Fun Things to Do in Legian that are Family-Friendly
On dark golden sandy beaches that are cleaned daily, the southern Balinese beachfront town of Legian is geographically and atmospherically located between the hip and cool village of Seminyak (perfect for the wannabe singleton) and the ever-popular bogan area of Kuta.
But don’t be too put off by my over the top descriptions of these villages flanking either side of Legian, they offer plenty of things to do in Legian when on a Bali family holiday, there are lots of tourist attractions and activities for everyone to enjoy.
In this Article on What to Do Legian You Will Learn About
- Getting around Legian
- Shopping in Legian
- Tourist attractions in Legian, Kuta and Seminyak
- Activities in Legian and nearby
- More information about Legian and Bali
- More Bali attractions
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Getting Around Legian
Tidy footpaths line the well-maintained roads and lanes that meander throughout Legian. This is perfect, as Legian is great to explore on foot and ideally located with only a 20-minute walk along the beachfront either south to Kuta or north to Seminyak. Alternatively, there are motorbikes for hire, private drivers touting for business, the Bluebird taxis or the Kura Kura public bus loop (20 000 IDR per trip) – the Kura Kura bus loop is currently suspended until July 2022.
Top Trip Tip: Be careful using private drivers as they can charge a hefty fee – negotiate before you get in the car. Alternatively, it is often better to go with the Bluebird taxi (you’ll spot them easily, they are bright blue) you can negotiate an amount or ask for the metre to be turned on.
Best Things to Do in Legian
There are a number of fun places to visit in Legian along with its neighbours Kuta and Seminyak.
Shopping
Legian Shopping
One of the enjoyable activities to do when travelling to places like Bali is to shop and barter at the markets. Well, Legian is like a giant market place with streets and lanes filled with hawker-style street shopfronts that are open all day and through the evening. It is one of the few things to do in Legian at night along with eating out at some wonderful restaurants and having a quiet drink at the bars. You can walk along the roads for hours finding all sorts of goods from clothes for all ages, shoes, bags, to souvenirs.
Kuta Shopping
Kuta also offers some market-style lanes but it is actually better for shopping in large malls to escape the heat.
Walking from Legian the first Kuta shopping mall you will encounter is the upmarket Beachwalk Shopping Centre. This open-aired glamourous looking mall offers high-end retailers.
Further down the beachfront, you will find the Discovery Shopping Mall. With 150 stores over three levels including two department stores. There’s something for everyone here.
But our preferred Bali shopping mall is a little bit further away on the outskirts of Kuta called the Mal Bali Galleria. It too offers several floors of brand chains, department stores and food courts.
Seminyak Shopping
If you walk up to Seminyak you will find streets lined with small boutique stores. If you want some respite from the heat head indoors to the upmarket Seminyak Village Shopping Mall with a mix of brand stores and locally handmade Balinese products.
Or the Seminyak Square Shopping Mall with a mix of market stalls, food outlets and brand stores.
Top Trip Tip: When shopping in the larger malls the higher levels offer cheaper items than the lower levels
Themed Attractions
But if you’ve come with the kids and or hubby I imagine they are going to get bored with shopping pretty quickly, so distract them all with some fun-themed Bali attractions. Now there are plenty of things to do throughout Bali, but locally here’s what to do in Legian and nearby.
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Legian Attractions
There are two tourist attractions in Legian one is Dream Museum Zone Bali one kilometre inland from Legian Beach. The museum is a series of life-size artworks where you can take selfies or get a friend to snap you looking as if you are part of the picture. My nephew and his girlfriend recently visited here and they had so many fun shots.
The other attraction is Pandora Experience where you have 120 minutes to work out the labyrinth of clues to escape. This one will be great for tweens and teens.
Both of these are also options for things to do in the evening in Legian. Dream Museum Zone closes at 10pm and Pandora Experience closes at 8pm.
Kuta Attractions
Waterbom Bali is the original, biggest and possibly best waterpark in Bali. And for that, you pay a premium (adults 481 500 IDR / kids 346 500 IDR), but it is so well organised and set up. There are pools and slides galore. Starting with a dedicated kids zone – no parents are allowed to slide here, a long lazy river, flow riders, speed slides to HUGE water slides and tubes – if you’ve got weak stomach these are not for you.
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If you like the idea of the flow rider but not the rest of the slides check out Flow House. This also stays open until 10pm, though appears to get a bit boozy so maybe not best for the kids.
A little further south in Tuban village is Circus Waterpark which markets itself as a family waterpark. It is cheaper (adults from 240 000 IDR / kids from 160 000 IDR) than Waterbom because it is a smaller park with smaller rides.
Seminyak Attractions
There is also another Bali waterpark located five kilometres north of Seminyak in the village of Canggu. Splash Waterpark has the added bonus of being guaranteed a day bed with the entrance price (adults 400 000 IDR / kids 270 000 IDR) For an additional cost there are also trampolines and 10 pin bowling.
Getting out of the water and looking for a different night out try Frankenstein’s Laboratory bar and restaurant. You will need to book well in advance but it’s an entertaining evening. Each night of the week offers a different cabaret theme, we saw the Michael Jackson show – it was very good. Plus you can get special effects make-up done (at a cost) to create your own gruesome face or injuries. Drink options can be fun with creative cocktails and soft drinks served in syringes, beakers or IV bags. The menu is burgers, pizza and pasta – the night really is all about the show.
Activities
Beyond the actual Bali tourist attractions, there are also some fun activities to keep everyone occupied.
The Beach
As Legian is a beachfront town it is all about the beach. Swimming, sunbaking, building sandcastles or just strolling along the sandy shores.
Surf School
If you want to take the beach one step further enrol you and/or the kids in the surf school.
Massages
There are massage and day spas on every street corner and in between. Most are a budget style and you can get a massage for around 100 000 IDR. But if you would like to opt for something a little more upmarket (but not at the same expense as the resort day spas) then I can highly recommend Jari Menari^ based in Seminyak – there’s also one now in Nusa Dua. I first discovered this day spa about ten years ago and loved the unique mix of massage and stretching. Recently I returned, this time with my son, during our recent stay at the Padma Resort Legian and I am glad to say nothing has changed. It is still a wonderful stretching massage with the sound of water trickling down the interior waterfalls. Also, Jari Menari now offers courses to learn how to perform your massages at the school or you can relax after your shower in the meditation room.
Now that you’re relaxed you are ready to head back to the shops, discover a new theme park or try another activity. There are just so many options for things to do in Legian or nearby.
Top Trip Tip: You will find exchange booths and secure ATM’s along the main streets of Legian. If you are exchanging cash make sure you use a reputable/official booth – not some dodgy thing down the back of a dark store.
More Information About Legian, Bali
Location
Legian is located in the southwest of Bali, it is approximately a 35-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
On our most recent trip to Bali, we stayed at the Padma Resort Legian.
Currency
Bali is located in the country of Indonesia. The currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah.
- 1 AUD = 9491 IDR (as at Aug 2019)
- 1USD = 14284 IDR (as at Aug 2019)
Check Currency Convertor for today’s rates.
More on Bali
The island of Bali offers so much variety of things to do. Discover all about Bali HERE (accommodation and attractions) including these articles:
- Visited Bali Safari
- Learn what you need to know before you go to Waterbom Bali
- Taken a cycling tour from Ubud
- Explored more of Ubud
Posts on these and more will be COMING SOON. Sign up for the e-newsletter or follow us on Facebook to learn when it’s published.
In the meantime, you may find these Bali travel guides* useful.
Or check out Viator* or Klook* or GetYourGuide* for Bali tours
What to Pack for Bali
Bali’s culture is essentially Hindu with a small mix of Christian and Buddhism faiths. When visiting any of the Balinese temples you will need to cover up. However, in resort towns, casual dress is perfectly acceptable.
Essential things to pack for Bali include:
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Swimmers
- Adventure/hiking sandals
- Sarong (to cover up)
Get the entire…
PS. Don’t forget to organise your travel insurance. We use Cover-More*.
Discover More Bali Attractions
- Explore the real Bali on a cycling tour
- Find things to do in Legian
- Plan a day trip to Ubud
- Learn what you need to know for a day at Waterbom Bali
- Eat at the best Sanur restaurants
- Pack for your Bali holiday with this checklist
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DISCLOSURE:
- We were gifted with a massage at Jari Menari
- We paid for all other costs.
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