Seminyak: Bali Travel Guide
24 hours in Seminyak
Seminyak is one of the busiest cities in Bali. Tourists flock here for the nightlife, shopping, and dining. The hustle and bustle made Seminyak my least favorite of the three that we visited. The city was very saturated with cars, motorbikes, tourists and tourists on motorbikes. Starting our adventure in quieter areas, made Seminyak seem very noisy. The noise level also had a lot to do with the taxis’ honking at tourists to let them know they are available for service, versus the tourist trying to flag down a taxi. The honking can get annoying when you’re walking around. I would recommend starting your stay here first, so that the rest of your trip is a bit more peaceful. On a positive note, Seminyak had many unique cafes and adorable boutiques. The perfect place to shop for items you may have forgotten to pack, or bring back home.
Where We Stayed
Seminyak is packed with beautiful Airbnbs featuring open terraces and pools. You can find a beautiful villa for less than $100 a night. Ours was located in a quiet neighborhood and within walking distance of the main streets. Our villa was beautifully decorated with all-white and macrame details. The pool was surrounded by plants and shaded by a tree. The three rooms were all spacious, and two came with private bathrooms. The common area was an open patio attached to a small kitchen. Local businesses even delivered food to our door. The atmosphere was lovely and relaxing.
Where We Ate
Sibling Espresso Bar.
Sisterfields
We grabbed a coffee and waited until our table was ready. The decor is minimal with a lot of plants. The bathroom features a long pink hallway with fun quotes on the mirrors. The food was, again, delicious! The portions were big enough to share, and the options made it very difficult to choose what to pick. Ultimately, I ordered an affogato and eggs benedict. Everyone’s plates looked amazing as we “ooo’d and ahh’d” when the food arrived.
Motel Mexicola
has an incredible vibe and fun decor with a Mexican flare. From the decor to the food, it felt like one of the over-the-top clubs in Cabo. The food and drinks, however, were overpriced. The quality of the food was poor, and the drinks were made with cheap alcohol. For what we ordered—appetizers and a few drinks—the bill was insanely high, especially compared to the rest of our trip. That said, the dancing and atmosphere were a lot of fun. If you choose to check this place out, eat and drink beforehand.
Places We Missed (But Wish We Hadn’t!)
Here are all the places I had on my list to check out but didn’t have time for. These spots come highly recommended from blogs and YouTube:
- Wacko Burger
- Mamasan Bali
- Cafe Organic Bali
- Naughty Nuri
- Barbacoa
- Kaum
- The Junction House Bali
- La Plancha
- Kynd
- Kim Soo
- Nalu Bowls Shelter
- Revolver Espresso
- Coffee Cartel
- Potato Head Beach Club
- Boss Man
Where to Go
Beach clubs and bars are the thing to do here, but we took it easy, mainly because we were exhausted from exploring other locations. The main event we did, as recommended by our guide Ketut, was a visit to Tanah Lot Temple. To get there, you’ll walk through aisles of shops and tents, making it a great opportunity for last-minute souvenir shopping. The temple itself is surrounded by water, especially during high tide, so be prepared to get wet! The water is clear and refreshing in the heat. In a nearby cave, men offer blessings and place rice on your forehead for a small donation. The temple is small but offers beautiful views and a serene spot to sit and enjoy the ocean sounds.
After Tanah Lot, Ketut took us to another beach, where my friends grabbed drinks at a local beach club. I, on the other hand, walked along the sand and collected beautiful shells and pieces of dead reef to bring home. It was the perfect way to end our adventure in Bali and begin the journey back home.
