For the purposes of this guide, we’re going to take a little creative geographical license and define the South East of Ibiza as the area from the southern tip of Cala d’Hort to the end of Playa d’en Bossa, leaving the sights and delights of Ibiza town for another day. Conveniently, Ibiza Airport is situated right on the southeastern coastline, which means plenty of Instagram-able moments as your plane (depending on its route) swoops over the old town or Es Vedrá, before descending towards the salt flats. There’s nothing quite like catching the sight of the rolling hills, palm trees, farmland and hazy sky whizzing by your window seat as you finally come to a stop, nor is there any beating that first intake of warm, salty Mediterranean air as you disembark.

The convenience of staying in a villa in the South East means you can collect your luggage and check into your new digs in a flash and even be on the beach within the hour. There’s no denying that beach life is one of the most appealing elements of this side of the island, thanks to the soft sands, super calm and shallow waters, and endless array of chiringuitos and beach restaurants on offer. It’s easy to beach-hop your way up and down the south-east coast in a week, and there’s a beach to suit every mood. Many visitors make the legendary beach of Las Salinas their first port of call – if it’s an iconic Ibiza experience you want, this is where you’ll get it, as the jet-set, island residents, bohemian spirits, party people and families from all over the world converge for their daily dose of Balearic bliss.

Fringed by a rustic pine-forest, rolling sand dunes and breathtaking salt flats, the lengthy stretch of fine golden sand is around 1.5 kilometres in length, meaning its always possible to find space to sunbathe, although if you’re seeking a sun lounger, you’ll need to arrive early as these can’t be pre-reserved. Tunes fill the air – courtesy of a backdrop of beach bars – till the sun goes down and dancers parade along the shore promoting the island’s legendary nightlife. Make a day of it and book a plush daybed at the divine Beso Beach Ibiza, sipping on cocktails and dining on fresh Mediterranean and Basque cuisine in between refreshing dips in the turquoise sea, or see and be seen from the lively terrace of Jockey Club. No trip to Las Salinas is complete without a visit to Sa Trinxa, the truly legendary beach bar situated at the southern end of the sand. Specialising in tunes and vibes, a visit here is a rite of passage for Balearic music fans and it’s easy to linger long after the sun goes down…

If it’s a party atmosphere you want, then consider Playa d’en Bossa to be the Balearic equivalent of Miami’s South Beach. Fast-paced, bold, brash, fun and fabulous in equal measures, it’s home to a trinity of party venues – Ushuaïa Ibiza, Hï Ibiza and Playa Soleil Ibiza – and with DC-10 Ibiza literally just around the bend as you’re driving away from the beach, it’s no surprise the international rave brigade flock here in droves. This year sees the opening of IBIZA Gallery, an exclusive new high-end shopping mall that promises to be a haven for high fashion, with Jil Sander, Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Antonioli and The Attico already confirmed for the opening in June.

Dining too, has been elevated in the area in recent years and perhaps the most hotly anticipated opening of the year is Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, set within the high-glam surrounds of The Unexpected Hotel. Other notable dining destinations in Playa d’en Bossa include Beachouse for barefoot Mediterranean feasting, The Beach by Ushuaïa for next-level rice dishes, Minami for those who need their sushi and Japanese cuisine fix in Ibiza, the original Passion Café for your daily dose of health and happiness and – if you know your pizza – be sure to make La Dolce Vita a must-stop.

Away from the crowds, there are plenty of pockets of peace in the South East of Ibiza like the rustic beach of Sa Caleta, where you can dine while peeking at the sea between two cliff edges and explore the nearby Phoenician ruins before or after lunch, and the obligatory cup of booze-laced Café Caleta. Es Codolar and Es Torrent are pebble-clad dreams-come-true for anyone who doesn’t like sandy beaches, while the teensy bay behind the charming village of Es Cubells is home to Ses Boques, a family-run chiringuito serving up the finest fresh seafood, salad and paella with a desert island vibe. Just around the bay, perched right over the sea, Es Xarcu is another timeless icon, specialising in local fish baked in a traditional oven, rice dishes and stews made from time-honoured family recipes. And for a typical Spanish lunch or dinner with a view, you simply can’t go past El Boldado, on the hill overlooking Es Vedrá at Cala d’Hort.

Speaking of dinner… there are culinary gems aplenty in Ibiza’s South East. It would be easy to stay at least a fortnight and never eat in the same restaurant twice. Can Domingo, the beloved Italian eatery in the hills of San José, is the exception of course, as the space is divided into two distinct sections: a heavenly fine dining hub and a laid-back pizzeria. Other favourites include Barcelona chef Tomás Abellan’s Casa Linda, a fairy-lit restaurant hidden within the secret garden of boutique hotel Jardins de Palerm in San José; MAINE Ibiza, the sleek and chic island outpost of the renowned global fine dining brand, set on the road into the salt flats; Destino, the hidden gem of a tapas hotspot in the back streets of the San José village, serving up typical Spanish-style sharing plates with a Moroccan twist; plus Can Limo for luxe Peruvian-inspired gastronomy.

Then there’s Zitya Ibiza, 60 Grados Gastrobar, Can Bass, Cas Costa, Es Verge, Raco Verd, Coyote… the gastronomic options in San José are almost endless. On the way in or out of Ibiza town, be sure to stop off at Vino&Co (also the home of Sake&Co) in Can Bellotera to stock the villa fridge and wine cellar with the best hand-picked organic vino and sake and while you’re there, grab a bite at the über-cool neighbouring bar, noodle and sake bar, Supun, who also home deliver to your villa if you’ve got a craving for amazing Asian food but can’t drag yourself away.

With all that eating going on, it makes sense to put hiking on the agenda when you’re staying in the South East of Ibiza. There are plenty of impressive walks in the area, most notably the steady climb to the island’s highest point, Sa Talaia, 475 metres above sea level and boasting incredible 360-degree views over the island. Between October and May, you can embark on one of the toughest two-hour hikes, the famous Five Peaks in the Ses Salines nature reserve, or try the ultra-difficult, but oh-so-worth it trek from Sa Pedrera through the ancient quarry-turned natural rock pools to Atlantis. Moderate hikes include the picturesque 10 kilometres from Es Cubells to Cala Llentrisica, and if you’re looking for something easy-going, try the loop around Es Cavallet and Las Salinas, starting at the charming 18^th century chapel and strolling past ancient pirate watchtowers and amazing carved stone structures, finishing with a well-deserved, icy cold caña at one of the beach bars when you’re done. The South East of Ibiza really does have it all.