Bali Part Five: 4 Days in Sanur – Relaxation and Nyepi
Last updated on : November 4, 2025
Part Five : Sanur
When we were planning our itinerary, we realized that Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, would take place at the very end of our trip. We then looked for the ideal place to experience this moment of silence, introspection, and reconnection.
Sanur, a peaceful seaside town known for its gentle atmosphere and relaxed pace, quickly felt like the obvious choice. It was the perfect place to experience this unique celebration, offering us the opportunity to end our journey in serenity and kindness.
Its proximity to both Nusa Penida and the airport only confirmed our decision: Sanur had everything we were looking for to conclude our stay in gracefully.
We spent 4 nights there in March 2025, taking the time to simply enjoy the beach, wander along the seaside promenade, and listen to the quiet murmur of the waves.
What I loved most about Sanur was the tranquility that allowed us to simply BE, without rushing from one attraction to the next.
In the next sections, I’ll share how our days unfolded here, but above all, I’ll tell you about the Nyepi celebrations and how we experienced this unique meaningful moment.
And, as always, at the end of the article, you’ll find a short video montage of Sanur, capturing the sweetness and magic of this final chapter of our journey.
Day 12 : Arrival at Sanur
It was departure day for us. We were leaving Nusa Penida to reach our last port of call in Bali, namely Sanur.
To do this, we had to take a ferry. Since we had planned to return to Bali at Sanur Port, which would be closer to our next accommodation, we had to depart from Banjar Nyuh Port. So, along with our accommodation, we had booked transportation to this port in the morning for IDR 10,000.
As for the ferry, we had previously paid for our tickets with the help of our guide Made Mustara, at the first stopover, at a cost of IDR 175,000 per person (still with Angkal Fastboat). Tickets are also available online at 12go.asia or bookaway.
Arriving at Sanur Port, we had to find and negotiate a taxi. In fact, I had read in several places about the “taxi mafia” at this port, which prevents Grab and Gojek from picking up tourists at the port exit. You have to meet them further along the main road, and discreetly.
As we wanted to avoid any problems, we decided to take a taxi there. Be careful: taxi drivers rush you at the port exit and are very harassing. If you do like us, don’t accept the first price offered. That’s what we did and started walking. After a few steps, they agreed to lower the price. I think I paid a bit, but it was still much better than the first price offered.
When we reached our accommodation, our villa wasn’t quite ready yet, so we waited a little while. This moment marked the beginning of the slow and peaceful rhythm of the following days – a time where we learned to simply let time pass gently, without feeling the need to do anything to fill it.
Day 13 : Stroll & Ogoh-Ogoh Parade
To start the day, we had booked a couples massage at our villa. We would have preferred going to the hotel spa, but they were fully booked. So instead, we were massaged on the lounge chairs in our small private courtyard. Although a massage always feels good, this one was probably my least favorite of the trip.
After that, we spent the rest of the day strolling along the seaside promenade that runs along the beachfront. It stretches for over 4 km, is completely pedestrian- and bike-friendly, and is lined with cafés, restaurants, and small shops. The atmosphere was very calm and serene – exactly what we were looking for.
We also did a bit of window shopping on the main street and at the ICON Bali shopping center, which connects directly to the promenade. It’s a modern and elegant mall with beautiful views of the beach and the sea from the upper floors. I even took a picture of the restrooms — I loved the décor that much!
In the evening, we attended the Ogoh-Ogoh parade. This spectacular procession is held on the eve of Nyepi, where giant demon statues – created by the local communities in the weeks leading up to the event – are paraded through the streets. They are accompanied by drums and intense, rhythmic music meant to chase away negativity and evil spirits before the island enters the silence of Nyepi.
It was a vibrant, energetic, almost cathartic transition before the stillness of the next day. We felt genuinely grateful to have had the chance to experience this ritual alongside the Balinese.
Jour 14 : Nyepi
Nyepi is a day of silence, fasting, meditation, and spiritual purification observed across the entire island. It marks the beginning of the Balinese New Year.
On this day, it is forbidden to work (Amati Karya), to light fires or use lights (Amati Geni), to travel (Amati Lelunganan), and to engage in entertainment (Amati Lelanguan). Even Denpasar Airport closes completely for 24 hours.
The quiet begins at 6:00 a.m. on the morning of Nyepi and ends at 6:00 a.m. the following day. The purpose of the day is to cleanse the island of negative energies from the previous year and prepare for a new one with clarity and intention.
What this means for visitors:
- You must stay inside your accommodation – no going out into the streets;
- Lights should remain dimmed at night, with no outdoor lighting;
- Noise must be kept to a minimum – no loud music or television.
Our hotel allowed us to have lunch and dinner on-site within a short service window. They also offered to prepare dinner for the evening, but the price was quite high, so we chose instead to buy food the day before and enjoy dinner quietly in our villa.
Talking was allowed, but we were asked to keep the atmosphere peaceful. Unfortunately, some of our neighbors didn’t seem aware of this at first, but things eventually settled into silence.
I tried to stay in complete silence throughout the day – but I’ll be honest, I didn’t quite manage it. My husband either. Still, we spoke softly, moved slowly, rested, and simply let the day unfold. We took naps, read, meditated, and enjoyed the warm stillness by our private pool.
What struck me most was the absence of noise. No cars. No scooters. No music. Just the wind, birds, and the rustling of leaves. You don’t realize how much sound surrounds you every day – until suddenly, there isn’t any. It felt as if time had stopped. A magical pause. A moment outside of the world.
Day 15 : A Final Day of Relaxation
For our last day, we had planned a royal treatment at Leha-Leha Spa. We booked their “Mr & Mrs Package,” which includes a 90-minute Balinese massage, a 30-minute facial, and a 30-minute reflexology treatment, all for two people. It was a wonderful 2.5-hour wellness break for about $90 for both of us. I highly recommend this spa: it’s clean, modern, and the staff are incredibly warm. I truly enjoyed every treatment – I don’t think I could have felt more relaxed.
The rest of the day unfolded slowly, just walking, breathing, and savoring our final moments on Balinese soil.
Day 16 : Return Home
For our airport transfer, our guide from the beginning of the trip, Made Mustara, had offered to pick us up and drive us to the airport. Since we had developed such a good connection with him, it felt meaningful to see him one last time before leaving. We were truly happy to book this final ride with him.
I’m still in touch with him today – every now and then, we exchange a little hello. Small gestures that keep warm memories alive.
We left Bali in the middle of the afternoon, and I still remember how surprised I was to see so many planes lined up on the runway, all waiting for their turn to take off. A strange and beautiful reminder of how many people, just like us, had lived something unforgettable here – and were now carrying it home with them.
If I Had More Time
Personally, I wouldn’t have spent more time in Sanur.
For us, four nights was perfect because it included the Nyepi celebration. In a different context, two nights are usually enough to experience Sanur, since it’s not a destination with a long list of attractions. It’s more about slowing down, enjoying the gentle seaside atmosphere, and simply being.
As always, it really depends on the type of trip you’re looking for.
Where to Stay in Sanur
Since we were going to stay at our accommodation during Nyepi, choosing the right place was important. So we decided on Parigata Villas Resort.
We stayed in a Deluxe One-Bedroom Villa with a Private Pool, and it was wonderful. Breakfast was included – generous and delicious – and having our own small private courtyard and pool offered plenty of intimacy, especially during Nyepi when everything becomes still and quiet.
It was our most expensive accommodation of the trip, but a little bit of luxury while traveling is always welcome – and in this case, it truly felt worth it. It was the perfect place to gently conclude our Bali’s adventure!
I highly recommend this place not only for its comfort and service – they really treat you with warmth – but also for its ideal location, close to the beach and the main promenade.
💲Rate in March 2025: approximately IDR 1,644,750 (≈ $145) per night for a Deluxe 1 Bedroom Villa with Private Pool, breakfast included.
Where to Eat in Sanur
Sanur is full of charming little restaurants, but because of Nyepi, we didn’t get to try as many as we would have liked.
Here are the restaurants we did try at and that we genuinely recommend:
- Neun Cafe: This was our hotel’s restaurant, and we had some of the best breakfasts of our entire trip here. We also had a few other meals there, and everything was consistently excellent.
- Massimo Restaurant: This is where I had the best lasagna of my life — no exaggeration.
The food is excellent, and the gelato… oh my. Truly delicious. 😍 It’s a popular spot and can get quite busy, so if you’re visiting during high season, I recommend making a reservation.
In conclusion
As someone deeply connected to spirituality, I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced Nyepi. It was a beautiful synchronicity that the dates of our trip aligned with this day of silence — exactly the kind of inner reconnection I came to Bali seeking.
One thing is certain: I completely fell in love with this island and its people.
And here’s a little secret… When we left, my husband and I both said: “Bali… this isn’t goodbye, it’s see you again.”
And you, is there a destination that has touched you so deeply that you feel called to return?
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