As well as the famous historical old town with its castle, cathedral and cobbled streets, Ibiza’s south east has some of the most exquisite beaches on the island, away from the sunset crowds.
Enjoy a ramble through the cobbled streets and treasure troves of Dalt Vila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where history lovers can learn about Phoenician life at the various museums. Find a hidden bar where you can refresh yourself on the climb up to the castle, admire the original architecture, or seek out one of the famous beach clubs on the shore.
Spend a day at Las Salinas, Sa Caleta or Cala Jondal, or explore the charming villages of Es Cubell and San José.
Whether you’re after a restaurant in a country garden, on lush farmland, or with the sea just in front of you, you are sure to find stylish dining in Ibiza’s chic south east.
At the southern tip is the Ses Salines Natural Park, home to the flamingos and island bird life, and the Sa Caleta ruins. Don’t worry if you aren’t so into history, tours of the island on a Vespa or food tours exploring flavour will ensure you taste the best of Ibiza today.
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Restaurants & bars
La Bodega has two venues, one on the Talamanca beach strip to the north of Ibiza Town and one on the edge of Dalt Vila. They serve tapas and sharing plates, washed down with a fine list of wines. The Ibiza Town venue is on the pavement of a busy street, so it makes for great people watching too. Nearby Tessa serves up old family recipes inspired by sea and land while you enjoy a view of the harbour and Dalt Vila. They also make great Italian food and pizza.
If you’re after a fine dining experience, Bista Sa Cova is a feast for the eyes and the tongue. With exceptional views of Dalt Vila lit up at night you will be served French-Mediterranean fusion food with Peruvian influences. The restaurant is only open for dinner in the summer season months.
Experimental Beach sits amongst the salt flats of Las Salinas. Part of the international group Experimental Cocktail Club (which has venues in London, Paris, New York, Venice, Menorca and Verbier) the Experimental Beach offers lunch or dinner on your sunbed and, of course, world class cocktails made by skilled mixologists.
Right in the middle of the Ses Salines nature reserve with views out across the blue waters to Formentera and Es Cavallet beach, La Escollera restaurant on the sand serves Mediterranean classics like paella as well as international favourites like sushi and curry. They even have salt-baked sea bass cooked with salt from the salt-flats surrounding the restaurant.
If you feel like a change of scenery Casa Maca is a boutique hotel with a large bar and restaurant, found in the hills behind Ibiza town. A short drive inland takes you away from the bustle of the South East’s coastline, and from this distance you can enjoy a horizon framed by the Dalt Vila skyline. The hotel itself is an artfully restored 300-year-old farmhouse set amongst a grove of fruiting trees. The menu here is high-end Mediterranean, much of it cooked on open fire, and supplied by the hotel’s own organic garden.
Beaches
The Ses Salines Natural Park at the southernmost tip of Ibiza is one of two nature reserves on the island. The surface of the park is largely covered in water and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It hosts a network of beaches, marshes and lagoons where flamingos graze. You can hike through the gorgeous park to a 16th century watch tower.
In the heart of the park is Las Salinas beach. Still the most cosmopolitan beach on the island, the iconic Las Salinas is the archetypal Ibizan beach and its sandy shores are lined with bars and restaurants, including the famous Jockey Club and Sa Trinxa.
The beach gets busy in the peak of summer and many boats anchor here so their guests can access the bars. It’s calmer in the spring and autumn. If you walk down the beach towards the watchtower you’ll find a series of small, quieter coves. Sa Trinxa end is popular with nudists.
Cala Jondal’s white pebble beach is also a famous party spot. Trendy Tropicana Beach Club and Blue Marlin ensure there’s always music to dance to and it’s a popular beach with boat owners seeking a bit of a fiesta.
The sociable beach of Es Cavallet is one of Ibiza’s official nudist beaches. Just south of Ibiza Town, you drive through the scenic salt pans to get there. Es Cavallet is a narrow beach with white sand, backed by dunes.
Talamanca is a long, sandy beach on the outskirts of Ibiza Town. It has shallow water and lots of restaurants, including a tiny shack that serves up mussels harvested from the rocks that morning.
Playa d’en Bossa is the longest beach on the island, with shallow waters and an expanse of sand that make it safe for swimming. There are lots of beach bars and clubs along the shore and plenty of watersports on offer. It’s popular with families, thrill seekers and those in search of a party. The middle is where the biggest party vibe can be found and the southern end of the beach is (slightly) quieter.
The exclusive bay of Porroig is just along from Cala Jondal and is frequented by luxury yachts. It boasts crystal clear waters and is lined with fishing huts.
Much quieter than its southern neighbours, Cala Llentrisca is hidden under the sandy cliffs of Es Cubell on Ibiza’s south coast. Harder to find than some of the better-known coves, it is pebbly and good for snorkelling. There is a small pier and several fishing huts that give Cala Llentrisca a rustic charm.
Popular beach with the island locals, Es Xarcu has been a long-time whispered favourite amongst Ibiza’s original hippies. Not quite so secret anymore, it is still one of quieter beaches on the south coast. The restaurant on the beach has great views of the cove and serves delicious freshly caught fish. The beach is pebbly but the sand softens underfoot once you are in the water.
Inside the Las Salinas park, the cute Cala Pluma is a calm beach with clear waters. If you walk across the beach you’ll reach a series of small bays and if you continue to hike towards the Ses Portes tower you’ll pass some of the beautiful birdlife that lives on the salt fields.
See & Do
Ibiza’s walled old town Dalt Vlla (which translates to Upper Town) is a labyrinthian network of pretty streets that offer incredible views out over Ibiza Town and the sea. Over 2500 years old, the area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and hidden in its streets are fascinating stories from the island’s past.
Dalt Vila was built by the Phoenicians, who called it Iboism. Once upon a time it was the most important coastal city in the Mediterranean. The walls that surround the narrow streets and city squares were built by King Charles I and Philip II of Spain to defend the city against the French and the Ottomans. The impressive fortified walls are punctuated with antique military cannons.
Apart from its aesthetic appeal, Dalt Vila’s streets are a treasure trove of history. There are official routes you can follow around the town, or you can make your own way around. The central tourist office on the Paseo de Vara de Ray hands out free guides with which to explore the streets, and there are plenty of information plaques that offer interesting trivia about the various houses.
On a hot day, the ascent through the streets can be very sweaty and it’s best to wear shoes that are comfortable for walking in. As you reach the higher tiers the views get more and more impressive until you get to the castle at the top.
Ibiza Castle is a patchwork of well-preserved architecture, built over the years as the island passed through the hands of various conquerors. It has unbeatable 360-degree views of the surrounding town and the sea and is worth exploring when you reach it. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Snows sits next to the castle.
When you’re done with walking, you can book half-day tours of the island on classic Vespa scooters. The Vespa Tours’ routes take you inland, through the countryside and charming villages of Ibiza. Soak up the beautiful scenery with a cool breeze in your face, and stop for a swim or two in one of the many pretty coves you’ll drive past.
If you’re into culinary exploring, the Ibiza Food Tours will take you on a gourmet journey around the island, sampling local pastries, tapas, wines and liqueurs. During the tour you’ll learn the history of the culture and cuisine on the island, visit Ibiza’s oldest restaurant and finish with a homemade ice cream and the famous medicinal drink Hierbas Ibicencas, made with herbs from the island.
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