Escape the crowds by exploring Ibiza's wild north coast. Visit the hippie village of San Miguel, the stunning Benirràs beach for Sunday drum circles, and hidden coves like Cala Xarraca with extraordinary clear water.
Ibiza's north coast presents a dramatically different character from the club resorts of the south — rugged limestone cliffs, pine forest, whitewashed villages, and hidden coves with exceptionally clear water. A day trip from Ibiza Town exploring the north covers roughly 40km of winding coastal and mountain roads, best navigated by scooter (€35–45 per day) or car rental. The recommended route heads north from Ibiza Town through Santa Eulària des Riu on the C-733, joining the inland road toward Sant Joan de Labritja. This small whitewashed village centred on a 17th-century church hosts a Sunday organic produce and artisan crafts market frequented mainly by long-term island residents. From Sant Joan, a narrow road descends northwest to the village of Sant Miquel de Balansat, built around a fortified church that historically served as a refuge during Moorish pirate raids. The road below the village continues to Port de Sant Miquel, a sheltered inlet with restaurants and a small beach with calm water, making it a practical lunch stop. The signature destination of the north coast is Benirràs beach, a cove of dark coarse sand sheltered by pine-covered cliffs with a small rocky islet (Es Cap des Falcó) in the bay. Benirràs draws a sunset drum circle every Sunday during summer — drummers and spectators gather to play djembe as the sun sets behind the islet, a tradition rooted in Ibiza's 1970s hippie counterculture that continues as one of the island's most distinctive cultural events. Continuing west, Cala Xarraca is a horseshoe-shaped bay with some of the clearest shallow water on Ibiza. Its sheltered geometry makes it ideal for snorkelling — visibility regularly reaches 10 metres over sandy and rocky bottom — and the bay attracts far fewer visitors than the more accessible southern beaches. A seasonal beach bar operates through summer. The headland viewpoints north of Port de Sant Miquel command panoramic views south over the island's interior, and on clear days north toward the Valencian coast of mainland Spain. The return to Ibiza Town via the western coastal road adds further village stops and an option to detour to the viewpoint above Cala d'Hort for views of Es Vedrà.
Highlights
- Benirràs beach Sunday drum circle
- Cala Xarraca swimming
- Sant Joan village square
- North coast viewpoints
Tips for visiting
- Rent a scooter from Ibiza Town early to reach north-coast coves before 11:00 when they start to fill.
- Visit Benirràs beach on a Sunday evening in July or August for the traditional sunset drum circle — a cultural experience unique to Ibiza.
- Bring snorkelling gear to Cala Xarraca — the shallow, clear water over sandy and rocky bottom makes it one of the best accessible snorkelling spots in the Balearics.
- The roads between Sant Joan and the north-coast coves are narrow with blind bends; drive slowly and anticipate oncoming vehicles.
- Fuel up in Ibiza Town before heading north — there are no petrol stations in the Sant Joan or Sant Miquel area.
When to visit
Late May, June, and September are optimal — warm enough for swimming in the coves, quieter roads for scooter riding, and a more authentic atmosphere than high summer. Sunday visits in July or August add the Benirràs sunset drum circle as a cultural highlight to the day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Benirràs drum circle?
The Benirràs drum circle is a weekly sunset gathering every Sunday during summer on Benirràs beach. Locals, musicians, and visitors play djembe drums as the sun sets behind the rocky islet in the bay. The tradition dates to Ibiza's 1970s hippie culture and remains an entirely informal, community-driven event.
Is Ibiza's north coast suitable for families with children?
Yes — beaches such as Cala Xarraca and Cala de Sant Vicent have calm, shallow water suitable for children of all ages. The north coast is considerably quieter than the resort beaches of the south, and snorkelling at Cala Xarraca is accessible without specialist equipment.
Can the north coast be reached by public transport from Ibiza Town?
TIB bus Line 20 connects Ibiza Town with Sant Miquel and Port de Sant Miquel; Line 23 serves Sant Joan. However, buses run infrequently and reaching the more remote coves of Benirràs and Cala Xarraca requires a car, scooter, or taxi from the nearest village.
What is Ibiza's north coast known for?
The north coast is known for its uncommercialised character — rugged cliffs, fortified churches, pine-covered hills, and remote coves that rarely feature in the island's party-tourism marketing. The area around Sant Joan and Benirràs is the spiritual centre of Ibiza's alternative and hippie culture.
Are there restaurants on the north coast?
Sant Joan village has café-bars and a Sunday market. Port de Sant Miquel has several waterfront restaurants. Facilities at Cala Xarraca and Benirràs are limited to seasonal beach bars, so carrying water and snacks is advisable for a full-day north-coast itinerary.