A neighbourhood guide to Ibiza
By Amy Rosoman
Ibiza is indisputably ‘the’ party destination of Europe with uber trendy beach clubs, blowout pool parties and blazing nightlife. But you can discover pockets of tranquillity on the White Island when you’re ready to take off those party shoes. Check out our Ibiza neighbourhood guide for the hottest spots around.
Santa Eulalia
For those seeking quieter, scenic towns with palm-lined walkways and blissfully pretty beaches, look no further than the east coast’s up-and-coming Santa Eulalia.
Stay
Lounge poolside at a five-star hotel as you gaze out to the shimmering sea with a glass of Champagne in hand and a platter of fresh ceviche. Stay at ME Ibiza and choose from three pools to cool you off. Watch superyachts at the exclusive neighbouring Yacht Marina or venture to the rooftop pool in glamourous swimwear and unwind to chilled out music. The ME lifestyle hotel hosts some of Ibiza’s coolest art exhibitions, fashion shows and foodie festivals – so watch out for dazzling events on your doorstep.
Eat
Make tracks to Ca Na Ribes, and take a seat in the calming flowery garden restaurant. Order the Chef’s speciality, sole and prawns in Champagne sauce, or tuck into roast sherry chicken. Alternatively, start with an aperitif on the terrace of the glitzy El Naranjo before a salt-baked cod main with a bottle of house white. If there’s space in your stomach, consider the dessert menu.
Do
By day, move along to the super sleek Nikki Beach overlooking the Balearic Sea. Recline on a poolside bed, watch fire-breathers and acrobats and throw your own best shapes. Clink your glasses together on Rose Saturdays or join a pool party – and make sure to reserve a spot for their top summer events.
The vibes here are more easy-going, so stroll along the town’s promenade as dusk falls, then visit an array of swish bars. Resident DJs and live bands play at Guarana.
Poolside glitz and glamour
Ibiza's beach clubs are on another level – lounge on your own cabana by day, then let the party come to you.
Playa d’en Bossa
Welcome to Ibiza’s party capital, Playa d’en Bossa. The incredible mix of world-famous DJs, outrageous entertainment and pool parties in this clubbing hub will blow your mind.
Stay
If you’re travelling to Ibiza for the sole purpose of partying, stay at the adult-only Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel. Home to the island’s number one outdoors club, it bursts with daytime parties and night time extravaganzas.
Live the day clubbing dream with VIP service or voyage on a luxury boat. When you return to your superior club room with a balcony or garden – simply relax. These spaces are ideal for a break from epic club night confetti cannons and ultra-bright lights. If you’re still awake, head to the rooftop terrace after party until the sun rises.
Eat
When you stir, get up and get breakfast at the Bali Beach Club. Order the Muscles toast with ham or the Silhouette breaky with avocados to rejuvenate from the previous night’s antics. The best part? You can lounge around here all day – just reserve a Balinese bed and soak up the sun. Or make tracks to the seafront restaurant Ohana Ibiza for mouth-watering fusion food. Start with burrata, then choose the scrummy salmon poke bowl or a sushi board. Breeze through the cocktail menu (ordering at least one coconut mojito) as you unwind by the sea. Treat yourself to the creamy cheesecake with dulce de leche – if you have room.
Do
Close to the airport and perfect for a party-filled weekend, the Playa d’en Bossa ways are simple: beach, party, repeat. Slather on sun cream and pitch a spot on the island’s longest stretch of sand. Swim in the crystal-clear water, then haul yourself out for an Instagram pic on a stand-up paddle board. Don your hottest swimwear and designer shades to Nassau Beach Club with fanciful vibes (eg you can get lobster delivered to your sunbed).
Come nightfall, make your way to Hi Ibiza, a super club with two epic rooms (the Theatre and the Club) that boast supreme sound systems and graphics. Make this booming electronic music scene your new stomping ground.
Ibiza Town
The Ibiza Town capital (also known as Eivissa) offers island culture and legendary nightlife come summer. During winter, you can sample authentic local life.
Stay
The Standard Ibiza makes a bold impression on Ibiza’s hotel scene, with its sleek, white edifice just a stone’s throw from the Marina. Just down the block the Casa Privada suites blend hotel service with the feel of a stylish private residence. Up offers a rare opportunity to splash around in a seasonal rooftop pool with sweeping views of Ibiza Castle, while its ground level restaurant Jara serves farm-to-table culinary delights and expertly crafted cocktails to a hip and happening crowd.
Eat
Dine at the classically beautiful La Dispensa. From the pretty outside terrace to the interior’s Mediterranean touches – this place offers a wealth of character. Choosing from an array of creative dishes will be your toughest holiday decision. To make it easy, choose octopus salad with a jug of sangria for lunch, or order a bottle of the Grand Reserve to accompany your succulent rack of lamb or fresh seafood linguine during dinner. For amazing city views of historical Dalt Vila, visit the charming rooftop bar TiraPalla. Tuck into tasty tapas and try the lemon basil spritz, followed by the watermelon mojito.
Do
Wander through pretty cobbled streets, where a glaze of white flows through the city. Discover the Old Town, making your way up to the castle on the hill (Eivissa Castle), then polish off your cultural adventures with a drink at the Marina Botafoch.
Discover even more island magic when you hire a car. During winter, experience the charm of Ibiza island life without the busy buzz of tourists. Cruise inland to the rustic village of Santa Gertrudis, a little town with a big Spanish feel. For white-washed buildings, bohemian living and hip bars, stop at Bar Costa. Warm up by its toasty log fire and chow down on plates of serrano ham and manchego cheese.
The hottest nightlife in the world
Feel the energy flow through you, as you party to the beats of world-class DJs in the coolest clubs.
Savour every mouthful
Discover delicious dining across the towns and coastline of Ibiza.
Authenticity in the Old Town
Soak up the views of the hillside capital, then wander down to the harbour.
San Antonio
Feel the electricity of the west coast seep through you in sensational San Antonio. Stroll along the sunset strip for a torrent of colours over the horizon and neon light shows in the clubs.
Stay
Party on a budget at Innside Ibiza beach, which offers a brilliant four-star stay. Dance to your holiday soundtrack at DJ pool sessions and shimmy your shoulders all night long at the Rooftop Nine bar. When you need a break, lounge on the plethora of cool white furniture, swept in during the hotel’s recent refurbishment. Make a splash in the new glistening pool, then kick back on Balinese beds and sun loungers. Feeling thirsty? Enjoy bar service with views of San Antonio Bay.
Sip on sundowner cocktails as the sky catches fire before experiencing the town’s epic nightlife.
Eat
Make the most of the full breakfast included in your stay at Innside. Otherwise, keep costs down at Rita’s Cantina for lunch. Popular with locals and tourists – you have to try the famous Club Sandwich and wash it down with a Spanish beer (or two).
Treat yourself at least once on your Ibiza holiday and reserve a table at the award-winning Sa Capella, just outside of town. It’s set within a converted church, but sit on the picturesque terrace to see the glistening lights of San Antonio. Beautifully plated dishes include Basque-style turbot and chicken marinated with herbs from the island. Enjoy your own bottle of homemade hierbas, with your meal. Just note, the restaurant is open from mid-April until the end of October.
Do
The lively vibes of San Antonio light-up with younger crowds. In the morning tote your beach bag and flip flops to the main beach cove and chill on a sun lounger before taking to the shimmering ocean by pedalo. Hop aboard a party boat for an awesome day of music, sun and sea. Otherwise, venture to the nearby beaches of Cala Bassa and Cala Conta on a ferry from the marina or hop on the bus (both journeys take around 15 minutes). Arrive as early as you can, since these scenic spots are popular.
For full-out festivities, head to O Beach Ibiza, which provides an epic lifestyle experience – day and night. Stroll along the seafront promenade, then check out super club Es Paradis with its Glow Neon nights and water parties. Alternatively, party away at Eden, where Pete Tong, Disclosure and MK have all previously played.
Portinatx
The northernmost town on the island, Portinatx is a favourite for every type of traveller, with picturesque landscape and crystal-clear waters.
Stay
Take an all-inclusive Ibiza break at the adult-only Sandos El Greco with a combination of fun, sun and relaxation. Perched on a hillside, the Sandos boasts breath taking views of the Balearic Sea, as well as a serene spa.
Unwind poolside with fruity cocktails as you soak up the sun. If you prefer the ocean, the hotel has direct access to the beach for sea salt moments and sandy days. Feeling peckish? Head to the snack bar on the terrace between 3-5pm, offering a mix of burgers, sandwiches and fruit. Need another drink? Pop over to the pool bar.
Eat
Wander into Portinatx to try the fresh local seafood and more. Pitch up at Jardin del Mar for lunch or dinner; it has heavenly views that are even more dazzling at sunset. Tuck into the seafood grill or order a pan of colourful paella with a creamy pina colada. And after the cocktails, there’s still fun to be had at the on-site mini golf course. Just on the water’s edge, Zulu is another hotspot to catch sunset with a sundowner cocktail. Nibble on fresh bread and aioli followed by the swordfish fillet served up with salad and fries. Don’t fancy fish? Order the beef tacos with a side of zingy guacamole.
Do
With three blissful beaches to choose from, downtime on the coastline is a must. These clear waters and balmy temperatures make for excellent snorkelling, so grab some gear and plunge in. Admire the local landscape – so beautiful it was the chosen setting for the film South Pacific – and leisurely walk to the Punta d’es Moscarter lighthouse for the incredible views with almighty cliff drops.
Head out for the laid-back nightlife, which won’t leave you packed in clubs like a sardine. Hit up Vincent’s Bar for karaoke, quiz nights and cocktails.
Talamanca
Situated on a glistening beach of white sand and turquoise water, just next to Ibiza Town, idyllic Talamanca is close to what’s hip and happening.
Stay
Book a stay at the Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay – the opulent hotel that put this town on the map. Soak up the hotel’s nautical touches with soothing ivory and blue hues.
Spend time in the sun and lounge around a choice of two glistening pools. There’s an abundance of daybeds and loungers, so you don’t need to race down in the morning to save a space. If you’re more of a sea and sand lover, make the most of direct beach access.
Nobu offers a sensory overload and nothing you ask is too much. Whether you want a boat chartered directly from the shores of Talamanca Bay, the hottest club tickets or fancy a guided tour of the island, the fabulous staff will organise this for you.
Eat
When you’ve had your fill of fresh seafood and mouth-watering cocktails (if that’s possible) at Nobu, discover even more amazing dining experiences in Talamanca. Savour fine-dining on the water’s edge at the chic Sa Punta Ibiza during lunch. Tuck into wild seabass as you sip sparkling cava sangria.
Stay for dinner and order oysters, then the Alaska black cod with mirin, sake and miso, accompanied by a Sa Punta Spritz.
If you fancy dining with rustic charm, make a move to The Fish Shack. Situated on a rocky beach, overlooking the ocean, you’ll find an incredible menu of fresh seafood, like tuna steaks or grilled swordfish. Savour this authentic al fresco spot while washing your meal down with a beer.
Do
Spend lazy days on the beautifully long, sandy beach of Talamanca with sparkling shallow waters. Walk along the beach promenade or meander along to Marina Botafoch to explore quays and jetties surrounded by incredible yachts. For a treat, charter your very own boat. When you’re ready to turn up the heat, walk to Pacha Ibiza in 10 minutes. The island’s most famous nightclub is renowned for its VIP style, huge electric pop scene and performances from the world’s biggest DJs. With a variety of events, such as Flower Power and Paris by Night themes, dress-up for a good time.
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