How to Spend 1 Day in Seminyak

Bali’s shopping, dining, spa, and nightlife capital, sexy Seminyak runs along the island’s west coast, north of Kuta. One day in Seminyak gives you enough time to sample a spa, soak up a sunset, feast on Indonesian food, and party amid the glitzy beach clubs and high-end hotels on Seminyak Beach. Read on to find out how.

Morning: Culinary Culture

The spices and fragrances of Balinese cuisine are a highlight of any visit to the island of the gods. Discover them with a hands-on cooking class that starts amid the hustle and bustle of an authentic local market. Learn all about the roots, herbs, and spices that make up Bali’s signature spice pastes; master the traditional mortar and pestle; and discover favorites such as sate lilit (minced seafood satay), fried banana, Balinese salads, and banana-leaf chicken. Finally, enjoy the fruits of your labors over a leisurely lunch washed down with coconut water fresh from the shell.

Afternoon: Shopping and Spa

Take a stroll down “Oberoi” (Jalan Kayu Aya), Seminyak’s signature shopping street, to stock up on goodies from surf wear and homewares to indie fashion and silver jewelry. Then settle in for another defining Seminyak experience, a classic Balinese spa. Unwind with a massage, blending international techniques and indigenous oils; enjoy a facial with fresh products made on the spot; or rejuvenate tired skin with a wealth of upscale esthetic treatments. You can even learn the art of massage at a hands-on class. Whatever you choose, no Indonesian spa treatment would be complete without a cup of ginger tea.

Night: Sunset Seduction

Begin your perfect Seminyak night by savoring an Indian Ocean sunset. Head north to Tanah Lot Temple, where rolling waves surround black-lava towers, or south to clifftop Uluwatu Temple, where you can watch a fire dance and kecak performance against the setting sun. Alternatively, keep it local, with an ice-cold beer overlooking Seminyak Beach. Once the lights go down, dress to impress (tropical style). Start the night at one of Seminyak’s elegant fine-dining restaurants, such as Merah Putih or Métis, then party till late at a classic beach club, perhaps Potato Head or Ku De Ta.