Seminyak is Bali's upmarket beach strip, running north from Kuta and Legian along the west coast. What was once a quiet township is now the island's centre for boutique shopping, international restaurants, and beach clubs — a world away from Kuta's backpacker scene just down the road.
The beach is wide and west-facing, which means good sunsets and reliable surf. Jalan Kayu Aya (known as "Eat Street") and Jalan Petitenget are the main drags, lined with designer shops, cocktail bars, and restaurants covering everything from Balinese to Japanese to Italian. Seminyak attracts a more affluent crowd than its southern neighbours, along with a large expat community. Prices are among the highest in Bali, but the quality of food and nightlife is noticeably better too.