Tips for the Best Possible Holiday on Ibiza
Our friends at Can Planells have put together seven tips of all kinds that may be useful on your visit to Ibiza.
Ibiza is much more than sun, sea and sand and there are countless things to do and see throughout the day. Sunsets, lively terraces and clubs, sports activities, and more. Don’t just get stuck in the hotel hammock!
Plan the trip well: Ibiza is an island full of clichés that can mislead anyone planning a trip to the island. Ibiza is not just partying, beaches and beach bars. The island has the peculiar feature of uniting very distinct, even opposite aspects. The first step is packing your suitcase: Party clothes, flip flops and a swimsuit would be the first thing you put in your suitcase, right? Well, don’t forget some sports shoes or comfortable shoes, as the real way to get to know the island is by hiking or cycling. But, as we mentioned before, Ibiza is an island of contrasts and at night you can go out and enjoy those parties that you have heard so much about, if that's your style.
If you want a more peaceful holiday, read on for a small guide to our favorite places, like natural parks, places to go shopping, restaurants, beach bars, the best places to watch the sunset, and more.
Beaches: With 210km of coastline and several dozen beaches and coves, Ibiza has everything. From animated, glamorous beaches like Cala Jondal, Cala Bassa or ses Salines, to other idyllic places that are ideal to spend the day like Cala Comte. Those in the north of the island, in the area of Sant Joan and Santa Eulària, tend to be quieter. Some of them, even in the middle of summer, have few people. There are beaches of immense beauty in the vicinity of Agroturismo Can Planells that will be a treasure for your holidays, Cala Xarraca or Benirrás absolutely must be on your list. To know the best time to go to each beach we also have to look at the weather. When the wind blows from the north, it is best to visit the southern beaches and vice versa. In the coves to the west the sun sets later and there you can enjoy some of the best sunsets on the whole island, like in Cala d’Hort or the tower of Es Savinar.
Getting around Ibiza: The truth is that the best way to get around the island is to rent a car or a motorbike. Public transport (buses) work well on some routes, but if you really want to get to know Ibiza in depth the best way is to have a car. Although you will find many offers on the internet, our clear favourite is Zest Car Rental. Lately there has been a trend to rent electric cars that bring numerous advantages for your trip. Advantages like not paying in some of the car parks on the island or even not paying for a boat ticket if you want to go to the beautiful island of Formentera. Another option would be to do it by taxi or private transport, but obviously this is quite expensive. Also, be careful when taking taxis or hire a private driver service. Always go for official taxis, as they are properly regulated.
Lunchtime: There is great food in Ibiza, because there is a wide variety of restaurants, with all kinds of cuisine and prices. You can try dishes from all corners of the world and also local recipes, which you should not miss out on. In Ibiza, Mediterranean cuisine turns into delicious dishes with an intense flavour of the sea and the countryside, cuisine with local products of exquisite quality. One of the most famous dishes from the island is the Bullit de Peix, pictured above.
Street markets: Another attraction on Ibiza is the markets. Don’t miss them because there you can find the hippy spirit of the island, with all kinds of products made by artisans from all corners of the world. Some of the must-sees are the markets at Las Dalias, Canar and the port of Ibiza. But one of our favourites, for its ambiance and charm, is the Market of Sant Joan de Labritja.
Every day there is one somewhere to visit, so just ask at the hotel when you're ready to go.
If you like to go by bike: Touring places and secrets of the island on two wheels is one of the most beautiful ways to get in touch with the most natural and authentic side of Ibiza. The island has some very nice natural landscapes, so the cycling routes are highly recommended. The hotel will have lots of information on routes when you get there, sorted by their duration and level of difficulty. Of course, it is advisable to be careful on the road parts of your route, because in summer there is a lot of traffic.
Ibiza is not just a sun, sea and sand destination. Culturally, the island is a place with a lot of history. It was declared a World Heritage Site for the walled complex of Dalt Vila, the Phoenician site of Sa Caleta and for natural treasures such as the posidonia oceanica seagrass. It also has interesting museums, such as the MACE (Museum of Contemporary Art) or the interpretation centre of the Ibiza Muslim Ibiza Yabisah, the Archaeological Museum and the Puget Museum. Also noteworthy are the natural parks such as Ses Salines (salt ponds, flamingos) or reserves such as Cala d’Hort, which groups islets of great natural wealth, including Es Vedrà.
We are most grateful to Hotel Can Planells for providing this article and giving permission for us to reproduce it.
Thanks, Joan.
22 Mar 2018, 10:49