Situated on the northern shores of Ibiza, the pretty resort of Portinatx is surrounded by glittering turquoise-blue waters and hills clad with verdant pine trees.
Its location on the very beautiful northeastern tip of the island makes it popular with families and couples. All are drawn by the peace of the place and the fact that there is still a relatively vibrant Ibiza-style atmosphere.
The small resort stretches along the coast and is blessed with no fewer than three beautiful beaches. You will find all the facilities you need for a holiday, so you don't have to venture further - but the gorgeous surroundings are well worth exploring.
And even if it feels as if you are in a small paradise far away from everything, Ibiza Town with its fortified old town, shopping and nightlife, is only a 40-minute drive away. The town of Santa Eulalia with its many restaurants and beautiful promenade can be reached in around 30 minutes.
Beaches
The three pale-gold, sandy beaches make for a truly great escape. All have shallow waters, ideal for bathing safely, especially for children, as well as sunbeds and parasols for rent.
S'Arenal Gran is the resort's largest beach. With excellent facilities, it is ideal for families. Next to it, connected by a nice promenade, is the quieter and smaller S'Arenal Petit that's popular with couples and surrounded by greenery. Playa Porto, the resort's third beach, is sheltered by flat rocks that people like to climb to get a lovely view of the sea below. There really is a beach for everyone in Portinatx.
Activities
A wealth of fun things to do can be found in the resort from water sports that range from pedalos for the kids and banana boats to tours on stand up paddle boards and kayaks. There is a renowned diving school in Playa Porto and an elevated mini-golf course with views of the sparkling sea. Its crystal-clear waters with outcrops of rock along the coast make the area ideal for snorkelling.
Several boat trips are on offer and there are also boats available for hire, including low horsepower ones that don't require a licence. A charming alternative to sea travel comes in the shape of the Tourist Train that takes you to see beautiful inland and coastal sites along winding country roads.
When you want to go and explore for yourself, discover the spectacular local landscape with several walks that can be enjoyed. The best known is the trail up to the highest lighthouse in the Balearic Islands - don't forget proper hiking shoes, plenty of water and sun protection including a hat! Running alongside the coast, it offers stunning views of the glittering Mediterranean below.
The stunning scenery makes the entire area perfect for hiking and cycling.
Restaurants and bars
In Portinatx, visitors can count on plenty of places to eat, ranging from restaurants, bars and beach bars serving traditional Mediterranean fare and locally caught fresh fish to high-end fusion cuisine. Many of these are located directly next to the promenade and have gorgeous views out over the water.
For those renting a car, take the trip to the San Juan road towards Ibiza Town. Known colloquially as “restaurant road”, you'll find a delicious array of eateries all the way along.
A number of bars are quite busy well into the evening so you'll have plenty to keep you entertained here. Some of the larger hotels offer regular on-site entertainment; check whether they are also open for non-hotel guests.
Accommodation
You can find a good selection of hotels and apartments in Portinatx. There are options aimed at families as well as quality adults-only hotels and even a 5-star luxury resort. Since the resort is built into the hillside, amazing sea views often come as standard so everyone can access their own piece of paradise.
For the budget traveller, self-catering apartment complexes are ideal for when you want to save money, don't require the facilities of a hotel or are coming with children.
In the beautiful north of the island there are also many private holiday villas to rent - enjoy your own pool and absolute privacy.
Getting around
If you plan to do a lot of touring, hiring a car would be your best option in this most northbound of Ibiza resorts. Parking is easy with a large car park close to the beach of S'Arenal Gran and two other car parks close to the resort's two other beaches, S'Arenal Petit and Playa Porto.
For those that plan to stay mainly in Portinatx and want to travel just a little, there are regular bus services to Ibiza Town, several times a day during the summer season with a reduced service on Sundays and in the winter season. In summer there are also buses to Santa Eulalia and the hippy market in Es Caná.
