Ibiza holidays

If you’re imagining lazy days on the beach with the kids, look no further than Cala Llonga and Cala Pada. These beaches are just a 15-minute drive from each other, and they’re both an excellent base for family holidays. Cala Llonga is located right in front of the main hotel strip, so access is easy. There are playgrounds and watersports to enjoy here. Cala Pada has soft sunbathing sands, and a pine hill backdrop.

There’s not one but three great beaches in San Antonio’s quieter bay district. Playa es Puet and Playa de s'Estanyol are the closest to San Antonio. This makes them popular with younger travellers. Playa Pinet is located a little further around the bay, and is more isolated. This is an ideal beach for relaxation. It’s sometimes known as ‘Reggae Beach’ thanks to the cool reggae bar here.

Figueretas Beach is located just a five-minute walk from Ibiza Town, but it can feel a million miles away. There’s a massive sandy area here which is good for families, with swaying palms and a terrace filled with friendly, cosy beach bars. If you enjoy diving or sailing, many tours leave from Figueretas Beach. This is a great chance to explore the nearby islands in the Balearic Sea, like Sa Corbeta and Illa de Ses Rates.

Ibiza’s hippy markets are the perfect place to pick up some budget-friendly island crafts. While there are loads around, be sure to check out the Saturday market at Las Dalias, which has been running weekly since 1985. You can grab some truly unique, handcrafted souvenirs here. You'll see beaded jewellery, woven clothing and rugs, prints by local artists, and handmade toys that are sure to delight the little ones.

Local produce is popular here. If you’re not sure about bringing fresh products like local cheeses or meats home with you, look for some Ibizan salt collected from Ses Salines, or even a bottle of the local liqueur, Hierbas. Traditional Spanish souvenirs you can buy here include ceramics and castanets. And for young partiers, there’s perhaps nothing better than a T-shirt or hat from Ibiza’s most iconic clubs.

If you’re looking for designer brands, you’ll love browsing the busy shelves of the La Sirena shopping centre. There are lots of these shopping centres across Ibiza, with locations in Ibiza Town, Playa d’en Bossa, San Antonio, and Santa Eulalia. There’s one in Majorca, too. You’ll find all sorts of global high-end brands here, such as Boss, Calvin Kelin, Converse, Guess, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, and Kipling.

Despite Ibiza’s renowned party reputation, many of the resorts offer a very laidback atmosphere. In family-friendly places such as Cala Llonga and Cala Pada, you’ll find peaceful terrace bars overlooking the water. Try the swanky bar-lounges if you're in the mood. Your hotel bar will generally be worth a visit as well. Even in the party hotspot of San Antonio, you’ll find cosy cafés away from the main strip. And if you want to do something a little different after sundown, the Las Dalias hippy market opens every Saturday night during the summer for a special night market. It’s been running since 2005, and there are more than 100 stalls you can browse. The night market is more relaxed than the energetic daytime version.

San Antonio’s Sunset Strip is known the world over. The strip’s ‘Sunset Bars’ are massively popular, offering a chance to witness the famous San Antonio sunset as you sip cocktails. There are also beach bars and clubs with karaoke and podium dancing. Boat parties will let you sail off into the Balearic Sea while letting loose. Just down the coast, Playa d’en Bossa is another party hotspot. Here, you’ll find open-air venues, and a main road filled with lively bars. You’ll find the main hub of activity to the west, away from Ibiza Town, where the beach’s main row of hotels and resorts are located.

Wherever you are in the Balearic Islands, you’ll find some classic Balearic dishes that are definitely worth sampling before you jet off back home. For meat lovers, sobrasada is a must. It’s a cured sausage, a little like chorizo. However, it has a softer texture, and is spread on bread like a pate. And for those with a sweet tooth, flao is delicious. It’s a type of cheese-based flan made with citrus, sugar, and cinnamon.

While Balearic cuisine can be found all across the islands, there are a few dishes that are considered Ibizan specialities. Bullit de peix is one of them. This fish and potato stew is often made with a dollop of allioli, a potent garlicky mayonnaise loved in Ibiza. Another is the traditional Ibizan cake called greixonera. It’s a bit like an old-fashioned bread pudding, with a little extra kick of cinnamon and lemon.

Whatever dish you choose in Ibiza, it’s best washed down with a local herbal liqueur. Hierbas Ibicencas is one of the most popular choices here. In fact, it has protected status. All sorts of different herbs can go into this almost medicinal concoction, including fennel, thyme, and rosemary. Another option is Frigola, a thyme-based alternative.

There are around 35 hectares of vineyards across the island, with both red and white wines produced by five official wineries, or bodegas. While Ibiza missed out on DOP status, it has produced Vino de la Tierra quality wines since 1996. While there is no single must-try wine here, you will find a pretty decent selection of offerings, including wines from Monastrell, Macabeo, Malvasia, and Parellada grapes.