Ibiza travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Ibiza Town (Eivissa) and across the island, Balearic Islands, Spain.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Ibiza.
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- calm, local and sheltered, a quick beach day from Ibiza Town
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach restaurants and bars
- Shallow water
- Lifeguard in season
- Promenade
Platja de Talamanca
A sheltered, shallow sand bay just north of Ibiza Town with a row of relaxed beach restaurants and a promenade at the back.
Editor’s tip. Walk back along the bay road before dusk; there are few buses late at night.
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- convenient and unhurried, a locals' town beach
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Showers
- Beach bars and restaurants
- Lifeguard in season
- Seafront promenade
Platja de ses Figueretes
A small town beach on the south side of Ibiza Town, backed by apartments and cafes, with a short walk to the port.
Editor’s tip. Wear water shoes at the rocky ends of the beach.
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- lively and commercial, the island's party beach
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach clubs and bars
- Watersports hire
- Lifeguards in season
- Promenade with hotels and shops
Platja d'en Bossa
Ibiza's longest sand beach at about 2.7 km, lined by beach clubs, hotels and watersports operators.
Editor’s tip. Choose the southern end for a quieter stretch.
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- bright and lively at the north end, wilder to the south
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach bars and restaurants
- Showers
- Lifeguard in season
- Paid car park
Platja de ses Salines
A wide sand beach inside the Ses Salines natural park with clear water and beach bars.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 11:00 in July and August to find parking.
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- open and relaxed, wild dune landscape
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach bar (check opening)
- Paid car park
- Lifeguard in season
Platja des Cavallet (Es Cavallet)
A long dune beach inside the Ses Salines natural park, known as a naturist beach with a relaxed, open feel.
Editor’s tip. Bring water and food; the south-end bar has been reported closed in 2026.
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- polished, social, built around long beach lunches
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach clubs and restaurants
- Paid parking
- Shallow water
Cala Jondal
A pebbly bay on the south coast with some of the island's best known beach clubs and clear water.
Editor’s tip. Book beach club tables ahead in summer.
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- scenic and intimate, with very busy sunsets
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach restaurants
- Regulated car park
- Boat hire in season
Cala d'Hort
A small pebble and sand cove facing the rock island of Es Vedrà, famous for its sunsets.
Editor’s tip. Arrive in the afternoon and stay for sunset, but expect crowds in summer.
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- family-friendly and sheltered, an easy beach day
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach restaurants
- Showers
- Lifeguard in season
- Watersports hire
Cala Vedella
A sandy, sheltered bay with a pine-clad hillside, calm water and several beach restaurants.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 11:00 in summer.
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- relaxed resort bay with a long sunset
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach restaurants
- Showers
- Watersports hire
- Lifeguard in season
Cala Tarida
A wide sandy bay on the west coast with shallow water, resort facilities and good sunsets.
Editor’s tip. Walk to the rocky ends for shade and snorkelling.
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- scenic and busy at sunset, clear water all day
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach club and restaurants
- Paid parking in high season
- Boat trips
Platges de Comte (Cala Comte)
Turquoise water, small islets and white sand on the west coast, famous for its sunsets.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early or take the P4 bus to avoid the parking jam.
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- busy and social, shallow family water
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach club and restaurants
- Watersports hire
- Lifeguard in season
- Paid parking in high season
Cala Bassa
A wide, shallow sandy bay with pine woods, a beach club and watersports on the west coast.
Editor’s tip. Take the P5 bus or a boat from Sant Antoni in season.
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- sheltered, scenic and popular at midday
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach bars
- Pine-shaded paths
- Parking (limited)
Cala Salada
A small sand cove with pine woods, a neighbouring smaller cove and two seasonal beach bars.
Editor’s tip. Take the P7 bus; parking is limited.
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- bohemian and scenic, famous for sunset drumming
- Beach bars and restaurants
- Sunbed hire in season
- Paid parking
- Pine-covered hillside
Cala Benirràs
A steep-sided northern cove with a sand and pebble beach, known for Sunday evening drumming at sunset.
Editor’s tip. Take P6 or a taxi in July and August; the road is narrow.
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- quiet and natural, small cove away from the resorts
- Small beach bar (seasonal)
- Parking (limited)
- Rocky snorkelling
Cala Xarraca
A quiet cove on the north coast with clear water, a small beach and views over wooded cliffs.
Editor’s tip. Bring food and water; facilities are limited.
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- sheltered, simple and family-friendly
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach restaurants
- Showers
- Watersports hire
- Lifeguard in season
Cala Llonga
A long, narrow, sheltered bay on the east coast with fine sand, shallow water and resort facilities.
Editor’s tip. Go in the morning; the afternoon shade comes early.
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- calm, tidy and local, a town beach with a promenade
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach bars and restaurants
- Showers
- Seafront promenade
- Lifeguard in season
Platja de Santa Eulària
A calm town beach in front of Santa Eulària with a promenade, marina and many cafes.
Editor’s tip. Combine the beach with the Puig de Missa walk.
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- calm and family-friendly, with a harbour and a market nearby
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach restaurants
- Watersports hire
- Lifeguard in season
- Promenade
Platja d'es Canar
A horseshoe-shaped beach with a small fishing harbour and calm water, close to the Punta Arabí market.
Editor’s tip. Visit the Punta Arabí market on a Wednesday in season; confirm hours locally.
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- open and uncrowded east-coast sand
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Beach bar
- Lifeguard in season
- Parking (limited)
Cala Nova
A wide sand beach on the east coast with open water, pine woods and a relaxed feel.
Editor’s tip. Check the sea conditions on windy days.
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- open, relaxed and scenic, clay cliffs on the east coast
- Seasonal beach bar (check)
- Limited parking
- Stairs and paths to the sand
Aigües Blanques
A wide sandy bay beneath white clay cliffs on the east coast, reached by steps, where nudity is common.
Editor’s tip. Wear sturdy footwear for the steps.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Ibiza memorable.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Ibiza’s coast.
How far is Talamanca from Ibiza Town?
About 2 km from the port, around 40 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by taxi.
From the Platja de Talamanca editorial.
Is Talamanca good for children?
Yes. The bay is sheltered and the water is shallow with a gentle slope.
From the Platja de Talamanca editorial.
Can I walk from the port to Figueretes?
Yes, about 25 minutes along the seafront, flat for most of the way.
From the Platja de ses Figueretes editorial.
Is the sand soft?
The sand is coarse with some pebbles; water shoes help.
From the Platja de ses Figueretes editorial.
Is Playa d'en Bossa good for families?
The southern stretch is calmer and the water is shallow; the northern part is loud in the day-club season.
From the Platja d'en Bossa editorial.
How do I get there from the airport?
Alsa AERO5 runs from the airport to Playa d'en Bossa, or take a taxi for about EUR 11 to EUR 14.
From the Platja d'en Bossa editorial.
Is there a bus to Ses Salines?
Alsa P3 and A7 serve Ses Salines in season; confirm start dates at alsaibiza.es.
From the Platja de ses Salines editorial.
Is Ses Salines good for swimming?
Yes. The water is clear and shallow with a gentle slope.
From the Platja de ses Salines editorial.