Eastern or western coast of Ibiza, which is best?

Choosing between the eastern and western coasts of Ibiza is one of the first decisions to make when you’re planning your first trip to the White Island. It only takes slightly over the hour to get from one end to the other but where you choose to stay on the island will influence your experience, travel pace and access to beaches, villages and activities. If you don’t yet know which coast of Ibiza will suit you best, read on to find out.

There is no single answer to which coast is better as it all depends on your travel preferences. The type of holiday you wish will determine the starting point to get to the most suitable choice for you. Is it a romantic trip? Or a family trip? Will you be out and about during daytime or are you more interested in the nightlife?

Two coasts, two personalities

There’s something you need to know: each coast has landscapes, services and differentiated proposals. While the eastern coast boasts some of the main family-friendly holiday villages and beaches with calm waters, the western side is known for its coves, cliffs and sunsets. Knowing the features of each side will allow you to choose the best option depending on your travel preferences but remember that the manageable size of Ibiza means you can visit the entire island easily by car, so choosing a hotel on one coast doesn’t mean you can’t visit the other. In fact, many travellers make the most of their holiday to explore beaches on both coasts, visit villages inland and discover different landscapes. However, choosing a well-located hotel will mean less mileage per day and make the most of your time there.

Santa Eulària. Picture: Dirk Pothen / Pexels

The eastern coast of Ibiza

The eastern coast stretches into the municipality of Santa Eulària des Riu, from the village called Jesús to Sant Carles. Along this stretch, there’s room for about twenty beaches and coves, some sitting snugly at the foot of a cliff while others are wider, more open beaches. This coast is known for its many holiday villages settled around beaches, like Es Canar, Cala Llonga, Cala Pada, Cala Llenya and Es Figueral, among others. This area has a broad range of services, water sports for all ages, lots of different restaurants and a relaxed vibe that draws families, couples and other travellers who aren’t as keen on the nightlife.

Beaches with easy access

Some of the beaches on the eastern side have long stretches of sand, easy access and services like sun loungers, restaurants, shops and water sports. Like in Cala Llonga, the urban beach of Santa Eulària, Es Canar and, to the north-east, Cala Sant Vicent. This type of beaches is popular among families and those who want to combine beach time with shops and restaurants. The eastern coast of Ibiza also has coves and beaches with barely any buildings, like S’Estanyol, Cala Mestella and Cala de Boix. Something to bear in mind: in the summer, the wind usually comes in from the east, so the beaches on the eastern side of Ibiza tend to have a breeze (more or less strong) and waves. 

Ibiza from the eastern coast

Those who plan to visit different areas on the island, in the north and south, alternate beaches with browsing the popular flea markets of Ibiza or enjoy dinner outdoors in countryside restaurants, usually find that the eastern coast is a practical base. However, if your thing is Ibiza’s clubbing scene, maybe this isn’t the best coast for you, as the famous nightlife is on the axis made up of Sant Antoni, Ibiza city and Playa d’en Bossa.

Western coast. Picture: Raymonf Petrik / Pexels

The western coast of Ibiza

The western coast offers a very different landscape, alternating small coves, cliffs and natural spaces that preserve most of their Mediterranean character. With its winding roads dotted with a string of coves, if you’re staying on this coast of the island you’ll be spoilt for choice in restaurants, boutique hotels and several five-star hotels, country postcards that look like time has stopped and an exciting nightlife around the bay of Portmany and on the road from Sant Antoni to Ibiza.

Some of the best known coves on the island

Cala Bassa, Platges de Comte, Cala Saladeta, Cala Gració or Cala Tarida are known for being listed as some of the most stunning beaches in Ibiza given their extraordinary landscape and crystal-clear waters. Each one has its own appeal: some are perfect for snorkelling and paddleboarding, like Cala Molí, Cala Vedella, Cala Gració or Cala Salada, while others are popular among young people, like Platges de Comte and Cala Bassa, and some offer extra services like Cala Tarida.

Cala Saladeta. Picture: Dirk Pothen /Pexels

The best place to see the sunset in Ibiza

If there’s one awe-inducing factor that makes the western coast stand out is its sunset. Given its position, from this coast you can watch the sun set behind the sea. An amazing scene that gathers travellers and locals on beaches, boats and terraces, like the one at Hostal La Torre, our boutique hotel located on the western coast of Ibiza, atop a cliff called Cap Negret. The perfect ending to a day that gives way to the famous Ibizan nightlife which you can experience in the clubs in Sant Antoni, the bay and the road from the town to the city of Ibiza.

Ibiza from the western coast

If you’re staying in Sant Antoni or its bay, you’ll be able to explore the island easily thanks to its central location between the north and south, enjoy its vast variety of restaurants, get to the city of Ibiza easily and live the nightlife at one of the most popular clubs on the island. And all this on a coast that keeps the balance between services and nature, allowing you to combine beach days with outings, water sports, hikes or visits to quaint villages inland.

View from the terrace of Hostal La Torre. Picture: Grupo Mambo

Main picture: Dirk Pothen