Location: On the west coast near San Antonio
Facilities: Beach bar with day beds and parasols
Size: 70 metres long, 40 metres wide
Getting there: Reached only by car. The road down to the beach is a very rough dirt track that you shouldn't use with a hired car. There are also only a few parking places directly next to the beach. You'll find an official parking zone at the top of the cliffs. On the way to the beach you pass a little stone gate; instead of turning right down to the beach, go straight and follow the signs to the parking. From here you walk ca. 5 minutes down to the beach.
The beach
Cala Codolar is a small bay on the west coast of Ibiza, below a clifftop residential area but with no buildings right next to it. As it is off the beaten track, you will find that this beach is not as busy as some of the better-known beaches on the west coast. It is accessed by a long dirt road and cannot be reached by ferry, so it never gets crowded.
The beach is sandy but interspersed with pebbles (called codols in Catalan, hence the name), especially by the shore. Entering the sea can be difficult as here the pebbles are bigger and there are many of them, so you might want to take bathing shoes.
There is an easier path into the water in the middle of the sandy beach with fewer stones. A small distance out though and the sea bed is pure sand. Less sand is stirred up here making the water even more transparent, so it's perfect for snorkelling.
Cala Codolar remains a beach for insiders; a small bay with a very relaxed vibe, loved by the mostly local visitors. In the evening, the colourful sunsets, for which Ibiza is famous, can be enjoyed in blissfully tranquil surroundings, either with a cocktail from the bar or with your own cool box drinks.
Spotlight tip
On the way from the parking you'll pass Las puertas de Cala Llentia - two large wooden door frames sitting on their own in the landscape, perfect for Instagrammable photos. Once there were lovely carved doors in the frames until they got robbed, unfortunately...
Another iconic landmark nearby is the art installation 'Time & Space' by the Australian artist Andrew Rogers, a circle of 13 stone pillars reaching into the sky, which is why the work is also called Ibiza Henge. Google it for its exact location and more information!
Beach bars and restaurants
There is a beach bar serving cool drinks, fresh fish and other dishes, though the food is quite pricey. Here you can also rent a comfy sunbed and parasol. If you just want to spread your towel out on the sand, bring your own shade, because there are no trees or rocks to provide protection from the sun.
Accommodation nearby
At the top of the cliff, there is a residential area. Within the complex is the Seven Pines Resort, a luxury hotel with several bars and a restaurant, where non-hotel guests can also go.
The resorts of San Antonio Bay and San Antonio - both with a wide choice of accommodation - are only a 10 to 20-minute drive away.
If you travel with a group of friends or the family, a private holiday villa also is a great option – you will be surprised how reasonable the per-person price can be.
