Some of Ibiza’s most celebrated beaches are sprinkled along its sparkling coastline
The south shimmers like a sequin under a disco ball. Some of Ibiza’s most celebrated beaches are sprinkled along its sparkling coastline, while nearby, the quaint villages of Es Cubells and San José provide a charming rustic counterpoint.
Ibiza’s southeast coast is dotted with cosmopolitan gems, from rustic-chic eateries to upscale beach clubs that line its idyllic shoreline. As for the beaches themselves, they rank among the island’s most fashionable and sociable spots — where the people-watching is nearly as stunning as the vistas.
ABOUT THE SOUTH
Ibiza’s southeast coast is dotted with cosmopolitan gems, from rustic-chic eateries to upscale beach clubs that line its idyllic shoreline. As for the beaches themselves, they rank among the island’s most fashionable and sociable spots — where the people-watching is nearly as stunning as the vistas.
WHEN TO VISIT
The restaurant and beach bar scene buzzes from late March to October, hitting its stride in August when bookings are a must at most venues. For those who relish quiet strolls, the south provides numerous walking paths perfect for the sunlit winter months.
MUST-SEE
The UNESCO World Heritage site at Sa Caleta encloses the remnants of an early Phoenician settlement and the beach itself is truly lovely. Ibiza’s spectacular salt flats glisten magically in the sunlight at Ses Salines and are well worth drive down the bumpy dirt track to view the huge two-storey pile of salt at the end. Keep your eyes peeled for flamingos in October as they nest in the shallow flats, plus there’s plenty of rare bird watching in the trail-marked area. Then of course, there are the rustic-yet-glitzy beaches of Las Salinas, Es Cavallet, Playa d’en Bossa and Cala Jondal where the some of the best people-watching (and eating) on the island takes place in summer.
MUST-DO
Fresh seafood is the highlight of menus throughout the south, where everything from seafood platters and stews to traditional paella and fish baked in salt crust from the nearby plains are on offer all matched with breathtaking views. If you only choose one high-level restaurant for your trip, make it the glammed-up chiringuito Jondal, headed up by renowned Spanish chef Rafa Zafra. As evening approaches, make your way to Experimental Beach Ibiza at Cap d’es Falco, where you can witness the sunset behind Es Vedrá with cocktails in hand, then stay for dinner if the mood strikes.
WHO YOU'LL MEET
Rub shoulders with the who’s who of Ibiza, international fashionistas, and the glamorous jet-set at beach clubs and eateries or join local families and energetic holidaymakers on the sands. Es Cavallet in the south is celebrated for its inclusive, gay-friendly atmosphere. Don’t be surprised to find sunbathers going au naturel here, and at the northern tip of Salinas – both spots are recognised as Ibiza’s official nudist beaches.
