With its intoxicating mix of relaxed hippie vibes, decadent restaurants and bars, glamorous nightlife and rock ‘n’ roll spirit, Ibiza never goes out of style. And after countless years of exploring, partying and mischief-making on the White Isle, we very much consider it our second home.
But even for veterans like us it’s difficult to stay on top of all of the exciting new venues and events that pop up all over the island every year, so we teamed up with the ultimate insiders, Charlie Chester and his Essential Ibiza crew, to help you make the most of your time in Ibiza.
A longtime island resident and founder of the online resource and concierge service for all your Ibiza needs, Charlie showed us around the coolest new hangouts as well as securing us access to the island’s most iconic and exclusive addresses.
Here, we share the places to stay, shop, eat, drink, party and be seen at in Ibiza in 2015…
Hide away
Hotels are lush, of course, but nothing makes you feel more at home in Ibiza than your very own secluded island lair. After a night of partying amongst the crowds, there is nothing better than retreating to a hideaway in the hills for an exclusive after party with your gang and watching the sun come up.
A pool and expansive views are essential for hangover recovery the next day as you doze in the sunshine in blissful tranquility. Well, as much of tranquility as you want, anyway.
We stayed at Hacienda Cielo, a Chic Ibiza property, which boasted plenty of space, an awesome balcony overlooking the famous Playa d’en Bossa beach and neighbours that didn’t mind our late night Taylor Swift karaoke sessions. And with seven bedrooms that can accommodate up to 14 people, prices starting from 3,000 Euros a week make it a very real option!
Order in
Feeling lazy and in need of some goodness? Why not let someone else do the cooking for you and whip you up a meal that not only tastes delicious, but also helps to revive and detox your body? (Should you need it.)
Bringing one of the world’s most potent super foods to Ibiza all the way from Australia, the Organic Acai team will visit your villa and prepare a nourishing breakfast so epic it will have you weep at the sight of it.
Armed with nutritional knowledge, fresh fair-trade ingredients and a healthy dose of zen, Nicholas Andonakis and Marilena Thomadaki’s Organic Acai team created mouth-watering breakfast bowls for us made with a whole lot of love and restorative nutrients.
We are still dreaming about them now…
For dinner, you can’t beat a chilled poolside BBQ. Simon Johnson and his Cook Ibiza team have the art of mouthwateringly delicious grilled feasts down, combining the freshest local ingredients to create an authentic Ibiza foodie experience.
Whether it’s Cook Ibiza‘s famous barbecue, handmade sausages or even a whole suckling pig, your wish is their command and can be tailored to party size and budget. Innovative dishes like melon gazpacho, roast island tomato tatin and sorbette de hierbas take the traditional BBQ to the next level and with prices starting from as little as 15 Euros per head, it would be rude not to. Right?
Cross the waters
With Ibiza most definitely being one of the most awesome places on Earth, it’s easy to be lazy and spent your whole holiday on the island. But just offshore awaits the breathtaking paradise isle of Formentera, with pure white sands and crystal clear waters to rival the Caribbean. Kate Moss is just one of many A-Listers who love this little gem of an island, so who are we to argue?
To do the beauty of Formentera justice, we strongly recommend you get together a group of friends and set over in style on your very own boat. Smart Charter Ibiza has a selection of different size vessels for any occasion, some complete with water toys like paddle boards and jet skis, Bose speakers to play Balearic deep house anthems and even WiFi. Yes, WiFi!
The crew is always on hand to share their insider knowledge and spoil you with fresh fruit or a crisp glass of wine and they are so friendly and chilled they’ll feel like part of your gang in no time.
After a leisurely stop just off Formentera to go for a swim and play with the gadgets, we set up camp at the beautiful Beso Beach restaurant for a meal of fresh seafood and traditional Spanish fare.
Picked up from our Sunseeker yacht by the eatery’s water taxi service, we were instantly wowed when our captain casually showed off his yoga moves while safely driving us to shore.
Set in the dunes behind the powdery white sands that Formentera is famous for, we fell in love with Beso Beach instantly. The low-key beach hut vibe is perfect for a chilled island lunch while the natural decor adds to the carefree summer atmosphere.
We worked our way through a selection of starters that included Iberico ham and fresh seafood before tucking into a juicy steak platter and traditional Spanish paella, although there are lighter options like salads and fish on the menu, of course.
After whiling away a good few leisurely hours at this beachside oasis, it was time to head back to Ibiza – but not before a last cheeky dip in Formentera’s divine waters.
At the end of the day, our editor Liv felt so blissfully happy she declared, “If I died right now I wouldn’t even mind.”
Yep, that good!
Shop like a local
We have lost count of the amount of times we came to Ibiza and wished we had allocated a bigger budget for shopping. As well as Spanish high street favourites like Zara and international high fashion labels, the island is home to a community of fantastic local designers and boutiques so make sure you make time for a little sartorial adventure!
Tribe met up with style expert Ksenija Rodos, Fashion Director at Style Magazine Ibiza and founder of online shopping guide Dressed In Ibiza. The website features the 80 best fashion addresses on the island by category, so whatever your heart desires you can pick from the cream of the crop and plan your retail therapy down to the last detail.
As well as reporting on the latest fashion events and news on the White Isle, Dressed In Ibiza also shares invaluable style inspiration via their fashion blog and street style galleries to help you create an authentic Ibizan look whatever the occasion.
Ksenija shared some of her favourite shopping addresses with us, explaining, “There are so many wonderful little boutiques here that offer beautiful garments and unique accessories for every budget. It’s really hard to pick my favourite shops but Kurru Kurru is one of them for sexy but elegant party wear.
“Mirage Beachwear is amazing, too – they have very feminine, classically Spanish designs, which I love. And one of the most popular shops on the island for footwear is Hector Riccione, where you can buy the signature slouchy leather boots that Ibiza is famous for in all sorts of colours, with fringing or embellishment.”
Other fashion names to look out for on the island include De Mil Amores, Chérie, Janinne Helbling, Petra Hauser, Emonk, Jaydee Tucker and Ylva Jonsson. And make sure to check back for our upcoming piece on Ibiza’s designer community…
Check out the hottest new places…
Exciting new venues are popping up all over the island and this season the buzz is all about Playa d’en Bossa beach bar and restaurant BEACHOUSE. Overlooking one of the most beautiful parts of the longest stretch of sand on the white isle, it’s the perfect place for a chilled seaside lunch which can easily extend into sundowner cocktails and a dance underneath the setting sun.
With DJs spinning tunes from early afternoon until the stars come out, the bar and beach turn into a melting pot of a cool and beautiful crowd.
Also brand new this season is the stunning La Belle Ibiza in San Rafael, a French eatery with Spanish and Asian influences that offers a gorgeous white-washed indoor area and airy bohemian garden space perfect for dinner and pre-drinks.
We stopped by the oh-so-pretty venue for cocktails and a few cheeky mini desserts, including a to-die-for mini Banoffee pie served in a shot glass and cooling sorbet. Hippy chic at its best!
But don’t forget the icons!
Blue Marlin Ibiza is one of the most famous addresses on the White Isle – and for good reason. The stunning beach restaurant offers the finest in seafood, sushi and mediterrasian cuisine served up either on the gleaming white sands or in the shade of the trees spreading out amongst the wooden decking.
The rich, famous and beautiful pull up on their yachts, which makes for excellent people watching and a fun game of ‘pick a boat’. And when the sun starts to set, perfectly mixed cocktails and Balearic house beats provide the backdrop for unforgettable Ibizan nights.
Another Ibiza institution when it comes to embracing la vida de playa in style is the breezy and beautiful Nassau Beach Club in Playa D’en Bossa. Whether you prefer to have your lunch served in the sun while lounging on one of the comfy bean bags or generous beds on the beach or to seek shade inside the gorgeous indoor restaurant area, you’ll be spoilt for choice with an exciting menu featuring traditional Spanish dishes as well as Japanese cuisine.
After lunch, explore the extensive champagne, wine and cocktail list while relaxed live music or resident DJ Zappi will get you into the mood for a groove on the sands.
Ready to fiesta? The ultra glamorous Ushuaia Beach Hotel is just a quick stroll down the beach and is the perfect location to carry on your night of outdoor partying. With a festival size stage overlooking the huge pool at the heart of the venue, light shows and confetti bombs set the sky alive as you dance the night away.
Following the motto that beats are thicker than blood, the venue’s famous La Familia night sees the return of DJ duo Joris Voorn and Nic Fanciulli for a select number of dates to unite the party crowd in one giant clan.
Relax
With so much temptation on offer on the White Isle it’s hard to resist the many bars, restaurants and clubs and very easy to party on and on and on… However, you might be cheating yourself out of one of the most beautiful experiences in Ibiza.
Agroturismo ATZARÓ is a breathtaking boutique hotel and spa near St Eularia that offers tranquility, peace and relaxation as well as delicious food and indulgent beauty treatments. Set in an ancient orange grove, the traditional Ibizan family home of the owners has been converted into luxury farmhouse accommodation complete with its own on-site restaurant, open air spa and fashion boutique.
The finca is surrounded by lush gardens, two swimming pools and day beds to soak up the sun from, with the striking long basin next to the spa providing the perfect backdrop for the hotel’s fashion events and wedding ceremonies.
If you think it doesn’t get any better than this, wait until you try the beautiful cuisine ATZARÓ’s La Veranda restaurant offers. With produce plucked straight from the hotels own gardens, the menu is based around creating dishes that are healthy and pay tribute to the island’s fragrant flavours and scents.
Whether you’re planning a romantic break with your other half or you’re seeking a bit of girly pampering, instead of pushing it hard until the last second of your trip put aside a day or two to unwind before you head home. Your body and mind will thank you for it!
Drink – don’t drive
Obviously we don’t need to remind you to drink responsibly. But if you have accidentally fallen into yet another delicious cocktail or lost count of the number of glasses of cava you had, you can get the whole gang home safely with Ibiza Transit Express, who offer reliable licensed minibus transfers around the island. Whether it’s a taxi to and from your villa, wedding transport or airport transfers, take the hassle out of tracking down a cab and pre-book online here.
Essential Ibiza is the go-to online resource for anyone wanting further information about the White Island. They provide concierge services, up to the minute Ibiza news and activities and can arrange everything from VIP tables and transport to private catering as well as all disco and club tickets.