An Alternative Side to Ibiza
Our home base was Playa d’en Bossa, a prime spot for soaking up Ibiza’s energy. We travelled in early May, before any of the super clubs had opened, and when we walked into the resort centre, you could feel that it was still quite early in the season. If you are looking at avoiding the huge crowds and the busy party scene, then either end of the season would be ideal. We stayed at FERGUS Style Bahamas where you can walk straight onto the beach and take a lovely, leisurely stroll along the coastline, towards the resort centre, looking out for many of the pieces of sea glass along the way. A stop at The Bull for cocktails and tapas is a must – a great spot to people watch, enjoy great food and drink and soak up the atmosphere.
No Ibiza trip is complete without a stop at the legendary Pikes. A venue steeped in rock ’n’ roll history, Pikes is where music, magic, and mischief intertwine. From the quirky décor to the intimate poolside gatherings, it’s a place that oozes character….or so we had heard. The early season calmness hit us here as the staff didn’t seem to know what was going on when we arrived with no acknowledgement of our reservation or an idea of where we should be directed to! We all left with the feeling that we had missed something on our visit to Pikes however this has made me more determined to visit again and soak up the real party atmosphere. Don’t let my experience put you off, this place is legendary for a reason!
Beyond the beats and beachside relaxation, we wanted to discover an alternative side to Ibiza and in true adventure style, we had pre-booked three remarkable excursions:
• Ibiza Guided Walking Experience: We opted for the easier 6k walk which took us through dramatic landscapes, where sheer cliffs plunged into turquoise waters, and trails led us deep into the tranquil countryside. Along the way, we discovered secluded spots that made us pause just to take it all in—rugged beauty contrasting with Ibiza’s energetic nightlife. Two stand out moments from this tour was visiting the old rave cave, now used for yoga, and the Time and Space artwork located on the cliffs of Cala Llentia. These basalt columns are arranged in a circle and are supposedly reminiscent of Stonehenge. Be careful when here though as people have taken to competing to get stones on the top of the columns – heads up! We started and finished this tour at Sunset Ashram. Located on the peak between two golden, sandy beaches of Cala Conte, Sunset Ashram is an amazing spot to enjoy, yes you guessed it, the sunset. Although we didn’t do this, I would recommend you include a day here on the beach before you watch the sun go down.
• Evening Food Tasting Tour in Ibiza Town: Exploring Ibiza Town through its flavors was a feast for the senses. Strolling through cobbled streets, we uncovered traditional bites—from local cheeses and cured meats to local tapas dishes and the best gelato in the town. Each stop was a glimpse into the island’s culinary soul, made even richer by stories from passionate local chefs. My favourite stop was Can Gourmet where we were served an Iberian sandwich filled with Iberian ham, Mahon cheese and honey from Ibiza – all washed down with a lovely, cold, crips glass of Ibicencan wine. A deli-style haven for foodies, this stop is worth a visit! We only scraped the surface of Ibiza Town on this tour and if I were to return for another short break to this island, I would be looking at basing myself here. I can already picture myself strolling through the streets, doing a little bit of shopping and stopping along the way for a coffee or a beer.
• Kayak Sunset Tour: If there was a moment that we thought would perfectly encapsulate Ibiza’s magic, it was kayaking at sunset. As we set off towards Portinatx on our last evening, we were all very excited about our last excursion. What we didn’t expect was how hard this would be and most of our group were beginners at kayaking! As we headed out towards the Mediterranean Sea, the waves seemed to be getting bigger. Of course, we knew that the excursion wouldn’t go ahead if the waters were unsafe, however we were all starting to feel a little nervous. Luckily for us all, we were paired up so we weren’t completely alone on the sea. Whilst this trip tested our physical strength, due to the larger waves and wind not being on our side, the excursion itself was something special. Kayaking in and out of the coves with the sun over our heads was beautiful. Almost an hour in, we stopped at a spot for some snorkelling where we were able to discover a little of the under water life. After another stop, this time on land, for refreshments, we turned our kayaks around, and with the wind now assisting us, we headed back to shore. On the way back, not only was the sun going down but we were also treated to a little visit from a couple of dolphins on their nighttime swim. The perfect end to our amazing trip.
Ibiza delivered everything we could have imagined and more — soul-stirring scenery, adrenaline pumping activities and an endless supply of laughter. Whether it was raising a toast to the birthday milestone, embracing adventure on foot and water, or simply soaking up the island’s infectious energy, every moment was pure magic. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely. Ibiza, we’ll be back!
