Weekend in Ibiza

Dinah Alonso-Wilkes on 29 January 2017
If someone had said to me last year that I would be going to Ibiza, to see my daughter working there, and that I would fall in love with the island, I admit that I would have laughed at them! Me...in Ibiza, well I would have said they must be joking!

Like many people, I had an image of Ibiza and its reputation for clubbing and parties. Yet, what if I said to you there is a whole other side to the island - one of traditional Spanish villages, hidden beaches and mountainside walks where you'll never see another person for miles? Would you believe me?

I gave myself three days in Ibiza, not too long but enough time to have some much needed mother-daughter time! My daughter was pretty keen to show me the whole island and therefore my idea of relaxing with my feet up and cocktail in hand seemed like a far off dream!

My daughter was living in Puerto de San Miguel, probably the smallest resort on the whole island, with 5 hotels, 3 shops, 3 bars and one beautiful beach. You could easily relax here for a few days in your own bubble...if your daughter allowed you to!

Further north, which becomes the most northern point on the island, is the small resort of Portinatx, much like San Miguel but stretched over three different beaches. The road to Portinatx twisted through the hillsides and down along the coast giving you glimpses of the Mediterranean! Portinatxs' claim to fame is that it is home to the largest lighthouse in the Balearics, and the walk along the rocky hillside is an activity I would highly recommend!

You have two incredible areas of the island to see the sunset off the beaten track. You could go to the south, with the backdrop of Es Vedra, where legend says it is the opening of Atlantis. Or, in the north, you have Benirras beach, which on a Sunday comes alive with hippies playing the drums celebrating the going down of the sun.

Ibiza Town is the heart of Ibiza and it somehow blends perfectly the old history of Ibiza, the wilder side, the family side but also the more upmarket side. All of these sides have a part to play to make Ibiza Town special. The best time to go was way past my bedtime but I was told by my daughter that it would be worth the tiredness in the morning - and she was right. Wow, was she right! In the centre of the bay you can walk along the multimillion pound yachts, have a cocktail in one of the secluded bars, have a family meal in one of hundreds of restaurants or walk up Dalt Villa to the old narrow streets and majestic cathedral.

I could go on and on and on about the other areas of Ibiza. There’s Santa Gertrudis de fruitera, where the Spanish locals come to from all over the island to sample the local jamon and chorizo. There’s Cala Sant Vincente, one of the most hidden beaches in Ibiza and definitely home to the best burgers on the island! Or even the bigger towns like Santa Eulalia where the beaches are designed for families and have disabled access straight into the sea. And, the shoe shops are fabulous! There is so much packed into this little island and so much to tell you about. I have only really scratched the surface in this blog but if you want to find a hidden gem or a holiday that will have surprises around every corner don't hesitate to call me to find out more about Ibiza!