What to do in Ibiza: coves, Dalt Vila, the north of the island, and sunsets

Ibiza is often reduced to its clubs. That is forgetting the rest: a fortified old town classified by UNESCO, turquoise coves at the foot of cliffs, a north covered in pine trees and white villages where people come for the market on Sundays. You know the party scene. This guide covers everything that happens before noon and at sunset, which is also what inspired the Beauséjour Ibiza collection. What to do in Ibiza when you’re not (only) here to dance? Here are our recommendations, straight up.

Hours and opening times vary by season: check before you go.

What to do in Ibiza: Dalt Vila and the Old Town

Dalt Vila — the upper town, behind the ramparts

You enter through the Portal de ses Taules, a stone drawbridge with Roman statues on either side, then you climb. The 16th-century ramparts surround the entire upper town, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the seagrass in the bay. Go up in the late afternoon: the stone takes on a honeyed hue and the port lights up below.

Santa Maria Cathedral — at the very top

At the summit of Dalt Vila, in the cathedral square. The interior is sober, the view from the forecourt is not: the sea, the port, Formentera on a clear day. It is the highest point of the old town; catch your breath on the low wall.

MACE — contemporary art within the ramparts

The Museu d'Art Contemporani d'Eivissa occupies a former military building in the upper town. It features a collection of artists who have visited the island since the 1950s, plus temporary exhibitions. Small, cool, and perfect for when the sun is too intense for the narrow streets.

La Marina — the port district

At the foot of Dalt Vila lie the narrow streets of the former fishermen, shops, and terraces. In the evening, this is where the town comes alive before dinner. During the day, you pass through it to reach the port, where boats depart for Formentera.

The coves, on the west and north sides

Cala d'Hort — facing Es Vedrà

In the southwest, a small pebble and sand beach facing Es Vedrà, the nearly 400-meter rock emerging from the sea. Today, this is the best place to see it: the viewpoint above, near the Torre des Savinar, has been closed to the public due to overcrowding. Watching the sunset from the beach is more than enough.

Cala Comte — the clearest water on the island

To the west, near Sant Josep. Tongues of sand, flat rocks, and water that shifts from green to deep blue within ten meters. Park early, the parking fills up fast. In the evening, everyone turns toward the horizon for the sunset.

Cala Salada — the cove with the fisherman's huts

North of Sant Antoni. Pines right down to the water, boat sheds carved into the rock, and its little sister, Cala Saladeta, a few minutes' walk away. In 2026, car access is restricted from May 1 to October 15: once the parking lot is full, you leave your car behind. Use the bus from Sant Antoni or a boat from the port, or take the marked walking path from the first parking area.

The north of the island, far from the clubs

Sant Joan Market — Sundays, year-round

On the square and in the streets of Sant Joan de Labritja. Artisans, ceramics, glass, local products, live music. It stays open in winter, with fewer crowds and more time to chat with the exhibitors. This is the Ibiza of the people who live here.

Las Dalias — the hippie market in Sant Carles

Born from the Ibiza of the 60s, it takes place on Saturdays almost all year round (closed in January). Clothing, jewelry, bric-à-brac, and longer hours in summer. During the summer, a night market takes over on certain weeknights. Go in the morning, before the heat sets in.

Benirràs — the sunset of the north

A cove enclosed between two pine-covered hills, with a finger-shaped rock in the middle of the bay. The Sunday drums that made it legendary have been regulated due to the crowds: don't come for them. Come for the light. The parking lot is small and fills up quickly at the end of the day.

Santa Gertrudis — the village at the center of it all

In the middle of the island, there's a square, a white church, terraces, and interior design shops. Stop by here between two northern coves for a coffee or a ham sandwich in the shade.

Where to eat in Ibiza

Es Boldado — Es Vedrà right in front of your plate

Above Cala d'Hort, at the end of a path. Fish, rice dishes, and paellas, with the rock of Es Vedrà perfectly framed. The address is listed in the Michelin Guide. Go for the view as much as the meal: reserve a table for sunset.

Can Pilot — the grill in Sant Rafel

On the road from Ibiza to Sant Antoni, in Sant Rafel. An asador: wood-grilled meats, generous portions, a family atmosphere. A real break after a day at the coves, far from the menus designed for tourists.

Juan y Andrea — toes in the sand in Formentera

On the beach of Ses Illetes, in Formentera. Fish and seafood facing water that looks like the Caribbean. Reservations are essential in season. Combine this with the morning ferry; see below.

Sunsets and excursions

Café del Mar — the historic sunset

Carrer de Lepant, in Sant Antoni. Open since 1980, it turned having an aperitif facing the setting sun into a ritual. It’s crowded and famous, but the bay of Sant Antoni at sunset remains a genuine moment. Arrive an hour early.

Sunset Ashram — on the rocks of Cala Comte

Above Cala Comte, on a cliffside terrace. You can eat here too, but most come for the golden hour with the islets in silhouette. Book in advance during high season.

Formentera — the day trip by boat

Ferries depart from the port of Ibiza for La Savina, taking about half an hour. Once there, rent a bike or scooter, then head to Ses Illetes and its strip of sand between two seas. Take the first boat in the morning and the last one in the evening: you will have seen the whole island.

A typical day in Ibiza

• 9:00 AM: coffee in the square of Santa Gertrudis.
• 10:30 AM: swimming at Cala Salada, before the boats arrive.
• 1:30 PM: grilled lunch at Can Pilot, in Sant Rafel.
• 4:00 PM: walk around Dalt Vila, up to the cathedral, then the MACE.
• 7:30 PM: sunset at Cala d'Hort, facing Es Vedrà.
• 9:00 PM: dinner at Es Boldado, booked in advance.

Practical questions

What is the best time to visit Ibiza?

May-June and September: warm sea, soft light, and an island less crowded than in July-August. Early October still works well for the coves, but beach restaurants and clubs slowly start closing. In winter, the island is quiet, the Sant Joan and Las Dalias markets continue, and Dalt Vila is all yours.

How many days for a weekend in Ibiza?

Three days for Dalt Vila, the western coves, and the north. Four or five if you include a day in Formentera. For a weekend, choose one side of the island and stick to it.

How to get around in Ibiza?

A car or a scooter, frankly. The bus network connects the main towns and some beaches, but the northern coves and Cala d'Hort are much easier by car. For schedules and the agenda, the official Ibiza tourism website is kept up to date.

Bring Ibiza home with you

You’ll have photographed the sunset over Es Vedrà forty times. None will quite do it justice. A t-shirt, however, can be pulled out on a Thursday in November to transport you right back to the rocks of Cala Comte. That is the whole point of wear your memories. The Beauséjour Ibiza collection offers t-shirts and hoodies, for both men and women.

For the story behind these pieces, read our article on the Beauséjour Ibiza collection and the one on our Ibiza t-shirts. And if the Mediterranean has left you wanting more, our guide to where to go out in Biarritz takes over on the Atlantic side.