If it’s good times or chilled times you’re after, the Balearic island has it all, from pearly white sands to hip haute cuisine
Ibiza has never gone out of fashion as a holiday destination. Famously home to the 1970s hippy movement, the Balearic isle has since become one of the world’s clubbing capitals, but Ibiza isn’t all about the party lifestyle. It also has secluded beaches that rank among the best in the world, a plethora of trendy beach-side restaurants and an innovative fine-dining scene that’s high on the hip factor – all of which means that it’s still a fantastic destination for anyone wanting to relax, chill-out and enjoy some space in the wake of the pandemic. Discover our pick of the best things the island has to offer below.
Your first glimpse of Ibiza from the plane window will likely be the sunbathers, hotels and bars along Playa d’en Bossa, which is located close to the airport. Once you land, jump into a taxi to reach one of the stunning remote bays found all around the island. Our favourites include Cala Benirrás, Cala Bassa, Cala d’Hort and Cala Molí.
The White Isle has an exciting restaurant scene, ranging from fine-dining to glamorous sundowner spots by the sea. For a laid-back luxurious lunch on the beach, Nobu Hotel’s Chambao restaurant looks out over the pearl-white sand of Talamanca Bay, serving up fresh Mediterranean dishes and jugs of sangria. If you’re after the ‘wow’ factor, join Ibiza’s cool crowd at Lío, where you can dine while enjoying stunning views over Ibiza Town.
The glitzy Blue Marlin Ibiza – located on the shores of south-coast hotspot Cala Jondal – is the undisputed don of Ibiza’s beach club scene. Be sure to arrive early to make the most of the unique open-air experience and find out why it’s a far more chilled alternative to full-on night-time clubbing. The soundtrack will get your toes tapping before lunch at the restaurant, which serves up modern Mediterranean cuisine with Asian influences.
No Ibiza holiday is complete without watching the sunset from Café Mambo. The iconic spot has been named Ibiza’s best bar on countless occasions and regularly features famous DJs such as Carl Cox and Fatboy Slim playing warm-up sets before they head on to the big clubs.
Staying on an island as stylish as Ibiza requires an equally stylish hotel to complete the package. Thankfully you’ll find exactly that at 7Pines Kempinski, a gorgeous five-star hotel offering luxurious touches in a relaxed setting. It’s also set on the edge of a pine forest with trails leading to various luscious beaches, meaning there are tons of opportunities for sports and outdoor pursuits, such as kayaking, meditation, hiking, biking, trail running and much more. And to put you fully at ease during your stay, the hotel has a rigorous hygeine and safety policy in place, which is always good to know.
Launched by the pros behind the Experimental Cocktail Club brand in London, New York and Paris, Experimental Beach and restaurant offers opens up on to the blissful beaches of the Ses Salinas nature reserve on the southern tip of the island. Luckily, the food and drink matches the dreamy views – chow down on Spanish classics like patatas bravas and padron peppers, and lose yourself in the expertly made cocktails. There are also buzzy but relaxed evening dining events, featuring DJs like Mi Na spinning chilled grooves to accompany the top-notch eats.
You don’t have to get on the dancefloor to burn off the calories, as Ibiza is also a prime spot for outdoor activities. There are tons of fantastic hiking trails around the island (try the well-trodden route from Cala Conta to Cala Tarida for a beautiful beach-to-beach route) as well as watersports galore, including the ever-popular stand-up paddle-boarding (known as SUP), which provides a great opportunity to check Ibiza’s coastal scenery from a different angle or even watch the sunset.
If you’re looking for a way to make your Ibiza trip even more special, this luxury concierge service has got you covered. Whether you want a chauffeur-driven sports car to whisk you around the island, a VIP table at the hottest clubs, a private chef for guaranteed culinary excellence or even a chartered yacht to explore Ibiza’s coves and caves, MS Ibiza will find a way to make it happen, leaving you to just enjoy the ride.
There are sunsets and then there’s the sunset you can see from The View, a seriously classy restaurant at the 7Pines Kempinski hotel. This clifftop restaurant offers stunning vistas across the glistening blue waters towards the island of Es Vedrà, best enjoyed accompanied by several of the excellent dishes, themed around Asian cooking with a modern twist. This is one sunset that’ll stay with you.
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