Cala Gracio

Despite a setting that’s only a 15-minute-walk from the busy centre of San Antonio, Cala Gracio is a low-key, pristine beach that’s popular but surprisingly peaceful. There are some large hotel complexes dotted around but none of them overlook the beach itself, meaning there’s relative quiet and seclusion to be found next to one of Ibiza’s busiest resort towns.

Cala Gracio itself is a pretty stretch of coastline that dips inland, which means it benefits from a sheltered position surrounded by rocks and subsequently calm, clear waters (though this does also mean that seaweed sweeps in and sometimes gets stuck close to shore). The sand is fine and golden, and there are rocks for snorkelling in and around in search of fish and other sea creatures. The beach itself reaches quite far back from the shoreline, with the section furthest inland covered by pine trees that are great for providing shade.

Sun loungers and parasols are available for hire and lifeguards are always on duty here, so it’s a perfect spot for peace of mind when you’ve got adventurous kids in tow. Access is also provided for people with mobility issues, with lifeguards able to supervise entry into the water using an amphibious wheelchair. The beach also has toilets and showers.

Who goes there?
Guests staying at nearby hotels, as well as families with kids, who enjoy the run of the beach. It’s also a favourite beach for pockets of the young San An crowd to congregate, occasionally bringing speakers and tunes to soundtrack their day. This is a family-friendly, inclusive beach that attracts a diverse crowd so the best bet is to get stuck in among it — there’s plenty of space for everyone.

Best time to go?
Proximity to San Antonio means that it gets busy quickly at Cala Gracio, so to reserve the best spots and beat the masses, head there early. It’s worth sticking around till sunset — although there’s no clear view of the event itself, the west coast location means the skies are still scintillating at dusk.

Where to eat and drink
There’s a kiosk selling drinks and snacks, and Restaurant Sa Bresca, which has an open terrace and serves fresh seafood, burgers and other simple dishes that are an excellent source of swimming energy. For a more luxurious lunch, hop over to neighbouring Cala Gracioneta, where El Chiringuito Cala Gracioneta takes seaside dining to the next level.

White Ibiza loves
Thanks to its sheltered location, there are rarely waves or strong currents at Cala Gracio, which makes it the ideal location for bobbing about idly on an inflatable (flamingo: optional). Float out past the cove’s entrance to spot Cala Gracioneta just beyond the rocks. It’s actually worth exploring Cala Gracioneta by both sea and land — there’s a direct path that leads from one beach to another, or for the more surefooted, take the scenic, rocky route around the coastline. Hop over the roofs of some traditional fishermen’s huts; swing under some pine trees, and views of the picturesque cove appear in no time.