If you are thinking of heading to Bali for your next family holiday with a baby or toddler, then read along! Here we give you the scoop on Sanur Bali with kids and the five reasons why we loved it and you will too.
We have now been to Bali three times. The first time around it was our second overseas trip with Javi, then one and a half year old toddler. I jumped online and scoured multiple sites and forums trying to find more information and tips as to what a Bali holiday is like with young kids, where to stay, what to do, how to stay safe. Most of everything I read talked about the very popular spots, Seminyak and Legian being the ones most preferred for families. So in our first trip we stayed in Seminyak for the first week and Ungasan the second. We had a fun experience however we opted for something new for our next trip. This time we stayed in Sanur. Let me tell you why you should visit this part of Bali instead if you have got kids in tow!
Sanur still has a bit of the hustle and bustle but nothing like its counterparts, Kuta in particular. Food and drink is as accessible, taxis abound, it is super easy to get yourself a massage, and you won’t have to sit in traffic for long if you are going a bit further than your feet can take you.
One thing I will never get over is how dirty Kuta and Seminyak beaches were. Believe it or not we did venture out in the water and we had that awkward moment when we realised rubbish was getting stuck to our feet as we swam. This is definitely not what you picture when you think of a fun Bali family trip. Ugh!!
If your kids are like ours, they’ll want to get covered in sand and play in it for hours on end. Do you really want your little ones playing in filth?
Instead take the festivities to Sanur beach where it is a lot more suitable for babies and kids. The Sanur beach is cleaner and the ocean has calm shallow water which a lot safer for them too!
Kuta and Seminyak have a strong reputation for attracting the party crowds. I think we’ve all heard the stories of people’s drunken bike accidents or rowdy fights. As a family this can put a deterrent on enjoying yourself if you have to be too concerned about your safety. You can avoid this almost completely by heading to Sanur instead. It boasts lots of cafes and restaurants on the beachfront, from warungs on one end to the high end on the other, without the unpleasant vibe.
If you are like me and the thought of bartering gives you clammy hands… then you will totally love Hardy’s! Hardy’s is not only a supermarket but a department store and art market. It is located on Sanur’s main strip on Jln Danau Tamblingan so its hard to miss. You can find most (maybe all) things the markets sell in Kuta but with cheap set prices. No bargaining required! And best of all, its all done over two floors with airconditioning. Lastly, they are open from 8am to 10pm so its perfect if you want to get some shopping done once the kids have been tucked into bed.
The long coastal walk was one of our favourite things, the length and variety along the path guarantees you will find a stretch of beach to make your own. I loved the fact that there were a lot of open sections with massive trees and lovely shade spots where you could set down a mat and relax. Most importantly, you can get your little ones away from any potential cigarette smoke while giving them lots of room to play without feeling like you are bothering anyone!
Ohhh the sunsets are divine at the beaches of Kuta and Seminyak! This is because the sun sets over the ocean on this side of the island. At Sanur beach you’ll have to be an early riser to catch sunrise over the water.
Kuta and Seminyak also have many cool places with live music on the beach to choose from where the beers flow in the evening. Combine this with the waves crashing and you have the perfect scene.
If shopping is your thing, you have the Kuta Beach walk shopping centre for all your labels or the markets are just a short walk away. You will also find a variety of cute boutiques in Seminyak if you are looking for something different and chic.
What are your experiences in Bali with kids? Share with us in the comments below.
Also don’t miss our tips on how to keep your sanity when travelling with young kids.
While in Sanur we stayed at Linda Villa Sanur. We really enjoyed our stay here and would definitely stay here again in the future.
Elisa
The World n Us
20 Responses
Oh my gosh now I want to go!! Thank you for this. I honestly have always wanted to go to Bali but just didn’t know what was best with our little one and the other on the way!!!
Sounds lovely
Bali is an amazing destination. Good for you that you’ve discovered your perfect spot on the island where the kids feel great too.
I love to do a 4km beach walk right now! Havent been to Bali yet, one day. one day.
I couldn’t agree more, Sanur is a great place for everyone. It will always be a place I remember well as I was hit by a motorbike there whilst crossing the road! Could have happened anywhere though and it certainly wouldn’t put me off returning one day!
Sunset view from Seminyak is one of the simplest and most memorable moment anyone can have when in Bali. :<3
I’ve been to Indonesia before and absolutely loved it. I never got the chance to visit Sanur but I’m glad you found a spot that was quieter and with cleaner beaches! Some of the ones I saw in Bali were full of plastic in the water.
Really helpful to know which beaches are not suitable for swimming (you’re right that no one wants to swim in rubbish) and which are clean, and also how to avoid the party crowds – not what you want for a family holiday!
OMG. I so love this! Hope I can visit here in the future. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I don’t travel with kids – but I think most of the things you list are on my own personal check list too. Clean beaches are a must – I can’t imagine how horrible it must be with tinies to be constantly watching for rubbish etc. And, I don’t want to be caught up in drunk parties. So, I’m with you on the beach – if you ever need a sitter I’ll be there;)
Wow, all five of those points make me want to visit. Well, I don’t know how much time I would spend in Hardy’s, especially with that walk along the beach available. But I’ve been dying to visit Bali, and this is a great guide to do so.
Sanur definitely sounds like the best part of Bali to travel with kids – totally there with you on the thinking behind cleaner beaches – you really don’t want your kids to be playing in filth. And it sounds like a great option for avoiding the party scene on Kuta and Seminyak. I’ve heard stories which don’t exactly scream family friendly!!
But I’m so glad you recommended to visit Kuta and Seminyak for an afternoon – they do have many awesome places to visit, though great when you can retreat to your more peaceful base in Sanur 🙂
Wow, this is a beautiful beach, and seems so much more laid back. I’m heading to Bali in a couple of months and I’d love to check this place out instead of going back to Kuta. Even though we don’t have kids, I like the more laid back scene. I want to go somewhere quite + cleaner, so thank you so much for the info.
Sanu sounds like paradise, with reduced hustle and bustle, cleaner beaches, but importantly when travelling with children and young babies is that the ocean is calmer and shallower. The costal walks sounds fantastic, what a great way to go for a stroll and find the perfect spot to relax.
We’ve never been to Bali, because we’d like to keep it for when we’re in our 40s since it seems like a place to relax. The sunsets at the beaches of Kuta and Seminyak are truly beautiful! I can only imagine that it’d be a blast to be there! And even if we’d have to get up early to catch the sunrise at Sanur beach, it looks like it’s totally worth it! Thank you for sharing this post!
I did not like Seminyak and Kuta but by your descriptions Sanur looks much better. I think I am done with Bali but if one day I change my mind, now I know where to go thanks to your post. Great to read that sea water is clean there!
North Queensland looks stunning. Definitely a place I want to visit one day. The sunset looks amazing. Thanks for sharing such a detailed itinerary.