Sanur with Kids: Family Travel Guide
Sanur is a great place to visit with kids, especially babies and toddlers. The calm water, flat beachfront promenade, family-friendly hotels and relaxed atmosphere make it an easy place to explore with young children. It may not have Bali’s most beautiful beach, but for families with young children, Sanur is hard to beat for its relaxed atmosphere and easy-going pace. After exploring Bali with kids on several trips, we’ve found Sanur to be one of the easiest places to base yourself with younger children.
To be honest, we weren’t sure what to expect when returning to Sanur. Before having kids, we’d always found it pleasant, but perhaps a little too quiet for us. But traveling with a four- and five-year-old changes your priorities. Sanur turned out to be surprisingly easy and enjoyable with young children, from beach walks and cycling to relaxed dinners and plenty of time by the pool. By the end of our stay, we’d completely changed our mind about Sanur and would happily return.
Sanur with Kids at a Glance
Is Sanur worth visiting with kids?
Yes, especially for younger children, with calm water, an easy promenade and plenty of family-friendly places to eat and stay.
Where should families stay in Sanur?
Sanur has plenty of choice, from simple stays and villas to larger family-friendly resorts, depending on your budget and travel style.
What are the best things to do in Sanur with kids?
Enjoy the beach and pools, cycle along the promenade, visit family-friendly restaurants and take an easy day trip.
Is Sanur good with a baby or toddler?
Yes, with calm water, a flat promenade and a relaxed atmosphere that makes getting around with young children easier.
How many days do you need in Sanur?
Three to four nights is ideal for enjoying Sanur at a relaxed pace without feeling like you’re running out of things to do.
How do you get around Sanur with kids?
The beachfront area is easy to explore on foot or by bike, while a driver or ride-hailing app works well for longer trips.
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Where to Stay in Sanur with Kids
Sanur has plenty of family-friendly accommodation, from spacious suites and villas to larger beachfront resorts. The best choice really depends on your budget, how much space you need, and whether being right by the beach is important to you. For more ideas on the best areas and family-friendly places to stay around the island, see our guide to Where to Stay in Bali with Kids.
Where We Stayed: Prime Plaza Suites Sanur
Prime Plaza Suites Sanur is a popular family resort, so we were a little worried that it might feel busy, especially during our stay in August. Surprisingly, even though the resort was completely full, it never felt overcrowded.
Our two-bedroom suite with a separate living room was a big plus with our four- and five-year-old daughters. The girls loved the pools and kids’ activities, and we really enjoyed having so much space. The food was also good, and overall, the resort worked very well for our family.
The main downside is the location. Prime Plaza Suites isn’t right on the beach or Sanur’s promenade, so you can’t simply walk out of the hotel and be at the beach. For us, that wasn’t a problem because we rented bikes with kids’ seats, and the girls absolutely loved riding around Sanur that way. We’d happily stay here again.
Other Family-Friendly Places to Stay in Sanur
- 🌴 Hyatt Regency Bali – A great option if you want a luxury beachfront resort, with tropical gardens, several pools, and family-friendly facilities.
- 🏡 Klumpu Bali Resort – A smaller, boutique-style option with traditional Balinese-style villas and a quieter atmosphere.
- 💦 Marine Bay Sanur – A more affordable family-friendly option with family rooms, a pool, and a kids’ waterslide, close to Sanur Bay and the harbor.
Best Things to Do in Sanur with Kids
Sanur is easy to enjoy with kids without filling every day with activities. The beach and promenade are the main attraction, but there are also a few fun places to eat, play, and escape the heat.
Walk or Cycle Along the Sanur Beach Promenade
One of our favorite things to do in Sanur with the girls was simply getting out and exploring the promenade. It runs along the coast and is flat and easy to walk or cycle, which makes it particularly convenient with young kids.
We rented bikes with kids’ seats, and the girls absolutely loved it. We could cycle along the coast, stop at the beach, grab something to eat, and continue whenever we felt like it. It was also a nice change from spending the whole day at the resort.
Spend Time at Sanur Beach
Sanur Beach isn’t the most spectacular beach in Bali, but it is one of the easier beaches to enjoy with young children. The water is generally calm, and there are plenty of spots along the coast where you can let the kids play in the sand or paddle.
One thing to keep in mind is the tide. At low tide, the water can retreat a long way from the beach, leaving a large area of shallow reef exposed. Swimming is generally easier around mid- to high tide, so it’s worth checking the tide before heading to the beach.
💡 Crew Tip: We spotted a few Portuguese man-of-war (bluebottles) in the water during our stay. They can cause painful stings, so it’s worth checking the water before letting the kids swim and keeping an eye out along the shoreline too.
Visit ICON Bali Mall
ICON Bali Mall is more than just a place to go shopping. You can browse the stores, pick up souvenirs, stop for an ice cream, or grab something to eat, making it an easy way to spend a little time away from the beach.
We were particularly surprised to discover Kids Box by Kidzooona, a large indoor playground inside the mall. The girls loved having somewhere to play, so it turned out to be a much better family stop than we had expected.
Find a Playground in Sanur
Sanur has several options when the kids just need somewhere to play. Kids SoHo is a dedicated indoor playground in Sanur with a large play area and a café next door, making it a useful option when it’s very hot or raining.
There is also Big Garden Corner, a garden and recreation park with sculptures, gardens, a playground, and water play. It’s another option to consider when you want something a little different from the beach.
You’ll also find smaller playgrounds along the beachfront, including playgrounds at some of the hotels and resorts along the promenade. These can be handy when you’re cycling or walking along the coast and the kids suddenly decide they need a play break.
Eat at Family-Friendly Restaurants
Sanur has some genuinely fun places to eat with kids, rather than simply restaurants where children happen to be welcome.
Shotgun Social was one of our favorites. It has a really large playground, and you can choose a table relatively close to the play area. That meant we could sit down and enjoy our meal while keeping an eye on the girls as they played. They also have a kids’ menu, which made the whole experience particularly easy with young children.
JungleTree has a very different feel. It’s more of a sharing-style restaurant, with lots of dishes you can order and share around the table. The girls really enjoyed the food, and there was live music during our visit, which we always appreciate as a family.
KidzCafe is another popular family-friendly spot in Sanur, particularly for families with younger children. The concept combines a café with a play area and kids’ activities, so children have plenty to do while parents sit down for a meal or coffee. It’s one of the places worth knowing about if you’re looking for a family-focused restaurant in Sanur.
Best Day Trips from Sanur with Kids
Some of the easiest day trips from Sanur with kids include Nusa Lembongan, Bali Safari, Waterbom, Tegenungan Waterfall, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.
One of the reasons Sanur works so well as a family base is its location. From here, you can explore more of Bali, and there are plenty of options for a fun day out without having to move hotels. For more ideas on the best things to do in Bali with kids, see our complete guide.
That said, we wouldn’t try to fit all of these into one stay. With young kids especially, some day trips can turn into long, busy days. Sanur itself is part of the appeal, so we’d leave plenty of time for the beach, pool, and promenade too.
Day trips can be a lot of fun with kids, but there can also be quite a bit of time spent waiting, traveling, or sitting in a car. Our Travel Activity Book for Kids is designed for exactly those moments, with activities kids can do during flights, transfers, and downtime on vacation.
Take a Day Trip to Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida
Nusa Lembongan is one of the easiest island trips from Sanur, with fast boats connecting the two. A day trip is possible, but we think Lembongan is much better with a few nights’ stay. That gives you time to enjoy the island without rushing from one place to the next with the kids.
That said, if you don’t have time to stay overnight, a day trip is still well worth doing.
Nusa Penida is also possible as a day trip, but we’d be more cautious with young kids. It’s larger, the roads can be slow, and the popular sights get very busy. We’d much rather stay on the island and explore early in the day.
For a detailed comparison of the islands, see our Nusa Islands with Kids guide.
Visit Bali Safari & Marine Park or Bali Zoo
If your kids love animals, both Bali Safari & Marine Park and Bali Zoo are realistic day trips from Sanur. You don’t need to visit both, but they offer slightly different experiences.
We first visited Bali Safari & Marine Park with the girls a couple of years ago, and more recently went back to the Marine Park. It’s actually one large park, so you can combine the safari and marine experiences in the same visit, making it a great full-day outing for families.
We also loved that there is a small water park where the kids can swim and cool off at the end of the day. After spending hours seeing the animals, the girls thought finishing the day in the water was pretty much perfect.
Bali Zoo is another good option if you’d prefer a more traditional zoo experience. Both are close enough to Sanur to make a manageable day trip.
Spend the Day at Waterbom Bali
Waterbom Bali is a bit of a family tradition for us whenever we’re in Bali. The girls absolutely love it, and honestly, it’s usually one of the highlights of the trip for them.
The park is very well organized, with plenty of different slides and pools for different ages, and the whole day feels easy as a parent. We also like that you can spend the entire day there without having to think too much about what to do next.
It isn’t in Sanur, but Kuta is close enough that Waterbom makes an easy day trip when you’re staying in Sanur.
Visit Tegenungan Waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall is another good option if you want to swap the beach for something a little more adventurous.
We’ve visited with our kids when they were just one and two years old, and it worked surprisingly well. There are quite a few stairs, so we used a baby carrier with our youngest rather than a stroller. Once you’re at the waterfall, there’s plenty to see and the setting makes a fun change from the beach and pool.
Spend a Beach Day in Nusa Dua
For a more relaxed outing, you can head to Nusa Dua, where you’ll find some beautiful beaches and a very different atmosphere from Sanur.
We especially like Mengiat Beach, which has lovely sand and calm water. You can read more about it in our guide to the best family-friendly beaches in Bali. It’s easy to reach from Sanur, and you can simply order a Grab and spend a few hours at the beach without turning it into a major day trip.
A beach day is also a great time for the kids to slow down and enjoy themselves. Our Kids Travel Journal is an easy way for them to record their favorite moments from the trip, from their favorite beach to the best ice cream of the day.
Visit Ubud for the Day
Ubud is possible as a day trip from Sanur, but we’d think twice about doing it with very young children. There is so much to see that a day can quickly turn into a lot of driving and a very full schedule.
If Ubud is part of your Bali plans, we’d much rather stay there for a few nights and explore at a slower pace. See our Ubud with Kids guide for our family-friendly tips, or follow our Bali with Kids itinerary where Ubud is part of our route.
Sanur with a Baby or Toddler
Sanur is one of our top choices in Bali for families with a baby or toddler. We haven’t stayed in Sanur with a baby ourselves, but we have traveled around Bali with a baby, and after spending time in Sanur with our own young children, we’d happily recommend it for families with little ones.
When our girls were really young, we found that getting around Bali with a stroller wasn’t always easy. In places like Uluwatu with kids, uneven paths, stairs, and hills can make a stroller more of a hassle. Sanur feels very different. The flat beachfront promenade is much easier to navigate with a stroller, and cycling with a child seat is also a great option once they’re a little older.
For babies, Sanur is particularly convenient because everyday family life is easy to manage. High chairs are common in restaurants, many hotels can provide baby cots, and diapers, wipes, and other basic supplies are easy to find. We’d bring enough of anything very specific, such as a particular formula or brand your baby needs.
For toddlers, Sanur offers a great mix of calm water, easy walks, playgrounds, and family-friendly places to eat. You don’t need to plan a packed schedule either. A morning at the beach, some time in the pool, lunch somewhere nearby and a nap back at the hotel can easily make a perfect day.
For more practical tips, see our guide to Bali with a Baby or Toddler.
Practical Tips for Visiting Sanur with Kids
A few simple things can make a family stay in Sanur even easier. These are the practical details we found most useful when traveling around Bali with young children.
Best Time to Visit Sanur
Sanur can be visited year-round, but the drier summer months are popular. July and August can be busy, but we were there in August and still had a great experience. For more detail, see our guide to the best time to visit Bali with kids.
Getting to Sanur from Bali Airport
Sanur is a convenient first stop after landing in Bali. You can easily order a Grab at the airport, or book an airport transfer in advance if you’d rather have everything arranged before you arrive.
Getting Around Sanur
Sanur is easy to explore on foot or by bike, and we loved cycling along the promenade with the girls in child seats. For longer journeys, Grab works well, so we’d recommend getting an eSIM before you arrive. We use Airalo when traveling. For more tips, see our Getting Around Bali with Kids guide.
What to Pack for Sanur with Kids
You don’t need much that is specific to Sanur, and most forgotten essentials are easy to buy locally. We’d bring:
- Water shoes
- UV shirt
- Lightweight stroller or baby carrier
- Travel Activity Book for the kids
- Travel Journal for the kids
For a complete list, see our Bali with Kids Packing List, Carry-On Packing List, or download our free Bali Packing List PDF.
Final Thoughts: Is Sanur Right for Your Family?
For us, Sanur turned out to be a much better fit for family travel than we expected. The calm beach, easy promenade, family-friendly accommodation, and convenient location make it especially appealing with younger children.
We also loved having the flexibility to keep some days completely relaxed while still being able to explore more of Bali. You can spend the morning cycling along the beach, take a day trip the next day, or simply enjoy the pool and a family-friendly restaurant.
After our latest stay, we’d happily choose Sanur again, especially with younger kids.
Continue Planning Your Bali Family Adventure
- Bali with Kids
- Bali & Lombok Itinerary with Kids
- Lovina with Kids
- Nusa Islands with Kids
- Gili Islands with Kids
Planning a bigger trip? Our Indonesia with Kids guide covers family-friendly routes across Bali, Lombok, the Gili Islands, Java and beyond.
Planning a longer Bali trip? Our Bali & Lombok Family Itinerary Guide helps you plan the route, decide where to stay, and work out how long to spend in each destination.
The Little Passport Crew
Yes. Sanur is particularly well suited to families with younger children thanks to its calm atmosphere, flat beachfront promenade, family-friendly accommodation, and easy access to restaurants and shops.
For families with young children, we’d generally choose Sanur over Seminyak. Sanur feels quieter and is easier to navigate with a stroller or small kids, while Seminyak has more nightlife and a busier atmosphere.
Sanur is generally considered a family-friendly area of Bali, but normal precautions still apply. Take care around traffic, the sea, pools, and busy streets, especially with young children.
You can, although the experience depends on the tide and sea conditions. The water around Sanur is generally calmer than many other Bali beaches, but at low tide the water can retreat a long way from the shore.
Yes. Sanur is one of our favorite bases for families because you can enjoy a relaxed beach stay while still taking day trips to places such as Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Dua, Bali Safari, and Ubud.
We think so, especially if you’re traveling with babies, toddlers, or younger kids. Sanur is easy to navigate, has plenty of family-friendly accommodation and restaurants, and gives you a relaxed introduction to Bali without being completely removed from the rest of the island.
