With clubbing being sidelined so far in 2021, young adults might be wondering how best they can fill their Ibiza holiday itinerary. Not to worry. Despite the gap dancefloors have left, the island has more than enough activities and adventures for 20-somethings to get stuck into.
Don’t take our word for it though. We challenged occasional contributor and pro-adventurer, Linus and his girlfriend Katie, to hit the ground running with a week’s worth of action. Here’s what they got up to during a hot and busy week in early August.
Many young people jet off to Ibiza for the packed pool parties and Balearic beats. Yet as Amnesia, Privilege and Pacha lay dormant for another year, we discovered that the island is much more than just the clubbing capital of Europe.
San Antonio, where many young people and tourists flock, offers bustling bars that should give you your usual lively Ibiza fix and fill the void left by club closures, albeit with covid restrictions still in place. An outdoor, open-air cinema has popped up along the strip at Bam Bu Ku, if you’re in the mood for a more chilled affair.
We also spent our final night in San Antonio at Ample 32, complete with a beautiful sunset view. Portions are generous and reasonably priced, so sharing a few starters between the two of us was more than enough. Strolling along the sunset strip, Café Mambo is a great place to watch the sun go down, get some drinks in, and enjoy a party atmosphere.
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of our week was the evening spent at Ibiza Rocks. Fatboy Slim DJ’d to his usual world-class standard, reminding us how much he loves Ibiza and Ibiza loves him. The drinks were flowing, the sun was shining, and the vibes were great. Security kept everyone safe and helped the event to run smoothly. If you get a chance to attend Ibiza Rocks then we’d thoroughly recommend you do.
Fancy a slightly quieter affair? Check out Cala Gració, just along from San Antonio. The beach is not particularly large, but there’s a great seafood restaurant that serves up fresh fish. At €12 for 5 sardines with chips or salad overlooking the sea, it really is hard to complain. The tuna steak was also delicious, and paella was a big hit on the tables around us. Mojitos were strong and refreshing, some of the best we had over the week, and only €6.50. The seagrass makes the water appear slightly more green than other beaches, but it becomes clearer once you swim out.
Away from San Antonio, Playa d’en Bossa offers a lively scene with a long stretch of sand meaning more space on the beach. The seafront is lined with beach clubs, and we would particularly recommend the stylish spot, Tuk Tuk, where we enjoyed black rice, beer and bravas. Also in 'Bossa lies, Emove Rents and Tours where we rented a scooter that allowed us to access spots we would have been unable to visit otherwise.
We spent the week on a brand-new red Vespa, exploring scenic, coastal roads towards Cala d’Hort, a lovely beach with a fantastic restaurant, clear water, and great views of Es Vedrà. Be warned that booking the restaurant in advance is essential during the summer and it’s best to arrive early to smaller, more secluded beaches to secure the best spots on the sand.
A 40-minute drive from San Antonio, you’ll reach the resort of Es Figueral. The beach was not busy, and there are great cafes and restaurants available overlooking the sand to stock up on drinks, snacks, and paella. Kayaks, pedaloes, and paddleboards are available for hire.
If you’re feeling active and would like to see more of the coastline, we’d recommend a kayak excursion run by Kayak Ibiza. The kayaking was not overly strenuous, and regular stops for swimming, snorkelling, and snacks made the trip that much better! Whilst it’s not an absolute ‘must do’, it’s definitely worth it if you’re heading to Es Figueral.
Es Figueral also makes for a nice place to spend an evening on the beach with a few beers and snacks, and you’ll pass through the pretty village of San Carlos if you fancy a bite to eat on the way back. Also, the hustle and bustle of the nearby hippie market might attract you too. We didn’t have a chance to stop there but the queues, stalls, and atmosphere were enticing.
The beautiful town of Santa Eulalia made a good pit stop on the way to Es Figueral. On one of the hottest days of the year we were able to shelter from the sun with a sea view and sea breeze. The town is a nice place to get a meal, meander round the shops, take a dip in the sea, and has a different feel to San Antonio.
Yet if you’re really up for some exercise and adrenaline, then an E-bike tour by Walking Ibiza should satisfy. Run by fun, informative guides, it’s a great way to see stunning views of the Ibiza coastline. You’ll get hot and sweaty, but it makes the beer on the beach taste even better! It’s suitable for most abilities, with some easy, flat roads, but also plenty of technical sections with rugged terrain and chances to try a few jumps too! Unfortunately, being near San Juan, it is quite far from where most people stay, but still worth the extra journey for a fantastic experience!
Have you really been to Ibiza if you haven’t been to Ibiza Town? We’d argue not. It’s easy to get the bus there at just over €2 for a single, every 15 mins or half hour from San Antonio, depending on time of day. (Be aware that buses do not currently run through the night).
Ibiza town has lots of great bars and restaurants, with Kaixo offering good quality tapas. Be sure to try the patatas bravas and cod croquets! The old town makes for a great stroll, and boasts a variety of bars and restaurants, from small Spanish side streets in the Old Town, to views over the port from balconies, or even spaces in open plazas that feel bustling and vibrant with life.
Most of us are hoping for a normal season next year, with Ibiza and clubs back to their best. But until then, there’s easily enough on the island to keep you entertained and excited if you’re in your early twenties.
WORDS: Katie Devey and Linus Uhlig
