlas Super Club. Additionally, it depends on whether there are big headliners in town. La Brisa often hosts large parties on these nights. Miss Fish, Behind the Green Door, Jade, Santana, and Mamasita are all recommended if you’re in the mood for cocktails.
• Sunday features great live music at Deus during the Sunday Sessions.

Tip: Many bars in Canggu close at midnight, but the party continues every night at Sand Bar on Batu Bolong Beach. You can keep the wild night going on the beach until the early hours.

Horseback Riding on the Beach at Sunset

Salty Cowboy Horse Riding is a ranch tucked away among the rice fields, just a 20-minute drive from Canggu. The Dutch owner, Simone, her partner Aep, and their team rescue and rehabilitate horses from poor living conditions. They provide these horses with a loving home and train them to offer them a new and happy life.

Would you like to ride along the beach and through the rice fields? You can do just that! By horseback riding at Salty Cowboy, you also support this wonderful initiative, enabling them to rescue more horses in the future. The horses may be a bit skittish since they all have challenging pasts. But don’t worry; you can still ride here even without experience. There’s always someone with you to guide the way and care for the horse. You can choose to ride through the rice fields, along the beach, or to the river. Book a few days in advance to ensure availability.

Watch the Sunset at Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot is an ancient Hindu sanctuary located on a rocky island just off the coast of Bali. It’s a beautiful location that becomes especially picturesque during sunset, making it one of the most visited temples in Bali. Feel free to arrive two hours before sunset, as it’s a lovely spot to walk around and explore. Tanah Lot is almost like a small village, with various shops and eateries overlooking the sea. When the water is low, you can walk to the temple and climb it. You’ll first receive a blessing with holy water before being allowed to enter the temple.

Tips for Good Restaurants in Canggu

• Shady Shack – Enjoy the best vegetarian and vegan dishes from morning till night.
• Crate Café – One of the most popular hotspots for all-day breakfast.
• HoiAn by MeVui – Experience Vietnamese cuisine at its best in a cozy garden setting.
• Warung Varuna – Enjoy the most delicious local dishes for a great price.
• Boheme Canggu – Sink into a daybed, order something tasty, and enjoy the pool overlooking a rice field.
• Times Beach Warung – Here, you can relax with your feet in the sand right by the sea.
• Sensorium – If you’re looking for unique and innovative flavor combinations, this is the place to be.

Our Favorite Spots in Canggu

Looking for a nice place on a budget? We recommend the small-scale Surf Lodge Canggu. It features a lovely pool, spacious rooms, and a delicious breakfast each morning. The Palms Canggu is a great hotel in a central location just outside the busy center. It has a nice pool with super comfortable loungers where you can easily spend a few hours. You can also enjoy a game of pool or table tennis here. This is not a hostel, but a hotel with a friendly atmosphere where it’s easy to connect with other travelers. If you have a slightly larger budget and are looking for something special, ZIN Canggu is a paradise created by a Dutch owner who truly understands what is needed for a wonderful stay. Perfect for treating yourself to affordable luxury just 100 meters (328 feet) from the beach!

Surf Lodge Canggu More Information

The Palms Canggu More Information

ZIN Canggu More Information