I’ve been hearing this a lot lately: Seseh is the next Canggu. The next place to be in Bali. The next hot spot. And while that might very well be true, especially considering the rapid development happening in and around Seseh, Bali, I can’t help but wonder how long its long stretches of emerald-green rice fields and traditional Balinese villages will remain. Driving through the traditional villages and rice fields around Seseh has always been one of my favorite things to do, especially in the morning or late afternoon. I love indulging my senses in the beauty of the landscape, the sound of the village, the smell of the rice fields, the warm breeze, and simply enjoying the quietness.

Living near Seseh, Bali, since the pandemic has been a blessing. It has allowed me to enjoy a slower pace of life and pristine surroundings while still having access to the kind of lifestyle I love in Canggu: good coffee, great food, beautiful places, and a vibrant international community. But Seseh today feels like a place caught between two worlds. It still has the charm, quietness, and authenticity that make it special, yet you can already see signs of change everywhere. If you’re thinking of visiting or staying in Seseh, Bali, and want to experience its slower side before it changes too much, this guide is for you.

Where is Seseh, Bali?

The small coastal village of Seseh, Bali is located just north of Canggu, about a 15-minute scooter ride or around 20 minutes by car. As Bali’s development continues to expand westward toward Kediri and Kedungu in Tabanan Regency, Seseh is beginning to emerge as one of the island’s new hotspots.

READ ALSO: 10 Must-Visit Spots in Seseh, Cemagi, and Munggu for a Peaceful Bali Escape

And it’s not just Seseh. The same rapid development can be seen in the neighboring villages of Cemagi and Munggu. While Munggu is technically a separate village, meanwhile Seseh is part of Cemagi, the three areas are increasingly seen by foreigners and tourists as one destination, with many simply referring to the wider area as “Seseh.”

If you’re coming to Seseh from Canggu, you may encounter some congestion around the Pererenan intersection, particularly during busy hours. If you’re riding a scooter, there are several smaller shortcuts toward Seseh that can help you avoid the traffic. These shortcuts are narrow and generally accessible only by scooter, but they can make the journey considerably quicker.

Morning in Seseh, Bali

One of my favorite things to do in Seseh, Bali, is simply to witness the village waking up. I love starting my day with a good cup of coffee, so I often drive toward the beach, where many of the cafés are located.

At the beginning of Seseh, the scenery looks much like a typical Balinese village. Rows of traditional houses, intricate stone walls, and beautifully carved gates line the road, often softened by the vibrant colors of bougainvillea spilling over garden walls. The village slowly comes to life as small shops begin to open and parents ride their scooters, taking their children to nearby schools.

Beyond the usual morning routines, the roads remain remarkably quiet. There is little sense of urgency as people go about their day, except when you need to make way for the occasional runner along the roadside. I’m not much of a runner myself, I much prefer walking (I absolutely love walking!), but I enjoy watching the morning runners pass by as I take in the peaceful surroundings.

As I got closer to Seseh Beach, something caught my eye: a charming blue building on the left side of Jalan Pantai Seseh. It was Nouvelle Bookstore & Coffee, an independent bookstore and coffee shop that had recently opened in the area. Curious about the place, I decided to stop and start my morning with a cup of their specialty coffee.

The interior is just as captivating as the exterior. Hundreds of books across different genres line custom-made wooden bookshelves in a variety of shapes, giving the space a warm and distinctive character.

A comfortable leather sofa in the middle of the store immediately caught my attention, so I ordered a cappuccino from the barista at the counter. The atmosphere was calm yet inviting, exactly the kind of place where I could imagine spending hours reading a book or getting some work done on my computer.

Since it was still early and the sun wasn’t too strong, I decided to take my coffee and a fiction book I’d picked from the shelves out to the porch. And as I’d hoped, sitting there in the morning was a wonderful experience. The atmosphere was wonderfully serene, but what made it even more special was the view. Across the road, the emerald-green rice fields stretched out in front of me, a beautiful reminder of the peaceful side of Seseh that I have always loved.

Sitting there with a good book and a cup of coffee, looking out over the rice fields, felt like one of those simple yet priceless Bali moments.

What caught my attention about Nouvelle wasn’t just the charming blue building and its vibes. It was the concept itself. In a village where most places to stop for a morning coffee are cafés and eateries, Nouvelle brings something a little different to Seseh: books and coffee under one roof.

Nouvelle is an independent bookstore and coffee shop, with a carefully curated selection of English-language books alongside specialty coffee. The bookstore carries a mix of fiction (fantasy, thriller, romance), children’s books, self-development, business, and classic, making it the kind of place where you can easily spend more time browsing than you originally planned.

The coffee is another reason to stop by. Nouvelle serves specialty coffee, with beans sourced from Indonesia, and offers everything from espresso-based drinks to V60 pour-over. Whether you’re looking for your morning caffeine fix before heading to Seseh Beach or somewhere quiet to spend a few hours with a book, it makes for a lovely little stop along Jalan Pantai Seseh. Nouvelle is a place that encourages you to slow down, browse, read, talk and stay a little longer, something that feels increasingly valuable in a part of Bali that is changing so quick.

Nouvelle bookstore & coffee

Jalan Pantai Seseh, Cemagi, Mengwi, Badung, Bali 80351

Whatsapp: +6282233083007

Afternoon in Seseh, Bali

Whenever I pass through Seseh, Bali, whether in the morning, afternoon, or even early evening, I often see people running along the side of the road. Most roads in Seseh still don’t have sidewalks, but because the area remains relatively quiet, running here can be a pleasant way to explore the village and its surroundings.

And I can see why more people are taking up running here. There’s something refreshing about running past emerald-green rice fields, traditional Balinese houses, and the coastal landscape of Seseh, with far less traffic and noise than you’ll find in busier parts of Bali. There is even an active running community here: Flowerboy Run Club. The coffee shop in Seseh hosts a free community run every Wednesday and Saturday at 6:00 AM, starting and finishing at the café. The run is open to all levels, including beginners, with a 5 km mixed-terrain route and an optional 10 km distance. No registration is required, so if you’re into running, or simply keen to meet people while staying in Seseh, Bali, it’s a great community to join.

If you’d rather run on your own, Jalan Pantai Seseh is one of my favorite stretches. The rice-field views along the road are beautiful, and there are plenty of quiet sections where you can enjoy the scenery at your own pace. And if you need a little refreshment along the way, keep an eye out for Nouvelle Bookstore & Coffee, which provides drinking water for people passing by. It’s a small but thoughtful touch, and exactly the kind of detail that makes exploring Seseh on foot or by scooter feel a little more enjoyable.

Sport and wellness have become a big part of daily life in Bali, and Seseh is no exception. If you’re looking for something active to do in the afternoon, surfing is a popular choice. Seseh is well known among the local surf community for its reef break, although the waves and conditions are generally more suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers. For those who prefer racquet sports, head to Island Sports Club or Jungle Padel Seseh for a game of padel. You can play with friends, join a match with other players, or book a private coaching session if you’d like to improve your skills. For mat pilates lovers, Summer B Pilates Seseh is another great option, offering a more mindful way to stay active while enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the area.

If you’d rather slow things down, Seseh, Bali and its surroundings also offer plenty of opportunities for relaxation and wellness. Treat yourself to a spa session at Cloud Spa or Udara Bali Yoga Detox & Spa, both popular options for a relaxing afternoon. My personal recommendation, however, is WW Day Spa on Jalan Pantai Seseh. I’ve found their therapists to be particularly experienced, and their massage techniques are, in my opinion, better than many spas I’ve tried around Bali. It’s a great place to end an active day in Seseh and truly unwind.

Evening in Seseh, Bali

Working in the afternoon or evening is one of the things I enjoy doing in Seseh, Bali, especially from a café. There are plenty of lovely cafés where I can settle in with my laptop and get some work done. Seseh St. and Seseh Cemagi Café are two places I frequently visit when I need to work or, of course, write. I prefer working somewhere calm, and luckily, many places in Seseh have that relaxed atmosphere. Add beautiful views, a good cup of coffee, and a gentle breeze, and I often find myself being surprisingly productive.

Another place I’ve recently fallen in love with for working is Nouvelle Bookstore & Coffee. The indoor leather sofa and dedicated working station are comfortable and, during the hotter hours of the day, provide a cool and quiet space to focus. In the evening, however, I prefer moving to the porch. There’s something about sitting outside as the sun goes down, with a gentle breeze blowing through and the rice fields across the road, that makes writing feel different. My mind tends to wander a little more easily, and somehow, that’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re not trying too hard to find them.

Seseh Bali also among the best places to catch sunsets. My personal favorite is sitting on the colorful bean bags at Warung Alus facing Munggu Beach Bali. In Cemagi Beach, Cemagi Sunset Point offers a laid-back vibe where you can relax at a local warung and watch the sun slip behind the rocks. For a family-friendly option, Thalassa Seseh is a wonderful spot to unwind before sunset and let the kids play on the beach.

If you’re looking for a little recovery after spending hours at the gym, playing padel, or running through Seseh, head to Openhouse Café Seseh. With a sauna and pool, it’s a great place to unwind, enjoy dinner, and perhaps meet and socialize with other people in the area. And with new places opening around Seseh all the time, my list of places to try keeps getting longer. Jannah and Chotto Motto Ramen are already on my list.

This is perhaps what I love most about living in Seseh, Bali. Life here feels slow and mindful without feeling isolated or boring. You still have good coffee, great food, fitness and wellness activities, creative spaces, and a growing international community, all while being surrounded by rice fields, traditional villages, and the ocean. It’s a slower way of living, but without giving up the things that make life exciting. And for me, that’s what makes Seseh Bali such a special place to call home.

Curious about my adventures in Europe and America ?. You can click the following links to see my traveling videos that have aired on Net TV :

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