A first-timers guide to Ibiza…
Almost as soon as we were off the plane, I knew Ibiza was going to be one of those places we considered coming back to every year! Although I’m definitely not in it for the party town vibes, this is a place that has something for everyone.
We decided to stay in Ibiza Town, it seemed like a great base for exploring other parts of the island, and the perfect location for a first visit. I know everyone has different ideas of what a holiday is, but for me a beach holiday should be the perfect mix of relaxation, lots of swimming and cycling, late dinners and exploring, and luckily for us this is exactly what Ibiza had to offer.
I wanted to share a few highlights with you all, as I know that a lot of you, like me, didn’t really have Ibiza in your sights until recently. Hopefully this mini guide will sway you…
Where We Stayed
We booked quite last minute (standard me!), but I found La Torre del Canónigo and it looked like my kinda vibe.
The rooms were crisp, bright and cool, but the hotel was situated up a hill so lots and lots of steps, and the pool was a bit of a letdown (I spend 90% of any trip in the water), but otherwise it was all good.
I loved the location, even though there was a lot of walking involved, everywhere was so pretty and we stopped to get photos all the way up and down!
The Best Brunch Spot
We went to Maison Le Vrai three times in the short time we were in Ibiza, and it was everything I could have wanted from a brunch cafe that became a cocktail bar at night.
The interiors are beautiful, the food is delish (seriously, the smoothie bowls are unreal!) and it’s all so ‘grammable. I recommend stopping in here before you get the ferry to Formentera.
My Favourite Views
Up near our hotel is the Catedral de Santa María, it sits high up on the hill and offers the most incredible views of the town below. We kept finding better viewpoints throughout the trip, so go an hour before sunset and make the most of the twinkly lights below.
Somewhere For Dinner
Another place we happened upon was El Portalon, one of our favourite foodie finds in Ibiza Town. The little tables outside are positioned in a beautiful courtyard where we sat and had olives, Aperol Spritzes and the most delicious focaccia bread I’ve ever eaten!
There is a busier street nearby which hosts many more restaurants, but El Portalon is in a quieter location which made it all the more romantic.
We ventured out of Ibiza Town twice in the five days we were there, once to a little place called Cala Tarida to the west of the island, and then for a night in Formentera, as everyone recommended both so much!
My idea of a holiday does not involve driving (honestly, even after cycling in Europe I come home and wonder if I’m on the right side of the road so I definitely shouldn’t drive a car…) so we usually get around by bike (I try to find a hotel that has bikes you can rent) or taxi if it’s a bit further afield.
We took a taxi from the taxi rank in Ibiza Town and headed to Cala Tarida, as so many people said the beaches here were better.
We had a late lunch and drinks at Cotton Beach Club before heading down to the beach below for a swim. I can see why people like it here, but it was a bit busy for me! The Beach Club was lovely and possibly worth a visit if you’re nearby, but not an essential place to visit, in my opinion.
Formentera was definitely a highlight of the whole trip, and so easy to get to! The ferry port is right in Ibiza Town so we were able to walk down, buy tickets at a nearby shop and then catch the (very regular) ferry across. It took around 30 minutes and wasn’t at all bumpy, and lots of people had luggage so I don’t think it would be a problem even if you did take a few suitcases.
I’ll get a separate Formentera post together soon, it’s a beautiful place with so much to do and see.
It took me a while to get this post together, not just because I took thousands of photos, but also because I wanted to do this lovely island justice. We had such a wonderful time here that we’re actually heading back tomorrow for a couple of days! I told you, it’s a pretty special place.
Are you considering heading to Ibiza for your next getaway?
