It may have some of the world’s best nightclubs, but there’s far more to Ibiza than its reputation as a haven for clubbers.
A beautiful coastline, cool bars, stylish beach clubs and excellent restaurants all equate to one of the chicest holiday destinations in Europe. Read our Ibiza travel guide for our pick of the venues to visit on the White Isle.
Nikki Beach
Started in 1998, Nikki Beach now has strategic outposts across the world to capture the international jetset at every possible vacation (St Tropez, St Barths, Miami…) – the latest addition being Ibiza, which opened in July this year.
Based in Santa Eulalia on Ibiza’s East Coast, Nikki Beach’s signature all white sleek design fits right in with Ibiza’s love of stylish, exclusive beach clubs.
With both an indoor and outdoor restaurant, there are plenty of dining options – I recommend the sushi menu as Nikki Beach is known for its sushi – but if you can’t muster enough energy to leave your sprawling day bed, excellent service staff will bring everything to you so you barely have to lift your head.
Despite the two restaurants, swimming pool and beach area, Nikki Beach actually feels rather intimate, which is a nice change from some of the larger alternatives on the island.
Whether you want to face the pool area and the glamorous crowd or the glorious views of the sea in front of you, there are comfortable sun loungers and daybeds to soak up the Ibizan vibes.
ECC Beach
Another new opening to hit Ibiza this season is ECC Beach, from the team behind the Experimental Cocktail Club in London and Paris.
Located on Las Salinas, ECC Beach offers all day dining, sun lounging and, of course, cocktails. Whitewashed woods and light colours give ECC Beach a stylish beach shack vibe, which comes into itself at sunset and beyond.
Destino Ibiza
A new addition in 2013 to Pacha’s ever-expanding empire, Destino is a new style of hotel for Ibiza – a chic oasis that places style, comfort and luxury alongside the odd bit of debauchery.
The gorgeous lobby leads on one side to a stylish restaurant or directly on to face the large swimming pool with loungers, day beds, a Jacuzzi and a couple of bars. Ibiza isn’t well known for its luxury hotels, but Destino might well change that.
El Chringuito
One of my favourite places to spend the day in Ibiza, El Chiringuito focuses on the food and the rest just falls into place. Despite a large open restaurant area, I prefer to sit on the lounging seats facing the sea, enjoying lunch with my feet in the sand.
While it’s not my favourite beach, Es Cavallet is in no doubt beautiful, and you may even spot the odd nudist. A mix of stylish interiors, excellent food and an effortlessly cool atmosphere make El Chiringuito the place to be.
Jockey Club
A more casual alternative for lunch on Ibiza, Jockey Club celebrated its 20th year on Las Salinas beach this year. Less style conscious and sceney than most of the top beach restaurants, Jockey Club is an Ibiza institution that should be on everyone’s hit list.
While there are a number of sun loungers on the beach, Jockey Club is all about the restaurant, but bring your towel and fight for a coveted place on the sand after lunch.
Blue Marlin
Surely the most ‘sceney’ of all of Ibiza’s hotspots, Blue Marlin offers everything in one open air decked area – part restaurant (a very good one too), part beach club, part VIP all day drinking and outdoor clubbing.
Be sure to pack your skimpiest bikini, biggest sunglasses and revel in your glamorous surroundings.
KM5
Every time we visit Ibiza, KM5 is first on the list – an excellent restaurant flows into a large alfresco drinking venue where you can enjoy the party scene from a more relaxed setting on your own seating area with table service. For the more hardcore, there’s an indoor club area for some serious dancing.
Can Domingo
In a beautiful setting in a converted farmhouse, Can Domingo feels a world away from the beach clubs and sceney restaurants, which is its biggest strength. Sitting alfresco surrounded by wild flowers and olive trees is an idyllic setting to enjoy the Italian menu.
There’s still time to visit Ibiza this year – Nikki Beach’s season closing party, The Red Party is on Sunday 6 October – tickets start from €50 per person, including a complimentary drink upon arrival.
If you would like Bon Vivant Travel to book your next trip to Ibiza with access to perks and benefits like free upgrades, complimentary breakfast, late check-out and VIP amenities, get in touch now!
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