Bali Travel Guide: How To Spend Three Days in Seminyak
Just a quick heads up: Seminyak isn’t a destination for those looking for an authentic Indonesian experience. Sure, you can get your hands on a plethora of local Balinese delicacies, but don’t expect your trip to be a “cultural” journey. Seminyak is touristy and meant for tourists. There are more Aussies in Seminyak than in Melbourne’s city centre. Beach clubs and Australian cafés are aplenty and you will be rubbing shoulders with more tourists than natives.
Disclaimer: I’m not dismissing Seminyak. In fact, I LOVE Seminyak. It’s goddamn beautiful, the people here are incredibly friendly and prices here are at least 2X cheaper than Singapore.
I visited Seminyak twice this year and spent a total of 10 days eating and drinking to my heart’s content. If eat, sleep, rave, repeat is your life motto – then Seminyak is perfect for you. Otherwise, you might want to visit Ubud instead for a more peaceful vacation.
Seminyak, Bali Itinerary | Day One
Tip: SIM cards sold directly at Denpasar airport are unfortunately overpriced. I suggest you get a wifi router or a prepaid SIM card from Klook (rates start from S$3.90, and connects up to five devices).
Where to stay in Seminyak: Accommodation in Seminayk is very affordable. There are heaps of hotel and villas to cater to your varying needs. Here a few value-for-money options:
- Dash Hotel Seminyak (from S$58/night via Agoda)
- 4-star hotel
- Fits two pax
- Villa Indy (from S$319/night via Airbnb)
- 3-bedroom villa
- Fits seven guests
- Tip: Get S$45 off your first Airbnb booking here
Getting around Seminyak: While it’s easy to hail a taxi from the streets, I prefer ordering a Grab / Uber. This ensures that we get to the correct destination (minus the possibility of getting scammed and language barriers)! Most 10-minute rides only cost around S$2 anyway. I’ve had my fair share of terrible cabbies; too many cab drivers refused to use the meter and one even wanted to drop us in the middle of nowhere when we refused to accept his sudden mark up.
1. Visit Sisterfields Café – but order burgers from BO$$ MAN
Sisterfields Cafe is the granddaddy of all Australian cafes in Seminyak. You probably saw pictures of it on your Instagram’s explore feed at some point in time – every travel blogger seems to be raving about how great the food is! It was my first order of business upon touching down (I had to find out what the hype was all about), but unfortunately… It’s very overrated. I wasn’t blown away, but I was amused by how pathetic the portion of my friend’s salmon was:
The slab of salmon was as tiny as a lemon wedge!
Sisterfields Cafe’s owns the burger eatery BO$$ MAN next door, which was way better. My photo of my Original Gangster Burger (IDR 85,000 / SGD 8.60) is awful, but the burger was awesome.
Since both establishments are owned by the same people, you could technically order BO$$MAN’s burgers and devour them at Sistersfields (assuming you can get a seat, of course).
Address: Jalan Kayu Cendana 7 Denpasar, Bali 80361, Indonesia
2. Coffee at Revolver Espresso – A Hidden Coffee Bar
Revolver Espresso is ‘hidden’ in an alley, but the place faces no lack of patrons. We visited there several times throughout our trip because it was conveniently located right next to our Airbnb. My girlfriends fell in love with Revolver Espresso’s mocha and are still reminiscing about it. Coffee snobs would be excited to hear that Revolver Espresso roasts and blends their own beans.
The venue evolves into a bar at night, but not steering away from their coffee-centric business. Yup, you can get drunk on their signature Espresso Martinis here… And return for coffee.
Address: Jl. Kayu Aya No.51, Seminyak (a 2-minute walk from Sisterfields)
3. Mad Pops – Order their Coconut Praline Swirl Ice Cream
Mad Pops is a mini dessert shop, with barely any room to fit more than five standing people at once. But the ice cream parlour has made a name for itself with its addictive coconut-based vegan ice cream. These delicious treats are made with fresh cold pressed coconut milk every day – and are also free from artificial flavours and colours. Talk about small but mighty!
Flavours are on a rotational basis, but the Coconut Praline Swirl is hands down the best. Please order two scoops of it. You won’t regret. Trust me, I’ve actually tried almost all the flavours.
Address: Jl. Kayu Aya No.48, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
4. Kimberly Spa – Cheap and clean massages
First timers to Bali might not believe how cheap massages here are! If you are on a budget, but still want a good massage, head to Kimberly Spa. It’s a no-frills, clean massage parlour that opens till 23:00pm daily. I only paid Rp$95,000 / S$9.50 for an hour foot massage. P.s. You can easily get an hour body massage in Bali for less than Rp$100,000.
Address: Jl. Raya Seminyak No.16, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
5. Kajin – High quality Japanese cuisine at affordable prices
Like most Singaporeans, we often lament how expensive Japanese food is. So imagine our surprise when we found ourselves indulging in high-quality fresh sashimi at unbelievably affordable prices! From ambience, presentation, taste to service, the experience at Kajin was nothing short of amazing. I would definitely return when I visit Seminyak again.
Update: Returned to Kajin in 2019 & was frankly disappointed… :(
Address: Jalan Petitenget 98Y, Level 2 Denpasar, Bali 80361, Indonesia
6. Baker Street Social – Bali’s very first speakeasy bar
In true speakeasy fashion, Baker Street Social has no signage to indicate its presence. But here’s a tip: The bar is located right above Tiffin Indian Restaurant. Just walk through the narrow staircase located beside it and viola, you have arrived at Bali’s first legitimate hidden bar.
The staff’s genuine hospitality made a world of difference and we felt at home right away. I don’t remember seeing any menus here, but that doesn’t matter because the skilful mixologists are able to concoct any cocktails you desire. Describe your personal preference and watch them perform their magic. It is worth mentioning that all the drinks prepared for us at Baker Street Social were insanely pretty and all of us thoroughly enjoyed the bespoke beverages.
P.s. There was an anti-cocktail drinker in our group, but she has converted since then ;)
Address: Jl. Petitenget No.17, Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta Utara, Bali 80361, Indonesia
7. Sky Garden Bali – Party till 5am (CLOSED)
Sky Garden Bali is Bali’s best nightclub and it is open daily from 5pm to 5am. The club spans across four levels – so take your time to explore the entire complex! World-famous DJs such as Andrew Rayel, Aly & Fila, Laidback Luke and Steve Aoki have played at Sky Garden Bali before.
Tip: Ladies who dress to impress get to enjoy free entry from 9pm to 11pm every night.
Address: Jl. Legian Kaja No.61, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Seminyak, Bali Itinerary | Day Two
When to visit Seminyak: Bali is warm all year round and temperatures rarely dip below 24°C. But do consider the rainy season when booking your air tickets. It would be such a bummer to be stranded indoors every day. April, May, June and September would be the best months to visit.
Do note that this itinerary only features the various bars, cafes and restaurants in Seminyak. I do strongly recommend making a day trip to Uluwatu or Tanah Lot – they are worth travelling for!
8. Brunch at Sea Circus Bali – Is this Bali’s most photogenic cafe?
If you haven’t heard, Sea Circus is one of Seminyak’s most popular dining destinations. As its signboard suggests, Sea Circus is a restaurant, cocktail bar and also a coffee den. We fell head over heels for the cafe’s colourful circus-themed murals. At nightfall, countless of enthralling fairy lights dimly light up the whimsical café. It’s a lovely sight to behold, really.
While we didn’t think that the hot churros served with dark dipping sauce were great, the refreshing acai bowls were splendid. Given its popularity, getting a seat might be a challenge during peak hours. All the best! Otherwise, you could always take an OOTD outdoors first.
Address: Jl. Kayu Aya No.22, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
9. Kim Soo – Shop for gorgeous furniture and trendy accessories
Kim Soo is literally beside Sea Circus, so drop by for a quick retail therapy session after brunch. The home ware store looks impossibly perfect from every angle. From beaded chandeliers, handwoven straw hats to marble plates, the eclectic collection of handicrafts is indeed a dream come true for design buffs. Cafe Kim Soo shares the same space, do check it out!
Address: Jl. Kayu Aya No.21, Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta Utara, Bali 80361, Indonesia
10. Potato Head Beach Club – An internationally recognised beach club
Potato Head Beach Club is so renowned that it is considered an attraction in Bali. The award-winning beach club is seriously on every traveller’s must-see list. There are aplenty reasons to attribute its success, i.e. its inviting infinity pool overseeing the Indian Ocean, awe-inspiring architecture by Andra Matin and the list of celebrities who have performed here.
However, Potato Head Beach Club’s fame also means that getting a sunbed here is almost an impossible feat. I visited Potato Head Beach Club twice this year and only one attempt was successful. Furthermore, the sunbed was only available to me in the evening.
Address: Seminyak, Jl. Petitenget No.51B, Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta Utara, Bali 80361, Indonesia
11. Merah Putih – Dine in one of Bali’s Fanciest Indonesian Restaurants
Characterised by high ceilings and indoor lush greenery, Merah Putih is the ideal venue for a fancy luncheon or a romantic date night. While Bali is beyond laid back in terms of dressing, a smart casual dress code applies here at Merah Puith. Advance bookings are also mandatory!
Merah Putih strives to offer diners a spectacular gourmet experience. Look forward to classic Indonesian delicacies prepared with local ingredients and experimental creative dishes prepared by executive chef Kieran Morland. Chef Kieran has a wealth of experience in the cooking industry and past gigs include the highly-acclaimed Momofuku (NYC) and Kudeta (Bali).
Address: Jl. Petitenget No.100X, Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta Utara, Bali 80361, Indonesia
12. Club Jenja Bali – An upscale nightclub which plays real house music
To be honest, the reason why we ended up at Club Jenja Bali was because it was one of the few clubs open on a Sunday night. It’s more of a classy lounge than a nightclub.
The DJs spun real house music the whole of Sunday night – so do bear that in mind before you head down. We stayed for 1.5 hours before leaving for Sky Garden. Yes, both clubs are open on Sundays.
If your preferred music genre is vocal EDM, then do visit Sky Garden Bali instead!
Address: Townsquare Suites, Jl. Nakula Barat No. 18, Banjar Legian Kaja, Seminyak, Kuta, Seminyak, Kuta, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Seminyak, Bali Itinerary | Day Three
Is the tap water safe to drink in Seminyak, Bali? No, never drink from the tap unless you want to get a tummy ache. The quality of water in Bali is uncertain, so always purchase bottled water!
Seminyak Beach and Kuta Beach are unfortunately not worth visiting: By now, you would have noticed that I did not include Seminyak Beach and Kuta Beach is this itinerary. We visited both beaches and were disappointed by how filthy they were! Seminyak Beach was slightly better, but still not worth making a special trip for. Kuta Beach was filled with litter and touters. It’s sad how so many travel guides have described these beaches as “pristine”, when it’s the exact opposite.
13. Tamade Cafeteria – Tasty Indonesian food with Chinese spin
Most of us were giggling when we saw the cafe’s name. If you didn’t know, TAMADE is actually a Chinese vulgarity. The family-run café serves a variety of Indochinese dishes at affordable prices. Order their Bakmie Ayam (Rp$42,000 / S$4.15), which comprises Japanese-style handmade noodles served with braised chicken and savoury chicken broth on the side.
Tamade Caféteria’s T.M.D. Guilty Fries (Rp$60,000/S$5.95) are loaded with cheese sauce, garlic aioli, hot sauce and either barbecue pork or chicken. Sinful but absolutely divine!
Address: Jl. Raya Basangkasa No.15, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
14. Amo Spa – Indulge In A Premium Massage Without Breaking The Bank
The wonderful thing about Bali is that you can indulge in stellar spa services simply by topping up a little more cash. We stumbled upon Amo Bali and were initially hesitant to fork out more than the usual.
However, all of us eventually succumbed to Amo Spa’s inviting ambience and ended up indulging in one of their signature body massages Rejuvenate Me (60 mins – Rp$220,000 / 90 mins – Rp$300,000). Verdict: Money well spent. We were satisfied and have no regrets!
Address: Jl. Petitenget No.100X, Seminyak, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
15. Shelter Coffee and Nalu Bowls – Enjoy Bali’s BEST Acai Bowls
I’m a HUGE fan of Nalu Bowls. I’ve eaten at Nalu Bowls thrice and I see myself returning there for all my future trips to Bali. In my opinion, they have the BEST acai bowls in Bali. Having said that, a few of my girlfriends have indicated their preference for Sea Circus’ acai bowls.
Nalu Bowls doesn’t just sell acai bowls though. Its menu boasts a few other nutritious blends such as dragon fruit blend and peanut butter banana hone soy milk. Shelter Coffee and Nalu Bowls share the same location, so you can actually eat your fruity bowl at Shelter Coffee.
P.s. There are actually several Nalu Bowls outlets across the Island of Gods.
Address: Jl. Drupadi 1 No.2, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Here is a google map of all the bars, clubs, cafes and restaurants featured in this 3D2N Seminyak, Bali Itinerary:
Download this 3D2N Seminyak Itinerary in PDF file here or word doc here.
Disclaimer: We last visited Seminyak, Bali in September 2017 & are not liable for any inaccuracies. Do email us at thekeepersmap@gmail.com if you spot outdated information.
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