Do you want to know everything there is to see and do in Canggu ? In this post we are going to tell you about the trendy destination on the trendy island 😉 Since it became one of the most desired destinations on the planet several decades ago, the Island of the Gods has not stopped changing, surprising us with its incredible ability to reinvent itself. Sometimes for the better, and many times unfortunately for the worse.
It's up to you to decide which side of the scale you place Canggu , the coolest place in Bali (at least that's what it says on its virtual business card). What until just a few years ago was a small village surrounded by rice fields, is today the favourite place among surfers, yogis, digital nomads and influencers.
Ready to go meet him?
What to see and do in Canggu
Don't stop reading because below we tell you the best things to see and do in Canggu
1. Surf
From pros to beginners, everyone in Canggu has a space to practice this sport. Of course, each one in their own space. Experts can enjoy fun sessions at Echo Beach . Those with an intermediate level will find their perfect wave at Old Man's break on Batu Bolong Beach . And beginners have a good number of schools to choose from on Batu Bolong Beach itself with classes and board rentals at good prices.
You can find these and other beaches in our article on “ The best beaches in Bali (for surfing and swimming) ”.
2. Yoga and meditation
Connect with your inner self by practising yoga and meditation . While Ubud has traditionally been the place of choice for yogis arriving in Bali, more and more are opting for the new and prestigious yoga schools in Canggu . With daily classes for beginners and advanced, The Practice and Samadi Bali are two of the best examples of this.
3. Enjoy breakfast
And after an intense yoga class or a fun surf session… why not treat yourself to a full breakfast in the purest Canggu-style healthy way? Toast with eggs and avocado, fruit smoothie bowls with granola and seeds, pancakes, tropical juices… The list of delicacies for those who love this food is endless! There are tons of delicious places, but I recommend these two: Motion Cafe and Crate Cafe .
4. Eat at the best warungs in Canggu
And because you can't live on breakfast alone, although I could do that! 😉 have a good Nasi Campur , one of the star dishes of Indonesian cuisine. In addition to a lot of vegetarian, vegan and healthy food restaurants with a more Western style, in Canggu you can also find good warungs (typical Indonesian and Malaysian family restaurants). Because one of the best things to do in Canggu is to taste the delicious local food.
Some of these legendary warungs , all of them on the main street of Canggu, are:
- Varuna (Pantai Batu Bolong St No.89)
- Bu Mi (Pantai Batu Bolong St No.52)
- Jaba (Pantai Batu Bolong St No.40A)
- Dandelion (Pantai Batu Bolong St No.10)
Don't miss Give Cafe 's vegan Nasi Campur , where the money raised goes to charity . You decide where you want the money you paid for your meal to go by inserting a wooden coin into an urn. Also, not many people know this, but every day from 8pm to 9pm all the ingredients you choose for your Nasi Campur will cost you 50% of their original price.
⭐ Here we tell you which are the best areas to stay in Bali
5. Discover the most famous shortcut
Take a shortcut that could turn out to be the longest one of your life. Ok, so it doesn't sound like one of the best things to do in a place… But you can't say you know Canggu if you haven't taken the famous shortcut that connects Berawa to Batu Bolong .
So much fame for a simple shortcut? It turns out that this small road that winds through rice fields should be one-way. And I say “should” because it really isn’t. So what would initially be a good resource to save time can sometimes turn into a traffic jam more typical of a large metropolis, with cars and motorcycles trying to go in both directions and with the most surreal scenes. We already told you that not all the changes were positive!
6. Go to the beach
For many, the coast of Bali is synonymous with HOLIDAYS (yes, with capital letters!). And for them (and not only) enjoying a day of sun , beach and relaxation is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Canggu. The beaches of Berawa , Echo Beach and Batu Bolong are the most popular among travelers. All of them have black sand , each one has its own personality… different styles, for different tastes.
7. Have a beer at Old Man's
Stop by Old Man's . If there's one place in Canggu that everyone knows, it's definitely the legendary Old Man's . A quiet beer hall during the day where you can eat some simple dishes and drink a nice cold Bintang near the sea, it transforms when the sun goes down with its wild night parties . Especially fun on Wednesday nights, which start with its famous beer-pong.
8. Sunset, the spectacle you have to see in Canggu
One of the best things to see and do in Canggu is to enjoy its beautiful sunsets every day , and the beach is THE PLACE to do it. While watching the sun go down, there's nothing better than having a beer or a refreshing young coconut in one of the many bars you'll find on the beach.
For those looking for something a little more luxurious than a bean bag chair on the sand, La Brisa , La Laguna , or The Lawn are perfect beach clubs for them.
9. Visit Tanah Lot Temple
Another place to see spectacular sunsets is Tanah Lot . Visit this ancient Hindu temple that stands on an imposing rock on the south coast of Bali, very close to Canggu. Tanah Lot is one of the most famous, visited and photographed places in all of Bali… so be prepared to be in the company of hundreds of tourists, but the place is worth it 😉
10. Markets to see in Canggu
In Canggu, you'll probably forget more than once that you're in Asia... but you are! And like any self-respecting Southeast Asian place, here you'll also find the typical daily markets selling fruit, vegetables and everything else you need to meet the demands of Balinese cuisine. Open from dawn to dusk, the Pasar Desa Canggu market (Pantai Batu Bolong St No.15) is a good example of a traditional Balinese market.
Nothing to do with the previous one and in the purest Canggu style, do not miss these other markets in Canggu :
- Samadi Bali Sunday Market . Here you will find chemical-free, healthy and fresh products from local farmers. Good food and good vibes every Sunday from 9.00 to 14.00 at the gates of the Samadi Bali Yoga School.
- Love Anchor . Local and international clothing brands and all kinds of souvenirs from Bali. Located in the heart of Canggu, this bazaar is open daily from 9:00 to 23:00.
- Old Man's Market . On the last Saturday of every month from 8am to 3pm, local designers selling their creations of clothing, jewelry and other accessories meet at the famous Old Man's store. There is also a small section where local farmers sell their fresh produce, as well as delicious homemade snacks and desserts.
11. Rice terraces
Yes, it’s true, Canggu is not Ubud… but one of the many things I love about Bali is that you usually don’t have to look too far to find beautiful rice terraces . Leave the bike and the chaos of the road aside for a while and enjoy the lush green fields that can still be found in Canggu.
12. Canggu Coworkings
Bali and Canggu are one of the best destinations for digital nomads in the world . If you are on vacation, you probably won't be interested in reading on, but if you are one of the many digital nomads, then you will be happy to discover some great coworking spaces to do so in Canggu.
The best coworking spaces in Canggu
In addition to comfortable and cute coffee shops with free Wi-Fi where you can have a delicious coffee while you work, some of the favorite workspaces among digital nomads open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week are:
- Outpost Canggu . Probably the best place in Canggu to be fully productive in front of the computer 24 hours a day.
- Tropical Nomad . Very close to the famous shortcut, which we talked about above, this coworking space is super Instagrammable. So, in addition to working, you can take advantage of the opportunity to share a few photos and show off your workplace.
- Dojo (update: closed) - With its inviting pool and Echo Beach just 100 metres away, it's hard to concentrate in one of Canggu's iconic workspaces.
13. Balinese massage
Work or pleasure… whatever the reason that has brought you to Canggu, give your body and mind a break by enjoying a relaxing Balinese massage in one of the many spas you will find scattered around its streets. Without a doubt one of the best things to do in Canggu.
14. Canggu Night
Get to know Canggu’s lively nightlife . “Relax by day, animal party by night” might be the perfect summary to explain to a newcomer how things work in this part of the island. Start the week at Luigi’s Hot Pizza , with its lively, but short, Monday night party. Skateboarding and beer at Pretty Poison every Tuesday and Thursday. Legendary Wednesdays at Old Man’s and Fridays at the super cool beach club The Lawn . After such a busy week… it’s best to rest during the weekend! 😉
15. Ocean Mimic
There's no better way to end this list of the best things to see and do in Canggu than by encouraging you to, after your few intense days, do your bit and contribute to making our beloved planet a better and cleaner place. Join the Ocean Mimic movement and its battle to end plastic and trash on Bali's beaches. More information here .
As you can see, there is no way to have a bad time in Canggu… I know people who came just for a few days and stayed for months! These are the 15 best things to see and do in Canggu , which one inspires you the most? Do you know other places to visit?
