a group of boats in the water
Destination

Ibiza

Choose Iberostar among Ibiza hotels

Few places in the world are able to harmonically combine the most traditional way of life with a cosmopolitan and avant-garde atmosphere. Where can artists, bohemians, those nostalgic about the hippy movement and lovers of the night, share a space? Of course, in one of the most special enclaves of the Mediterranean with beaches of an unusual beauty, hypnotic sunsets, unique archaeological treasures, and towns which time seems to have forgotten?  Who can say no to a trip to Ibiza, when the island offers such an incredible package? Regardless of the type of holidays in Ibiza you choose, you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable time.  Whether you chose to have an Ibiza weekend partying or a relaxing Ibiza spa break, Iberostar has everything arranged for your perfect stay!

If are looking for a weekend break or a short break to Ibiza, we will help you make your romantic trip a success.  Go for the Iberostar Selection Santa Eulalia Ibiza hotel if you are choosing among luxury Ibiza hotels. At this hotel for adults only you will get a chance to spend few days resting by the sea, leisurely discovering everything this heaven of the Balearic archipelago has to offer. Plus, Iberostar’s hotel in Ibiza is conveniently located just 79 km from Denia (Valencia) and 140 km from the southwest of Mallorca.

Get ready to visit Ibiza - an island that has it all, enjoying its magic with our help at one of the best adults-only 4 star hotels in Ibiza.

Things to see in Ibiza

Although Ibiza tourism has been growing and developing for more than a half of a century, the island has managed to preserve its aura of being a picturesque ecological, and cultural sanctuary. Therefore, it is not a surprise that UNESCO included it in the World Heritage list in 1999.

With only five municipalities - Sant Antoni de Portmany (in the west), Sant Joan de Labritja (in the north), Sant Josep de sa Talaia (in the south), Santa Eulària des Riu (or Santa Eulalia del Río) and Eivissa- Vila (in the east) - Ibiza continues to be one of the most popular destinations for summer holidays. And, not to mention the island’s fascinating landscapes and seaside terrain, Ibiza holidays are much more than just sun and beach. Perhaps, it is a philosophy of life that one finds there or, there is a religion to the place itself, however you see it, Ibiza attractions deserve to be explored as relaxed as possible.

Eating out in Ibiza

Planning your holidays to Ibiza, you may want to get acquainted with its gastronomic side as well. Let us guide you a bit. Influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, Ibizan cuisine is famous for its irresistible fish and seafood dishes. Among them, guisat or bullit de peix (stewed or boiled fish) are especially noted. Normally, the stock obtained from the dish is used as a base for a rice soup which is served as a starter. Another well-known seafood specialty served in many places in Ibiza, is borrida de rajada (ray fillet), an almost forgotten recipe, that restaurants in Ibiza have recently started to recover. For those, who respect rural products, typical dishes such as arròs de matances and frit de matances (rice and fried meat) are highly recommended.

For dessert, Ibiza offers greixonera (a pudding made of leftover cake) or flaó (mint cottage cheese cake). And, choosing among a great variety of drinks, do not forget to try frigola - a thyme liqueur which is very popular in the area.

If you want to try all these culinary delights, Iberostar invites you to one of the best restaurants in Ibiza. Our Agave Buffet Restaurant in Santa Eulalia offers some of Ibiza’s exquisite traditional dishes. In addition, there is live show-cooking available for our guests, mouth-watering vegetarian dishes and a full buffet. It is up to you to choose what suits you best going for one of the Iberostar hotel deals.

So, what to do and where to go in Ibiza?

Start with visiting its most important town, Eivissa-Vila, where we encourage you to stroll through the La Marina and Sa Penya fishing districts, and, of course, Dalt Vila - a picturesque neighbourhood with narrow white streets, where the imposing bastion of Sant Jaume awaits you.

Later, remember to pay a visit to one of the best beaches in Ibiza – Figueretas beach (playa de Figueretas), and the spectacular Punic necropolis of Puig des Molinselevated – part of World Heritage. Drop to Ses Salines Natural Park and get to enjoy other amazing Ibiza beaches – Such as Es Cavallet, Es Codolar and Cala des Cubells. The Phoenician village of Sa Caleta, which has been recognized by UNESCO, and the Cala d'Hort Nature Reserve are wonderful places to see as well, and don’t miss the beaches of Cap Llentrisca, d'en Bossa or Sa Talaia. In addition, there are the magnificent Punic and Roman ruins of Ses Paisses which date back to the 5th century BC.

Our Iberostar hotel in Ibiza, located in Santa Eulalia del Rio, is just 15 km northeast from Eivissa-Vila. This is another reason to choose ours among other hotel deals - it is very easy to move around the island staying at the Santa Eulalia hotel. In addition, the area around our hotel contains many interesting tourist attractions in Ibiza, such as the Puig de Missa church-fortress, the Barrau Museum or the Ethnological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera. So, as you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Ibiza! And, It is a lot easier to experience them staying with us during your adult only holidays.

a group of people sitting on a bench next to a pool of water

The best beaches of Ibiza

Ibiza’s beaches span a 210km coastline, forming a long circuit of places for relaxation, tucked-away coves, special nooks and crannies, extensive sections of fine sand, rocks and turquoise water. The coves, presenting beachgoers with a wide variety of atmospheres, are perfect to unwind while far from the madding crowd or dance from dusk till dawn. Star-studded beaches include Ses Salines or Playa d’en Bossa, while Cala Llonga or Es Canar (next to Santa Eulària des Riu) are quieter inlets to lie in the sun.

Main beaches in Ibiza

  • Ses Salines beach: If you do not take a dip in Ses Saline, then you have not been to Ibiza. Members of the jet set from all five continents can be spotted here, but there is much more to it than this. The beach, which is part of Ses Salines Nature Park, offers both rocky and sandy stretches, moderate swell and an interesting sea bank.
  • Playa d’en Bossa: Bossa is the beach in Ibiza. It is in the district with the highest concentration of bars and fashion stores, thus boasting a festive atmosphere night and day, associated with youngsters and parties. It is also one of the longest beaches on the island, which has resulted in quite distinct sections, from areas for families to nightclub accesses.
  • Beaches in Sant Antoni: This coastal district has some of the most popular and loved beaches in Ibiza. Sant Antoni beach, for instance, can be easily accessed, has a fine location and offers a variety of services, while the two neighbouring coves, Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta, are quieter, although equally crowded in the summer. Connected by a trail, they are surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, untamed in this wild area. The water is crystal-clear.
  • Beaches in Santa Eulària: In Santa Eulària des Riu you can find the largest number of quiet, family-friendly beaches in Ibiza. The coves – Cala Nova, Cala Llonga, Cala Llenya – are great for a refreshing splash in turquoise water or a rest in the shade of Mediterranean pines. The most popular beach in this district is Es Canar. It is 350m long, features fine sand and calm water, can be easily accessed and offers the best service infrastructure in Ibiza.
a group of people on a beach near a body of water

History and curiosities of Ibiza

Ibiza is a magical place where anything can happen – and it does happen! An island welcoming millions of people every year, home to many different civilisations in the past. The blend has shaped a distinct set of unique customs and traditions, and given rise to the most amazing stories. All this you must know if you are to understand Ibiza’s culture and essence.

Ibiza’s history and curious facts

  • The name ‘Eivissa’: The name ‘Eivissa’, or ‘Ibiza’, is thought to have originated with the Phoenicians as a reference to Bes, a deity associated with fertility, brotherhood and fragrances. The Romans translated the original name, meaning ‘Bes’s Island’, into ‘Ebusus’, which then morphed into the forms used today.
  • Sant Joan’s weird macaroni: Ibiza’s gastronomy includes several delicacies that are best tried with your feet on the sand: sofrit pages (peasant’s stew), lobster, squid with sobrasada (local sausage), bullit de peix (fish stew) and the weird macarrons de Sant Joan. Why weird? Because they are like regular pasta, but cooked in water with milk, sugar, cinnamon and lemon. The outcome is something like rice pudding.
  • White, Ibiza’s colour: When in Ibiza, do as Ibicencos do. You can never go wrong if you are dressed in white. It is the colour the island is identified with, mainly because of the almond blossoms that cover most of the land, the sunlight reflected in the crystal-clear water, and the white clothes and symbols of the hippie movement.
  • Pirate fights: The Dalt Vila walls, in the old town, are the best kept costal fortification you will find in the Mediterranean. Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1999, the walls and turrets that crown some of the cliffs, mounts and rocks by the sea were built to fight off the Barbary pirates under the Kingdom of Aragon, in the days of King Philip II.
  • The magic of Neptune Grass: Why does the water in Ibiza look so turquoise, so bright, so clear? It is because of an almost insignificant, almost unpleasant seaweed known as Neptune Grass (Posidonia oceanica). It keeps the water clean and pure, making the rocky and sandy bottom perfectly visible from the surface.
  • Pine tree islands: ‘Ses Illes Pitiüses’ – the name given to the archipelago made up by Ibiza, Formentera and about 50 smaller islands – makes reference to the smaller Balearic islands, after the large numbers of pine trees (pitys in Greek) of three different varieties growing on them.
  • One island, one river: Ibiza has several streams and watersheds, but only one river, flowing across Santa Eulària des Riu, which reminds us of this fact in the name. Santa Eulària is one of the largest municipalities on the island (153.6km2), comprising several interesting villages, such as Sant Carles, Jesús or Santa Gertrudis.

Do not miss the best events in Ibiza

Local celebrations in Ibiza have the taste of salt, fire, life. All of them are closely linked to the sea and are held throughout the year, from St Anthony’s Day in January to the Festival of Our Lady of the Snows, the Patroness, in early August. Processions and parades, street parties, fireworks, music bands… Ibiza is always ready for fun, music and merrymaking.

Main events in Ibiza

  • Feast of Sant Antoni: The patron saint of the district of Sant Antoni is the first to have a festival in the year. His feast is held in January; although this is not the high season, the event is a major one. There are animal blessings, Moors and Christians parades, and street parties: flower power, clothes from the 1970s, recreation of the Spanish Movida of the 1980s, and so on.
  • Feast of Santa Agnès: In late January, on St Agnes’s Day, the district of Santa Agnès de Corona holds one of the most deeply rooted folk festivals in Ibiza. The festive programme in this charming small village of blooming almond trees includes all kinds of activities for both children and grown-ups: traditional street parties, fancy dress competitions, popular races like Flor d’Ametller, farming exhibitions, bread baking workshops, and more.
  • Feast of Santa Eulària: Fancy dresses, poetry, love message competitions, lectures, regattas, tennis tournaments, theatre plays, outdoor meals and cookouts, go-kart (carrilana) racing are some of the attractions you will find in the district of Santa Eulària des Riu during the festival honouring the local patron saint. One of the funniest, most popular celebrations in Ibiza, this festival goes on for about two months, offering activities for all tastes and ages.
  • Anar a Maig: Also in Santa Eulària des Riu, the coming of the month of May is celebrated with lots of daily activities. It marks the beginning of the good weather and the peak tourist season. Some years it also coincides with Easter, as the celebrations usually go on from mid-April to early June.
  • Feast of Our Lady of El Carmen: With a 200km coastline, Ibiza clings to its deeply-rooted seafaring traditions. Like many other places with a sailing and fishing essence, the island pays tribute to Our Lady of El Carmen. Almost every district or village – and especially the harbour in the capital, ‘Vila’ – host processions at sea. Fishing boats are decked up to escort the Patroness of sailors.
  • Festival of the Land: Music, dance, food and tradition. Ibiza’s major festival reaches every festive aspect you can think you. Held as a tribute to Our Lady of the Snows, it makes a perfect opportunity to take a look at folk costumes, dances and traditions. The programme includes two types of activities: tributes and traditions, and modern celebrations. Highlights are the firework castle at the Vila, the tribute to fishermen at the pier, and the berenar (traditional meal) in Puig des Molins.

What to see in Ibiza

Ibiza is a beautiful salt rock and sand island with pine forests covering about 600km². Peppered with blooming almond trees that paint it in white (hence the nickname, ‘The White Island’), it features unique natural areas, zigzagging trails, mysterious caves, tucked-away coves and Mediterranean woodlands and scrub. Ses Salines Nature Park, the rocky area in San Lorenzo, Es Vedrà and more than 50 other islets, the Ses Feixes plateau… There are lots of amazing natural settings in Ibiza where you can go hiking, mountain climbing, cycle touring or mountain biking.

Nature in Ibiza

  • Es Amunts mountain area in Sant Llorenç: Even though Ibiza cannot be considered a mountainous island (at least in comparison to other islands of the Balearics), it does have a few mounts, hills and cliffs looming over the sea and affording stunning views. They are perfect to be in contact with the wilderness. The rocky area of Es Amunts in Sant Llorenç (in Spanish, San Lorenzo) – lying between the municipalities of Sant Joan, Santa Eulària des Riu and Sant Antoni de Portmany – is a fine example of this kind of landscape in Ibiza.
  • Almond trees in Santa Agnès de Corona: Endless orchards covered in a white mantle that looks like snow. But it is not. It is hundreds of blooming almond trees that bear their lovely flowers from the beginning of the year into spring. An amazing show of nature that you will want to see and capture in your camera to bring back home, especially if you are in the small village of Santa Agnès de Corona.
  • Cave of Can Marçà: This cave, whose entrance is only 10m above sea level in one of the most amazing cliffs in Port de Sant Miquel, will take you about 100,000 years back in time. In the old days, it was used by pirates and corsairs to keep their stock, taking advantage of its privileged location. A few signs of the marks they made to find their way in the dark can still be seen today. Can Marçà can be visited all year round.
  • Ses Feixes wetland: Ses Feixes and its wetlands offer a fine example of traditional farming work in Ibiza’s fields. Water is carried out across the plateau, dividing the area in two sections: Ses Monges and Vila. Both of them are classified as protected rural land for their high value in terms of biodiversity.
  • Ses Salines Nature Park: Salt is Ibiza’s most iconic natural element. It has a magical setting on the island, in the salt marshes that were named a Nature Reserve in 1995. Its Neptune Grass meadows (part of Unesco’s World Heritage List) are among the most important in the Mediterranean, lending the water around the island its typical turquoise-blue shades. Also within the park there is one of the largest and most beautiful beaches in Ibiza. You will also find lakes, coastal islets, juniper coves and pine forests.
  • Es Vedrà Nature Reserve: Without this natural area, Ibiza would not have the beauty it can boast of. The islets of Es Vedrà, Ponent and Vedranell delineate part of the horizon of the White Island, making the sunsets look magical and adding a few fairy-tale corners. But there is more beauty than meets the eye here: the underwater world contains treasures that attract divers from around the globe.