What to see in Ibiza, the 20 places you can't miss
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Ibiza is one of the most attractive destinations in the Mediterranean. For many decades this island in the Balearics has been known for its unbeatable air of freedom and creative thinking. The island has welcomed artists from all over the world who have respectfully integrated into a society that has gradually opened itself up to new ideologies.
This pilgrimage to the White Isle is perfectly justified given the beauty of its nature, dotted with protected green spaces, excellent beaches, charming villages and places with special magnetism. As part of this guide we have selected the best towns and villages to visit, must-see places, and wonderful coves where you can lose all notion of time.
- IBIZA’S BEST BEACHES
- THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN IBIZA
- OTHER PLACES THAT YOU CANNOT MISS IN IBIZA
- Where to sleep in Ibiza
IBIZA’S BEST BEACHES
The island’s coast is lined with all types of different beaches, from tiny coves in secluded areas to urban beaches where visitors can find a range of services, restaurants, bars and ice cream parlours, among many others, to help you enjoy your day out exploring these must-visit places.
Cala Comte, set amid nature
Platges de Comte or Cala Conta are the names given to various coves with crystal clear water situated in a natural area that has escaped beachfront development. Situated just over eight kilometres from Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, it boasts restaurants and services for swimmers and is therefore a perfect spot to spend a whole day at the beach. If visiting in the high season, head there early since it spans just 600 metres in length and usually gets busy.
Cala Comte
Cala Tarida, everything a tourist needs
This small 260-metre cove is situated in a residential area in Sant Josep de Sa Talaia and therefore boasts beach bars, restaurants, hotels and everything a tourist needs. Its gentle waters make it perfect for a dip as well as various water sports such as snorkelling. The cove is also suitable for families with children.
Cala Tarida
The unforgettable Cala d’Hort
Although small in size, Cala d’Hort is one of the most unforgettable coves in Sant Josep de Sa Talaia. Small and charming, it boasts two different areas, one with sand, the other with pebbles. The cove is part of the Es Vedrà, Es Vedranell and the Islets of Ponent Nature Reserve, which is home to an extensive variety of flora and fauna. In addition to typical beach activities, such as swimming and sunbathing, in Cala d’Hort we recommend staying to watch the sunset over Es Vedrà, which is a sight to behold.
Cala d’Hort
Cala Atlantis, a quarry with history
Sa Pedrera de Cala d’Hort or Atlantis, in Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, is one of Ibiza’s most special coves, although some do not even consider it to be a beach.
This is because the landscape has been carved out by human hands, since it was the site of a quarry, the reason for which the landscape is composed of cubic forms, lines, symmetrical stairways and cavities where natural swimming pools have been created. The sandy stone quarry was mined for many years and, in the sixteenth century, was used to build the walls of Dalt Vila, Ibiza’s old town.
Cala Atlantis
Cala Bassa, busy but beautiful
Just four kilometres from Sant Antoni de Portmany is this beautiful beach with stunning turquoise-coloured, crystal clear water. The beach has a thin strip of golden sand and is surrounded by pine and Spanish juniper trees. What more can you ask for? As you can imagine, in the high season and on weekends it can get very busy, thronged with the parasols of bathers. Visitors can hire sun loungers and parasols and there is also a beach bar, among other facilities, which means if you want to enjoy its 250 metres of sand in solitude, you will need to pick a good time.
Cala Bassa
Cala Benirrás, to the rhythm of the drums
At this cove spanning just 130 metres the true spectacle begins at sundown when the percussionists who visit the beach start playing their drums. A tranquil spot during the day where you can take a dip or have a drink or dinner at the beach bar, once the sun sets the atmosphere gradually changes and the great rock that rises from the sea known as Cap Bernat takes on a magical appearance see against the light. This must-see moment should be experienced at least once on a visit to Ibiza.
Cala Benirrás
Cala Salada, amid pine trees
Cala Salada and its little sister Saladeta are separated by just a small rocky outcrop and part of the Es Amunts Natural Area of Special Interest. The image of the beach’s turquoise waters and golden sand is topped of by a pine grove and a few boathouse sheds used by fishermen. What’s more, it is just four kilometres from Sant Antoni de Portmany and boasts several essential beach services
Cala Saladeta
Cala Vadella, beautiful sunsets
This small, 250-metre cove is shaped like a bay and is a favourite among families travelling with children due to its shallow, gentle waters, which are protected from the tide. The cove is also a perfect spot for fans of diving, water skiing and paddle surf.
If you like sunsets, this is another excellent spot for enjoying them, both from the sand or the water. Afterwards you can stay for dinner at one of Cala Vadella’s excellent restaurants.
Cala Vadella
Cala Xarraca
You will surely have seen it a thousand times in photographs, since its famous swing has been monopolising Instagram for some time now. Nevertheless, even if you have seen it before, you will be amazed by the wild surroundings, its crystal clear, turquoise waters and good vibes. Spanning a length of just over 90 metres and a width of around 15 metres, there is nonetheless ample space for you to sunbathe, smear yourself with mud, go snorkelling, swim up to one of the rocks in front of the beach and have something to eat at the beach bar.
Xarraca
Another advantage of Cala Xarraca is that it is easy to access, just five minutes away from Sant Joan and 30 minutes away from Ibiza Town.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN IBIZA
Sometimes it is easy to mistakenly believe that there isn’t anything else to see on an island other than beaches and beach bars. The best way to discover villages steeped in history, culture and character is by exploring the island without any preconceived ideas. Read on to find out about Ibiza’s must-visit villages, which we are sure you will love.
San Juan Bautista, amid whitewashed houses
Whitewashed houses, shops that have been around forever, bars and restaurants await in the charming village of San Juan Bautista or Sant Joan de Labritja, as it is better known on the island. When you come to this village after a day out at the beach on one of the many nearby coves, you won’t be able to resist strolling through its streets to discover its most picturesque spots. Be sure not to miss the church, which dates from the eighteenth century, with its immaculate façade and bell tower. The municipality is also home to other towns and villages such as Sant Miquel de Balanzat, Sant Vicent de Sa Cala and Sant Llorenç de Balàfia, which are well worth a visit.
San Juan Bautista
Ibiza Town, historical beauty
Ibiza Town is the island’s most attractive urban destination and somewhere you can spend a whole day without getting bored. Begin your tour from the Ses Taules gateway, the main entrance, where you will get a beautiful view of the tightly packed houses of Dalt Vila, the historical quarter. From there you can explore the old town before coming to the cathedral, taking in the beautiful port and doing a spot of shopping in the La Marina neighbourhood. And, if you stay to eat at one of its restaurants or terraces, your day will be all the more perfect.
Ibiza ciudad
San Antonio, the liveliest of all
The town of San Antonio (Sant Antoni de Portmany) is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island. It boasts a small historical quarter and a full range of services for tourists, including hotels, restaurants, terraces, nightclubs and much more. During the day we recommend heading to beaches outside the main tourist area, such as Cala Bassa, and in the afternoon enjoy the sunset from the famous Café del Mar. Sounds like a perfect plan, right?
San Antonio
Portinatx: a place for disconnection
To visit Portinatx you must head towards the north of the island. As a destination it stands out, above all, for being a quiet place where you can spend a calm holiday far from the buzz of more lively areas. Although strolling along its streets dotted with whitewashed houses is a delight, the most popular attraction among visitors are its beautiful coves, such as Arenal Petit, Arenal de Gros and Porto beach; the option of doing some water sports; and its excellent restaurants. Without a doubt, it’s an excellent place to enjoy Ibiza’s more tranquil side.
Portinatx
Santa Eulalia, a family destination
Santa Eulalia, or Santa Eulària des Riu, is one of the most popular destinations for families travelling with children, and for good reason! The town, the island’s third most populated, offers visitors a historical quarter where you can stroll around and enjoy the atmosphere and its terraces, the option of enjoying countless activities in the surrounding area, and beautiful beaches. Anything else you should not miss? Wandering, at sunset, along the seaside promenade, which is several kilometres long and runs past Santa Eulalia beach and the mouth of the river, up to the nautical club.
Santa Eulalia
San José or Sant Josep de Sa Talaia
The traditional name of San José corresponds with Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, a village in Ibiza with a large number of attractions. If you only had to choose three reasons for visiting, it would no doubt be its peasant farmer architecture, which it has managed to retain in part, the fact the village acts as a great lookout point (it is 475 metres above sea level) and its impressive natural attractions. We recommend combining the historical quarter – with its eighteenth-century parish church and fortified towers – with the magnificent nearby beaches (such as Cala Conta and Cala d’Hort), Cova Santa and the delicious cuisine on offer.
Sant Josep de Sa Talaia
Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera, chic ambience
We love this town for its blend of traditional landmarks and cosmopolitan ambience. You can then visit Santa Gertrudis church as well as the boho-chic shops. But if there is one thing that nearly everyone does when visiting this village, it’s eating an Iberian ham sandwich at Bar Costa, even though you can continue along on your gastronomic route to other restaurants…
Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera
OTHER PLACES THAT YOU CANNOT MISS IN IBIZA
Getting in the car to explore beaches and villages is all well and good, but marking on a map (or on Google Maps) some wonderful places situated here and there can also be useful. Take note of some other places that are among the best in Ibiza.
Es Vedrá islet, a magical place
Situated in a protected area of the Cala d’Hort, Cap Llentrisca and Sa Talaia Natural Park, Es Vedrá is one of the most magical places in Ibiza. The mysterious rocky formation, standing at a height of 400 metres, is one of the nine islets that surrounds the island. Although all you can see from afar is the limestone rock, the large rock has an important variety of both flora and fauna. Up to 116 plants can be found on the islet, which is also home to a large number of birds, lizards and invertebrates. An interesting fact about the island is that, in the second half of the nineteenth century, it was home to a Discalced Carmelite, the father of Francisco Palau, but the most striking thing of all is that the island is part of the Triangle of Silence, where sailors and pilots have observed UFOs. Be that as it may, it is a very special place that should be admired at sundown from Cala d’Hort’s lookout point or from the Es Savinar tower.
Islote Es Vedrá
Espalmador, a paradise island
Just three kilometres of unspoilt beauty are all it takes for you to fall in love with Espalmador island. Although this paradise situated between Ibiza and Formentera can only be reached by boat, it is well worth the effort. Due to its environmental importance it is part of the Ses Salines Natural Park, where you can see numerous seabirds such as the black-winged stilt, the Kentish plover and the common shelduck. Prepare your picnic basket to spend the day at white sandy beaches with turquoise waters such as Alga beach or Sa Torreta and Bosch coves.
Espalmador
Las Salinas, history and nature
Many people do not realise that Ibiza is home to several historical salt flats dating from the Phoenician period. For a long time the condiment was worth almost as much as gold. Today a visit to Las Salinas de Ibiza (Ses Salines) is fascinating thanks to its location in an area protected as a natural park, which spans both the sea and the land (you will find a lot of seagrass). At the salt flats you can observe a large number of migratory birds, which come from the north of Europe to make a stop before continuing on to Africa, and other animals whose habitat is the estuary itself. The area is also home to magnificent beaches such as Ses Salinas beach, a thin 1.5-kilometre-long strip of sand lapped by crystal clear waters and also home to pine and Spanish juniper trees. And, of course, you cannot leave Ibiza without buying a packet of salt to take home.
Las Salinas de Ibiza
A getaway to Formentera
Visiting Ibiza without going to Formentera is doing your holidays by halves. On this island, which seems to have been created for the enjoyment of visitors, you will find magnificent beaches, excellent restaurants and markets where you can buy the chicest and most glamorous clothes you can imagine. We recommend hiring a moped or bike and exploring it at a leisurely place, taking snaps of all the places you find with your camera. Once you get to know it, you will understand why it is one of the most renowned destinations among foreign tourists.
Entrada de playa en Formentera
The astonishing Can Marça cave
When visiting this cave in the north of Ibiza, in Port de San Miquel (San Juan municipality), it is hard to believe that it was used for many years as a storehouse for smugglers. Not much attention was paid to the cave until the 1970s when a Belgian speleologist helped shine a light on its true importance.
These days you can visit it to admire the stalactites and stalagmites as well as the lakes and waterfalls in its interior. The views from the cave, situated on a cliff, are magnificent. Be sure not to forget your camera.
View from Port de San Miquel of Can Marça Cave
Santa María de las Nieves cathedral
Built on the site of a former mosque, Ibiza cathedral was erected after the conquest by Catalan troops in the eighteenth century. The cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows, since it was the feast day closest to the day victory was won. Its location at the highest point of Dalt Vila, the historical walled quarter, makes it an essential landmark when exploring the city. Oddly enough, it has just one nave and 14 side chapels and the altar is not situated opposite the main façade and door. Finally, the bell tower and apse were added at a later date.
Catedral de Santa María de las Nieves
Ibiza castle
In addition to the cathedral, Ibiza castle is another one of the town’s most important historical buildings. Very little remains of the stronghold, from which the island was controlled. These days the site is home to a series of buildings from the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, the governor’s house and the keep. One interesting feature is the modern stairway going up to the castle designed by the Ibiza-born architect Elías Torres. Walking through the complex allows you to be a little closer to Ibiza’s history.
Castillo de Ibiza
Ses Taules gateway
This majestic entrance to Ibiza Town’s historical walled quarter, or Dalt Vila, is without a doubt a fitting gateway for this beautiful old town, declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. One of the walled complex’s five gateways and also the most monumental, it is reached by a ramp that invites you to take in every last detail as you make a stop along the way. Built in the sixteenth century, it leads to the La Marina neighbourhood, between the bastions of Sant Joan and Santa Llúcia.
Portal de ses Taules
Above the entrance, after crossing a moat, you can see the crest of the Imperial Crown and, on either side, two Roman sculptures of Gaius Julius Caesar and the goddess Juno, reproductions of those found in the complex.
Valls tower
This tower situated in Santa Eulària des Riu (Santa Eulalia) is one of the seven towers that still remain of those built to keep watch over the coastline in search of the boats of feared Berber pirates. On the walk to the structure, also known as Campanitx tower, you will be surrounded by nature and beautiful views if arriving on foot from the small Pou des Lleó cove. If you prefer to go by car, you can drive up close to the construction. In terms of its history, the tower was built in 1763 and part of it was blown up when gunpowder exploded inside it. The reconstruction that took place in 1982 has left it in perfect condition, however, as you can see today.
Torre d’en Valls
Where to sleep in Ibiza
As if it were a small village, the Occidental Ibiza offers travellers a relaxing stay with excellent rooms, 346 B-rooms and common areas equipped with everything you may need including a buffet restaurant, three swimming pools for adults and one for children, a bar where you can have a drink while watching the sunset and much more. This four-star hotel is also situated just a few metres from Port des Torrent beach, and in the surrounding area of Cala Comte, Cala Tarida and Cala Bassa. What more could you ask for! Well, you do also have the option of all-inclusive board.
Furthermore, if you fancy an experience in which nothing disrupts your peace and quiet, you can also opt for the Barceló Portinatx, a four-star adults only hotel where enjoyment is guaranteed with no children nearby. The hotel is situated just 20 metres from Portinatx beach, on the outskirts of Sant Joan de Labritja, and just over half an hour from Ibiza Town. A perfect place for relaxing and enjoying its pools, the wellness centre, the restaurant and the beach bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Ibiza?
Undoubtedly the best time to enjoy the island of Ibiza is summer, as temperatures are perfect to enjoy the sea. However, if you want something more quiet, the months of May and October are a great option, being more economical the trip and being able to enjoy good weather.
What are the most beautiful coves and beaches in Ibiza?
Ibiza is full of spectacular coves and beaches. Some of the most spectacular are Cala Comnte, Cala Tarida, Cala d'Hort or Cala Benirrás, but there are many more that you will surely want to discover on your getaway.
What beautiful villages can be visited in Ibiza?
Ibiza also offers tourists charming towns that are worth a visit between beach and beach. San Juan Bautista, San Antonio, Portinatx or the capital of Ibiza itself are worth your time.
Related plans
Cala Atlantis, Ibiza’s most dreamlike landscape
Where to eat in Ibiza Town: local and international flavours
Es Vedrá: Ibiza’s most enigmatic isle
