Date of publication 19/09/2017
Luxury Tourism Luxury holidays in Ibiza
Secret places, trendy shops and delicious restaurants: this is the most exclusive and authentic Ibiza
Icon of sophistication and exclusivity, the latest trends and the most extravagant styles meet in this Pityusic island. Although it is sometimes complex to distinguish the luxurious from the artificial, Ibiza always has some essential spots for those people looking for unique, exquisite and 100% Ibizan experiences. Of course, do not miss out on the opportunity to rest in one of the best adult-friendly hotels in Ibiza, or enjoy the light and magic of an island that has it all.
LUXURY YACHTS IN IBIZA: THE SEA WITHOUT LIMITS
Celebrities, the royal family and high society in general meet every year at the most exclusive maritime meeting points: Ibiza’s marinas. Nobody can resist the temptation to sail between hidden coves, calm waters and privileged seabeds.
Among those that should not be missed, the Santa Eulalia Marina stands out, the port with the largest number of moorings in Ibiza and a luxurious meeting point of some of the most spectacular yachts in the world. However, it is curious to see all these boats rubbing elbows with the more traditional ones, such as the llaüt, a typical boat from the Balearic Islands. But as not everything revolves around boats (right?), in this marina you will also find some of the chicest shops on the island, ideal for a day full of shopping in Ibiza. And an additional plan: end the day enjoying a drink accompanied by a nice sea breeze at sunset. There are not many better ideas to welcome nightfall.
We should not forget about the Ibiza Marina either. There is no better location on the island, since this famous marina is right in the center of the city. Good atmosphere, a complete list of nautical services and long overall length yachts (up to 60 meters) are the best presentation for the Ibiza Marina. As well as this introduction it is necessary to add that its prestigious club is one of the best options to have a drink surrounded by the most select environment.
DISCOVER THE BEST BEACHES IN IBIZA
Beyond the beach clubs located in the best hotels in Ibiza or the coveted hammocks, this island still preserves sandy areas where the luxury of tranquility and Ibiza’s almost virgin natural landscape become real.
Infinite blues contrast with the green vegetation that runs freely in Cala Xarraca, in Sant Joan de Labritja, one of the most fascinating natural spaces on the island. This golden sanded beach, located at the north end of the island, is also an excellent starting point to explore small neighboring corners or calmer coves that are close by.
A turquoise-blue bay welcomes all those who love water sports and a peaceful life, since you can, for example, rent a kayak with which to travel around part of the coast. Or simply swim in synchrony with the waves. There are suggestions for all tastes and opinions.
Another of the most beautiful beaches of Ibiza is Cala Llentrisca, in Sant Josep, probably the most famous hidden treasure in Ibiza. After that statement, you can guess it is not easy to get here, although nobody said that reaching paradise was. Surrounded by leafy pine forests, calm and usually filled by the sound of the buzzing grasshoppers, Cala Llentrisca is one of those virgin corners that still make the traveler feel as if they were in another world. The perfect postcard image is provided by the coquettish fisherman's cabins and even a modest jetty. Together with the privileged elements with which nature has endowed this cove, they all form one of the best beaches in Ibiza.
In the incessant search for the most virgin and remote places, Es Portitxol is a special enough alternative to make the effort to get there. Its beautiful beach is almost circular, and its waters are transparent, green and turquoise blue. And yes, it is a corner where you can find a stillness from out of this world, of another island, of another Ibiza.
Cala Nova
It's not easy to choose Ibiza's most beautiful beach, because the competition is fierce. Just a ten-minute walk from Es Canar is the beautiful and almost secret Cala Nova, a quiet beach, ideal for families and closed by a pine grove that invites you to take long walks. From here you can lose sight of the waves that break against the cliffs. The swimmers of Cala Nova can enjoy a new restaurant on the beach: Aiyanna from the founders of El Amante.
SPORTS IN IBIZA YOU CAN ENJOY
Almost all the beaches on the island are ready to vibrate with sports in Ibiza, such as diving. Thanks to its clear waters and its rich seabed, in addition to its constant temperature during the summer, Ibiza is full of places to practice scuba diving. With them, divers will enjoy unique enclaves such as Cap Nonó, Isla Conejera, Isla Bledas or Isla Espartá. We should also mention the seabed in the National Park of Ses Salines, which is also a World Heritage Site since 1999, due to the ecological importance of the sea grass which grows here, called Posidonia.
Once on the surface, trending sports such as wakesurfing, wakeboarding or water skiing are also extremely popular on the island. It is best to practice them first thing in the morning and from October to April, when the wind becomes an ally and the beaches of Ibiza are much emptier, as long as the weather permits.
Far from the sea, it is also very interesting to visit the other side of the island by taking a bike ride around Ibiza. Kilometers of track that cross beautiful villages with churches and traditional cafes. Leaving the tarmac aside, olive tree and cypress fields create idyllic trails through which to cycle, many of them with beautiful views of the sea from where you can see the most popular sunset in the Mediterranean, the Ibiza witch hour.
Also, some of the hotels in Ibiza have options for exercising during the holidays, within the framework of the most photogenic landscapes of the island. What other reason does one need to practice sports in Ibiza?
ART IN IBIZA FOR AMATERUS AND COLLECTORS
What if Ibiza offered the possibility of visiting the studios of almost 100 artists living on the island? This great initiative, known as The Art Route, was born from the prestigious Ibiza Art Club with the aim of allowing the general public to get close to the work of numerous artists specialized in different disciplines. The plan cannot be more artsy, pardon the pun, since this route includes a file for each creator with a map showing how to get to his/her workshop, a splash of his/her biography and contact information. A way to know and discover art in Ibiza, told by those who carve, paint or draw it.
There is also the option to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art of Ibiza (MACE). Located in the heart of Dalt Vila, this space has two buildings that reflect the essence of this place. On the one hand, the old restored defensive bastion from the eighteenth century; on the other, a modern construction that adapts the Ibizan colors to that minimalist-Nordic-Mediterranean style that the entire island has been infected with. Inside, there is a compendium of different collections that range from the drawings of Marí Ribas Portimany to the Japanese prints from the Ibizagràfic Biennial.
For those who seek to purchase works of art, the island has become a pole of attraction where you can find authentic gems in the different art galleries in Ibiza. Among the essentials, Sargantana stands out, the oldest on the island, which has been rooted in Sant Josep for almost 40 years, serving as a showroom for the most outstanding local painters. We must also refer to P Art, a space for all types of artistic genres or Galería Blanca, one of the great openings in recent years where the best of the current international artistic scene is being imported. Finally, the reputed Madrid gallery Parra y Romero has an almost secret hangar in Santa Gertudris, where current works which will be discussed during the next generations are exhibited.
La Nave Salinas
Every summer, the gallery owner and arts patron Lio Malca brings anthological exhibitions to this old salt store like the one by Keith Haring last summer. This year, Nave Salinas will host an exhibition by the New York video artist Bill Viola.
Without a doubt, it is difficult to think of a better plan before going back for a rest in your hotel in Ibiza, right?
SHOPPING AROUND IBIZA
An island that represents one of the world's meccas for luxury must, of course, have a shopping offer that is up to standards. This destination promises and exceeds these expectations by offering some of the best options for shopping in Ibiza.
In turn, multi-brand stores are becoming increasingly popular on the island, so it is not difficult to find some of the best, dotted around many corners of Ibiza.
Starting with its capital, some of the best plans to go shopping in Ibiza are Mayurka Ibiza or Luz Ibiza, where you can find the most exclusive brands like Valentino or Balenciaga, or the colorful designs by Paul Smith.
With a much more autochthonous flavor and born thanks to the history that enriches the island today, are the seventies and sixties’ hippie Ibizan designs. Bohemian creations with vintage flairs can be found at Vicente Ganesha’s store, a popular classic that was the first fashion store in Ibiza. Uniquely unmissable.
And if we talk about shopping in Ibiza, we could not miss the par excellence stop, which is none other than the designer Charo Ruiz. Located in Santa Eulalia, Charo Ruiz is the representation of the Ibizan ad-lib trend, with creations as white as they are vaporous, as dreamlike as 100% autochthonous. Hence, fashion aficionados have plenty of choice when considering what to do in Ibiza.
San Juan and its market
Ibiza still maintains the authenticity that attracted the most open minds in the Western world in the 70s. In fact, hippie markets like the one in San Juan, the town where Ibizans go every Sunday, still maintain its rural and genuine essence. Its variety of products, its thriving craftsmanship and the atmosphere created around Vermouth hour make it the best way to enjoy that Ibiza which, although it is looked at with nostalgia, is still very present here.
IBIZAN GASTRONOMY: TIMELESS RESTAURANTS, BUT BETTER THAN EVER
There is no worthy summer or holiday season without a paella on the beach. Obviously, the art of eating a dish of delicious rice in front of the sea does not taste the same if it is done in Es Torrent, one of the most privileged island enclaves, and yes, where they also serve one of the best rices in Ibiza. With a taste of the sea, but without a view to it, we find the Pou des Lleó restaurant, which is also a small and a very old hostel. These are two temples of Ibizan cuisine you must visit, where locals go on pilgrimage in search of a good shelter ... and, above all, good food.
To get to El Bigotes, you must go through towns such as Sant Carles and get to Cala Mastella from there. When you arrive, do not try to search for the menu; in this legendary beach bar located practically on the sea, the menu is the same today as it was in the seventies: a delicious fish stew with potatoes as a single dish. You can repeat as many times as you want, but beware, the delicious suquet that accompanies the fish precedes a main dish composed by an arrós a banda (rice cooked in fish stock) to die for, all at reasonable prices. The friendliness of the family and the impressive views of the sea complete a meal that leaves the diner completely satisfied, and even more in love with Ibiza’s gastronomy.
Few places on the island preserve the hippie spirit as well as bar Anita, where it is essential to order one of the house's specialties: its Ibizan herbal liqueur. Here, in addition to eating and drinking well, we must pay attention to its curious interior décor, dotted with mailboxes. It is not a fashion designer’s whim, but the fruit of needs; this restaurant also serves as the post office for the area, located in the true heart of the island. Very close to this place, going towards Santa Eulalia, we find one of the most classic corners of Ibiza, the famous hippie market of Las Dalias. Stalls, crafts, gastronomy and the desire to have a good time all convey in the most famous market -and with more history- of the island. That's why it will be the perfect finishing touch for a truly authentic Ibiza holiday.
Going towards Santa Eulalia and taking a detour to Es Canar, there is no better place than Chirincana, a simple beach bar located in Cala Martina, next to the only campsite in Ibiza. A return to the simple things of life, and gastronomy, topped by dishes such as salads and homemade pizzas that you can enjoy bare footed while listening to live music on the sand.
And if summer means the same to sardines as what Ibiza means to the sea, Acuario is the ideal beach bar to prove this saying. With only ten tables, its guests are so close to the water that, if the sea is rough, they will most probably get wet. Another peculiarity is that, from here, you can visit the nearby cave that can only be reached by sea, forming a natural aquarium that can also be visited.
On the other hand, the parties in Ibiza are also an unbeatable opportunity to enjoy the flavors and textures of this Balearic island.
The gates of heaven
The best sunset in Ibiza can be enjoyed from the Gates of Heaven, a 200-meter cliff near Santa Inés, the most remote and therefore best-preserved area on the white island. The name of the gates of heaven comes from a curious optical effect that takes place at sunset, when the sea and the sky seem to merge into a single marvelous blue.
LUXURY PARTIES IN IBIZA
Ibiza has become synonymous with entertainment and partying in recent times. When night falls, there are also proposals for enjoying luxury in Ibiza.
Namaste
The event of the summer every Wednesday is Namaste, the party of oriental beauty and sandalwood scent that has enlivened Las Dalias for 21 years. Namaste is the informal meeting point between locals and visitors in a show that seduces all kinds of audiences with its good atmosphere and best taste.
WooMooN
It is a party infused with the spirit of the Cirque du Soleil, whose founder, Guy Laliberté, is a famous Ibiza resident, created by and for the locals and for those of us who are no longer prepared to stay up too late: the party starts at 6pm. WooMooN is held every Sunday from May to October in Cova Santa, out there in the far south. Under the name Naked, this year it promises to continue its psychedelic and adventurous line-up that attracts artists, theater companies and musicians who do not show themselves in the other stages on the island. There must be a reason for that.
A LUXURY HOTEL IN IBIZA TO RISE TO THE OCCASION
Every cove, every village, every valley of Ibiza has its charm. For this reason, when summer comes there are inescapable plans, trendy places and areas of the island that are worth discovering. This is the case of the bay of Santa Eulalia, with its eternally calm waters and the iconic profile of Formentera on the horizon. In this exceptional setting stands this quiet beach club, SeaSoul Santa Eulalia, on a point where you can enjoy the sea in peace and toast with the best company, accompanied by top-class gastronomy. Pure relaxation without fuss.
Mixing the Ibizan essence and maximum exquisiteness in equal parts, the Iberostar Santa Eulalia hotel in Ibiza is the best accommodation to experience the island's autochthonous luxury. Located in front of the sea, this adult-friendly hotel (for over sixteen-year-olds) offers large rooms and suites - one of them with a terrace with a jacuzzi and views of Formentera-, in which all the details have been taken care of, the possibility of checking-in from home, an extensive program of activities and leisure activities in Ibiza -both inside and outside the facilities of this Iberostar Hotels & Resorts hotel- and different common areas where you can rest and enjoy the calmness offered by this unique destination. Without going any further, a reading room on the terrace invites you to relax in the Mediterranean nightclub destination, as well as the pool, its comfortable Balinese beds and other amenities for a unique getaway in Ibiza.
What are you waiting for to book your luxury holiday in Ibiza?
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