A Traveller’s Guide To Ibiza

The Standard, Ibiza Town
Perfectly located in Ibiza Town on Vara De Rey, the Standard has one of the loveliest rooftops in town. It’s a great base to explore the labyrinth of shops, bars and restaurants of cobblestoned Ibiza Town. 

Petunia
Located on the south-west coast of Ibiza, Petunia has some of the best views across to Es Vedra (the magical and legendary rock that juts out of the sea). Recently taken over by the Beaumier group (the same group which owns Hotel Roches Rouges amongst others), this hotel has charming gardens, a great pool and a couple of lovely restaurants at their rooftop and garden. 

Aguamadera
Buried deep in a pine forest (but only about 15-20 minutes to Ibiza town), Aguamadera is a restored finca with an excellent primal fire-only kitchen. Stay here for a restorative few days. On Saturday nights in summer, expect to find in-the-know crowds gathered in the garden for dinner and acoustic sound sessions that go late into the evening. 

Hotel Jardines de Palerm 
This place feels like a secret garden unlocked. Calm and serene on the south-west, this restored and renovated finca is the place to unwind and enjoy the quiet side of Ibiza. 

Nobu Ibiza
Aside from being set right on the beach in centrally located Talamanca, with a big pool and ample sun beds, it’s also a great child-friendly hotel with a kid’s club, pool and activities, plus interconnecting rooms for families. 

Los Enamorados
A bohemian bolthole on the seaside of Portinax, this boutique hotel is not just a place to rest your head, but also a place to hang on the terrace with margaritas, or shop in the boutique with all kinds of colourful fashion and homewares.

Nudo
An old beach bar resurrected by a trio who met while working in the kitchen of Noma. Expect natural wines and creative dishes with island-sourced produce on the shores of Es Figueral in the north-east of Ibiza. 

El Bigotes
Worth the white-knuckle hairpin drive, this rustic toes-in-the-sand restaurant is backed by a pine forest that spills into the ocean and serves typical Ibizan dishes 

Fish Shack
Ibiza’s worst kept secret on the edge of Talamanca. Ad hoc tables and umbrellas on the rocks of the ocean, with fresh seafood and cheap rose. Head to restaurant Sa Punta and walk through the car park to reach this delicious no-frills spot. 

Cala Escondida
Below Sunset Ashram at Cala Conta is one of the island’s best chiringuitos, Cala Escondido. Cheap and cheerful – think beers, tacos, nachos – on the water’s edge. A spectacular spot to watch the sunset. 

Es Boldado
Perched high on a cliff with a view across to Es Vedra, this restaurant serves classic and excellent Ibizan dishes such as the not-to-missed bullit de peix with seafood rice (arroz a banda).

Es Torrent
A stalwart island favourite, surrounded by cliffs on a pebbly beach. Come here for a long lunch with white tablecloths on the beach, before trying to nab a sunbed. Tip: reserve a sunbed when you book a table. 

Sa Capella
Fine dining in a 16th century chapel with a menu centred around a wood-fire grill in the glow of flickering candles. 

Casa Jondal
The ‘it’ beach bar and restaurant of the moment. Come here for a long lunch, but if you can’t get a table, get there early and try the bar, complete with bite-sized caviar snacks. 

Chiringuito en Pou des Lleó
No-frills and wonderful chiringuito in Santa Eularia. A simple menu featuring clams, mussels, grilled fish… all washed down with draught beer. 

In Between Ibiza
Newly opened gallery in Old Town (Dalt Vila), this independent gallery has a great rotation of up-n-coming artists, with accessible price tags. 

Museum of Contemporary Art Ibiza 
This modern art museum is in the 17th-century fortified town of Dalt Vila, above Ibiza Town. Dedicated to Balearic artists and a homage to the creativity of the region, it’s not a big space but worthy to delve into the storied history of the area. 

Visit the island of Formentera
Only 45 minutes by ferry and often referred to as Ibiza’s little sister, this rugged island is a shift into low gear. Spend your days jumping off red rocks into bright blue water, your feet in the sand and drink in your hand at the various chiringuitos and shacks that dot the island.  

Rent a bike
Explore the coves of Ibiza and rent a bike for half a day. Tip: Head north to Portinax and rent a boat next door to hotel Los Enamorados and explore of the north.

Explore the beaches
Take a break from expensive sun beds, grab a towel and explore the magical beaches of Ibiza. 

Try out the red cliffs of Sa Caleta and the rocky Cala Conta, the pocket-sized Cala Gracioneta and the bright turquoise waters of Cala Saladeta, to name just a few. 

Vicente Ganesha
Located in Ibiza Town, it may look like a sarong shop at the front, but this is an excellent vintage treasure trove, which counts Naomi Campbell as a fan. 

Annie’s Ibiza
Kate Moss always drops into this boutique when on the White Isle. Filled with sparkly but chic dresses to party the night away. 

Can Vinyes
Pick up a traditional straw basket from Can Vinyes, one of the oldest basket weavers on the island, now in its third generation.