How To Plan An Idyllic Ibiza Vacation, According To Insiders
Ibiza is full of surprise and delight, offering visitors a wide range of dreamily diverse attractions – from world-famous partying and verdant landscapes to beautiful beaches and myriad opportunities for blissful relaxation. Here, four travel insiders who have an expert knowledge of the island share their secrets for an Ibiza itinerary like no other. By KATIE BERRINGTON
“What makes Ibiza so special is its all-pervading magical energy
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Serena Cook, founder of hospitality company Deliciously Sorted
My favorite spot
“I love to swim all year round, and Cala Benirrás, my local beach, is the best spot. The sea is so clear, with a surprising amount of fish life, and it is extra-special because there is an extraordinary rock formation in the middle of the bay, which I swim around. The sun sets behind it and drummers come down to the bay to beat their drums to the sunset.”
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience…
“Dance! Dancing in Ibiza is unique. What makes it so special is the all-pervading magical energy of the island. It is careless and carefree – for me, it’s like therapy.”
The local delicacies to try
“Pimientos de padrón are the little green peppers served as an appetizer – where one in 10 is extremely spicy! Try them at Jondal, a newcomer on the island, which serves sensational food. Also worth trying are espardenyas, or sea cucumbers, which are like a plumper version of razor clams, served in lots of garlic… Enjoy them at the original Ibiza seafood restaurant, Es Torrent (if you can get a table!). For total decadence in a one-dish wonder, try langoustines, potatoes and fried egg. The jury is out whether this originated in Ses Boques (one of my favorite, still quite unspoilt, fish restaurants in Ibiza), or Es Caló on Formentera, Ibiza’s neighboring island. And you have to drink hierbas, of course, the local liquor, which is made on the island. My favorite homemade one is in the tabac in San Joan. It is a great digestif served with lots of ice.”
For the best of Ibiza’s wellness offerings…
“I am a partner in an incredible new villa called Fincadelica. It’s an authentic, 300-year-old Ibicencan farmstead, located in the island’s gorgeous countryside, and has everything you need for a wellness reset: you can hike through the woods to see the sea, do yoga on the deck, swim in the saltwater pool, and enjoy healing treatments in the beautiful spa suite – there is even a tipi and a yurt for sound healing. What’s more, it has an amazing greenhouse, which provides plenty of farm-to-table biodynamic produce.”
The best view…
“Es Vedrà is the Instagram shot – but there is a beautiful hike down the west coast of the island, where you can see the magical enclave from a distance. One of my favorite coastal hikes is called Heaven’s Gate.”
Something only insiders know…
“Ibiza is referred to as the White Island because of the almond blossom that blooms in February. It’s a great time to come and discover off-season Ibiza. My charity, Ibiza Preservation, works to preserve the island’s natural beauty, as well as its iconic almond trees, of which we have planted hundreds over the past 15 years.”
“Ibiza has many gifts to discover
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Leane Lacase, the Atzaró hotel group
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience…
“Visit the untouched countryside of the north. Long country walks to discover rambling pathways and pine-clad forests are very special.”
The local delicacies to try…
“Ibiza has become a foodie destination, which means you can try a different delicacy every day. The farm-to-table food at Aubergine Ibiza is often on visitors’ bucket lists.”
For the best of Ibiza’s wellness offerings…
“The Atzaró Spa in the gardens of the Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel estate is a must-try. The 43-meter freshwater pool, spa garden and facilities are iconic.”
Something only the locals know…
“The island still has some secret and untouched beaches and countryside spots that have been the same for generations. Ibiza has many gifts to discover.”
“Ride a motorbike along the coastal road, up on the north side of the island. It’s an amazing road, with a few top-notch spots along the way to catch the views
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Xavier Padovani, partner at the Experimental Group, which runs Experimental Beach Ibiza
My favorite spot
“La Paloma is effortlessly super-cool: a great location, incredible staff, and the food is on-point. For me, it encapsulates the very best of Ibiza. I’ve never met anyone who hasn’t fallen in love with the place.”
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience…
“Go for an early swim in Aguas Blancas, in the north, and watch the sun set at Experimental Beach Ibiza.”
For the best of Ibiza’s wellness offerings…
“Go to The Giri Residence – it’s an incredible place, which celebrates Ayurvedic principles. The Giri Café is a great spot for fresh and delicious food, too.”
The best view…
“You must ride a motorbike along the coastal road, up on the north side of the island. It’s an amazing road, with a few top-notch spots along the way to catch the views.”
Something only insiders know…
“An amazing pottery atelier worth a visit is Alfarería Sa Teulera, which specializes in small statues. Every time I see the statues I bought from there in my house, I feel I have a small piece of Ibiza with me.”
“There is peace and tranquillity all around
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Maga von Korff, owner of boutique hotel Cas Gasi
My favorite spot is…
“Where I live, Cas Gasi. It’s in the heart of the island, the geographical center, and I am surrounded by nature, my olive trees and the silent garden – my new vegetable garden, which is part of Cas Gasi’s regenerative agricultural program. I feel grounded on this fertile soil; there is peace and tranquillity all around.”
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience…
“It really depends on your lifestyle. I have probably ‘done it all’, when it comes to Ibizan experiences. Nowadays, what I find a real luxury is being able to do wonderful walks through the countryside. Every morning, I walk from Cas Gasi to the village of Santa Gertrudis, which takes about 40 minutes, through hidden tracks and forest. Another great experience is a walk along the saline basins at Es Cavallet, the small tracks leading to surprising views of the natural bird life there. For newcomers, there is a whole program of boat trips to Formentera, Lío Ibiza and other cool places, which are all fantastic. These days, I prefer the independent pleasure of my individual tranquillity.”
The local delicacies to try…
“I love our local vegetables from our regenerative vegetable garden – all seasonal, and so tasty. They’re just as delicious raw as they are cooked in our wood-burning oven. Apart from that, I always enjoy sardines, anchovies, mackerel and red mullet. A special treat is scorpion fish, grilled or with salsa verde, when I visit Formentera.”
The best view…
“I love the Ibiza old-town view from the marina – it’s so compelling. Also, the view from the top of our property is magnificent: 180 degrees of immaculate, pristine landscape – you can see more than half of the island, and not one farmhouse more or less since we moved to Cas Gasi 30 years ago.”
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