Once solely categorised as the party island in Spain, Ibiza has, in recent years, begun attracting a new sort of clientele: glamorous globe trotters looking to kick back in bohemian yoga retreats, barefoot beach clubs and beautifully-designed, white-washed restaurants. And while, yes, the nightlife can be as rambunctious as the rumours remark, an Ibizan escape can also mean relaxation, adventure and plenty of culture (mostly of the gastronomic variety). To top it all off, Ibiza is also home to one of Europe’s most enviable climates, with scorching summers, as well as warm, sunny days of around 20°C in the spring and autumn. If you’re not already sold on a Spanish-island escape, then sit back, relax and let us whisk you off to some of the best beaches in Ibiza.
Cala d’Hort, the Southwest Coast
The Most Traditional of Ibizan Beaches
When you think of beaches in Ibiza you’re probably picturing, without realising, Cala d’Hort. With its limestone cliffs soaring out of offshore turquoise waters, elegant sailing boats bobbing in the bay, the gentle bustle of seafood restaurants serving loyal locals and beautiful straw parasols providing much-needed shade across the arc-shaped cove, Cala d’Hort is about as idyllically-Ibizan as you can get. The waves are ever so slightly choppier than other coves, which can make for a fun spot of body surfing to wake you up after a sunbathe-turned-snooze on the beach. When you’re ready to satisfy your gastronomic cravings, you can turn your nose to the three lovely beach bars nestled in the cliffside, each of which specialise in traditional seafood fare caught fresh from the Med. Our particular favourite is El Boldado, which, located slightly higher up the cliff, offers stylish outdoor seating overlooking the bay and the beautiful islands offshore. They also serve a killer paella, one of the island’s signature dishes. Make sure to hang around to admire the sun setting behind the mythical Es Vedrà rock, which, according to legend, is one of the most magnetic places on the planet.
Sa Caleta, South Coast
A Different Kind of Beach on the ‘White Isle’
When it comes to the best beaches in Ibiza, there are a few things that just come with the territory: crystalline waters, stretches of fine, white-pebbled beach and plenty of limestone cliffs hugging the bay. Sa Caleta delivers on everything but the latter – in place of Ibiza’s typical white, limestone cliffs are a range of curved burnt-orange rock formations that look as though they’ve been plucked straight out of the Grand Canyon. It makes for a seriously unusual panorama, which is heightened even more so by its calm, turquoise waters perfect for families with kids and upmarket seafront restaurants ideal for a long, lazy lunch. The wildly elegant restaurant, Sa Caleta, is the star of the show: you can tuck into some of the island’s most delicious fish and seafood while soaking in your otherworldly surroundings from the al-fresco dining area.
Cala Benirras, North Coast
For a Feel of 1960s Bohemian Ibiza
Ibiza hasn’t always been the glamorous oasis we know and love today. Back in the 1960s, the ‘White Isle’ was a cradle of free-spirited bohemia; a place where hippy souls preaching love and peace could go to shrug off modern society and live life to the beat of their own drum – making music, worshipping the sun and dancing the night away. And while much of the island has shed its bohemian skin, one beach – Cala Benirras – has remained a real stronghold of the island’s former spirit. By day, the white, fine-pebbled cove, with its impossibly clear turquoise water, is a popular spot for snorkelling and diving, or just for some oceanside lounging on the handful of spacious sun beds. As the sun starts to make its descent towards the horizon, things get a little more bohemian, with hypnotic tunes filling the air as locals gather to appreciate the evening sky. The Sunday sunset ritual is particularly spectacular, when bongo drummers group together to bid farewell to the red-hot sun.
Cala Oliviera, East Coast
A Slice of Unspoiled Paradise
Cala Oliviera is a treasured gem among those who are lucky enough to know about it and a real treat for those yet to discover it. Thanks to its slightly out-the-way location at the end of a dusty road near a gated community, this charmingly-compact cove is almost never overcrowded. There’s next to nothing in terms of infrastructure, just a smattering of happy-go-lucky locals enjoying the peace and quiet of the golden-sand beach, the emerald waters of the cove and the never-ending views out to sea. One word of warning – the relative privacy of Cala Oliviera has made it a hot-spot among those keen to get an all-over tan, so don’t be surprised if you spot the odd person bathing in their birthday suit…
Las Salinas, the Southeast Coast
For a Taste of Ibiza’s Infamous Nightlife
We thought we’d close out our roundup of the best beaches in Ibiza with one of our absolute favourites: Las Salinas. Perhaps Ibiza’s most glamorous and iconic beach, Las Salinas (sometimes called Ses Salines) offers three miles of golden sand beach bordered by calm, crystal-clear waters and lush, emerald greenery. It’s a meeting point of people from all walks of life – families stealing precious moments in the calm waters, bohemian spirits lounging in the buff in the nudist section of the beach and fun-loving hedonists waiting patiently for the DJs to start spinning the finest Balearic beats. Make sure to head to Las Salinas early to nab a good sun lounger in the shade and then it’s all about living life like a local – worship the sun, enjoy a long swim, grab a bite to eat at the popular Jockey Club and, as the night goes on, head to legendary beach bar Sa Trinxa to enjoy some sangria as the sun sets.