Top 5 Things to Do in Canggu, Bali
While backpackers looking to party flock to Kuta to spend a hazy night gouging themselves at Sky Garden, and yogis looking to eat, pray, love may find themselves physically and spiritually in Ubud, I found myself instead in a next upcoming hotspot of Bali – Canggu.
Full of cute cafes, fun bars, trendy shops, and decent surfing waves, Canggu is attracting a beautiful crowd looking to escape the cluster of neighboring Seminyak and Kuta. The town is much more mellow, dotted with lush, green rice patties, along cobblestone roads filled with surfers on scooters. It has a small-town feel with all the luxurious amenities.
Scooters through the “famous shortcut” in Canngu, Bali
Here are our top 5 things to do in Canggu during your visit in Bali:
Eating healthy and local around Canggu
Good coffee and beautiful, bright nalu bowls (Bali’s answer to acai bowls!) is reason enough to make your way to Canggu. Like other places in Bali, there are plenty of affordable healthy eats – it’s probably one of the easiest places to be vegan throughout all of Asia. Some of my favorite haunts include Crate for nalu bowls, quinoa salads and peanut butter shakes from Peloton, a matcha green tea latte and sweet potato toast from Avocado Cafe, and poke bowls with large chunks of freshly caught tuna at Poke Poke. If you’re looking for something more local, there are plenty of Warungs (local food stalls) including my personal favorite, Warung Heboh where it’s buffet style and you pay by the item rather than weight which means you can pile heaps on for a cheap and filling meal!
From left: Coffee and desserts and avocado toast at Crate; Smoothies, juices and salad at Peloton in Canggu, Bali.
Party, drink and live band in Canggu
While Canggu’s nightlife may be a bit more subdued than in other parts of Bali, you can still have a great out and get up early to surf, depending on how many Bintang beers you’ve had the night before. One of my favorite places to drink has to be Pretty Poison in Canggu. Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, there’s an emptied out the swimming pool in the back where skaters show off their tricks to an adoring and attractive crowd sipping on their beers and cocktails. Other must-visits include Old Mans, which turns into a party after dark, live rock band included on Friday nights, and Deus, a restaurant/bar/motorcycle shop with a big backyard that gets filled to the brim on Sundays as visitors sway to the live reggae band. There’s also free tacos and tattoos on Tuesday. For a fun day party, Finn’s Beach Club is a trendy and affordable alternative to the more popular Potato Head Beach Club, while the Lawn by Old Man’s Beach is a cheap and great place to curl up on a beanbag. and buy a beer while chatting with the friendly staff who occasionally break out their guitars to serenade lucky guests.
Live Band on Friday nights at Old Man’s in Canggu, Bali
Chill with spa and massages at Canggu
If you’re still feeling stressed or just simply looking to pamper yourself, there are a few good places for massages, facials, and other spa treatments in Canggu. While prices may vary, Goldust is a popular spot that comes highly recommended. While it’s a bit pricier than other places in Canggu, the bit of extra cash you spend goes a long way in terms of luxury. Always #TreatYoSelf, especially when on holiday.
Goldust, best spa and massage in Canggu, Bali
Shopping at markets in Canggu
If you’re looking to take home something unique and fashionable from Bali, Canggu has a decent amount of boutiques and markets filled with trendy goodies. Old Man’s Market which occurs on the last Saturday of every month is a top hit with fashionistas. There’s also a Sunday market by People’s Café with clothes and jewelry made by local artists. And nothing is better than bringing home a bathing suit, the perfect souvenir to remember your wonderful time in Bali.
Jewelry shopping at Sunday’s Market in Canggu, Bali
Surf at the trendiest spot in Canggu
Of course, no trip to Canggu would be complete without surfing. While Canggu is becoming a trendy spot amongst beautiful sun-seekers, it’s first and foremost a town for surfers. You can take a cheap lesson or rent boards in various sizes right by the beach. The best surf spot for beginners would be Old Man’s beach, while Echo Beach and Berawa are also nice for more seasoned riders. While it’s not exactly empty, the water isn’t as crowded as other neighboring areas.
Surfing and new friends at Canggu, Bali – what else do we need?
With its burgeoning popularity, new hot spots for eating, partying, drinking, shopping and massaging are likely to pop-up in this little slice of paradise. What are your favorite places and things to do in Canggu? Do share it with us!
Where to stay in Canggu *
The Theana Eco Villa and Spa is quite popular in Canggu with its stylish villas for couples to families. Most of the places to stay in Canggu are private luxury hotels like Hotel Tugu Bali, which can be expensive for some visitors. For more affordable places to stay is the Uma Guesthouse.
