Ibiza needs very little introduction… it is the beating heart of the dance floor and although we will recommend many of those, what else can you discover on the White Island?
From fusion restaurants, the best place for a heavenly sunset and our favourite markets, let us take you on the FARA tour of Ibiza…
WHERE TO STAY
Many people choose to discover their own little bolthole via AirBnB, but here are a few of our favourite hotels …
Six Senses @sixsenses.ibiza
With the stunning Hideaway Suite, an ‘After Party Detox’ massage and the Pharmacy Bar – Six Senses is a place to get away from it all after the night before. With food from their organic farm and an artist adorned Beach Cave restaurant, Six Senses creates beautiful spaces and beautiful plates at each turn. You’ll find it hidden away at the northern tip of the island.
The Standard @thestandardibiza
If Six Senses is the place to hide away… The Standard is the place to be seen (and to make headlines). A beautiful hotel close to the Marina with a lively restaurant and bar – who might you meet at Happy Hour?
Pou des Lleo @restaurante_pou_des_lleo
Simple airy beamed rooms with cute terraces close to a beautiful beach. Friend of FARA Lucy @chayayogaretreats loves their restaurant and recommends the paella from their authentic Ibizan kitchen.
The Giri Residence @thegiri_ibiza
With just five suites, this intimate hotel has beautiful views of the rolling hills. Stylish and adorned with artefacts from around the world and artisanal crafts from Ibiza and Spain, this little hideaway is magical. Inside the spa you’ll find Ayurvedic (holistic Indian) treatments and inside a renovated 300 year old Ibizan house you’ll discover the beautiful Giri Café.
Can Curreu @cancurreu
Whitewashed walls and gorgeous terraces that look out into the Ibizan countryside. Lucy suggests visiting the beautiful spa with a hammam, steam room and treatments here.
DINING OUT
Aiyanna @ibizaaiyanna
Perched on the beach at San Carlos on Ibiza’s East Coast – this is a favourite – taking inspiration from the sea and Spanish classics and offering a twist with produce from their own organic garden. We recommend everything on the menu!
Sa Vida @savidaibiza
With both Spanish inspired and Asian fusion tapas, this is a stylish bar in the heart of Ibiza town. We love the Coal Cod, the Tuna Tataki and the Sa Vida croquettes.
Can Guimo @CanGuimo
Dubbed ‘delicious food for happy people’ this tiny terrace restaurant has everything from quinoa to chimichuri and plant-based foods to burgers. Straight from the hearts of Esteban and Carol this offering honours their Argentinian and Brazilian roots. They also have little pop up markets and regular live music.
Alma Eat is Life @eatislifeibiza
Stray from the beachside organic restaurant and delicious food and wine and find a yoga deck, paddle boarding… maybe go cliff jumping … and then nourish yourself from their delicious menu. This is a perfect place to chill.
Fauna Libre @fauna.libre
Fantastic new vibrant plant based café – friend of FARA Anna @yogawanders recommends the “amazing tempeh burgers” and hanging out for the chilled vibes.
La Paloma @lapalomaibiza
Hidden in the hills, the drive to get to La Paloma is magical. A well-loved favourite for years, by dappled sunlight this place serves up salads with goats cheese scattered with edible flowers, lamb focaccia and spicy margaritas. By starlight the menu changes to Italian fare.
DISCOVERING IBIZA
Barefoot on the Beach
Here are some of our favourite hidden spots for clear waters, snorkelling, sunsets or just simply lounging.
Many of the hidden gems are in the North of the island – We love Cala Xaracca (Portinax) which is perfect for snorkelling; Or it’s a short hike to find the solitude of Moon Beach. Lucy recommends Cala Xuclar “Have a lazy lunch at the café here of fresh caught fish – it’s a favourite spot.” Gorgeous FARA muse and model and Ibiza resident Sarah Q shares her love of less known gem on the road to Portinatx called Cala Xuclar. This tiny cove with fisherman huts, scatterings of rocks and one small beach bar is the perfect quiet spot for relaxing and enjoying some peace.
Benirras is definitely not off the beaten track and many gather for drumming on Sunday evenings – but with lovely bars, a little market and special sunsets – it is worth the trip.
In the South, it’s another hike down to Atlantis (Sa Pedrera) and an amazing spot for cliff diving and swimming. This place is more well-known as the hike starts near the viewpoint for Es Vedra – and of course Es Vedra is a magical spot for sunset.
In the West, there is the beautiful Cala Carbo and friend of FARA @viriam_yoga recommends Cala Comte “Although the beach gets busy – go further and find the Calla Comte cave which is quite magical – we once played music there and had the sunset from one side of the cave and the moonrise on the other.”
Beyond the Beach – Lucy shares that her favourite thing to do is to set sail. She recommends the Eco Catamarans from Bella Verde – they head out around the island and offer sunset trips… https://labellaverde.com/en/
For more hikes and wanders, check out @walkingibiza who also take to the blue waters offering kayak jaunts.
Sunrise to Sunset
Early risers, or all night birds can find a stunning sunrise view at the top of the rocks at the end of Talamanca….
Best sunset spot…. Heavens Gate – a beautiful clifftop walk beyond Santa Agnes in the North-West. Ask locally or check out Walking Ibiza @walkingibiza
Sunset to Sunrise – Ibiza Nightlife
Cubanito Ibiza @cubanito_ibiza
This Cuban inspired venue is a favourite for sunset and dancing for Sarah @sarahq1 – Cubanito’s calendar is curated to entertain with a line up of events ranging from bingo, karaoke and salsa to long balmy sunset sessions set to the groove of one of their resident DJ’s.
Storytellers @storytellersibiza
Inspired by Cirque du Soleil – find yourself in an immersive fairytale with DJs, dancers, performers and… this year’s theme is Pangea – when the Earth was One. You’ll also find the spectacular Woo’Moon at this stunning venue who also offer aerial performers and art installations
Sweet Hearts @Wibiza
Friend of FARA @hanlederer recommends this Saturday night gathering with free entry – find a cast of female DJs with electronic beats, guest vocalists and artists.
Akasha @Lasdaliasibiza
New on the scene for 2022 – Akasha is the new onsite club at Las Dalias – serving up beats in a stylish urban vibe. Sunday nights. Free.
Namaste @Lasdaliasibiza
A hardy perennial of the Ibiza scene celebrating its 25th season (also at Las Dalias where you’ll find regular markets and Akasha above – check out their site – https://lasdalias.es/en/).
Lucy recommends both the new venue Akasha @akashaibiza and for an authentic hippy version of Ibiza – Wednesdays at Namaste.
Soulgood – Santa Eulalia
If you tire of endless selfies and social media, head to the laid back vibes of Soulgood in Santa Eulalia – it’s a happy beach shack with a great range of cocktails, no dress code, good tunes and vegetarian food.
For the morning after…
Wild Beets @wildbeets
Whether you fancy a ‘Recover’ Juice of apple, ginger, lavender with added milk thistle for your liver or a bulletproof coffee, this stylish plant-based café has your back.
Passion Café @passioncafe
Wherever you are staying or you’ve been partying there is probably a branch of the popular Passion Café near you – it’s a great place after the night before – with juices and smoothie bowls.
Yoga and Inspiration
Feeling in need of inspiration – head to O iNNi Garden @oinnigarden – a new yoga hub in Ibiza with yoga, dance, live music and poetry.
Anna @yogawanders leads regular yoga classes and retreats in Ibiza and Formentera and check out the new movement, music and dance event @groovementibiza exploring the body in motion with global tunes.
For a deeper immersion, retreat with Chaya Yoga Retreats.
Lovely Lucy has shared so many great tips with us all for our Insiders Guide to Ibiza – Check her out @chayayogaretreats – she hosts regular yoga retreats in Ibiza (and in our home – Goa).
WHERE TO SHOP
Hanamer @hanamer_ibiza
Old friend of FARA, Shiran has created a beautiful shop in the heart of Ibiza Town close to the marina. You’ll find our latest collections there as well as stunning jewellery, textiles, homewares and other great designers that Shiran has met on her global journey – she describes herself as a ‘treasure hunter’
Rachel Entwistle @rachel_entwistle_jewellery
Jewellery desginer and sister in collaboration Rachel Entwistle has recently opened a new store on the ground in Ibiza Town where can shop all of her stunning collections in one place.
San Juan Market
This is our Sunday morning treat – a wander around the lovely market in this beautiful white washed town in the hills. You’ll find everything from clothes and ceramics to locally made perfumes and organic products – this market attracts designers from across the world. Grab a coffee and wander and finish up at the Giri Café (part of the Giri Residence – see Hotels above).
San Jordi Flea Market – Every Saturday
Lucy’s tip – get there early… great for antiques and second hand clothes – “you can get some gems if you get there early”. It starts at 9am and finishes at 2.30pm. And if you need to get into the Ibiza spirit while still at home, tune into @openlabradio
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