If we have one thing to thank the pandemic for (and let's be honest, there's not a lot), it's the fact that it brought new businesses and new people to Ibiza, which has resulted in a fizzing, frenetic energy that makes the island feel more alive than ever.

A growing commitment to agroturismo sees a slew of boutique hotels such as our favourite, Atzaró, offering extreme luxury but operating sustainably and serving farm to table food alongside offering characterful rooms in beautiful houses and fincas. Meanwhile, the new Six Senses hotel is bedding in and setting a fresh standard for environmentally-friendly luxury across the Balearics. The Super Clubs are diversifying with queer friendly nights that attract a mixed crowd of pleasure-seekers and a chic, low-key bar and restaurant scene in villages such as Santa Gertrudis is appealing to those holidaying in Ibiza for the chilled-out vibe more than the DJ line-ups and hen do frivolity.

Wellness trends from light therapy to longevity retreats are now as much a part of island life as yoga and meditation, hiking companies specialise in finding the perfect shot for your Instagram grid and exercise regimes can be tailored to your inner spirit animal if you so wish. But for all of its exciting cultural evolutions, one thing is constant and that’s the sheer beauty of the Ibizan landscape.

ibiza travel guide
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From where to stay to where to eat, here's our list of what not to miss in Ibiza:

What are the best hotels in Ibiza?

As ever, this is completely dependent on what sort of thing you're really looking to get up to. For those that are interested in indulging in some of the famous, and ever more creative night life, with a side of luxury at the end of a very long day, we have a couple of hotels close to the action which might suit you....

1) Six Senses

Opened in July 2021, Six Senses is the highly-anticipated new opening on the island, and it's made a splash in the chicest way possible. This place is all about understated luxury, while absolutely flawless in its attention to detail and customer service. Staying here feels like a deep exhale, or a tall glass of cold water on the hottest day. Located on the peaceful northern tip of the island, the village-like resort fits naturally amid the flora and fauna, as the architecture and décor blend into island life. The property is set over 20 acres, with the most magnificent sea views and direct access to the water from a private rocky alcove. The hotel, with its 116 guest rooms, suites and villas along with its verdant gardens, pools and spa is also the first sustainable BREEAM certified resort in the Balearics.

ibiza travel guide
Six Senses
ibiza travel guide
Six Senses

Spa lovers will be glad to hear that you enter the spa via a sunken staircase that snakes around and under a pool. As well as the usual Hamman, steam room and gym (complete with boxing ring), Six Senses offers ‘longevity programmes’ which combine diagnostics, biohacking, nutrition and beauty treatments.

But for all the focus on wellness, this hotel also knows how to have fun. Sip cocktails in the Pharmacy Bar and dine on delicious fresh fish and an Israeli-inspired veg-heavy menu courtesy of celebrity chef Eyal Shani. For visiting musicians there’s an onsite recording studio attached to one of the suites, while style lovers will enjoy browsing the Six Senses Concept store curated by fashion editors Daniela Agnelli and Tiffanie Darke.

Need we say more?

ibiza travel guide
Six Senses

Rates at Six Senses Ibiza start from £487 per night based on two people sharing including breakfast.

BOOK HERE

2) ME Ibiza

On the east coast of the island, this hotel offers the best of both Ibizas – the chilled out, natural beauty, authentic wellness vibes side, and the dancing til dawn, haute hedonism side. Party hotspot Nikki Beach is adjacent to the property and there’s a great bar called Radio on the rooftop. But if that’s not your thing you can dive into the sea from a direct-access pier, recline on a Balinese bed by the pool or escape the heat with a bone-cracking Thai massage in the spa.

ibiza travel guide
Me Ibiza

ME Ibiza has got to be one of the best value luxury hotels on Ibiza, especially off season. It’s bursting with character from the outré artwork in the reception to the Groucho Marks silent movie projected on the walls of the restaurant. As the sun sets you can’t escape the beautiful views. Dine at Bianco Mare for the kind of fresh, Italian-inspired food you crave after a sun-drenched day. The service here is second to none.

After the enforced closures over Covid lockdowns there’s a sense that all the staff are happy to be back and they will go out of their way to make sure you’re enjoying yourself, from supplying endless cocktails to booking you on to one of Ibiza’s only eco-conscious and sustainable charter boats SAY Carbon Yachts.

ibiza travel guide
Me Ibiza
ibiza travel guide
Me Ibiza

Double rooms start from £330 in high season at ME Ibiza.

BOOK HERE

3) Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel

A word for the agroturismo: in Ibiza, the parties never have to stop. However, if dancing 'til the break of dawn is not necessarily your idea of a good time, there are many more peaceful preoccupations. The island plays host to an array of 'agroturismos', or in other words, stately homes and farms which have been lovingly transformed to receive B&B guests.

Our favourite of them all is Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel, which is to be found inland, north of Santa Eulària. Favourite of the rich and famous, cloistered behind white washed walls, with nine pools, several restaurants and bars, an enormous outdoor spa area and with a dawn chorus of the cutest frog friends, this is the number one place for relaxation, romance and remembering what nature is like at its very best.

Hotel double rooms start from €440 per night but rates increase during peak season. Spa day packages, not inclusive of hotel stay, start from €100.

4) Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay

When life feels hectic and you’re in search of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, never forget that Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay is but a short flight away, and is primed to welcome you with open arms to provide the ultimate rest and relaxation.

Opened in June 2017, the hotel has become the five-star hotel destination on the island, with its 152 designer rooms (90 of which are suites), theth Ibiza Bay Spa by Six Senses, John Frieda hair salon, three restaurants, a gym, and two swimming pools (one adults only, the other for families).

ibiza hotels
NOBU HOTEL IBIZA BAY

On arrival at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, you choose to stay your way, whether it’s days lounging by the pool and nights partying until dawn at world-renowned nightclubs Pacha and Ushuaia, or morning runs along the seafront, lunchtimes spent eating fresh seafood at ‘The Fish Shack’ located on the cliffs of Talamanca (just a 10-minute walk from the hotel), and evenings at the rooftop balcony watching the sun set with a cocktail in hand. The best thing about the hotel is that there are no rules.

Food lovers will be delighted by the delectable choices on offer, too. Mornings begin with breakfast at the sand-carpeted Chambao By the Beach, where guests are treated to a menu consisting of everything, from Donburi Eggs to Traditional USA pancakes, as well as a buffet-style offering of pastries, cakes, fresh fruit, and more. You can choose to tuck into some Nobu sushi on your sun lounger, as you soak up the rays, or dine again at Chambao By the Beach for lunch, and try their flavoured salt-crusted catch of the day, octopus, and Albariño mussels. Of course, the majority of foodies come to the hotel for the evening restaurant, Nobu. Start with Japanese cocktails at the bar (we suggest trying the Japanese Margarita and Jalapeño Ginger martini), before sitting down to an evening of omakase (meaning I'll leave it up to you’ in Japanese), and tickle the tastbuds with a seven-course menu of delicious Japanese cuisine.

nobu hotel ibiza bay
NOBU HOTEL IBIZA BAY
nobu hotel ibiza bay
NOBU HOTEL IBIZA BAY

With the wellbeing of guests always in mind, in October 2023, the hotel is partnering again with on-demand mental health experts, Self Space, to host its very own person growth retreat, Grow Through What You Go Through. Beginning on October 15, the retreat will be hosted with the help of therapist Jodie Cariss, who will help guests explore common 21st Century issues, from burnout to stress.–What are you waiting for?

Rates at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay start at 680euros per night based on two people sharing a Deluxe Room, including breakfast.

BOOK HERE

5) Hotel Can Sastre

If you’re on the search for the best agroturismo boutique hotel on the island, then look no further than Hotel Can Sastre – Ibiza’s best kept secret (until now).

Located within 10 acres of rolling countryside near Santa Gertrudis, Hotel Can Sastre – opened in 2018 by Dutch couple Dutch couple Raymond and Bibi – is a true haven, consisting of a restored old white finca housing five beautiful suites (three casitas and two villa suites), enclosed by citrus groves and palm trees. Each room has been designed with fuss-free luxury and boho vibes, with a Scandi twist, in mind, with plush white soft furnishings, exposed wooden beams, tadelakt showers, wicker baskets, and crochet wall decorations. Better yet, the supreme suite (ideal for newlyweds) features an outdoor bath and hammock, where you can share a bottle of vino under the starlit sky.

hotel can sastre
Hotel Can Sastre

What makes Can Sastre that extra bit special is its eye for detail. Far from a busy hotel filled with guests and staff, the site prioritises catering to a small number of visitors while providing ultimate luxury and discretion. There are in-house chefs serving breakfast, lunch and dinner upon request (wait until you try the delicious açai bowl, served out of carved wood). An unstaffed honesty bar is situated by the pool. The concierge system enables guests to choose VIP treatment, whether it’s cliff diving and massages or yoga and PT sessions. Every moment of your stay at Can Sastre is about creating a space of freedom, luxury, and above all, privacy.

ibiza can sastre
Mark Beijk
hotel can sastre
Hotel Can Sastre

Rates at Hotel Can Sastre start at £486 per night based on two people sharing, including breakfast.

BOOK HERE

What are the best restaurants in Ibiza?

Cala Bonita is in a secluded bay and offers an ever-changing menu of fresh fish and paella which is hand written on a giant blackboard that’s passed from table to table. Be sure to book ahead as despite its out-of-the-way location down a steep dusty tail it’s on every fashionable visitor’s wish list. Top tip: Pack your swimsuit for a post lunch dip – the water here is irresistible.

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A short walk from the lively Eivissa port in Ibiza Town, Japanese restaurant Izakaya has potentially the best sushi on the island – which is saying something as it’s everywhere. But it also has the most incredible cocktails. Try their twists on classics like the watermelon martini or the Japanese mule as you dine around their emerald pool. Make sure to pair your drink with their melt-in-your-mouth wagyu and foie gras gyoza. As for the crowd - if there was ever a night for heels, it’s this one. On Saturdays there’s dancing at the tables, but on weekdays prepare for more of a relaxed vibe.

With a menu created in collaboration with Pharrell Williams (yes, really), El Silencio brings you dinner with an epic coastal view. Located in a serene cove in the lesser-known area of Cali Moli (a big hitter in the 1970s), El Silencio is the new beach house brought to you by iconic Paris club Silencio. Marketed as the 'hangout for global creatives' you can expect to see the Soho House lot here tanning by the pool, co-working in the chill out area or attending one of the many pop-ups in their ever-changing cultural programmes. For the art-lovers, there's an immersive large-scale octopus art installation by Ibiza based artist, Miranda Makaroff that you cannot miss. (No, seriously, it’s ginormous.)

What are the best beach clubs in Ibiza?

If you’re willing to splash the cash, Cotton Beach Club brings Mykonos-style luxury with it’s all-white furnishings and famous champagne lunch. The tuna tartare and grilled octopus is a must-eat and for drinks, it offers one of the most extensive wine and cocktail lists on the island. A live band will be blaring so it’s best to come with a party attitude.

For a post lunch snooze with the sound of the ocean lapping at the shore, head down to the beach where you can lounge on the double sunbeds with your own bar metres away. Book beforehand to make sure you don’t miss out.

If you’re looking for a more bohemian experience, Aiyanna is laid-back luxury, brought to you by the team behind Amante. It’s a little more playful and rustic than its sister beach club, situated in a tranquil location overlooking Cala Nova bay.

Aiyanna's restaurant won the White Ibiza Best New Restaurant award back in 2017 and serves the best of Eastern Mediterranean. Expect organic, seasonal produce grown on the site's garden in dishes like mezze sharing platters and superfood salads. Vegans and vegetarians are well-catered for, but there's plenty for the meat eaters with a conscious – think ethically-reared and sourced seafood and meat like Spanish black rice with cuttlefish and fried squid. Make sure to look up their daily wellness programme which includes morning yoga, too.

Where will you find the wildest party crowd in Ibiza?

Definitely at a villa after party. Nothing quite beats those spontaneous hedonistic atmospheres - that's where things get extra weird and wonderful.

Head to world-famous Pikes – the club where Freddie Mercury had his infamous birthday party and the location of the ‘Club Tropicana’ music video – to meet people in the know.

Where is the best place for sunset cocktails in Ibiza?

Think San Antonio is all Irish pubs and English boozers? Amare Beach Hotel proves otherwise, providing some serene adults-only glamour to the clubbing mecca. Relax by the pool and press a buzzer for your drinks service – no moving required – and enjoy live saxophone performances daily.

For sunset cocktails, the panoramic views on the rooftop are second to none. Restaurant Hayaca serves the best Latin American cuisine, from Colombia style chipá with suero and hogao (cheesy bread with a traditional sauce) to fried plantain with prawn mayonnaise.

ibiza travel guide
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Alternatively, head to Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay's Rooftop for its Summer Series, and watch the sun set over Dalt Vila with a mojito in hand. The events, which launched this summer, involved Bay Unplugged live music nights every Thursday; DJ sets every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and Self Sundays (think sound baths, sunset yoga, and crystal sessions).

Where's the best place to see the sunset in Ibiza?

The solar clock 'time & space' sculpture at the cliffs of Cala Llentia. Guy Laliberte (the Cirque du Soleil founder) commissioned the brilliant Australian artist Andrew Rogers to build this incredible piece of art back in 2014. It's a great spot to watch the sun go down.

ibiza travel guide
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However, ask anyone on the island for their recommendation and they'll undoubtedly point you towards Hostal La Torre.

Located in the countryside of San Antonio, the restaurant is located on the side of a cliff, overlooking Conejera Island, and provides undoubtedly the best sunset view of the Mediterranean. We suggest booking a table on the main terrace so that you get uninterrupted 180-degree views (and more), and double check what time the sun will set so that you have time to get a round of cocktails in (go for the Tommy’s Margarita) in before the magical moment. Diners may even have the chance to spot Elon Musk’s Starlight make its way across the sky during dinner.

hostal la torre
Angel Camarena

Fortunately, the food doesn’t disappointed at La Torre either. A visit to the restaurant won’t be completed without an order of mushroom and blue cheese croquettes, and fresh garlic prawns with guajillo, followed by chicken thighs and yoghurt, and gilled octopus.

Where's the best place for a rainy day?

The village of Santa Gertrudis is a more chilled out place for a potter than the old town. There are beautiful interiors shops you can while away an afternoon browsing in. Meanwhile, No. 74 L’atelier is a concept store-slash-restaurant that offers you a canvas to paint while you wait for your food. It also runs craft classes and is the perfect place to shelter from a rainy day.

Where are the best views in Ibiza?

Atlantis is the island's secret 'mythical' cove. You have to work to get there, but once you've arrived, it's totally worth it. The place offers you a glimpse back in time, before the clubbing scene developed. If you want a truly authentic look into the hippy lifestyle, and what Ibiza used to be like, definitely head here.

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Natasha Bird
Former Digital Executive Editor

Natasha Bird is the Former Executive Editor (Digital) of ELLE.