Ibiza
Away from its nightlife image, Ibiza is an island of clear coves and a magical sunset (Cala Comte and Cala d'Hort, facing the rock of Es Vedrà), a walled old town on the UNESCO list, the Ses Salines reserve, and luxury hotels and villas in the quiet north.
- When to go
- May, June, September (avoid the August peak)
- How long you need
- 4–5 days
- For whom
- Couples and lovers of luxury and quiet in the north
Chapter One
The story of Ibiza
“Yābisa”, Phoenician-Carthaginian in origin (Ebusus), was ruled by Muslims for about three centuries until 1235 CE. Its walled upper town (Dalt Vila) and the Phoenician necropolis of Puig des Molins are inscribed on the World Heritage list.
Figures of Ibiza
- d. 1273
Guillem de Montgrí
The Catalan commander who led the 1235 campaign that took Yābisa and Formentera from the Muslims.
- 1892–1940
Walter Benjamin
The German philosopher stayed in Sant Antoni, Ibiza, in 1932 and 1933, and wrote texts about it.
- 1886–1971
Raoul Hausmann
The German Dada artist who lived in Ibiza (1933–1936) and documented its rural architecture in photographs.
Chapter Two
Places in Ibiza
27 places I chose, arranged in chapters. A gold star marks one of my favourite picks.
Heritage and monuments
2Portal de ses Taules
· Ibiza (Eivissa)
The walled upper town of Ibiza (a World Heritage site), entered through the Portal de ses Taules. The island was the Islamic “Yābisa” from 902 CE to 1235 CE, and the Renaissance walls were built on the walls of the Islamic city.
My tip
The climb is steep, so wear comfortable shoes; go shortly before sunset for the view over the harbour.
Necrópolis y Museo del Puig des Molins
· Eivissa
The largest preserved Phoenician-Punic necropolis in the world, with thousands of tombs carved into the Hill of the Windmills, part of the Ibiza World Heritage site. The adjacent museum displays its treasures.
- Easy to reach
- A modern museum, outdoor walkways and stairs down to an underground tomb. Moderate.
My tip
Entry is free, and the lockers need a euro coin, which is refunded. An hour is enough. It is a 10 minute walk from Dalt Vila.
Restaurants and cafés
7Es Bigotes
A legendary fishermen's hut on the rocks of Cala Mastella, serving a single dish: “bullit de peix”; seasonal.
- There is no menu and no online booking: you must come in person to book a table. Then the Ibizan fish soup is served, followed by arroz a banda cooked in the same broth, at wooden tables over the sea. A purely Ibizan experience.
Signature dish“bullit de peix” (fish poached with potatoes), followed by arroz a banda
Booking essential · Suits families and children, couples and friends and groups
S'Espartar
A fish restaurant run by a fishing family, whose fish comes from their own boat; closed on Mondays.
- One of the most respected fish restaurants in Ibiza, as the fish are caught by the family's own boat. Traditional Ibizan dishes in a quiet spot near Cala Tarida.
Try“bullit de peix”, lobster caldereta, fresh grilled fish, seafood rice
Booking essential · Suits families and children, couples and friends and groups
La Gaia
The luxury restaurant of the Ibiza Gran Hotel near the marina, by chef Óscar Molina.
- One Michelin star (2026). The experience begins with a series of appetiser stations prepared in front of you, then a menu inspired by the island's history.
TryThe “Experimental” menu, prawn rice, Ibizan fish
Booking essential · Formal, a jacket preferred · Suits couples and business meetings
Cappuccino Marina Ibiza
An elegant café in the Botafoch marina: brunch, international cuisine and a view of the old town.
- With a view
- Part of Cappuccino
TryBrunch, international dishes
Booking advised · Suits families and children and couples
Sa Nansa
A long-established rice and fish restaurant in Ibiza town, near the Botafoch marina; closed on Mondays.
- A place the island's people have trusted for decades for rice and local fish, in the town itself. A practical choice if you are staying in Ibiza, with no need to travel around.
TryArroz a banda, lobster rice, “bullit de peix”, grilled Ibizan fish
Booking advised · Suits families and children, couples and friends and groups
Aslan Ibiza
An elegant Turkish kebab restaurant with real grilled meat in Ibiza town; closed on Wednesdays.
- A practical, comfortable choice for families on an island where good Turkish and Arabic food is hard to find. Customers praise the quality of the meat and the cleanliness of the place.
TryBeef or chicken doner kebab, grill platters, Turkish salads
Suits families and children and friends and groups
Unic
A gourmet restaurant in Sant Josep, in the south-west of Ibiza, using the island's local produce.
- One Michelin star (2026); a quieter and better-value option than Ibiza's noisy restaurants.
TryThe “Unic” menu, white prawn aguachile, panna cotta with fermented honey and figs
Booking essential · Smart casual · Suits couples and business meetings
Nature and walks
6Mirador es vedra
· Sant Josep de sa Talaia
A view of the legendary rock Es Vedrà, which rises 382 m from the sea off Cala d'Hort, Ibiza's most famous sunset view.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- By car only. The last stretch is a winding dirt road, and the car park is close to the viewpoint, a 5–10 minute walk over rocky ground. No services and no shade, and the cliff has no barriers. The car park fills before sunset.
My tip
The road is winding and unpaved, and the car park is close; arrive an hour before sunset.
Parc Natural de ses Salines
· Sant Josep de sa Talaia
Historic salt pans, dunes and pine forests in the south of the island, where flamingos stand. It includes the famous Ses Salines beach.
My tip
Flamingos are usually present between February and July; combine it with lunch on the beach.
Cala Salada
· Sant Antoni de Portmany
A bay in the north-west of Ibiza with clear water between pine-covered slopes, with the smaller and more beautiful “Saladeta” cove next to it.
- Moderate effort
- In summer cars are banned (roughly 9:00–18:00) and a shuttle bus from Sant Antoni is used; the descent is on a steep road. One restaurant. The “Saladeta” cove is a 10–15 minute walk on a rocky path, so wear suitable shoes. Little shade.
My tip
Driving in is restricted in summer, so take the bus or the boat from Sant Antoni. There is no phone signal there.
Cala d'Hort
· Sant Josep de sa Talaia
A small bay facing the legendary towering rock Es Vedrà, and one of the best sunset spots on the island.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- A narrow winding paved road ends in a small, crowded car park above the cove, followed by a short steep descent of 3–5 minutes. Two restaurants and chairs in season. No practical public transport. Sunset is very crowded—come early.
My tip
Park in the upper car park and walk 10 minutes; wander the cliff-top paths before going down.
Can Lluc Boutique Country Hotel & Villas
· Sant Rafel de sa Creu
- Boutique
A boutique country hotel in the middle of the island among the fields, with a pool, private villas and fresh breakfast. It combines calm with easy access to all Ibiza's beaches.
My tip
The private villas are ideal for families and offer privacy; you will need a car.
Atzaró Agroturismo
· Santa Eulària des Riu
A luxury farm estate with well-kept gardens, two pools and a well-known spa, with Balinese-style suites and renovated country houses. One of the finest rural options in Ibiza.
My tip
The modern suites are roomier than the rooms in the old house. The spa and restaurant also receive outside visitors, so it gets crowded in the evening.
Experiences and family
1Cala Comte
· Sant Josep de sa Talaia
One of Ibiza's most beautiful beaches, with clear turquoise water and small islets offshore, famous for its sunsets.
My tip
Very crowded in July and August; go in the morning, or in spring and autumn.
Mosques and halal
2Mezquita El Fath (Sant Antoni)
· Sant Antoni de Portmany
A large mosque on the ground floor of a residential building in Sant Antoni, able to hold hundreds of worshippers.
My tip
Friday prayer is usually at about 13:30–14:30 (it may be as late as 15:00 in summer); check with the mosque before you go. Friday prayer is around 14:00, depending on the congregation. There is a women's section, which may be closed outside Friday.
Mezquita Rahma (Santa Eulària)
· Santa Eulària des Riu
The community mosque in Santa Eulària, on the east of the island.
My tip
Friday prayer is usually at about 13:30–14:30 (it may be as late as 15:00 in summer); check with the mosque before you go. In summer, Friday prayer is around 14:00, depending on the congregation.
Where to stay
7Six Senses Ibiza
· Portinatx
- One of the city's best hotels
- Romantic
A luxury resort in a quiet northern bay, far from the island's noise, focused on wellness.
My tip
Ask for a room with a sea view, away from the pool.
Hacienda Na Xamena
· Sant Miquel
- One of the city's best hotels
- Romantic
Above a sheer cliff in the north-west, with a spectacular sea view, far from nightlife.
My tip
The place is isolated; you need a car.
Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila
· Eivissa
- One of the city's best hotels
- Romantic
A small boutique hotel in a palace from 1905 inside the historic walls of Dalt Vila in Ibiza, with views of the castle and harbour and an elegant restaurant.
Montesol Experimental Ibiza
· Eivissa
- Boutique
Ibiza's oldest hotel, renewed as a boutique hotel on Vara de Rey street, between the marina and the walled city. Breakfast on request on the terrace.
My tip
Service varies; better suited to a couple than a large family.
La Torre del Canonigo, an SLH Hotel
· Eivissa
- Boutique
A luxury boutique hotel in a historic tower inside the fortified Dalt Vila, with a pool and panoramic views of the sea and harbour. A quiet retreat away from the noise.
My tip
They provide a car to take you to and from the bottom of the old town; contact the hotel via WhatsApp.
Hotel Torre del Mar
· Eivissa
A four-star beachfront hotel with an infinity pool and large rooms overlooking the sea, near Ibiza town. Good facilities and varied food.
My tip
Platja d'en Bossa is known for its parties; ask for a room facing the sea, away from the road.
Hotel Argos
· Eivissa
A four-star hotel on the quiet Talamanca beach opposite Ibiza town, with a children's pool and childcare service. You can cross to the marina by boat.
My tip
Ask for a sea-view room, and adjoining rooms for families. The internet is sometimes weak.
Shopping
1Marina Eivissa
· Ibiza (Eivissa)
The luxury marina opposite Dalt Vila, with large yachts, boutiques and upscale restaurants, and the best view of the old town lit up at night.
My tip
For the evening meal; parking inside the marina is at reasonable prices.
Relaxation
1Six Senses Ibiza
· Portinatx
A luxury resort in a quiet northern bay in Ibiza, with the Six Senses spa and the “Resonance” wellness centre, offering sleep and nutrition programmes and biometric analysis. The atmosphere is natural, far from the island's noise.
My tip
Book spa treatments with the room, because slots run out in summer. Villas and top suites suit privacy better than rooms overlooking the pool.
Chapter Three
When to go to Ibiza
My view in brief: May, June, September (avoid the August peak). Pick a month to see its weather and events.
Among my best months An event or holidayBars: lowest and highest temperature
May14° to 23°
Warm (14–23°C), and one of the best months for families before the party season. We recommend watching the sunset at Cala Comte.
Fair and market
Medieval Ibiza (Eivissa – Dalt Vila)
Eivissa Medieval
Usually a weekend in early or mid-May
A medieval market inside the walls of Dalt Vila (a World Heritage site): crafts, shows and music. A quiet cultural side of the island of Ibiza.
Chapter Four
Where to stay in Ibiza
Hotels I recommend in Ibiza
- Six Senses Ibiza ★★★★★
- Hacienda Na Xamena ★★★★★
- Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila ★★★★★
Chapter Five
What to bring home
What deserves to come home with you from Ibiza: the genuine article, and what carries a protected origin.
Ibiza salt
Sal de Ibiza – Ses SalinesSea salt from the protected Ses Salines saltworks, in use since Phoenician times; its salt flower is a luxury.
dried figs
Figues seques d'EivissaIbizan figs, dried in the sun and flavoured with bay leaves, an old country tradition.
- IGP
Ibiza oil
Oli d'Eivissa IGPA protected island oil produced in limited quantities, fruity and balanced.
Ibizan cheesecake
FlaóA cake of goat's cheese, eggs and mint, the most famous Ibizan sweet. Note: some recipes add anise liqueur, so ask about it.
Ibiza almonds
Almendras de IbizaGrown in the Santa Agnès valley, whose trees are covered in white blossom in January–February.
Chapter Six
Getting around Ibiza
- Radiotaxi Ibiza+34 971 398 483
- Taxi Sant Antoni+34 971 343 764
Apps that work here
Uber
Last reviewed1 October 2026