Moving slowly, a tourist in a casual outfit pedals his bicycle almost effortlessly. A woman, probably his partner, follows behind on her own bicycle. They are exploring the main street of Sanur; out passing pedestrians at the sidewalk; sharing the road with motorbikes and taxis. Both pedestrians and bicyclists are well accommodated here.
Known as one of the major pioneers of Bali tourism, Sanur still maintains its relaxing atmosphere while seamlessly adding a vibe of modernity. Not too quiet, not too noisy, Sanur today attracts younger generations, like solo, couple, or a small group of friends who wish to spend more quality time. It is also due to the role of Sanur as the embarking point to neighbouring popular destinations Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida.
Whether you are intending to put Sanur on your itinerary, or just passing your way to neighbouring islands, this one-day list of things to do is worth considering.
Magical Sunrise
Although it was several decades since the prominent figure Jawaharlal Nehru’s morning walk in Sanur with Indonesia’s first president Soekarno and said that Bali is the morning of the world, the magic is still there. You can watch that glorious minutes when the complete dark fades away and the universe paints the sky with a beautiful gradation of dark blue to red. Finally, the sun rises from below the horizon of the ocean. A good reason to set your morning alarm at 4:30am, doesn’t it?
Activities by The Beach
The highlight of Sanur is its coastal stretch of beaches – each has its own name. A few of them are Matahari Terbit Beach, Sindhu Beach, and Karang Beach. Those beaches are connected with a line of the well-paved boardwalk. In the morning or afternoon, you will meet other fellows who love jogging, cycling, or walking the dog.
Alternatively, canoe rent is available for rent at a small amount fee. The beaches here are protected by the offshore reef, creating a shallow and safe lagoon area, perfect for people who have fear of the sea and even kids.
Taman Festival Bali
Located near Padang Galak Beach, just a stone’s throw from Matahari Terbit Beach, Taman Festival Bali is a ruined entertainment park, which surprisingly triggers the curiosity of travellers. Dreaming to be one of the most spectacular entertainment parks in Southeast Asia, Taman Festival Bali was closed down because of the 1998 economic recession. The power of nature takes charge, but travellers can still explore the remaining buildings. Thanks to street artists who give life to this complex with colourful murals. Here’s one spoiler: check out the Turbo Theater.
Local Treats
For local visitors, a visit to Sanur is not complete without Lumpiang. A local food consisting of a mix of spring roll, tofu, and fried tempe topped with sauce, Lumpiang can be easily found along the beach. Spot a local seller who put a rectangle transparent box on his/her head to buy the food from. It’s cheap as only 5,000 rupiahs.
At dinner time, go to Sindhu Night Market. You will find many local food street stalls offering Indonesian food like satay, noodle, mixed rice available at a budget price range.
Go Classy
If you prefer a more classy dinner, There are a lining of fancy restaurants along Tamblingan Street to choose from. Or, turn to the beach’s boardwalk for beachside options. After dinner is getting easier in Sanur now as now you can find cafes with live music and some beach clubs with chill tunes which usually play until 11pm.
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