Sometimes I think the Balearic Islands exist to show us what paradise would look like if it had an earthly address. I thought this while I was still exploring Mallorca, and now, as I turn my attention to Ibiza, I am no less convinced of it.
Before it became synonymous with superclubs, endless summer nights and DJ sets that last until morning, Ibiza was a refuge for artists, musicians and anyone seeking a different way of life on the Mediterranean. It was precisely this Ibiza, raw, free and slightly surreal, that Barbet Schroeder captured in the cult 1969 film More, with a soundtrack by Pink Floyd. The island is different today, but its magnetism remains. Between villages bathed in golden sunlight, pine forests that offer just the right amount of shade, hidden coves whose whereabouts you never have to reveal, and world-renowned restaurants and clubs, there is still a sense that life here unfolds according to its own rules. Perhaps that is why the words filmmaker Arnaud Lemort heard from one of the island’s residents ring so true: “You don’t choose Ibiza, Ibiza chooses you.”
Povezano: 8 novih restorana zbog kojih vrijedi ponovno otkriti Rim i posjetiti ga krajem ljeta
Can Garita, Ibiza
When is the best time to visit Ibiza?
The best time to visit Ibiza is June or September, when the weather is warm, the sea is pleasant and the crowds are smaller than at the height of the season. September is an especially good choice because the island is still buzzing, including its clubs and closing parties, but the atmosphere is more relaxed. June brings a lively season, long sunny days and ideal conditions for combining beaches, restaurants and nightlife. For a quieter experience of the island, May and early October are excellent, with fewer tourists and more pleasant conditions for exploring the interior. If you want to experience Ibiza at its best balance of summer, sea, gastronomy and atmosphere, the second half of September is a great choice, which happens to be right around now.
To get to know Ibiza properly and up close, I asked local creatives to share their advice on the best places across the island.
Sarah Succo Torres, curator
Before moving to Ibiza, the Belgian curator and contemporary art gallerist worked at galleries in Paris, Brussels and New York, including Perrotin. In 2023, she launched the Can Garita exhibition space in Ibiza and, that same year, began organising Las Cicadas Art Residency, an artist residency that brings together international artists and connects them with the local scene.
Sarah Suco Torres
Coffee with a view: Los Enamorados
Address: 103 Calle de Portinatx, 07810 Portinatx
Los Enamorados, because it is so peaceful there and the view is incredible. I know everyone loves it for sunset, but I would really recommend experiencing it in the morning. The atmosphere is magical.
Lunch spot: Juntos Deli
Address: Can Serreta, EI-400, 9, local 2, 07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera
I am usually on the go at lunchtime, so I like stopping by Juntos Deli for their delicious food. Everything is fresh and healthy, but most importantly, it is genuinely tasty.
Dinner spot: Chiringuito Cala Xuclar
Address: Ctra. Portinatx km 26.4, 07810 Portinatx (Sant Joan de Labritja)
I love it because it is intimate and charming, and the food is delicious. And, of course, the view is spectacular. It is one of those places where you can truly slow down and enjoy being on the island.
A glass of wine or a cocktail: Salón, San Miguel
Address: Calle de la Iglesia, 10, 07815 Sant Miquel de Balansat
Although I am from Brussels, I am definitely a wine lover, so I love Salón San Miguel. It sits at the top of a hill in San Miguel, near the church, and I particularly love the little staircase you have to climb to reach it. It is intimate and never feels too crowded, while its selection of natural wines is especially well curated.
Concerts or clubbing: Teatro Pereyra
Address: Carrer del Comte de Rosselló, 3, 07800 Eivissa
This is a difficult question because I rarely go clubbing or to concerts. But I love the recently renovated Teatro Pereira, which has an excellent programme of music, theatre and performance. It is a beautiful place to experience culture in the heart of Ibiza.
Favourite gallery or museum: MACE
Address: Ronda de Narcís Puget, s/n, 07800 Eivissa
My favourite question! I love visiting MACE (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Eivissa), which has an excellent permanent collection featuring works by historic artists who spent time on the island, alongside international temporary exhibitions. It is a wonderful place to discover Ibiza through its artistic history.
Favourite local art space: Fundación Ses12Naus
Address: Carrer Riu Arno, 58, 07800 Ibiza
I would definitely recommend Fundación Ses12Naus, which brings together exhibitions, talks and artist residencies. I like the way it supports contemporary art while remaining strongly connected to the local context and the island itself.
Elena Noguera Wilson, founder of Bartblanc
Elena Noguera Wilson’s handmade objects blend island tradition with contemporary design, with ceramics serving as her medium of expression. Having grown up in Ibiza, her work naturally reflects the combination of Mediterranean heritage and the island’s cosmopolitan spirit.
Elena Noguera Wilson, Bartblanc Studio
Morning coffee with a view: Cappuccino and Bar Anita
Address: Passeig Joan Carles I, 20, 07800 Eivissa / Lugar Barri San Carlos, s/n, Islas, Calle Venda de Peralta, 21, 07850 Sant Carles de Peralta
It is easy to find places with great views in Ibiza. But for me, nothing beats the view of the old town. Morning coffee at Cappuccino might offer one of the best vantage points. As the boats enter and leave the harbour, it feels truly special. Since I now live in the north, it is a little too far for breakfast, so I like Bar Anita in San Carlos, right next to the old church. It is a classic, and the local style makes for entertaining people-watching too.
Lunch spot: Es Fumeral
Address: Playa, Av. Cala Nova, s/n, 07849 Ibiza
The best lunch ever is at Es Fumeral. If you cannot make it for lunch, at least stop by for a drink. This place has a breathtaking view.
Dinner spot: Can Pau and Can Balafia
Address: Can Pau; Carretera de Sant Miquel, km 2.9, 07814 Ibiza / Can Balafia; Sant Llorenç de Balàfia, 07812 Ibiza
I have two favourite places for dinner. The first is Can Pau, with its beautiful terrace in summer and fireside dinners in winter. The atmosphere is so cosy and warm. My second choice for a summer dinner would be Can Balafia.
Favourite art space: Ses Dotze Naus
Address: Carrer Riu Arno, 58, 07800 Ibiza
My favourite art space is definitely Ses Dotze Naus. What they present there is always unexpected. It is art and so much more. It is always fun. Visits are available by appointment.
Ceramics: Bonnie’s and Caliu Ceramic Studio
Address: Bonnie’s Studio; Avinguda Punta Arabí, 65, 07849 Es Canar / Caliu Ceràmic; Carrer del Canari, 65, 07819 Jesús
I always recommend Bonnie’s as the first place to get acquainted with clay. I think they are excellent at teaching the basics while encouraging creativity and allowing your inner artist to come through. Caliu Ceramic Studio, meanwhile, offers specific workshops, including one where you collect clay yourself on the island, and teaches a more organic approach.
Charlotte de Lantsheere, founder of Charlotte Ceramics
Charlotte de Lantsheere is a Belgian ceramicist who has turned Ibiza into her creative inspiration. Her handmade vessels, cups and sculptural pieces draw on the irregular forms of the island’s landscape, its earthy tones and the colours of the sea. After ten years in the fashion industry, she turned ceramics into a profession and now works between her studio in San Mateo and Belgium, collaborating with restaurants, designers and other creatives.
Charlotte Ceramics, photo: Eric Ceccarini
A good local souvenir: Del Tempels Jewellery
Address: Plaça d’Espanya, 7, 07810 Sant Joan de Labritja
I am a huge fan of Delphine Tempels’ jewellery. Her pieces are handmade and have a very personal, artistic quality, often inspired by nature and the spirit of Ibiza. I especially love the textures and organic feel of her work. It feels as though you are taking a little piece of the island home with you, rather than simply buying a souvenir.
Local crafts and gifts: Dario Bomé
Address: Calle de la Iglesia, 10, 07815 Sant Miquel de Balansat
I also love Dario Bomé’s shop in San Miguel. It is one of my favourite places to find beautiful handmade leather goods, bags, jewellery, belts and textiles. I often go there when I am looking for a gift, although I must admit that I frequently end up finding something for myself too. It is the kind of place where every object feels carefully chosen.
Dario Bomé
Breakfast and a gourmet morning: Chez Bibi von Bakery
Address: Carrer Venda de Fruitera, 4, 07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera
I love starting the day with good coffee and a perfect French croissant at Chez Bibi von Bakery in Santa Gertrudis. Their terrace is beautifully positioned for a slow morning in the sun, and they also have a delicious selection of homemade sourdough bread. For me, it is one of those simple pleasures of Ibiza: good coffee, good bread and no reason to rush.
Lunch or brunch: La Paloma
Address: Carrer Can Pou, 4, 07812 Sant Llorenç de Balàfia
I love the garden and the fresh, healthy Mediterranean food at La Paloma. It is one of my favourite places to meet friends, have lunch and talk for hours. Surrounded by greenery and beautiful orange trees, the setting immediately slows you down. It is one of those places where lunch can very easily turn into an entire afternoon.
Lunch by the sea: S’Illot des Rencli
Address: Carretera Vénda de Portinatx, km 25,300, 07810 Ibiza
When I feel like eating by the sea, I love going to S’Illot des Rencli and sharing a portion of grilled fish. The view is one of my favourites on the island, and the atmosphere feels beautifully simple and authentic. It is also my little secret spot for combining lunch with a swim afterwards, one of my favourite ways to spend a perfect afternoon in Ibiza.
Where to have dinner: Juntos House
Address: Camí des Pla, s/n, 07816 Sant Mateu d’Albarca, Ibiza
I have always loved the atmosphere in the north of the island, and Juntos House perfectly captures that feeling. Set in a beautiful old traditional finca, it has a lovely terrace and garden, as well as a relaxed yet considered atmosphere. What I particularly appreciate is its connection to the land. Much of the menu follows the rhythm of the seasons and is based on ingredients grown on their own farm or sourced from trusted local producers. After dinner, I also like taking the time to browse their shop, which brings together ceramics, textiles, jewellery and objects connected to the island.
A glass of wine or a cocktail: Los Enamorados
Ctra. Vénda de Portinatx, 103, 07810 Portinatx
For a sunset cocktail, I love Los Enamorados in Portinatx. It is one of those places that perfectly combines everything I love about Ibiza: a beautiful view, good music, a relaxed atmosphere and a strong sense of style. Pierre and Rozé have created a very personal world there, including a shop filled with fashion and vintage treasures sourced from around the globe. It is the perfect place for cocktails and tapas at sunset, and you can easily stay for dinner once the sun goes down.
Favourite local art and design event: CAN Art Fair
Address: Ctra. d’Eivissa a Sant Antoni, 07800 Eivissa
Ibiza’s art scene has become increasingly interesting and sophisticated over the years, and I love discovering how it continues to evolve. CAN Art Fair, held every year around June, has become one of my favourite moments on the island’s cultural calendar. I particularly appreciate the well-curated international galleries and the opportunity to discover contemporary artists in Ibiza’s unique setting. It brings a truly exciting energy to the island.
Favourite place for art: Espacio Micus
Address: Carretera Jesús, km 3, 07849 Cala Llonga
On Sundays, I love going to Espacio Micus, which is run by Katja Micus, the daughter of artist Eduard Micus. The space itself is worth a visit. The finca’s architecture strongly evokes the modernist spirit of Josep Lluís Sert and bears the influence of the Bauhaus school, creating a beautiful dialogue between art, architecture and the surrounding landscape. They regularly present interesting and talented artists, and I was especially pleased to discover the work of painter Linda Bialas and photographer Chico Bialas. The space feels intimate, personal and deeply connected to Ibiza’s artistic history.
Favourite place for architecture and design: Casa Broner
Address: Travessia/Carreró de Sa Penya, 15, 07800 Eivissa
Casa Broner, in Dalt Vila, is one of Ibiza’s most unique architectural and cultural spaces. Designed in 1960 by artist and architect Erwin Broner, the house is a fascinating example of the dialogue between traditional island architecture and the modernist rationalism associated with the Bauhaus movement. What I particularly love is that the house still preserves Broner’s original furniture and personal belongings, as well as sketches, paintings and photographs documenting his work and life on the island. For anyone interested in architecture, design and Ibiza’s creative history, it is an essential visit.
CAN Art Fair, Ibiza
Jurjen van Hulzen, founder of Ibiza Interiors
Jurjen van Hulzen has lived in Ibiza for eleven years and is the founder of the Ibiza Interiors studio. He is fortunate to experience two quite different sides of the island every day: he has a finca in San Lorenzo, in Ibiza’s interior, and a house in Santa Gertrudis. “I really love that contrast. San Lorenzo offers the quieter, rural side of Ibiza, while Santa Gertrudis feels more like a small town and, for me, is one of the loveliest places on the island to live year-round. More and more interesting restaurants, bars and creative spaces are opening, while outside the summer season it still feels like a real, close-knit community.”
Jurjen van Hulzen, Ibiza Interiors
Morning coffee and breakfast: La Vanda
Address: Carrer de Ses Feixes, 32, 07800 Eivissa
I think La Vanda serves some of the best coffee on the island. Playa Talamanca can obviously get quite busy and touristy, but it feels completely different early in the morning. If you go around sunrise, the light and the colour of the sea are beautiful, and everything is still very peaceful. Breakfast is simple but genuinely good: avocado toast, scrambled eggs, fresh juice and good coffee are usually enough for me. It is not really a part of Ibiza where I normally spend much time, so whenever I am there early in the morning, I get the unusual feeling that I am on holiday myself.
Lunch spot: Can Guimo
Address: Lugar Venda de Safragell, 68, 07812 Sant Joan de Labritja
Can Guimo is a very simple, understated roadside place, but it has one of those atmospheres that make Ibiza special all year round. The food is fresh and healthy, but for me the place and the people are really the most important part. You always encounter a great mix of interesting locals and people who live in the north of the island, so it has naturally become something of a gathering place for that community. It is very close to my Ibiza Interiors studio, so I go there often, and Esteban, the owner, is genuinely a wonderful person. It is one of those places that remind me why life in Ibiza outside the summer season is so special.
Dinner spot: Cami de Balafia
Address: Lugar Venda de Balafia de Dalt, 25, 07812 Sant Llorenç de Balàfia
Ibiza has an incredible number of great restaurants, including plenty of high-end places where you can eat exceptionally well. But I am usually more drawn to the less obvious places that are not quite so geared towards the summer crowds. Balafia is a very simple, traditional Ibizan grill restaurant with a very small menu. You choose your grilled meat, and it is served with an incredibly simple tomato salad and fried potatoes. Many of the people who work there have been there for decades, and the owner still handwrites the restaurant’s name on the napkins every day. I love details like that. Nothing about the place feels forced. It feels authentic, understated and entirely itself.
Cocktail spot: Salón, San Miguel
Address: Calle de la Iglesia, 10, 07815 Sant Miquel de Balansat
I am not much of a drinker, but if I do have a cocktail, I usually choose a good mezcalita or a spicy margarita. I have always loved Mexico, and Salón brings a little of that atmosphere to the north of Ibiza. It is small, relaxed and attracts a great crowd. Sometimes the evenings turn into a little party when they bring in DJs, but the place still remains intimate and informal. The service can occasionally be charmingly chaotic, but everyone is incredibly friendly, and the food is genuinely good too, especially the tacos. For me, the atmosphere matters much more than going somewhere simply because it is famous for cocktails.
Art and design: Galerie Soleille and Estudio Laterna
Address: Poligono Ca Na Negreta, km 5, Carr. Sta. Eulària, 336-1, 07819 Ibiza / Carrer Vénda de Parada, 12, 07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera
I think Ibiza’s art and design scene is becoming much more interesting at the moment. Galerie Soleille is one of the places that has truly helped bring a stronger combination of contemporary art and design to the island. They organise events and exhibitions, and I think spaces like this are important because that cultural layer was far less present here in the past. I also really love Estudio Laterna in Santa Gertrudis. They operate in a slightly different world, but similarly combine design, exhibitions and cultural events, contributing greatly to the island’s creative community. It is something I am personally very excited about too. At Ibiza Interiors, we recently opened part of our warehouse as an exhibition and event space. We organised our first exhibition there last winter, and the idea is to use it increasingly for art, design and cultural events. I feel that Ibiza’s creative scene is developing beyond what the island is traditionally known for, and it is exciting to be part of that.
Most beautiful sunset: northern Ibiza
For sunset, I prefer the north of the island. There are still a few small coves there that I am somewhat reluctant to reveal, which is probably part of what makes them special. S’Illot des Renclí is one of my favourite places to swim and stay until the end of the day. It is very understated and simple, and there are other little coves along the northern coast that require a little more effort to reach.
Even in the middle of August, you can sometimes find yourself almost completely alone. Bring a bottle of wine, swim and stay until sunset, and suddenly you experience a side of Ibiza that has become quite rare elsewhere on the island.
Most beautiful village on the island: Santa Gertrudis
If I had to recommend one area where you should spend some time, beyond all these individual places, it would probably be Santa Gertrudis. For me, it is one of the places where Ibiza works especially well all year round. It has a real community, while increasingly better restaurants and interesting places continue to open. Can Can is great for drinks, Macao is a beautiful restaurant, and Il Buco is fantastic.
Sabrina Sari, founder of Archive Closet
Sabrina Sari, founder of Archive Closet, a vintage fashion concept in Ibiza, brings together carefully selected pieces with character. Born from her connection to Paris and her love of fashion, Archive Closet is now her personal perspective on style, the past and timeless pieces.
Morning coffee with a view: Wild Beets
Address: C. Venda de Llatzer, 9, 07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera
Honestly, I most enjoy having breakfast at home, on the terrace of my house in Ibiza’s interior. I love starting the day slowly, surrounded by nature. If I do go out for breakfast, Wild Beets is my first choice. It does not have a view, but they serve the best healthy breakfast on the island.
Lunch spot: Juntos Deli and Nudo
Address: Can Serreta, EI-400, 9, local 2, 07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera / Carrer de la Mar Mediterrània, 25, 07829 Port des Torrent
My favourite way to have lunch, especially when the island fills up, is to get takeaway from Juntos Deli and head out by boat in search of a peaceful cove. If I do go to a restaurant, I love Nudo for its food and relaxed seaside atmosphere.
Dinner spot: Macao
Address: Carrer de la Vénda des Poble, 8, 07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera
I live nearby, so it is my local restaurant. It is charming, lively and always reliable. You know you will eat well and have a lovely evening there.
Evening cocktails: Room Service and Can Can
Address: Carrer del Passadís, 8, 07800 Eivissa / Carrer Vénda de Parada, 6B, 07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera
Room Service in the Old Town is where I go for cocktails and small bites. I also love Can Can, a food and wine bar that always reminds me of my former life in Paris. I used to go there for orange wine and their incredible vitello tonnato. I no longer drink alcohol, so I am glad they now serve non-alcoholic wine too.
A night out and good music: DC-10 and Pikes
Address: Carretera a l’Aeroport, Km 8, 07817 Sant Jordi de ses Salines / Camí de Sa Vorera, 07820 Sant Antoni de Portmany
I have been going to DC-10 on Mondays for fifteen years, so by now it feels a little like checking in on what the neighbours are doing! I also love villa parties and going to Pikes for Smile, my friends’ annual party. It is one event you simply cannot miss.
Fashion and shopping: Archive Closet and Annie’s Ibiza
Address: Carrer de Bartomeu Vicent Ramon, 22, 07800 Eivissa / Carrer de la Santa Creu, 5, 07800 Eivissa
Archive Closet, of course, holds a special place in my heart! I also love Annie’s Ibiza and Portu, which are also run by dear friends.
Most beautiful beach on the island: the small coves of northern Ibiza
Any of the small coves in the north of the island. That part of Ibiza feels wilder and more peaceful, and it is where I go when I want to escape the crowds.
Most beautiful place to watch the sunset: Benirràs
Address: Platja de Benirràs, 07815 Sant Joan de Labritja
Benirràs was one of the first beaches I returned to when I came back to Ibiza as an adult. It still has the same effect on me. Whenever I sit on the rocks there, I feel completely at peace. For me, it has never lost its magic.