The unknown side of Ibiza

Every year is the same story, summer comes and with it the super long waited holidays come too. I always question myself quite a lot about where to go and what to do during the summer break: I have always preferred those chilled and relaxed days at the beach, those long evenings spent chatting and eating yummy food than those wild holidays spent clubbing all day&night. For these reasons, when my brother suggested to join him and his friends to Ibiza, I was a little bit concerned and didn’t have very high expectations regarding the worldwide famous “Party Island”.

Well, once there I completely changed my mind so, dear Lovelies, sit down, relax and get ready to discover the side of Ibiza you have probably never heard about.

The island is manly known for its great nightlife but that is definitely not the only thing Eivissa can offer: paradisiac beaches are waiting for you, each of them incredibly picturesque and with its own character, all bonded together by the same marmazing crystalline cobalt sea.

There are plenty of heavenly shores, so many that you will find hard to choose: Cala Salada, Las Salinas, Cala Bassa, Cala Saladeta are just some of them. My very Favourite one has to be Cala Comte: here the water is incredibly clear, so blue that sea and sky blend perfectly together creating the most astonishing and mermazing scenery you have ever seen. The beach itself it is a mix of sand and rocks: just what you need to make everyone happy plus, there is a stunning restaurant with pretty epic views so don’t miss to check that out too. 🙂

If you are more the “I wanna chill but having a little bit of fun” kind of person I guess the Ocean Beach in Sant Antonio is the place you are looking for: it is a great beach club, with an amazing swimming pool, comfy beds and entertainment that goes from the early afternoon until sunset. It is the ideal place if you feel like partying and sunbathing at the same time. Here you will experience a little bit more the party vibe the island is mainly known for but things at the Ocean Beach don’t go extremely wild and it is actually a very pleasant and enjoyable environment, even for a person like myself. 🙂

My favourite thing to do after a relaxing day at the beach is to find a great spot where to enjoy the sunset, it is just the perfect way to end the day for me and the part of the day I like the most. Let me confess that sunsets in Ibiza are honestly to die for. My absolute Top Place is Es Vedrà: it is the most dreamy place on earth with the most gorgeous views over the Mediterranean Sea ever. You will be able to watch the sky turning into the most gorgeous colours: yellow, orange and pink. Keep waiting until a pop of purple and red will come out finishing with the the sun will melting into the horizon. Here I found people having picnics (such a brilliant idea! :)), singing or playing the guitar and then there was me, simply sitting in silence trying to take in all that I could possibly see, smell and hear. Es Vedrà will always have a special place in my heart and its unique atmosphere is something I won’t never forget.

Another great spot for sunset is Sant Antonio. The difference between Sant Antonio and Es Vedrà is that the first one is a lot busier than the second one and when I say “busier” I mean, hundreds of people around you. While Es Vedrà is in the middle of nowhere and in a completely wild space, Sant Antonio is the second largest town in Ibiza. The place its self is cool as the views are stunning and there are plenty of bars and restaurant so a great spot for a pre night out. It really depends on what you are looking for.

Apart from its marvellous nature, Ibiza is a place filled with culture and history. The capital itself, Ibiza Town, is one of the most picturesque cities of the Mediterranean and the Old Town was declared in 1999 a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

I spent a whole day exploring this part of the island and I totally felt in love with it. Entering the Old Town it is like entering in a magical labyrinth made of narrow white alleys, cobbled streets and charming ancient buildings. Whenever you feel tired and you need a break you can stop in one of the pretty bars you will find along the way: my favourite is S’Escalinada, a super charming hidden gem where you can sit on huge colourful pillows, drinking yummy fresh pressed juices or a glass of home made sangria while watching the world passing by.

After the well deserved break, keep walking towards the highest point of the Old Town. Once you will reach the top you will find yourself on a huge and ancient terrace with some sensational panoramic views. This part of the capital is definitely one of a kind: there are plenty of pictures opportunities and even if you are not that much into photography is truly candy for your eyes and absolutely a must visit.

Food is definitely one of the most important things for me. I love it, I do love eating proper and fresh food and I do love trying and experimenting new flavours.I have to admit that the best part of the island where I ate the most delicious dishes is in the area of Marina Botafoch, situated in the north side of the port of Ibiza. There is actually a ferry service from Ibiza Town to Marina Botafoch which is truly handy when you don’t feel like driving: a great chance to enjoy unforgettable views of the capital during night time too! 🙂

Once at Marina Botafoch you will find plenty of lovely restaurants. The best one where to eat the typical Spanish dish of Paella has been the restaurant at the Hostel Talamanca for me: highly recommended if you are craving for succulent seafood.

If you are a sushi lover I suggest to try Temakinho, a sushi restaurant but with a Brazilian twist. SO good!! Otherwise if you like keeping it simple go to the Trattoria del Mar: a beautiful and elegant spot overlooking the marina and serving excellent Italian seafood. Dreamy!

Ibiza has quickly taken a special place in my heart. It is a slice of paradise and my Perfect summer place just a couple of hours away from London. I mean, what else? 🙂

What about you Lovelies? Have you ever been here? If so, feel free to share with me Your favourite places in the comments below! I would love to know and check them out during my next trip there! 🙂 Also, don’t forget to check out here the video about my Ibizan adventure! 🙂

Hope you enjoyed!

Love

Alice X