Looking for the best things to do in Canggu? Canggu was the first stop on our Bali trip, and the perfect place to land after the long flight. It’s hip, buzzing, and a huge tourist magnet. You notice that right away: it’s busy and, compared to the rest of Indonesia, pricey too. But with beach clubs, surf lessons, amazing breakfast spots, and speakeasies, you’ll never be bored here. We stayed two nights. This post expands on the Canggu stop from our 3-week Bali itinerary.
Things to do in Canggu: what we did
Unwinding at Finns Beach Club
After the trip, all we wanted was to unwind, and we did that at Finns Beach Club. It’s hip and happening. Reserve your daybeds in advance, because without a reservation you won’t get in. We had delicious sushi and hung out at the pool bar with a Bintang in hand to cool off.
Our go-to travel buddy Edwin was there too. Together we enjoyed a local beer in the pool, and that’s exactly how a first day on Bali should look.
La Brisa: bohemian by the beach
The next day we went to La Brisa, the beach club next to Finns. That was more Claudia’s style: bohemian, with wooden cabanas right on the beach. A relaxed place to spend the day with your feet almost in the sand. Make sure you stay for the sunset: with a drink on a beanbag, surfers in the waves, and the sun sinking into the ocean, this is where the magic happens.
Pura Tanah Lot temple
In the morning we visited Pura Tanah Lot, the famous temple on a rock in the sea. It’s one of the best-known spots on Bali, so here too: the earlier, the quieter. Afterward we found a local warung for lunch. Our rule of thumb: if it’s full of locals, the food can only be tasty and fresh.
Want to combine Tanah Lot with other Bali highlights? This highly rated tour also takes you to the Jatiluwih rice terraces and Ulun Danu Beratan temple:
Shopping at Love Anchor Canggu
Then we strolled through the Love Anchor Canggu bazaar, the perfect shopping spot for Claudia. Think clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs in a charming setting.
Surf lessons: from natural talent to beached walrus
Definitely book a few surf lessons. Canggu is the best place for beginners to start, because the sea is a bit calmer here. We booked our lesson directly through our accommodation.
Claudia turned out to be a natural: after just an hour she was standing on her board and riding her first wave. I washed up on the beach three times like a beached walrus. Cue the wet towels and Greenpeace to the rescue 😉 We had a blast anyway, and that’s what it’s all about.
Where to stay in Canggu
We stayed two nights at Surf Lodge Canggu, in a double room for about $29 a night. It’s a small complex with simple rooms around a pool, but the vibe is great: really social, lots of surfers, and easy to connect with other travelers. Bonus: you can book your surf lesson right at the front desk. We prefer to book directly with the hotel. Surf Lodge Canggu doesn’t have its own website, but you can reach them through Instagram.
Where to eat and drink in Canggu
Lunch and dinner: Warung Sika
For both lunch and dinner, we kept coming back to Warung Sika. It’s a nasi campur buffet where you build your own plate. I’m usually not a big tempeh fan, but here it’s amazing.
Breakfast and coffee
- Barboa Bali: a spacious, airy coffee bar on Jalan Canggu Padang Linjong, great for a big breakfast.
- Milk & Madu: a well-known breakfast spot in Canggu. Get there early, because tables fill up fast.
- Copenhagen: a Scandinavian breakfast where you check off your dishes and get everything on one board. There can be a line, especially later in the morning.
- Gigi Susu: my favorite spot for a pain au chocolat. Grab a strong cup of coffee with it, and with a bit of bad luck, join the back of the line.
- Sisterfields: an Australian café for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. It’s just south of Canggu in Seminyak and well worth the ride.
- Fold: a fun coffee spot with delicious sandwiches and freshly baked bread, within walking distance of Surf Lodge Canggu.
At home Claudia always skips breakfast, but with so many great spots, that didn’t last long here. She danced those calories off later anyway.
Dinner
For a night out, try Penny Lane, a boho-chic restaurant in an open-air setting, or BELLA, a Mediterranean restaurant in Berawa that turns into a lounge with a DJ at night. Craving Latin American food? Head to Santanera.
Cocktails and speakeasies
Grab a cocktail at Manhattan Cocktail Bar & Kitchen. At The Mailroom you walk into an old mail room full of mailboxes, and you have to find the key to open the secret door. Don’t miss The Shady Pig either: the owner clearly binge-watched Peaky Blinders and took plenty of inspiration from it.
Ending the night
Top off your night at Old Man’s. And once you end up at Sand Bar, there’s no turning back: dancing into the early hours and crawling home.
From the airport to Canggu
We only landed in Denpasar: it’s not a city to stay in. From the airport we took a Grab to Canggu, and that makes a huge difference. Download the app before you leave. Don’t take a regular taxi at the airport: unfortunately, there are a lot of scammers around (just like at many big airports). With Grab, you know exactly what you’ll pay up front.
From Canggu to Ubud
After two nights we moved on to Ubud. Ray, our go-to guide on Bali, picked us up in Canggu; he actually handled all our transportation on Bali. The drive takes about one to one and a half hours, depending on traffic. Read on in Things to Do in Ubud: Our 3-Day Tips.
Things to do in Canggu: frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Canggu?
We found two nights enough to recover from the trip, take a surf lesson, try the beach clubs, and visit Tanah Lot.
Is Canggu a good place to learn to surf?
Yes. The sea here is a bit calmer than at other famous surf spots, and there are surf schools everywhere. You can often book a lesson right through your accommodation.
Do you need to book the beach clubs in Canggu?
At Finns Beach Club, definitely: without a daybed reservation you won’t get in.
👉 Also read: Bali, the Nusa Islands, and Gili Trawangan in 3 weeks and Things to Do in Ubud.
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