Home » Blog » Asia » Indonesia Travel Guide » The 16 Best Things To Do In Canggu, Bali

The 16 Best Things To Do In Canggu, Bali

Looking for the best things to do in Canggu, Bali's up-and-coming hotspot? Canggu is a beautiful village on the island of Bali that is well worth visiting.

Resting on the southwestern coast, this village is surrounded by rice paddies and great, surfable waves and a special place to me and a lot more than just a simple beach village.

If you want to read more about Canggu, check out my ultimate travel guide to Canggu, which is packed with a lot of information about this little slice of Bali heaven!

There are so many different things to do in Canggu, so below I will share the best activities for what to do in Canggu.

1. Check Out The Café & Brunch Scene In Canggu

Kynd Community Canggu
Woods Pererenan Canggu Cafe

One of the first Canggu things to do is to check out some of the many cafes scattered around the village. There are some highly Instagrammable spots too!

Enjoy amazing coffee that can be found on pretty much all corners of Canggu and a huge selection of vegetarian and vegan healthy food cafes. I know you will love it and probably run out of time before you have visited them all:

  • Crate Café is a popular café that’s been around for quite a while. With fast Internet speed, delicious and affordable food and their own specialty blend of CRATE Coffee, it’s a go-to for locals and travellers alike. They have a small boutique pop up store right here too, perfect to browse while you wait for your food to be prepared freshly.
  • Monsieur Spoon is known for its French influences in Canggu. This cafe is great for breakfast, lunch or brunch and I love having a fresh pastry in the laid-back atmosphere in their little garden.
  • Ruko Café specializing in breakfast. They have their own special Indonesian coffee blend. Their double espresso is designed to wake you up! They also serve a good array of food with organic fruits and veggies sourced locally.
  • Milk & Madu Café is a great hangout spot that is also very kid-friendly. The biggest thing here is their pizza that’s lava-stone baked. Yum!
  • I Am Vegan Babe is a unique vegan café blending plant-based foods served in a beautiful open-air space.
  • Bungalow Living is another unique cafe that blends great foods and shopping for Balinese homewares. It’s an easy place to sit back for a while or come to socialise with others.
  • The Shady Shack overlooks the rice fields and is one of my favourites to check out in Canggu. It’s close to Echo Beach and as the name suggests it’s a good place to relax in the shade while getting great food served.
  • Woods Bali is a more hidden gem located in Pererenan, a short 10-minute drive from Canggu, I technically would say it’s an extension to the village. With fantastic staff, great food, and great coffee all around, an epic space!

Or how about joining a cooking class and learning how to cook traditional Balinese dishes?

I really liked this one which comes to your villa!

Canggu activities cooking class

2. Go Surfing In Canggu

Just like many villages along the coast of Bali, one of the top things to do in Canggu is check out the beaches. And considering the weather, it’s an ideal place to go surfing all year round.

In Canggu, you’ve got the three popular beaches:

  • Batu Bolong Beach
  • Echo Beach
  • and Berawa Beach

All are surfable and there are little huts renting out boards at all three of them. Simply arrive in your surf gear and get ready to hit the waves.

If you need some guidance, how about taking a professional surfing lesson? There is probably no better place than Canggu to learn how to surf in Bali.

things to do in Canggu visit a beach club

And as we are talking about beaches, if you’d rather watch the surfers, some other things to do in Canggu Bali is check out the beach clubs.

All of them are located on the beachfront, you might want to check the following out:

  • La Brisa is the embodiment of the concept of a beach club. It provides a lovely sea breeze and great food that’s sustainably sourced. You will love the Bali design of this place, just so beautiful.
  • The Lawn with its infinity pool overlooking the beach is great for sunset. Also I loved sitting unstairs.
  • Finns Beach Club is a place to relax and definitely stands out when walking along Berawa Beach. Its cool structure is made of over 150 meters in length entirely of bamboo. You can lounge here all day long and at the end get a nice view of the sunset.
  • Atlas Beach Club, which is newer and absolutely huge.
  • Alternative Beach, where I've also stayed before, has got young backpacker vibes as there's a hostel as well. Not beachfront and is more affordable.
  • Lima Bay Bali is another new beach club that's more inland and overlooks rice paddies.
  • In Pererenan, I also recommend you check out Sol Rooftop which is super chill and Luna Beach Club.

For more beach clubs all around the island, read my article on the best beach clubs in Bali.

4. Do Yoga In Canggu All Day Every Day

Yoga at Udara Bali

Yes, Canggu has some really nice yoga studios all over as well, you don't have to stay in Ubud for that! Some yoga studios in Canggu to check out are:

  • The Practice
  • Samadi
  • Serenity Yoga
  • Adda Yoga
  • Puppy Yoga Bali (as good as it sounds!!)
  • Udara Bali in Seseh Beach

Each studio provides its own unique experience, most of them with daily classes as well as yoga retreats and yoga teacher trainings.

5. Go Rock Climbing, Bouldering or Play Padel

For anyone who loves rock climbing, you have to put a visit to Bali Climbing on your Canggu to do list. Bali Climbing is a bouldering gym and conveniently also houses a healthy café.

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing without ropes and while that sounds dangerous at first, the gym provides classes, instructions and all the gear you need to do bouldering safely. Epic!

For Padel, there's Jungle Padel or Bali Social Club.

6. Browse Local Markets in Canggu

If you love a bit of shopping, then your Canggu to do list should definitely include browsing the boutique shops along Batu Bolong Road and its side streets. Canggu also has some awesome local markets.

There are many markets to discover like:

  • Love Anchor Market which is happening every day in the heart of Batu Bolong
  • Old Mans weekend market is open every last Sunday of the month from 8 am to 3 pm
  • La Brisa Sunday Market with lots of eco-friendly suppliers happens on Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm
  • Samadi Sunday Market from 8 am to 4 pm along Canggu Padang Linjong

7. Watch The Sunset At Batu Bolong Or Echo Beach

What to do in Canggu watch the sunset by the beach

While the beaches of Canggu are great for surfing, they are also great for hanging out all day and getting a tan. Just don’t forget that sunscreen!

Batu Bolong, Berawa Beach and Echo Beach have amazing sunsets too. Find yourself a spot in the sand or head to one of the many beach bars providing beanbags and a cold drink.

Some of my favourite spots to watch the sunset in Canggu are:

  • Ji Restaurant and Rooftop Bar
  • The Lawn
  • La Brisa
  • Old Man's
  • Echo Beach in a bean bag on the sand

8. Get Pampered At One Of The Spas

Spas in Canggu

Lying in the sun still wasn’t relaxing enough? Well, maybe you to check out some great spas in Canggu:

  • Gold Dust
  • AMO Spa
  • Spa Spring

9. Rent A Scooter And Ride Through The Rice Fields

Canggu what to do rent a scooter

Canggu still has a lot of the iconic Bali rice fields popping up between modern villas, stores and restaurants.

Rent a scooter and just get lost in the little streets, shortcuts and off-the-beaten track as you drive between the fields.

Of course, you can also rent a scooter in Canggu and drive to other places like Seminyak, Ubud or Uluwatu from here. Canggu is a great base to explore the rest of the island, if you fancy staying in one spot and don’t want to move hotels all the time.

10. Go Horseback Riding Along The Beach

Horseback riding in canggu bali

Another alternative to surfing is riding on a horse along the beach. Highly recommended at sunset.

The best most reputable stable for beach rides is Bali Equestrian Centre.

11. Go Hunting For The Best Street Art & Graffiti Murals

For the artist in you, or if you simply love graffiti, hunt down street art. Canggu might not be well known for its street art, however, there is some fantastic art to look at!

Some of the best spots include:

  • ALLCAPS Store
  • Gg. Nyepi 
  • Jl. Lkr. Nelayan

Simply put those into Google Maps and you will see it all when you get there.

12. Splurge With A Floating Breakfast

Floating Breakfast Bali Canggu

You’ve had breakfast or brunch before, but have you had floating breakfast before?

This is a combination of breakfast served over a shallow pool, which is such a unique Bali experience!

You can actually order a floating breakfast to pretty much any private villa you're staying at, some hotels offer it as a package as well!

13. Sip A Cocktail On The Rooftop At JI Restaurant At Sunset

Canggu what to do

For other food experiences in Canggu, there is the JI Restaurant, a Japanese-fusion restaurant only footsteps from Batu Bolong Beach. Its open view of the beach from the rooftop terrace is the perfect spot for viewing the sunset. Ideally with a cocktail in hand of course.

JI Restaurant is adjacent to one of the oldest hotels in Canggu. Tugu Hotel blends luxury, art and romance and impresses with style, atmosphere and is a wonderful place to stay for couples or on a honeymoon in Bali.

14. Go Boutique Shopping

Don’t over pack for your Bali trip, because I know you will want to go shopping in Canggu.

One of the best things to do in Canggu is shopping and hopping from one air-conditioned boutique to the next while the sun is shining, or well, burning outside.

You certainly won’t find a short supply of shopping opportunities with many of the brands being locals. Good shops to check out include The Locals Canggu, Indigo Luna, Bungalow Living, The Offering, and the House of Alaia for pretty jewellery (you can even make your own silver jewellery here).

15. Party Till The Morning

Want a place to party? There are of course the beach clubs I mentioned earlier that kick on into the night. But some other great alternatives for a party after sunset are:

  • Old Mans
  • Sandbar
  • Pretty Poison
  • Deus Ex Machina
  • Gimme Shelter
  • Motel Mexicola Canggu

Check their individual Facebook page for events as they change each night in Canggu.

16. Do Good And Join A Beach Cleanup

If you love Canggu as much as I do, let’s help make it a better place.

The biggest thing that any traveller to Canggu will notice is the rubbish that gets frequently washed up on the beaches from the inland through rivers and streams and you can assist in cleaning up the beach.

There are a few groups that do this, called the Trash Hero Canggu and the Canggu Beach Cleanup. Check their Facebook page for times and details.

Best Things To Do In Canggu – Final Words

Canggu offers laid-back beach vibes, surf culture, and lots of activities from cafe hopping to spas and beach clubs. Explore the nearby rice paddies or enjoy the dynamic nightlife and delicious local cuisine in the heart of Canggu at the many restaurants.

No matter if you are seeking adventure or relaxation, this charming seaside village is undoubtedly a must-visit destination on your Bali itinerary.

Please note, this post may contain affiliate links, which means that – at absolutely no cost to you – we earn a small commission on sales generated through this website. We only recommend sites we actually use and thank you for your support!

Related Articles