It’s no secret that Ibiza and Formentera are my favourite places to be, I’ve been going ever since I was a child, I have family who live over there and it’s somewhere that’s always had a special place in my heart. We got engaged in Formentera and always talk about living in Ibiza in the future. So I thought it was about time I wrote a blog post with my favourite places, my recommendations and my little hidden secrets too (which I’m kindof reluctant about sharing because I want to keep them to myself but they are too good not too share!). I’m going to write a separate blog post about Formentera, so we’ll start with Ibiza.

LOCATIONS

IBIZA OLD TOWN/TALAMANCA BAY

The best thing about Ibiza is that it has so many different parts to the island. You can go to party like Ibiza is so famous for, but you can also go to relax. If I’m honest I don’t tend to go to Ibiza to party, and although I’ve been to a few super clubs there they aren’t really my vibe. So if you are looking for party recommendations then this probably isn’t the right post for you. So let’s break down some of the areas in Ibiza first. Before I start, my biggest piece of advice in Ibiza is to rent a car, because then you can explore all of these magical places, and because Ibiza is so varied it’s amazing to be able to visit the more fancy glamorous restaurants and beach clubs located near the centre of Ibiza one day, and then another day head to a quieter more traditional and rustic spot the next day across the island. Some of the restaurants and beach clubs etc I’m going to recommend are only accessible by car/taxi and not public transport too.

If you are looking to be close to the main shops, restaurants and beach clubs etc, then you might want to look at staying in or near Ibiza Town, Talamanca Bay or Las Salinas.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Dalt Villa is within the main heart of Ibiza old town, dating back 2,500 years, perched on a mountain above the sea offering incredible views of Ibiza and the Mediterranean sea. It’s absolutely stunning and there are so many beautiful restaurants and viewpoints as you work your way up higher within the city walls. There are also hotels and apartments you can stay at within the old town, but I personally haven’t before as in the summer it can get pretty hot there and it’s difficult to get transport up there too as the roads are very narrow. However if you do want to stay right in Dalt Villa then I have heard incredible things about Hotel Mirador which is in the heart of the old town. There are some gorgeous little tiny bars and restaurants nestled in the old town narrow streets, such as Bar San Ciriaco.

The great thing about the centre of Ibiza is you can go between the old town and the newer where you have the bigger stores, the bigger restaurants, more modern shops etc, so you can go between the two easily. If you’d like to stay in Ibiza town then I would recommend Gran Hotel Montesol which is right in the heart of the town, within walking distance to everything and has a beautiful rooftop restaurant in a great location. Again I’ve not stayed there because it doesn’t have a pool and often going in the summer I’ve preferred to choose somewhere with a pool. However if you are going for a weekend in early spring or late autumn then I think this would be an excellent option. And if you don’t stay here then definitely do check out the restaurant.

There are other hotels that are nearby to the main town, but far enough away to have bigger grounds and access to amenities like a pool, a beach, parking etc, such as Nobu. I’ve not stayed here yet but I’ve heard great things, it’s located on Talamanca Bay which although isn’t Ibiza’s best beach, it does give you the best of both worlds giving you access to a pool, a beach and an amazing restaurant within 5/10 minutes drive of Ibiza town, and around a 20/25 minute walk. Another hotel in that area that has good reviews at a lower price to Nobu is OD Talamanca. Another central hotel (I’ve not stayed here) is Ibiza Corso which is set in the marina, personally I don’t think it’s a very picturesque setting but its certainly a good location.

There are also a good number of beach clubs around the other side of Ibiza town, in an area called Las Salinas, next to the airport so if that’s something you are interested in then you may want to have a look at staying around there, around a 10 minute drive.

Another option is to stay in an Agroturismo. These are my favourite kindof hotels in Ibiza. They give such an authentic rustic island living paired with the comforts you want when you’re on holiday (bear in mind not all of them are super luxurious, but a few definitely are). Agroturismos in Ibiza are fully-functional farms that are also licensed to host guests; in some cases, it may be beautiful fragrant orange groves or organic vegetable gardens that provide the kitchen with its daily supply of fresh produce, while on other Ibiza Agroturismos you may see herds of livestock, flocks of chickens, ancient olive groves, vineyards and many other local goodies, depending on the location around the island.

Often family-run, Ibiza Agroturismos give guests the feeling of being within a true home away from home, but in some you still get that luxurious feeling of staying in a boutique hotel too. Some beautiful Agroturismo’s around this area are Can Arabi and Can Juame.

SANTA EULALIA AND SAN CARLOS

If you fancy something a little quieter, maybe a smaller town with local shops and restaurants and a beach then you might like to stay near Santa Eulalia.

Santa Eulalia has that lovely traditional Spanish town feel, but is still lively enough for you to provide you with enough to see and do with plenty of places to eat. Santa Eulalia also has a beach and you can also catch the ferry across to Formentera for the day in the high season. You also aren’t far from a quaint little town called San Carlos which only has a few shops and restaurants and a really picturesque church, it’s a lovely place to relax with a coffee.It very much has the feeling of time standing still and traditionally is where all the Ibiza hippies used to hang out. Also nearby is the famous Las Dalias Hippy Market which is definitely worth a visit. Santa Eulalia would be a great location for families. It also has a marina which has some of the islands best restaurants. There is a nightlife scene here but its definitely a lot more laid back.

The places I would recommend to stay in or near Santa Eulalia are the Agroturismo Atzaro (so beautiful), ME Hotel (luxury and lively but not too lively), and Aguas De Ibiza Gran Luxe Hotel.

To stay in San Carlos, you may want to look at the Agroturismo Can Carreu . It’s very traditional and not overly luxurious but apparently has a great spa.

Atzaro Hotel - taken from their Instagram

SANTA GERTRUDIS

If you’re looking for a traditional village with a bohemian feel then you will love Santa Gertrudis. It is steeped in tradition, but alongside the more rustic Ibicenco bars and restaurants, you also have more trendy shops and gourmet restaurants, all within a beautiful square.

This is one of my favourite areas of Ibiza. I personally think this would be a gorgeous location to stay for families, the children can play in the square whilst you watch from the local restaurant. But it also is a great destination for couples looking for a more laid back holiday with so many great restaurants and shops. It also has a market weekly with live music and plenty of amazing market stalls to enjoy. Do bear in mind that it is in the middle of the island, so can get very hot in the summer and also is not in any walking distance to a beach. You are surrounded by countryside instead.

For a luxury boutique hotel right in the heart of Santa Gertrudis, you’ll want to stay at Gatzara. Or for an Agroturismo, check out Cas Gasi or La Granja.

These are the main areas of the island that I know the most about, but another hotel that’s always been talked about:

Hacienda Na Xamena: This is the most stunning, luxurious hotels with incredible views, however it’s in the North of the Island and unfortunately there’s not too much there at all so I personally wouldn’t stay there for long, it might be worth going for the weekend for a luxurious romantic getaway where you don’t plan on leaving the hotel much.

BEACHES, BEACH CLUBS AND BEACH RESTAURANTS

Although I love Ibiza, its beaches are nothing on Formentera’s white sandy beaches with crystal clear water. However it still definitely does have some beautiful spots. My favourite beaches in Ibiza are Cala Llenya, Cala Nova and Cala Olivera. This article here is a great rundown on the beaches in Ibiza, and this article breaks down some of the lesser known coves and bays. However what Ibiza lacks in comparison to Formentera in terms of the best beaches, it certainly makes up for in beach clubs, some of the best ones are listed here:

Experimental Beach Club: Amazing food, good music, relaxed vibes, with the best view of the sunset. It also has a shop selling beautiful (but very expensive) clothes and accessories. It’s a rocky steep walk into the sea from the beach club so perhaps not suitable for everyone but I love it.
Chiringuito Beach Club
Elements Beach Club - This is on Benirras beach, one of my favourite beaches in the Island at sunset.
Amante - A really famous restaurant, known more for it’s restaurant setting than it’s beach club but it’s definitely a place to try out.
Aiyanna - I haven’t been here yet but it looks beautiful.
Babylon Beach Bar - A quieter and lesser known beach club in Santa Eulalia with good food, sunbeds and a great atmosphere.

WHERE TO EAT

Some of my favourite restaurants are dotted all across the island, listing my faves below:

El Bigotes - this is located at Cala Mastella, a remote bay with one restaurant. El Bigotes is super traditional and rustic, and has two sevings per day, one at 12pm which is the catch of the day grilled with salad, and then one at 2pm which is a fish stew of some kind. It’s so simple and parred back but so authentic and not touristy at all. You have to book in advance because it’s only small but gets very busy. You need a car or taxi to access it. Apparently the King of Spain was turned away because he didn’t have a reservation!
La Paloma - this is located in San Lorenzo, a tiny village in the middle of the island. This is one of my favourite restaurants, surrounded by orange and lemon groves, it’s a beautiful restaurant for lunch and dinner, really popular with locals, in a gorgeous rustic setting. The food is delicious and fresh and it’s just a lovely relaxing atmosphere.
Plaza Del Sol - this is located in the Old Town, and is another favourite. It’s in a beautiful location, with a stunning view of Ibiza. It also has a great atmosphere, I would recommend getting a table here for dinner. There’s always a great buzz to it and occasionally the odd busker will come and sing for a while. I’d recommend booking for a table at the front. It also has an area to chill out and have a drink if you don’t fancy food.
El Olivio Mio - in the Old Town. This is a gorgeous setting, right in the main street of the old town, so you can people watch whilst enjoying beautiful food. There are loooads more restaurants all situated up this street such as La Oliva, La Dispensa, Sa Rosada, La Plaza, Sa Brisa, so just have a wonder and see what you fancy.
Sa Trenka - located in Cala Martina, does one of the best beachfront paellas. Nothing fancy, just good food in a beach setting.
Sa Caleta - this is located near the airport so a good one to head to either before or after your flight. It’s set on a cliff above the beach and again does an amazing paella and the staff are lovely.
Fish Shack - located in Talamanca, this unpretentious restaurant is a favourite with both locals and tourists who come to enjoy simply cooked, fresh fish and the views across the bay.
Las Dalias - located in San Carlos, when the hippy market isn’t on they have a great bar and restaurant with really reasonable prices in a really cool setting. There is also a smaller one on the corner in Santa Eulalia too.
Wild Beets for plant based cuisine in Santa Gertrudis. Great for breakfast.
Finca La Plaza - Santa Gertrudis. This is one of my favourites for dinner, it’s got a gorgeous terrace with such a lovely atmosphere. The food is brilliant too.
Another favourite evening of mine is grabbing a pizza from Zeno and sitting and watching the sunset at Benirras beach.

One of the restaurants in the old town, unfortunately now closed down.

WHERE TO SHOP

There are loooads of amazing independent shops and market stalls all across the beautiful towns of Ibiza and I can’t remember the names of them all but I would recommend just wondering around the towns, particularly Ibiza town and Dalt Villa and Santa Gertudis and just popping in wherever takes your fancy as there are soo many hidden gems. The beach clubs also have good shops but bear in mind they’re more expensive than other places.

Marney and Me - Ibiza Town
Banjara - Ibiza Town
Oliver - Ibiza Town (home decor)
Las Dalias - Hippy Market
Punta Arabi - Hippy Market (very touristy)
Es Cucons - homeware and clothes in Santa Gertrudis.
Other good homeware stores in Ibiza linked here.
Cocoq Ibiza - large showroom and warehouse-style interiors shop, selling everything you might ever need for your home, from bigger items of furniture right down to ornaments.

WHAT ELSE TO DO…

Go hiking. There are so many beautiful hikes in Ibiza, it has so much beautiful scenery.
- Es Cubells hike to Cala Comte starting at Es Cubells Church. You can head down and have lunch at Ses Boques.
- Es Vedra hike. This is quite difficult to find so best to have a google before. But drive towards Cala d’hort beach, turn left by the group of rubbish bins and keep driving until you have to leave your car. The views are incredible.
Head to Formentera for the day on the ferry.
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