Ibiza is known as a party island but the last few years has also grown as a healthy/wellness/yogi place. It offers the big, touristic party hotels, but also offers the beautiful boutique hotels or agro tourism resorts (especially at the north and middle of the island). It has the amazing beach party restaurants and the local, out of the beaten path ones, located all around the island. It has the huge all-world famous nightclubs featuring famous DJ’s, but also has lots of attractions and lovely local villages to visit. The beaches are really beautiful, surrounded by the pure, crystal blue Mediterranean water.

Not far away you can also find Formentera, either for a day trip enjoying the beaches on a boat (you can rent a small or big boat, depending the budget; with or without captain), or for a mini relaxing stay.

Niki’s Tips:

Ø There is a new law about sunbeds on the beach (or it was always like that), but when I visited last May some beaches or beach cafes who offer sunbeds, weren’t allowed to put them on the beach. Also in some scenarios with expensive service the beds where plastic instead of some better-quality ones. Also, I haven’t figured out if you can book a sunbed in the busy summer months in some beach restaurants or not. I have a different experience from Greek beaches and especially Mykonos, where the beach service and quality you get is better, but I guess it depends on the public beach laws in each country.

Ø If you don’t want the classic touristic, family places do avoid the areas where big hotels are. As in whole of Spain big, sometimes ugly, hotel buildings, shops and restaurants are located in a very close proximity to the beach, creating a hustle & bustle some people may not like.

Ø If you are interested on the big parties or where a famous DJ is playing, you can easily find information online or all around the island; even on posters on the road.

Ø The most partying happens around Ibiza Town. However, here you will also find the beautiful castle and the old city attractions to visit. If you have the energy and make it to the top of the castle you will get compensated by the view. You will also find some very good restaurants around the capital and some bars and cafes for all tastes.

Ø Do keep in mind the city of Saint Anthony in the north is a very touristic place and you will find a lot of North Europeans partying there. It is a port though offering options to visit the north beaches.

Ø Visit the picturesque and boho village of Saint Gertrudis, where you will find beautiful shops and restaurants/cafes all around. There are other villages as well spread around the middle of the island, which offer beautiful small shops or have good local restaurants and cafes.

Ø I heard also about Saint Eularia (near the seaside on the southeast) but I can’t give you my viewpoint since I didn’t manage to visit.

Ø Most boat excursions for Formentera (private or public) leave from Ibiza town port.

Ø Keep in mind Ibiza is always expensive, however you are able to find more reasonable priced places all around the island.

Ø If you can visit the island’s beaches with a boat excursion, that is even better, as the sea is amazing, but most beaches are average or don’t offer a nice seating spot.

Ø For Ibizan, reasonably prices (but mass produced) interiors and homewares visit Sluiz store, near Saint Gertrudis village.

Ø For entrance in the clubs and parties you should buy tickets (registered as guest list) or tables online. Do keep in mind they are expensive.

Where to find the best beach restaurants:

· El Chiringuito D’es Cavallet: in the south of the island, not far from the capital, you will find this amazing beach restaurant. It has a really beautiful (boho beach) décor, the food is really good and the crowd trendy. You must book for lunch. The restaurant offers also sunbeds on the beach, but keep in mind sometimes in the year the water is filled with seaweed, so chose the day wisely.

· Blue Marlin: Come here for the day party on the beach more than the food. It is an Ibizan institution. It offers sunbeds. Best to book.

· Cotton Beach Club: Everything here is white, the restaurant is higher up on the hill with stunning views on the beach (you just go up the stairs from the beach or directly from the parking), the food is good and the crowd trendy. The beach is really pretty to swim before lunch.

· Amante Ibiza: Modern and hip is located on a beautiful beach, it offers amazing food and also has a very good crowd.

· Aiyanna: It is located on the southeast side of the island. It also offers great food, an amazing location on the beach and is also hip and trendy.

Seaside restaurants (go for the food not the beach):

· La Escollera:situated in Es Cavallet beach, but on the corner of it, it offers amazing views on the beach. Come here for quality seafood.

· Es Xarcu: situated close to Blue Marlin, is on Es Xarco beach, and it offers very good seafood and fish in a modern, but expensive environment.

· Cala Vadella:situated on the northwest of the island, it offers amazing views. It is more a place to come for a coffee/drink or swim than for lunch.

· Restaurante S’Illa des Bosc: Situated on the northwest of the island, it is a good casual, local place to try seafood.

· Can Pujol:On the north of the island, a seafood, casual place with very good food and also a great place to see the sunset, as the view here is really nice.

· Cala Xuclar:On the northeast of the island, it’s a very casual and relaxing place for a drink and a bite (seafood).

· Restaurante Sa Punta: Near Ibiza Town, it is a very good place for dinner. It offers modern décor and relaxing atmosphere, but keep in mind it’s expensive.

· It: In Ibiza Town on the seashore, it is a luxurious, very good Italian place, with a relaxing atmosphere.

Beaches (for all types):

· Es Torrent: On the west of the island, it is a pebble beach, not bad but not one of the best you will find in the island.

· Cala d’Hort:On the west of the island, the beach itself is small and not great, but the water is very pretty; clear and blue.

· Cala Tarida: Where Cotton Beach club is situated, it is a beautiful beach.

· Cala Bassa: On the north of the island, it is quite busy and populated, but is a pretty beach.

· Portinatx:A small, pretty beach on the northwest of the island, however it is located close to an urbanised area.

· Cala D’en Serra: On the northeast of the island, the beach itself is nothing worthwhile, but the water is nice. You can also sit for a quite coffee or drink.

· Cala de Sant Vicent: On the east of the island, it is a large, pretty beach, however on an urbanised area.

· Es Cavallet:The Beach of El Chiringuito is large, sandy and pretty, but beware of the days that seaweed comes to its shores.

Local Restaurants:

· La Bodega: in Ibiza Town, a Spanish tapas restaurant, one of the best places in the city and always busy, so better book. It is small and offers most tables indoors and some outdoors on the road, but a quite road, a bit tight. The food is really amazing, very good service and the prices are reasonable.

· La Brasa de Ibiza: in Ibiza Town another popular, amazing tapas Spanish restaurant. Always book if possible.

· La Granja Farmhouse: local ingredients and cuisine, in a beautiful atmosphere on the mountains, but expensive.

· Bottega Il Buco: a very good Italian, casual restaurant is Saint Gertrudis area.

· La Paloma: Hidden away in a secret garden on the mountain, one of the local best-kept secrets, this restaurant offers Mediterranean (towards middle-eastern) cuisine. The food is great and it is very romantic, but as it is busy do book in advance.

The best nightclubs:

One of the newest, popular ones, is Ushuaia, located in a hotel, where the party takes place around the pool. Don’t worry it has lots of space, its huge. Another addition is Hi Ibiza, across Ushuaia. The classics are Pacha, Amnesia, Privilege and Blue Marlin. Lio is another club, which also has a club-restaurant.

Formentera:

It is surrounded by beautiful beaches, but the most famous ones are Playa de Illetas, Platja de Migjorn, Platja de Llevant and Cala Saona.

For lunch definitely go to Juan y Andrea in Playa Illetes. It is expensive, glamorous and beachy. With tables on the sand, on the beach, fresh fish, amazing desserts, incredible service (even on your boat) and cool crowd, it is the place to be.

Also for dinner, if you are staying on the island, you can try Can Carlos in the capital, in the middle of the island.