Bali’s Sanur may be the oldest vacation resort on the island, but it is also on track to be the most modern, efficient, and clean resort on the island, too.
Sanur has long been the destination of choice for young families, couples, and even solo travelers looking for a quiet retreat.
As Sanur takes an even more assured step into its new era as a Special Economic Zone for Medical and Wellness tourism, things just keep getting better around this part of the island.
Here at The Bali Sun, we are big fans of Sanur…always have been and low-key always will be. We love the calm, clean sandy shorelines, we love the easy connectivity from both the airport and out to Nusa Pendia and Nusa Lembongan, but more than anything, we love the spirit of Sanur. Here, better never stops, and this latest round of upgrades is proving to be, as ever, quietly impressive.
For those not in the know, Sanur is Bali’s oldest beach vacation resort. Most people think it’s Kuta Beach, which perhaps rose to fame more quickly and prominently. But Sanur walked so Kuta could run, and over the last five years, the whole area has undergone a massive transformation. Sanur is now a Special Economic Zone for Medical and Wellness tourism, and is home to the world-class Bali International Hospital.
Sanur is low-key celebrating some infrastructural wins, which, for those who are already familiar with Sanur, will appreciate is actually a big deal. As much as we love Sanur, it has to be said, at times, navigating around the area has been tricky.
Not only has traffic congestion become a real issue, but the pavements and sidewalks have been in a state of disrepair for a good while, making travel on foot tricky and, at times, impossible to navigate with a pushchair.
Sanur has been working to mitigate the traffic congestion issues from all angles, including by trialing the reopening of Mertasari Pier to help redirect traffic around Sanur Port, as well as making the electric shuttle bus service a permanent public transport link, and opening the new hydraulic multi-story car park.
Sanur’s super busy Jalan Danau Tamblingan is looking fresher and more functional than ever. Upgrades to the sidewalks, along with a crackdown on illegal parking on the roadside, mean that the whole area feels lighter, brighter, and in flow.
Suddenly, Sanur feels like the good old days, we can walk around with greater ease and hop from one cafe to the next without risking breaking our ankles!
Sanur’s New Era
Bali’s oldest resort is becoming its most modern. Tap a card to see the upgrades.
MEDICAL SEZ
A Wellness Destination
TAP TO REVEALWALKABILITY
Sidewalks & Parking
TAP TO REVEALPAVED ACCESS
Stroller Friendly
TAP TO REVEALSTAY & SAVE
Low Season Gems
TAP TO REVEAL
The improvements don’t stop there. Tourism businesses in Sanur have been collaborating with the Sanitation Task Force and the Sanur Traditional Village to improve the overall cleanliness of the area, including down on the beachfront.
Though Sanur is not affected by tides of plastic trash like Kuta Beach, for example, with heavy rains and strong winds passing through the area, more litter has been noticed around the place. With sanitation teams now increasing their patrols, Sanur is feeling yet cleaner still.
One of the biggest draws to Sanur Beach is the long paved beachwalk and accessible beach access. Almost all of the shoreline at Sanur, from Mertasari Beach through to Pantai Indah Sanur, is backed by a wide pavement that makes access to the beach safe and convenient for those with wheelchairs, push chairs, or other access needs.
All these upgrades, coupled with the falling Indonesian Rupiah and the low season for tourism, make booking a last-minute trip to Sanur even more irresistible. Sanur is home to some of the top beach resorts in Bali, as well as dozens of family-owned guesthouses and private villas.
For those looking for a last-minute vacation deal in Sanur, check out hotels like 5-star Prama Sanur Beach Bali, or highly rated Puri Santrian, both of which offer direct beach access, the warmest of welcome, and excellent low-season, last-minute room rates.
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benito
Wednesday 18th of February 2026
I came to Sanur 1996 and stayed for almost 20 years, and never turned back. The transformation from a tropic paradise to a dirty, overcrowded shitty hellhole is truly chocking
Exp
Wednesday 11th of February 2026
"Almost all of the shoreline at Sanur is backed by a wide pavement that makes access to the beach safe and convenient."
Not entirely true. Virtually impossible to use the dedicated bike lane as businesses are blocking and a constant stream of waiters and others crossing as businesses occupy also beach side of the path. Another fail because greedy big wigs and preman charge "rent" from businesses and then safe and unimpeded use of walk and bike paths is of no concern to them.
Karen North
Tuesday 10th of February 2026
I was in Sanur last week and it was very quiet. They have done a wonderful job of the road and footpaths but now there is no parking whatsoever on the whole of the street. We wanted to visit a club that is down a lane; now park in a carpark and pay 10,000 each on the bus that takes 20mins rotation....so we didnt visit. Clubs loss of our patronage. Then i wanted to try a new restaurant at the other end od Sanur. Again, no parking, do the carpark/bus stuff. So we ate on Ngurah Rai. I give Sanur 6 months and they will have parking on the street again. And the problem was always staff bikes not the tourists.
Paul Morris
Friday 13th of February 2026
@Keith, Great reply she is nothing but a fkn whinger what they have done is fantastic if they could do the same in Kuta and Legian with those very slippery and Dangerous foot paths would improve the area 10 fold.
Keith
Wednesday 11th of February 2026
For those of us who live Sanur, your gripe is just that. The improvements in the street are magnificent. The cost of inconvenience is in our terms is insignificant.
Keith
Wednesday 11th of February 2026
@Karen North,
Shorty
Wednesday 11th of February 2026
@Exp,
Rp10,000 - A$1 a problem? 20 minutes on the loop was probably shorter than the time you spent looking for a parking spot.
Steve bmi
Wednesday 11th of February 2026
@Exp, unofficial parking attendants self made Mafia run the parking along jln danau poso
Nigel
Tuesday 10th of February 2026
Yes Sanur is great, and hope it doesn't end up attracting the unwanted people from Canggu ECT, they can keep the drunken crack heads