LOCAL GUIDE TO IBIZA

Frederika Van Hagen
5 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

I just took a 4-day staycation, stayed right here on the island and It reminded me why I never want to leave. The first thing I did was book myself a treatment at home because if you're going to holiday like a local you have to rest like one too!

The best way to spend a few days on Ibiza like a local is to book an at-home facial through Saent's villa service, eat at low-key chiringuitos like Cala Mastella and Xuclar, swim the coves with a local guide, and finish with a traditional Sunday paella at S'Esparta or Ses Boques.

1. Treat Yourself

Treatments at your villa in ibiza — Villa treatments

Honestly the best part of any break is having someone come to you. Saent villa service brings our team of practitioners to your door so you can start the day with a facial instead of a commute. It's how I recharge properly and the whole reason the rest of this list feels so good. If you're searching for some amazing nail art, then my island girl Keely has just opened KOAT in the centre of Santa Gertrudis.

2. Eat at a Chiringuito

Cala Mastella Kiosk - A old school Spanish fish shack right on the sand at Cala Mastella.

Xuclar - On the northwest of the island this unassuming chiringuito serves some of the best food around.

Fish Shack - A spot to spend time with friends, great food and vibes huddled on the rocks at the end of Talamanca Bay.

Chiringuito Escondida - Recently relocated to Playa den Bossa from Cala escondida, an authentic shack to have a sundowner.

3. Sea Adventure Swims

There's no way to see a different side of the island than from the water. I went out with swimming guide Noam, who takes you to caves and underwater arches and helps you spot fish, baby rays and If you're lucky dolphins.

4. Beaches

There are many coves and calas to find but with a 2-year-old, sandy beaches are more our usual spot these days.

Es Cavallet - Beautiful in the morning and often very quiet. Plenty of morning naked swimmers. Feels like a slice of old Ibiza.

Cala Llenya - Crystal-clear water and comfortable beds. Perfect for families.

Cala Oliviera - A cove, great for swimming with a chiringuito serving delicious food that won't break the bank.

5. Hikes

We usually go solo using the AllTrails app. If you want harder routes or to be taken to some genuinely secret locations Ibiza Hike Station is excellent. Well worth it if you'd rather have a guide.

6. Shopping

Find Saent at Papaduk. My store on the island for skincare and perfume. The owner, Erpee will take you on your personal scent journey to help you find your perfect perfume or cologne.

Also worth a visit: Gotane Vintage, a shop thats just opened in Ibiza Town run by my friend Steph. Full of pieces you won't find anywhere else. Porta, in Ibiza Town for pieces that take you from day into night.

You can also find our amazing oil at the following boutiques Six Senses Spa, Beachouse Boutique, RUM.

7. Coffee Spots

La Vanda on talamanca bay — La Vanda Talamanca

La Vanda - Views across Talamanca Bay. Only opened winter but feels like it's been here forever.

Can Guimo - Towards the north of the island, this serves the most delicious food and has a little shop with handcrafted gifts.

Croissant Chic - My morning stop. The team is so friendly and they have the best croissants.

8. Farm Shops

Organic food from the regenerative farms dotted across the island. Hunt down the strawberries at Els Corondá before San Miguel, they taste like sweets.

Can Cristofol - An ecological farm where you can wander the gardens surrounding the store.

Can Zol - An organic farmshop. They play music to their vegetables, which you can hear as you drive through. They also serve lunch and dinner and offer experiences such as cooking classes and ibiza food tasting.

9. Stay Fit

Head to the orange groves outside Santa Gertrudis for a class with Oranja. Spin or lift with Naomi to keep you motivated surrounded by orange trees. They also host retreats and events throughout the year for residents and visitors.

Hot Sculpt At Yours. Will make you feel fresh and motivated throughout your day.

Yoga with Charlotte Townend. She takes classes across the island. Is an island favourite.

Eat a Paella

Before I never understood what the fuss was about, but now I have tried proper traditional paella's I have swapped a Sunday roast, for a Sunday Paella. Here are my fav traditional spots on the island.

Pou Des Lleos - A hotel, restaurant with a separate chiringuito. Head to the restaurant where they have 100's of diners on a Sunday eating delicious traditional paellas and seafood.

S'Esparta - After driving past this place on many occasions, we finally managed to get a table, everyone is Spanish, with views of the forest and the biggest paella for 2.

Ses Boques - If you haven't tried a Fidua Paella, this is the place to visit. A restaurant with wooden terraces, sea views right on the beach. Its been around for 50 years, so is a real authentic ibiza recommendation.

Dinner's Out

Something of a rare occasion nowadays with 2 year old, but when we do go out these are a few of our go-to's.

Casa Lhasa - Organic wines, amazing food. My husband Sam's first choice for a dinner out.

SuPun - Specialising in baos, noodles and sake. This has a city feel to it, and maybe thats why i love it so much. If i am missing London, this is where I head to.

Sushi Aoyama - I have never been to Japan, but this is what I imagine the food to taste like. The restaurant is so minimalistic, down a side alley in downtown ibiza town and the fish is so fresh, and delicious. The yellow tail sashimi with ponzu sauce is a must.

La Olivia - Run by my dear friend Lisa, found in the centre of Dalt Villa down a small alleyway opposite the famous Annie's store. The food, service, wines and ambiance are always 10/10.

Can Can - In the heart of Santa Gertrudis, this Italian deli serves antipasti, focaccias, cocktails and wines. Always busy and fun to go for drinks with friends in the evening. Their pistachio cream, mortadella focaccia sandwich is insanely good.

This is Ibiza the way I actually live it. No crowds, no tourist traps the spots I keep coming back, to.

FAQ

What is the best way to relax on a short trip to Ibiza? Book an at-home facial through Saent's villa service so you start the day with treatment instead of a commute, then spend the rest of your stay swimming, hiking, and eating at local chiringuitos.

Where do locals eat in Ibiza? Locals eat at chiringuitos such as Cala Mastella Kiosk, Xuclar, Fish Shack, and Chiringuito Escondida for casual seafood right on the sand.

What are the best beaches in Ibiza for families? Es Cavallet, Cala Llenya, and Cala Oliviera are family-friendly, with calm sandy shorelines and nearby chiringuitos.

Where can I buy Saent Skin products in Ibiza? Saent oil is stocked at Papaduk in Santa Gertrudis, plus Six Senses Spa, Beachouse Boutique, and RUM.

Where is the best traditional paella in Ibiza? Pou Des Lleos, S'Esparta, and Ses Boques serve the island's most authentic paellas — Ses Boques has been open for 50 years and is known for its Fideuà.

Is there a good hiking guide in Ibiza? Ibiza Hike Station offers guided hikes to secret locations across the island, for those who want more than a self-guided AllTrails route.