Enjoy Ibiza’s hippy charm and clubbing nights in a laid-back way
Hippy haunts and clubbing the night away are visions that come to mind when thinking about Ibiza during the 60s and 70s, writes Tara O’Rourke.
Sadly, and inexplicably, all that island vibe had passed my husband and I by as Gen X-ers.
But having recently spent a few days in the north of this glorious place it left us both wondering: “Why haven’t we been here before?”.
Now, having finally ‘discovered’ it, we were determined to enjoy that legendary hippy vibe and clubbing nightlife, but without the need to stay up all night!
For a short break with maximum impact it was an ideal place to head for during the autumn months avoiding the crowds and high temperatures of the summer months.
Where to stay
Our base was the adult-oriented Fergus Style Punta Arabi in Es Canar on the east coast of the island which was renovated and relaunched in May last year. It’s just a 30-minute drive from the airport after an easy two-hour flight. This village-style hotel - imagine white walls, cacti everywhere and pine-scented walkways - sits on a cliff with wonderful views of the sea. Our room had cosy, boho-style vibes.
The hotel pretty much offers an ideal flop and sunbathe spot as we took advantage of the Lola Bar at the pool which offers a range of great food and drinks. If you want some extra Instagramable glam, you can hire a Bali Bed by the pool for 50 euros for a day.
A big advantage of staying here is that there is a hippy market in the grounds every Wednesday from April to October, featuring over 500 stalls - the biggest and oldest on the island. Kaftan heaven! You can buy everything you need to get the Ibiza look, including handcrafted jewellery and vintage fashion. The laid-back vibe is enhanced with street food and live music.
Where to eat
For convenience and ease it’s good that there are restaurants and bars at the hotel. Breakfast is taken at Es Mercat which offers made to order omelettes, full English breakfasts, and Balearic continental meats and cheeses, fruit and much more using local ingredients. We enjoyed the choice and freshness of the food. Dinner is also served there.
One evening’s dinner was at Lola’s Bar, enjoying the gorgeous and romantic setting looking out over the sea. We had tuna satay, Lola’s burger, gambas tacos and cocktails. There is also Es Raco Restaurant with a bistro menu and premium drinks.
But, as we had hired a car, we enjoyed exploring the area and, quite by chance, in the centre of nearby Santa Eulalia, we found a very stylish restaurant with great decor and an even greater reputation - called Hambre. We were attracted by its gorgeous interior and attractive menu - tacos, satays, fish dishes and burgers. We chose pork belly with shallots, figs and beetroot washed down with organic wine which was all incredible. We felt very much at home as we slipped into the relaxed Spanish atmosphere.
You can make your own choice of cuisine by strolling along Calle San Vicente, known as "Restaurant Street" which offers diverse cuisine.
What about the beaches?
Walking distance from the hotel is the main beach, Playa de Es Canar, which has shallow, calm waters, making it ideal for families. There are sunbeds, umbrellas, and water sports, including parasailing and pedalos, live music and even sunset DJ sets. I’d describe the atmosphere as understated fun.
Within walking distance there’s also the secluded Cala Nova beach.
We particularly loved Cala Llenya, north of Es Canar. We found that it’s good to get there early as parking is limited. A quintessentially Mediterranean haven, the beach was protected in a beautiful cove, dotted with houses to die for. There’s a beach bar to grab a cocktail and sunbeds to relax on.
The main town in the area, however, is Santa Eulalia - just a five minute drive from the hotel. It’s a great place to wander around with the harbour playing host to yachts in a setting that rivals glittering Marbella. There are quaint shops and boutiques and markets with stalls on the streets. It is vibrant without being too busy and is rightfully thought of as a more refined area than the busier San Antonio and Ibiza Town with a great gastronomic reputation for its restaurants and bars.
At Sant Joan de Labritja my husband decided to join in with adrenaline-rush antics of locals who were jumping into the sea from a rock - at least 15ft high. I held my breath, but he survived!
Don’t miss
The Passeig de s'Alamera, a tree-lined promenade with outdoor sculptures, terraces and craft markets in the heart of Santa Eulalia.
The 16th-century Puig de Missa church which sits on a hill, with panoramic views of the coast. Santa Eulalia also has the only river on the island with a Roman bridge, art galleries, and the Casa Zobel for contemporary art.
Gentle clubbing
We couldn’t visit Ibiza without at least one night of clubbing and Pikes was our choice. It’s a legendary club in the hills above San Antonio, founded 27 years ago, where A-list celebrities mixed with tourists at its iconic location. It was perfect for us and a lot of fun.
Travel facts
Rooms at FERGUS Style Punta Arabi, start from €145.62 (£126) per night, including breakfast. For further information, please visit: www.fergushotels.com/en/fergus-style-punta-arabi/ or check out Instagram @fergusstylepuntaarabi