Canggu Bali: Tips for Beaches Cafés and Highlights

Canggu is located on the southwest coast of Bali and is one of the most famous places on the island. The town is particularly popular with surfers as well as digital nomads and travelers who want to experience modern Bali. Between rice fields and beach clubs as well as cafes a very special atmosphere has developed here in recent years. It is a unique mixture of Balinese culture and western lifestyle.

Canggu Bali Tips and Experiences

While Ubud is known for its culture and Nusa Penida for nature Canggu impresses above all with a laid back atmosphere and diverse offerings. At the end of our trip we spent 4 days in Canggu. The place feels lively as well as international and offers many cafes as well as beach bars and surf spots. Therefore Canggu often feels very crowded as well. There are people everywhere and there are often traffic jams on the streets as well as lots of activity at the beaches.

For us personally the place was therefore not a real highlight. While surfing you can sometimes hardly see the ocean because of all the people and the water seems very dirty. Compared to the other places there was simply less to discover. Ultimately our experience is very subjective and depends heavily on our own preferences. If for example you want to meet people and make new connections Canggu is certainly an ideal place. However those looking for peace and untouched nature will definitely find better alternatives on Bali. You can find our entire route and even more tips in our Bali travel guide.

What to do in Canggu?

Whether you want to surf or eat well or shop or just enjoy the sunset, you certainly will not get bored in Canggu. We have summarized our activities and further recommendations for you in the following section.

Things to do in Canggu

Surf
Canggu is a very popular surfing spot and is also suitable for beginners. Along the beach, you’ll find numerous surf schools offering lessons and board rentals. However, be prepared to share the waves with many other surfers.
Beachclubs
Along the beach, you’ll find numerous beach clubs and bars. One of the most famous is La Brisa, which can get very crowded. For a good table with a sea view, you should expect a minimum spend of 50 to 70€. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, there are also more relaxed and affordable options along the beach, such as La Baruna.
Love Anchor Market
The Love Anchor Market is one of the most popular markets in Canggu, where you can find clothing, decor, jewelry, and a wide variety of souvenirs.

Other activities

Jewelry Making Class
For around 30 euros per person, you can take a jewelry making class in Canggu and create your own unique piece of jewelry.
Cooking Class
A cooking class costs around 44 € per person and often includes a market tour, where you can buy fresh ingredients and learn more about Balinese cuisine.
Yoga and Chakra Healing
Canggu offers numerous yoga classes, including courses that incorporate chakra healing and meditation. Perfect for anyone seeking relaxation and mindfulness
Nightlife
Canggu is known for its vibrant nightlife. Popular bars and clubs such as Old Man’s and La Brisa are great spots to party and socialize.

Restaurant recommendations

Canggu is a true paradise for foodies. The town offers a wide variety of international restaurants, trendy cafés, and street food spots. Whether you’re looking for healthy bowls, freshly brewed coffee, Italian pasta, or traditional Balinese dishes, you’ll find it all in Canggu.

Bottega Italiana – our favorite spot for fresh pasta that you can customize exactly how you like it
Canteen Cafe – a great coffee or breakfast spot
Te Amo – a stylish restaurant serving the one of the really good Aperol Spritz we found in Bali. They also offer pasta, pizza, and more.
Santorini Greek Restaurant – enjoy authentic Greek cuisine with delicious dishes and a vibrant atmosphere.

Where to stay in Canggu

During our stay in Canggu, we stayed at Vassani Stay. At 50€/person per night, this accommodation falls into the mid-range category on Bali. The location was excellent. Many restaurants, cafés, and a supermarket were within walking distance, and the beach was only about 10 minutes by foot. The staff was very helpful and friendly, and we could safely store our luggage before check-in. Overall, the property was clean, well-maintained, and ideal for a relaxed stay in Canggu.

In Canggu almost everything happens in the immediate vicinity of the city center. That is why you should definitely choose a place to stay there. This puts you right in the middle of the action and at the same time not far from the beach. Depending on the location it can be a bit louder there though. Therefore you should definitely read the reviews of your accommodation in advance and make sure not to book a room facing the main street.

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How to get there and around?

We traveled to Canggu in a taxi from Grab. As in most places on Bali you should not underestimate the traffic here either. Due to the poor infrastructure and the many tourists there can be long traffic jams especially by car. In these situations you hardly move for minutes at a time. You are much faster on a scooter. Therefore always plan for a bit more time especially for longer distances.

In Canggu itself we got around well on foot because our accommodation was very central. Most restaurants and cafes as well as the beach were only a few minutes away so we did without a scooter. If needed you can of course easily rent a scooter on every corner anyway.