Resort Towns and Other Destinations on Ibiza

Ibiza is a versatile vacation destination. Depending on what you are looking for, a different city, resort town, or area on the island might be the perfect match for you. It is true that Ibiza is not too big - almost everything can be reached within one hour by car. But it's still better to be right where you want to be. In the following sections, the top destinations on the island are presented.

Part 1: Major Destinations on the Island

Ibiza Town

Ibiza Town is a city which feels urban and cosmopolitan while still maintaining its traditional Mediterranean charm. The famous old town, "Dalt Vila," as well as other cultural and historic attractions are located here. The port with its luxurious yachts, a ample promenade, and the nightlife around it is another highlight. In Ibiza Town, there are small bars in narrow historic streets as well as modern, world-class venues.

Some accommodations are located directly downtown, whereas the tourist zones are on both sides of downtown. In the west, it is the Ses Figueretes zone, which is quite densely built up with hotels and apartments of different categories, while east of downtown, in an area called Botafoc and Talamanca, there are more upscale hotels with larger grounds.

Playa d'en Bossa

Platja d'en Bossa (Playa d'en Bossa) is a resort town west of Ibiza Town stretching along the magnificent beach of the same name. Platja d'en Bossa is the place to be for people into world-class clubbing. By day, people are enjoying themselves in beach bars. In the evening, the world's most famous DJs play at open-air hotel parties. An alternative is to just have a drink at one of the numerous bars with pumping music in Platja d'en Bossa. At around midnight, the superclubs open their doors and the party continues there. Many larger resorts stretch along the shoreline. Most of them have undergone massive upgrades during the last decade. Since Platja d'en Bossa is very close to the airport, it is easy to reach and a perfect destination for a short stopover.

Sant Antoni Town (San Antonio)

Sant Antoni is perhaps most famous as a place to watch sunsets. Along the Sunset Strip, there are cafés and bars where sunsets can be watched while listening to chill-out music. The "West End" neighborhood offers a different atmosphere. There are many bars and pubs which are especially popular among groups of young tourists. Some years ago, nights sometimes got a bit too wild out there. Besides changing the official name of the neighborhood, other measures have been taken to make it an attractive destination for quality-seeking tourists. In the town's port, themed excursions depart to surrounding beaches. Sant Antoni is predominantly a residential town but also offers tourist accommodation.

Bay of Sant Antoni (San Antonio Bay)

Along the Bay of Sant Antoni, hotels and apartments are located in several rows. There are many options for finding a place to stay. The coast is mostly rocky, but there are also some smaller beaches. The area is also marketed as Cala de Bou (the section toward Sant Antoni downtown) or Es Torrent (the outer part). The section toward Sant Antoni is a good base for nightlife-seeking tourists since downtown Sant Antoni is within walking distance. As a rule of thumb, the outer part is quieter and therefore more suitable for families.

Santa Eulària

Santa Eulària is an amiable town where residents taking care of their daily errands and visitors mix. The major attraction is the old church located on a hill and a historic stone bridge. While downtown is mainly residential, at the eastern edge a convention center as well as several hotels are situated. There is a beach downtown which is lined with an ample promenade. Restaurants and quiet bars are available. Couples of all ages as well as retirees love this place. Everything is a bit more relaxed than in other parts of the island. So, this town is better suited for a two-week stay than a quick trip.

Es Canar

Es Canar is a resort town a few miles east of Santa Eulària. Hotels are located around a mid-sized beach. Most hotels offer a pool, and the larger ones offer a variety of other amenities on their grounds. This is a good place for those seeking to relax and enjoy their vacation with their partner or their family. There is some entertainment at night, but rather in traditional bars and venues than in the party and clubbing scene found elsewhere on the island.

Part 2: Medium-Sized Resort Towns

As we've seen, there are several options for spending some - or even several - days on Ibiza. But there are even more exciting options for spending one's vacation. We picked five for a short introduction.

Cala Llonga

This small resort town is located in a deeply cut rocky bay. There are a handful of mid-sized hotels located around the bay. Furthermore, there are smaller apartment buildings and holiday homes above the rocks on both sides of the bay as well as further inland. It's a good place for different people—either for those relying on package tours or those who prefer to rent a home. By day, sometimes the sound of the entertainment program on hotel grounds fills the area. But there is no excessive nightlife in this town. It is suitable for a relaxed vacation.

Cala Llenya

Cala Llenya is a resort town in a well-wooded area located on cliffs above the sea. But those willing to climb a few stairs are rewarded with a very beautiful beach. There are two large resorts, apartments, and holiday homes as well as residential homes. Depending on the accommodation, there is either full family entertainment in the resorts or the option to spend a quiet, self-contained vacation in an apartment or house. A perfect place for a relaxed family vacation rather than for nightlife-oriented people.

Cala Es Figueral

This place is basically made up of two neighboring large resorts. They offer everything kids and their parents could wish for on their premises. Outside the resorts there is a great beach. In addition to the resorts, there is a limited number of apartments and holiday homes. So, in most cases, it's a place for those preferring an all-inclusive vacation.

Portinatx

Portinatx is pretty much the most remote resort town on the island. It is located in the northeast of Ibiza. However, it is less than one hour to the airport. In this small resort town, there are three lovely beaches. When it comes to accommodation, there are smaller hotels and a large variety of vacation apartments and houses. This place is recommended for those who prefer a quiet and relaxed stay and want to spend one or two weeks on Ibiza.

Cala Vadella

Cala Vadella is located in the west of the island, and it is a perfect place for a long-term stay. You will find holiday homes and a limited number of vacation apartments in Cala Vadella. The houses are mostly situated on the hills around a small bay with a nice beach. It is a perfect place to enjoy sunsets. Cala Vadella is a good choice for people looking for a self-contained couple or family vacation.

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Part 3: Exclusive Options

Besides luxurious hotels in the major destinations, there are more options to enjoy a high-end stay on Ibiza. There are high-end resorts and villas in rural areas or in small, sometimes gated communities. These communities are called "Urbanització" or "Urbanización." We won't list them all here and, honestly, we don't even know them all, since the real high-end market is discreet.

Cap Martinet

Cap Martinet is the area directly east of Ibiza Town. It is not a community but rather a larger area containing several resorts and communities. To name the most important: Puig Manyà, Urbanització de Can Vinyets, and Urbanització ses Torres. Most of them are located on a hill which overlooks Ibiza Town. All amenities of the city are only 10 minutes away by car, and yet it is a relaxed setting. So, all options for designing an individual stay on Ibiza are available.

Roca Llisa

Roca Llisa is a gated community situated between Ibiza Town and Santa Eulària. It is perfect for those who are into playing golf since it is located around the only golf course on Ibiza. Roca Llisa is located on cliffs above the sea on a rocky stretch. However, there is access to a tiny but very beautiful beach.

Vista Alegre

Vista Alegre is also a gated community which is located on cliffs above the sea offering a panoramic view. Houses are said to be outstanding examples of Mediterranean architecture (since it is a gated community, we couldn't verify this ourselves). There is a small beach not too far from the community. Perhaps more interesting for those staying there are the upscale beach clubs along the nearby Cala Jondal Beach, which can be reached in about 15 minutes by car.