Top 7 Things To Do In Ibiza [For Non-Partiers]

Although Ibiza is best-known for its clubbing, techno dancing, and lively party atmosphere, there’s really so much more to this lovely island. If you’re not a party person, or want to come here to relax, read on to discover some of the natural beauty and history of this island and the best things to do here. I arrived off-season, which was magically quiet, and found these to be the top 7 things to do on Ibiza. I would definitely come back!

Ibiza Island

Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands, in the western Mediterranean, southeast of Spain. Other islands here include Mallorca, Menorca, Formentera, and a few other small islands.

With more than 80 sun-blessed beaches that ranges from fine, white, sand to rocky coastline, Ibiza has a lot to offer. This island is a great vacation spot for anyone, whether you like to party all night or explore its natural side. Or both.

Ibiza is a small island, only 21 miles (35 km) at its longest, so it’s easy to explore, even without a car. If you don’t have a car, which is fine, I suggest staying in Ibiza city center for its central location and access to the bus.

The Western Mediterranean surrounding the island is various shades of blue, green and turquoise, sometimes all at once. It’s very mesmerizing. It’s also crystal clear, due to a local seaweed called Neptune grass, that helps oxygenate and purify it.

Explore Ibiza Town

The capital of Ibiza, and where most of the population lives, is Ibiza Town. It’s also called Ibiza, or Eivissa, in Spanish. It’s also where you will find the most restaurants and shops, where you can explore its history, and where you can get better feel of traditional Ibizan life. 

The city center of Ibiza Town has an UNESCO World Heritage walled city, Dalt Vila, that overlooks the main harbor. Built in the Middle Ages for protection purposes, it’s full of charming cobblestoned streets lined with restaurants, shops, and homes. 

Plan to spend a day just exploring Dalt Vila, its viewpoints, and its restaurants.

The locals are very friendly and laid-back (notice the local playing his red guitar on the balcony below).

Although I didn’t get a chance to visit all of the beaches on Ibiza, the following are considered some of its top spots outside the city center.

When selecting beaches here, one things to keep in mind is if you want to visit a beach where the sun is rising, or a beach where the sun is setting. The beaches on the east side will be on the side where the sun is rising, while the beaches on the west side are on the side the sun is setting.

Also, as a general rule, the beaches towards the north end of Ibiza tend to be more rustic, think rocky beaches and wilder waves, while those towards the south are sandier, with gentler waves. Of course there are exceptions to this, but it still helped me when I was planning.

Watch the Sunset In San Antonio

San Antonio, located on the west side of the island, is one of the top places to stay on Ibiza. It’s called The Sunset Strip, due to the many nightclubs along the promenade and is best-known for its nightlife, clubbing, and sunsets. It really comes to life after the sun starts to set.

Even if you’re not a partier, plan visit this area at least once to see one of its spectacular sunsets. Crowds gather here nightly and the air feels electric with all the anticipation. But, because of this, it’s best to arrive early to carve out your spot on the beach, or make a reservation at a beachside cafe in advance.

There are many great places here to have a cocktail or dinner with a sunset view. Just a few include: Cafe Mombo, Restaurant Golden Buddha, SunSeaBar, Kasbah Ibiza Sunset, and Cafe Del Mar.

Sun At Cala Llonga Beach

Cala Llonga is a stunning beach (one of my favorites) and bay on the east side of Ibiza. Because it’s quieter and more remote, it’s perfect for a day trip. It’s only 6 miles (10 km) from Ibiza city center, making it easy to access.

With its more secluded nature and few restaurants, this location is very serene and relaxing. However, buses run head the party spots from here too, just in case you want a mix of both.

There are several other beaches nearby including Sol d’en Serra, an even smaller, quieter bay, and Sainta Eularia (below), with its busy restaurant lined promenade.

Visit Santa Eularia Beach

Santa Eularia is a very popular area just north of Cala Llonga. It’s the third largest town in Ibiza, popular with locals and those looking for a quieter vacation. That said, it can still get a little lively at night. Just not as crazy as San Antonio.

The beach here is not as pretty as Cala Llonga, to its south, but it’s a wide beach with soft sand and gentle waves. You can also enjoy water sports here, especially kayaking, jet skiing, E-Foil surfing, and parasailing.

There are also many waterfront restaurants here for some great Mediterranean food. So many it’s considered the island’s gastronomic center. Just a few places that really stand out here include Restaurante Caos Ibiza, Project Social, Restaurant Sa Finca, and La Costanera, but there are many more.

See Magical Es Vedra

If you love nature, Es Vedra is truly magical. It’s an uninhabited nature preserve 1.5 miles (2.5 km) off the southwestern coast of Ibiza. It’s a great to explore its best viewpoints and learn the legends it’s shrouded in.

Its main viewpont is Mirador des Vedra, or if you don’t mind a little scrambling, Torres De Savinar a little farther up the hill. It’s best to get here by car, but you can also reach it’s most popular viewpoint via public transportation and some footwork. I get into the full details in my post How To Get to Es Vedra.

Beyond this, there are several other great ways to view Es Vedra (which are also outlined in my post). You can take a boat cruise or you can visit Cala d’Hart beach (or the restaurants nearby. You can even jet ski here from San Antonio, take a yoga class with a view, or stay at a stunning villa that overlooks this majestic islet!

Explore Portinatx

Portinatx is another great area of Ibiza. It’s much quieter than other destinations and located on northern tip of Ibiza. Its remote, rustic, rocky coast is beautiful, but there is a sandy beach area too.

This area is best for a day trips, families wanting to avoid crowds, or those wanting a quieter getaway.

There are several places along its rocky coast that are fun to explore, while one of its main sandy beaches is S’Arenal Gros Beach, which is in the photo below.

And if you’re into hiking, there’s a lovely hike along the rocky coast to Moscarter Lighthouse and beyond, which is in the photos below.

Take A Day Trip To Formentera

If you want to explore an even quieter place, visit Formentera, which is another one of the Balearic Islands. This is a very popular day trip from Ibiza, only a 30-60 minute ferry ride from Ibiza Town.

This small island has minimal development and over 12 miles (20 km) of idyllic, clear, turquoise water with stunning beaches. Because of this, I suggest it as a must-do day trip.

There are many, many beaches to discover here as well, but its most famous beach is Ses Illetes, which was voted Europe’s best beach by Trip Adviser users in 2016.

Its best to arrive early to avoid running into crowds or head a little farther north on the beach to be a little more remote.

See my post on Formentera Island for more details.

Ses Illetes is in the northern part of Formentera, about a 10-minute drive from La Savina, where the ferry drops you off. If you don’t have a car you can walk, take a taxi, or take a bus.

If you’ve visited Ibiza and have any comments or questions, please drop a comment below.

Safe Travels!

Julie