Lively resort towns, world-famous clubs, and beautiful natural scenery – there’s a whole lot more to Ibiza other than hedonistic holidays, but that’s certainly a good place to start.
With its turquoise Mediterranean waters lapping at yellow and white sand beaches, Ibiza has long been a popular summer destination for Europe’s carefree party animals. Globally known as one of the best places in the world for music and clubbing, hordes of young travelers turn up every summer keen to have the best time possible.
Aside from the late nights, there’s a more grown-up side to the white isle. Families enjoy beachy holidays surrounded by good restaurants, calm beaches, and affordable mid-range accommodation. And it’s easy to catch the local buses between the big towns – or you can always hire your own transport and explore further into the less-developed interior of the island.
There’s a huge number of villas that make up a vast majority of places to stay in Ibiza, some of which can be the ultimate in luxury. Alternatively, if you’re watching your money, the large range of self-catering accommodation in San Antonio will leave enough of your holiday budget free so you can enjoy all of the best bits that Ibiza has to offer.
Whatever you’re going for, Ibiza is a magical place that stays in the hearts of people who visit and often keep them returning year after year for a slice of the special Ibiza sunshine.
Ibiza Town

The capital of Ibiza, Ibiza Town is the main hub of activity on the island year-round. The Old Town – or ‘Dalt Vila’ – has a classically Spanish feel, built up around a fortified citadel with attractive blocky white buildings tumbling down the hillside, woven with charming cobbled streets.
Bars and terrace restaurants intermingle with fashion boutiques and jewelry stores. In the height of summer, it’s busy with tourists wandering around the streets looking for a place to eat – and a drink or two.
The Marino is where you’ll spot superyachts as they cruise in, with their wealthy owners ready to hit up Ibiza’s famous clubs and attractive restaurants serving classy cuisine and expensive cocktails. The newer part of the town has its own offering of restaurants and designer shopping, as well as banks and amenities. Accommodation around the town ranges from cool guesthouses and a smattering of resorts to some seriously high-class hotels.
Where to Stay in Ibiza Town
- One Ibiza Suites – The large outdoor infinity pool here boasts views out over the sea, lined with relaxing day beds for a spot of shady relaxation. It’s just 20 meters from here to Figueretas Beach and within walking distance of the Hard Rock Cafe.
- Royal Plaza – There’s a rooftop terrace boasting great views of the Old Town on offer at this 4-star hotel, and a sun-drenched pool, as well as a hot tub.
San Antonio
It’s hard to believe that San Antonio was once a humble fishing village; nowadays, it’s a booming holiday hub, where many of the tourists to the island head for their holiday. With rowdy neon bars enticing partygoers with cheap drinks deals; budget, self-catering accommodation tucked around San Antonio Bay; and a selection of sandy beaches, you can see why a huge chunk of first-time holidaymakers make San Antonio their base for a big summer holiday.
San Antonio has a blissed-out side too. Nestled around a natural harbor, its beaches are fun places – complete with beach bars and restaurants – that have become a destination for families as well as clubbers.
Arguably, San Antonio’s most famous attraction is the Sunset Strip – a small selection of bars set along the rocky coast. Every evening, thousands of people descend on Cafe Mambo and Cafe del Mar to sip drinks and watch the sun sink into the horizon against a backdrop of funky beats played by well-known DJs.
Where to Stay in San Antonio
- Bellamar Hotel Beach – True to its name, this hotel is situated close to Es Pouet beach and the seafront promenade; this means easy access to all the drinking and dining options along the way.
- Hotel Tropical – Based around a spacious outdoor pool dotted with palm trees and its own mini-golf course, this hotel is a mere stone’s throw from San Antonio beach.
Santa Eularia des Riu
This resort town is the third-largest on the white isle. The sand is soft and the waters are calm and shallow, making it ideal for children – and those of you who aren’t very confident swimmers. Watersports, in particular, are very popular here.
The southern end is known as Mariner’s Beach and it’s where Ibiza’s only river meets the sea. The sand is less white here, but it’s still a safe place to splash about. There’s also a newly-paved path along the river that makes it easy to explore further inland, with information boards and sights to see along the way.
Lacking the famous clubs of other resort towns, the quieter vibe and slower pace of life in Santa Eularia is ideal for families or those looking to have a nice sojourn by the sea.
The upscale marina area of Santa Eularia is a favorite among the affluent jet set of Europe, but the money in the harbor doesn’t mean everything in town is expensive. From budget apartments to swanky 4-star resorts, there is accommodation for just about any budget – plus food and drink options to match.
Where to Stay in Santa Eularia des Riu
- ME Ibiza – This 5-star option boasts various rooms and suites and a selection of swimming pools for guests to enjoy. The rooftop features Balinese beds, a beautiful pool, and sea views; a DJ provides a background soundtrack to your time up here with chilled out beats.
- Sol Beach House Ibiza – This modern, well-equipped hotel sits on the waterfront overlooking the ocean and is within walking distance of Santa Eularia Beach. It’s a sprawling hotel complex that boasts three swimming pools.
Playa d’en Bossa
This place boasts the longest beach Ibiza has to offer and some of Ibiza’s biggest clubs – like Ushuaia and Hi Ibiza – plus more underground offerings like Sankeys. Even the super clubs of Pacha, Amnesia, and Privilege are just a 10-minute taxi ride away. Playa d’en Bossa attracts a range of international visitors either ready to party on or chill out – or both.
By day, the beach is easily the star of the show; blissed-out beach bars spill onto the sand with sun loungers in earshot of Balearic beats for a decidedly relaxed vibe. Bora Bora is one of the more famous of these, where you can dance on the sand with a cocktail in hand. This town is definitely the clubbers’ favorite.
Just south of Ibiza Town, accommodation is rife in this popular destination. Famous and expensive places include the Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza and Ushuaia Ibiza Beach. Smaller but stylish boutique offerings can be found too, as well as more budget apartments. But if you’re traveling in a group, a villa is a luxurious but surprisingly value for money option.
Where to Stay in Playa d’en Bossa
- Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza – This 5-star offering is situated right on Playa d’en Bossa itself and is the perfect option for anybody who wants luxury by the sea.
- Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel – If you’re in Ibiza to party, Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel is the place to stay. It’s set across two buildings – one of which houses the infamous Ushuaia itself; free entrance to this is granted to hotel guests.
- Torre del Mar – Featuring minimalist decor and architecture throughout, this 4-star option feels like a modern take on traditional, whitewashed Mediterranean style. It even features a chic outdoor pool.
Santa Gertrudis
Far from the more vibrant resort towns of Ibiza is this charming village in the center of the island – Santa Gertrudis. What was once a small, rustic settlement has changed over the years into a definitively more bohemian getaway, thanks to the hippy era and the ensuing influx of foreign artists and artisans.
The local vibe has survived in the small streets – with a few more colorful characters knocking about. Cafes range from the traditional to the vegan, and there are eclectic shopping options, too – but if you want to go clubbing, you’ll have to head to the coast.
Thinking of staying in this idyllic place? The way to do it is by renting out a villa; there are a lot of beautiful places to choose from in town and the surrounding countryside.
Where to Stay in Santa Gertrudis
- Cas Gasi – Set inside a traditional Balearic house, this rural getaway is truly the place to stay if you’re looking to stay in Ibiza’s countryside.
Es Cana
The bustling beach resort of Es Cana attracts many families, who head to the island with young children in two. More low-key than other resorts on the islands, there’s a big range of accommodation, from large holiday resort hotels along the crescent-shaped sandy beach to smaller holiday villa villages further away from the coast. The resort has been built up around a picturesque fishing harbor, with Calo Nova Beach just around the bay.
Beach bars and restaurants serve up icy jugs of sangria and serve a mix of Spanish and international cuisine to go along with it. Chilled beats play out across the sand to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, while people try their hand at all sorts of watersports, from waterskiing to banana boats.
Staying here also means you’ll be close to the famous Hippy Market, where, every Wednesday, all sorts of interesting trinkets and clothes are on sale.
Where to Stay in Es Cana
- Hotel Caribe – A big bonus here is that guests can enjoy buffet meals all day, included in the room rates; evening entertainment is also provided for.
Talamanca
With a shallow shoreline and gentle waters, Talamanca is a beach resort set around a tranquil bay just a short walk from Ibiza Town, making it a convenient place to stay. An attractive area where many families and couples choose to spend their holidays, the curving beach has views across the bay of Ibiza’s Old Town and is overlooked by lifeguards. Take a relaxing walk along the waterside promenade and stop off for dinner and drinks at one of the many waterfront restaurants serving up some great quality, delicious food.
Spend some time unwinding on the beach, splashing in the clear water, or – if you fancy something a little more energetic – trying out jet-skiing! One of the most attractive things about Talamanca is that it’s in walking distance to the iconic Pasha nightclub, which means spending days sleeping off the hangover from the night before on the sand.
Accommodation on offer in the area is varied and affordable, including budget stays, mid-range apartment complexes and resorts that are right on the beach. If you’re looking for a little more seclusion, try out one of the charming villas dotted around the neighborhood, which often come with private pools.
Where to Stay in Talamanca
- Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay – This truly is a sophisticated slice of luxury. There’s four on-site restaurants, as well as two swimming pools and a sumptuous rooftop terrace.
- Hotel Simbad Ibiza – Situated right on the waterfront, Hotel Simbad Ibiza is a simple, classically decorated place to stay.
- Lux Isla – There are plenty of drinking and dining options on the doorstep, plus it’s just two minutes’ walk to Talamanca Beach.
Cala Llonga
Just about everyone wants a slice of the calm mini-resort of Cala Llonga, from clubbers trying to recover from whatever it is that happened the previous night, to families with young children. There’s actually a specific children’s area here with a playground right on the sand, plus a small amusement park to entertain them, too.
Diving schools, beach volleyball, pedalos, and other activities make this east coast town fun for adults too. If you need a bit more excitement at night other than tasteful restaurants and bars, it’s not hard to get from here to the super clubs of the white isle, making it a good place to base yourself if you don’t want to stay directly in the clubbing zone.
With its stunning landscape of the horseshoe-shaped bay and surrounding hills, Cala Llonga feels like a secluded getaway – even if it does get quite busy. There are lots of apartments and resorts to stay in – many of them beachside – owing to its family-friendly credentials.
Where to Stay in Cala Llonga
- Apartamentos Oasis Sa Tanca – There’s sun terrace and swimming pool for guests to enjoy, as well as a cafe which serves up a range of International cuisine – from pizza to tapas.
Cala Tarida
Just a fifteen-minute drive south of San Antonio is almost like the west coast version of Cala Llonga: relatively quiet, family-friendly, safe, shallow waters and a beach that’s good for watersports. It ticks all the boxes for an all-around great beach resort destination.
You can stay beachside in a resort, but it may cost you – apartments are cheaper. If there’s a group of you, chip in for a villa. There aren’t any clubs in town, but there are plenty of restaurants and bars itching to be dined in. The Cotton Beach Club, for example, is a beautiful cliff-side place with dramatic views and graceful ambiance that exemplifies Ibiza, done in typically all-white style.
The beach at Cala Tarida actually offers up the longest – and widest – slice of pure white sand that this side of the island has to offer, which makes it pretty popular. Rocky coves to the north of the beach itself provide a more private – if more jagged – way to experience the azure sea.
Where to Stay in Cala Tarida
- Hotel Playasol – Occupying an aesthetic space between holiday hotel complex and boutique style, this hotel is a spacious option with plenty on offer for all kinds of guests.
Leave a Reply