Upon arriving at the Ibiza airport, we were greeted by a Frenchman who now calls the island home. The welcome was warm and the weather delightful, but we arrived late, so it was already dark. It was a shame we couldn't take in the view during the transfer to our accommodation.
Our hotel, the Punta Arabi, is a bit off the beaten path in Es Canar. It’s full of charm, it doesn't feel like a big hotel chain, but rather a small village made up of quaint, traditional houses. Its unique claim to fame is that it transforms into a massive hippie market every Wednesday. Stalls fill every single path between the rooms; you wouldn't even recognize the place! The view of the pool is particularly lovely, and the staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. We stayed on an all-inclusive basis, and the buffets were both varied and delicious.
A four-club entry pass
Ibiza is the island of partying. Our trip included four club entries. We used the shuttle buses that connect all the main towns on the island for our first night out at Es Paradise in Sant Antonio. The club is… huge, and the sound is… top-notch!
We discovered Space in Playa d’en Bossa and Privilege in Sant Rafael the same way, the latter has the distinction of being the largest nightclub in the world! What we remember most from that night were the dancers in their wild costumes and accessories; the music was just way too loud, which kept us from staying too long!
Our fourth entry was for David Guetta’s show at Ushuaïa. We arrived very early to secure a good spot, even though David Guetta wasn't hitting the decks until 11:00 PM. The time flew by, though, because the opening DJs were excellent. Watching the planes land in Ibiza right over the stage was a show in itself, truly impressive! On the downside, the drink prices were a deterrent! €10 for 20cl of water, €12 for a beer, and €15 for a mojito, all while we were in the blazing sun… and it was very hot!
It was time for our party-filled week to end, as we couldn't handle the various rude behaviors of other tourists anymore.
Touring Ibiza by Vespa
Ultimately, what we loved most was getting away from the crowds. We needed some freedom, so we decided to rent a scooter (a Vespa, to stay local!) and tour the entire island. It was simply magnificent. This mode of transport is perfect for taking in the scenery and making the most of the weather. That’s how we discovered the salt flats in the south of the island. But since the beach was packed and parking, even for two-wheelers, wasn't free, we decided to keep moving.
The landscapes changed drastically from one kilometer to the next. Inland, we spotted a farmer plowing his field the old-fashioned way, with a horse. Further on, some beaches seemed very popular, but we also discovered small, heavenly coves that were almost deserted. We stopped there for a few hours to enjoy the peace and quiet while watching beautiful sailboats pass by on the sea. In the late afternoon, we headed back toward Sant Antonio. Its pedestrian streets are very pleasant, and the terrace at the world-famous Café Del Mar is fabulous. The sunset from that spot is pure magic.
In Es Canar, at the Jacaranda Lounge right on the beach, you can grab a drink served at a bar located inside the pool! It was a lazy afternoon, bus-free! A little rest after a night of partying was definitely needed!
Excursion to the island of Formentera
We wrapped up our trip with a day trip to the island of Formentera. You can catch a boat directly from the village of Es Canar where we were staying, which allowed us to admire the island of Ibiza from the water. Once we landed on Formentera, we took a shuttle bus to Playa es Pujols. Having lunch with our feet in the sand at the Tahiti Beach Restaurant, obviously with a view of the beach, was fantastic! Then, enjoying a swim in water so clear you’d think you were in the Caribbean, Ibiza looks like paradise. The downside to this little slice of heaven, once again, was the crowd. It’s not easy to find enough space to lay out two beach towels.
We were pleasantly surprised by Ibiza; beyond the party scene, it has many other assets that we really appreciated, such as dreamlike landscapes and heavenly spots.
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