The pandemic’s enforced hiatus has brought new ideas, new businesses and new people to Ibiza which has resulted in a fizzing, frenetic energy that makes the island feel more alive than ever.
A growing commitment to agroturismo sees a slew of boutique hotels such as our favourite Cas Gasi operating sustainably and serving farm to table food alongside offering characterful rooms in beautiful houses and fincas. Meanwhile, the new Six Senses hotel is bedding in and setting a fresh standard for environmentally-friendly luxury across the Balearics. The Super Clubs are diversifying with queer friendly nights that attract a mixed crowd of pleasure-seekers and a chic, low-key bar and restaurant scene in villages such as Santa Gertrudis is appealing to those holidaying in Ibiza for the chilled-out vibe more than the DJ line-ups and hen do frivolity.
Wellness trends from light therapy to longevity retreats are now as much a part of island life as yoga and meditation, hiking companies specialise in finding the perfect shot for your Instagram grid and exercis eregimes can be tailored to your inner spirit animal if you so wish. But for all of its exciting cultural evolutions, one thing is constant and that’s the sheer beauty of the Ibizan landscape.
From where to stay to where to eat, here's our list of what not to miss in Ibiza:
Opened in July 2021, Six Senses is the highly-anticipated new opening on the island, and it's made a splash in the chicest way possible. This place is all about understated luxury, while absolutely flawless in its attention to detail and customer service. Staying here feels like a deep exhale, or a tall glass of cold water on the hottest day. Located on the peaceful northern tip of the island, the village-like resort fits naturally amid the flora and fauna, as the architecture and décor blend into island life. The property is set over 20 acres, with the most magnificent sea views and direct access to the water from a private rocky alcove. The hotel, with its 116 guest rooms, suites and villas along with its verdant gardens, pools and spa is also the first sustainable BREEAM certified resort in the Balearics.
Spa lovers will be glad to hear that you enter the spa via a sunken staircase that snakes around and under a pool. As well as the usual Hamman, steam room and gym (complete with boxing ring), Six Senses offers ‘longevity programmes’ which combine diagnostics, biohacking, nutrition and beauty treatments.
But for all the focus on wellness, this hotel also knows how to have fun. Sip cocktails in the Pharmacy Bar and dine on delicious fresh fish and an Israeli-inspired veg-heavy menu courtesy of celebrity chef Eyal Shani. For visiting musicians there’s an onsite recording studio attached to one of the suites, while style lovers will enjoy browsing the Six Senses Concept store curated by fashion editors Daniela Agnelli and Tiffanie Darke.
Need we say more?
Cala Bonita is in a secluded bay and offers an ever-changing menu of fresh fish and paella which is hand written on a giant blackboard that’s passed from table to table. Be sure to book ahead as despite its out-of-the-way location down a steep dusty tail it’s on every fashionable visitor’s wish list. Top tip: Pack your swimsuit for a post lunch dip – the water here is irresistible.
A short walk from the lively Eivissa port in Ibiza Town, Japanese restaurant Izakaya has potentially the best sushi on the island – which is saying something as it’s everywhere. But it also has the most incredible cocktails. Try their twists on classics like the watermelon martini or the Japanese mule as you dine around their emerald pool. Make sure to pair your drink with their melt-in-your-mouth wagyu and foie gras gyoza. As for the crowd - if there was ever a night for heels, it’s this one. On Saturdays there’s dancing at the tables, but on weekdays prepare for more of a relaxed vibe.
With a menu created in collaboration with Pharrell Williams (yes, really), El Silencio brings you dinner with an epic coastal view. Located in a serene cove in the lesser-known area of Cali Moli (a big hitter in the 1970s), El Silencio is the new beach house brought to you by iconic Paris club Silencio.
Marketed as the 'hangout for global creatives' you can expect to see the Soho House lot here tanning by the pool, co-working in the chill out area or attending one of the many pop-ups in their ever-changing cultural programmes. For the art-lovers, there's an immersive large-scale octopus art installation by Ibiza based artist, Miranda Makaroff that you cannot miss. (No, seriously, it’s ginormous.)
If you’re willing to splash the cash, Cotton Beach Club brings Mykonos-style luxury with it’s all-white furnishings and famous champagne lunch. The tuna tartare and grilled octopus is a must-eat and for drinks, it offers one of the most extensive wine and cocktail lists on the island. A live band will be blaring so it’s best to come with a party attitude.
For a post lunch snooze with the sound of the ocean lapping at the shore, head down to the beach where you can lounge on the double sunbeds with your own bar metres away. Book beforehand to make sure you don’t miss out.
If you’re looking for a more bohemian experience, Aiyanna is laid-back luxury, brought to you by the team behind Amante. It’s a little more playful and rustic than its sister beach club, situated in a tranquil location overlooking Cala Nova bay.
Aiyanna's restaurant won the White Ibiza Best New Restaurant award back in 2017 and serves the best of Eastern Mediterranean. Expect organic, seasonal produce grown on the site's garden in dishes like mezze sharing platters and superfood salads. Vegans and vegetarians are well-catered for, but there's plenty for the meat eaters with a conscious – think ethically-reared and sourced seafood and meat like Spanish black rice with cuttlefish and fried squid. Make sure to look up their daily wellness programme which includes morning yoga, too.
Definitely at a villa after party. Nothing quite beats those spontaneous hedonistic atmospheres - that's where things get extra weird and wonderful.
Head to world-famous Pikes – the club where Freddie Mercury had his infamous birthday party and the location of the ‘Club Tropicana’ music video – to meet people in the know.
Think San Antonio is all Irish pubs and English boozers? Amare Beach Hotel proves otherwise, providing some serene adults-only glamour to the clubbing mecca. Relax by the pool and press a buzzer for your drinks service – no moving required – and enjoy live saxophone performances daily.
For sunset cocktails, the panoramic views on the rooftop are second to none. Restaurant Hayaca serves the best Latin American cuisine, from Colombia style chipá with suero and hogao (cheesy bread with a traditional sauce) to fried plantain with prawn mayonnaise.
The solar clock 'time & space' sculpture at the cliffs of Cala Llentia. Guy Laliberte (the Cirque du Soleil founder) commissioned the brilliant Australian artist Andrew Rogers to build this incredible piece of art back in 2014. It's a great spot to watch the sun go down.
The village of Santa Gertrudis is a more chilled out place for a potter than the old town. There are beautiful interiors shops you can while away an afternoon browsing in. Meanwhile, No. 74 L’atelier is a concept store-slash-restaurant that offers you a canvas to paint while you wait for your food. It also runs craft classes and is the perfect place to shelter from a rainy day.
Atlantis is the island's secret 'mythical' cove. You have to work to get there, but once you've arrived, it's totally worth it. The place offers you a glimpse back in time, before the clubbing scene developed. If you want a truly authentic look into the hippy lifestyle, and what Ibiza used to be like, definitely head here.
The obvious choice is Formentera, a small island a short ferry trip away from most ports. Expect a different pace: lots of cycling, the clearest waters. But if you’d rather not bother with the hassle, Can Sastre is the rural boutique hotel in the centre of the island that will transport you away from the madness.
Though only a 20-minute drive from Ibiza Town, you’ll feel like you're in the middle of nowhere, in the best way. There’s a stylish, homely feel in this gated complex, surrounded by orchards where they grow their own oranges and lemons. The rooms themselves feel like your own private villa, with a rustic, beach house feel. For off-the-grid relaxation, there’s no better place.
