With a baby to Ibiza? I give you all the nice tips!

Do you want to fly with your baby for the first time in Europe, but not too far away? Ibiza is the perfect baby destination when travelling with your little one for the first time within Europe. With less than a 2.5 hours flight from Amsterdam you will arrive on this trendy and child-friendly island.

Ibiza is the perfect destination for young and old. Not only for party people, but also for families with children and young babies. The climate on Ibiza is mild with mild winters and warm summers. The wind can be strong now and then, but especially in the summer it gives a cool breeze.

We decided to travel to Ibiza in April of this year for 3 weeks. Then you know for sure that you will always enjoy the nice weather and beside that you have enough time to discover the island. Did you know that Ibiza has more than 70 different beaches? So enough to discover! We went to Ibiza for the first time with our baby and I will give you the best tips of the island.

For the first time with a baby on holiday to Ibiza

If you are going on holiday with a baby for the first time, you really don’t want to be on the road for too long and arrive at your hotel as soon as possible. The Figueretas beach directly below Ibiza town is only a 10 minute drive from Ibiza airport and the ideal destination to start your holiday on this island.

This beach has a cozy, not too long boulevard with nice restaurants right by the sea. The local islanders of Ibiza also live here and I found it a nice start of the holiday to book your accommodation for Ibiza here.

Which accommodation do you book with a baby in Ibiza?

When I wasn’t a mother yet I always booked a hotel room, but once you have a baby, it’s all about naps and a good night sleep. An apartment with the facilities of a hotel was the ideal solution for us. Since I do like a bit of comfort and am willing to pay for it (you’re on holiday after all) I didn’t have to look long, because One Ibiza Suites really has everything for the ideal baby holiday.

Ibiza One Suites is located directly on the Figueretas beach and has a beautiful view over the sea and the old town, also called Eivissa. If you walk down the boulevard to Ibiza town it is about 15 to 20 minutes walk to the castle. Tip, you can also go by car and park your car for free behind the castle (where the hotel looks out over). From there you walk down the old stairs and you are directly in the middle of the old town of Eivissa and the cozy streets.

One Ibiza Suites has spacious and bright apartments with a separate bedroom. The kitchen is modern and fully equipped. The living room has an extra sofa bed. We used the pull-out bed as a play mat for Sofie, ideal!

The advantage of booking an apart-hotel is that you can use all the facilities of the hotel. The rooms are cleaned every day and you can use the breakfast buffet. And when Sofie did her afternoon sleep I was lying in the sun by the pool on the roof terrace.

If you want to take the boat to Formentera I can recommend you to book the 40 min. catamaran (Sea Experience) that is moored in front of the hotel. You don’t have to drive all the way to the main ferry and I found the prices more attractive. €22 for a return ticket.

Formentera is also called the Caribbean of the Balearic Islands, because the sea there is so blue. You have nice villages and you can explore the island by bike. Read here my tips for a day trip to Formentera.

The cosy streets of Eivissa, Ibiza town

If you travel to Ibiza then you can’t miss a visit to Eivissa. Ibiza town is located in the east of the island and can be recognized directly by the impressive castle hill. The old town with its cosy streets is also called Dalt Vila. The historical centre of the city is located on the hill with the famous castle of Ibiza on top. Dalt Vila is one of the best preserved old settlements around the Mediterranean Sea.

Ibiza town is really worth a visit because there is so much to see and discover. Here are a few tips from me:

• Walk from the harbour through the white streets (see 1st picture above) wandering slowly up or start at the famous footbridge gate at the Mercado Viejo square. In the middle of this square is the old fruit and vegetable market from the 19th century at the foot of the slope that leads to Dalt Vila.

 

• For the ladies among us, as soon as you enter the old city through the gate, go right at the end of the footbridge and then immediately left. Here you will find Adrenaline, a very small jewelry shop with trendy and stylish earrings in a kind of cave.

 

• Want to eat tapas for a good price? You can do that at La Bodega tapas bar in Ibiza town near the old wall. Where? Tapas tent La Bodega is very easy to find because it is very centrally located next to the city gates of the old city center of Ibiza, also called Portal des Ses Taules.

 

• My absolute favorite (for couples) with the best view over Ibiza town is restaurant Kyupiddo. This amazing restaurant is located on the top of Dalt Vila. To get there you just need to book in advance, because they will arrange the transfer for you to get to the restaurant. You’ll spend about €100 per person but then you’ll have something, including romantic sunset for free (see picture below).

The port of Ibiza

The harbour is a nice starting point to discover Ibiza town, but if you walk to the other side towards Talamanca beach you have the best view of the city from restaurant Calma. See picture below.

La Calma is a fantastic place with a great view of Ibiza town and D’Alt Vila. Here you can have a lunch or a drink. It is not cheap, but given the location and the beautiful view certainly worth it.

The ideal baby beach just above Ibiza town: Talamanca Beach

Just above Ibiza town you will find the beach of Talamanca. Ideal for a baby, because along the entire beach of Talamanca a kind of wooden walkway is constructed where you can easily drive over with the stroller. Very handy when your baby has to sleep and only does that [like mine] when you walk with the carrycot.

The beautiful beaches in the north of Ibiza

The distances in Ibiza are not so big, but renting a car is a must to discover as much of the island as possible. Do not forget to drive off road through the countryside, because you will be amazed how beautiful nature is in full bloom. Here and there you will find beautiful Ibiza finca’s and amazing villas hidden between the flower fields. When we were there in April it was relatively quiet, but in high season it can get really busy on the roads and large traffic jams arise.

The distance from Ibiza town to Portinatx in the north is about a 35 minutes drive and through the well asphalted main roads it is an easy and quick trip by car. I found the town of Portinatx surprisingly beautiful. Not too busy, beautiful bay and no high-rise buildings.

There is always a fine breeze and you see a lot of green around you. Portinatx breathes a friendly atmosphere and if you ask me it is an ideal place for families with children to enjoy your holiday in Ibiza.

Cosy hippy market in San Juan

Every Sunday there is in Sant Joan de Labritja (also called San Juan) a cozy hippy market where many locals come to visit. Sant Joan is located in the north, a fifteen minute drive from Portinatx to the South.

The hippy market is not very large and not as commercial as for example the famous hippy markets on Ibiza as Las Dalia and Es Canar. Tip, have lunch at the cosy Giri Café and let yourself be seduced by all the delicious dishes they serve here.

Child friendly restaurant La Paloma

Less than a 10 minutes drive from San Juan to Ibiza town you really need to stop at Restaurant La Paloma in San Lorenzo. Hidden among the greenery in the middle of the orange trees you will find this hippy-like restaurant run by a typical Ibiza family who get their fruit and vegetables from their own garden and conjure up the most fantastic (read Instagram proof) dishes on the table.

You can have lunch under the trees during the day or enjoy an eco friendly fruit juice while the children have plenty of space in the large garden amidst the fruit trees to play. In the evening you can also relax on the outside terrace or cozy inside at the long wooden tables and cozy corners that the family has created. La Paloma is very popular, also among the locals so call in advance to reserve a table.

The west of Ibiza with the most beautiful sunsets

If you don’t know Ibiza yet, you’ll probably first explore the east of the island because that’s where most of the activity takes place around Eivissa city, but then you don’t get a good impression of the island itself. When you have rented a car I advise you to drive to the west of Ibiza and if possible stay there for a few days.

We found the route through Sant Josep de sa Talaia towards the west coast of Ibiza very beautiful and especially when you go off road. In particular if you follow the coastal route to the north you see here and there between the green pine trees beautiful villas hidden. Tip from me, rent a car or jeep with a 4 wheel drive because then you can confidently follow the steep roads down and discover the secret bays of Ibiza 😉

Cala Vadella, picturesque and cosy bay

I found Cala Vadella really a wonderful place to be for a few days. Rent an AirBnB or book a hotel directly on the beach. There is a super relaxed atmosphere here and especially in low season Cala Vadella is a nice place to stay without the hustle and bustle of all the days tourists.

The beach of Cala Vadella is very child friendly, because it slopes slowly into the sea and because the bay is situated between the hills you have less trouble with the wind. At the end of the afternoon the expats or locals come to the beach, take off their picnics and open a bottle of wine while the sun slowly disappears on the horizon.

Tips for more nice spots with a great sunset:

• Sunset bar Ashram
• Bar XaXa from Wesley Sneijders
• Mint Lounge in San Antonio
• Restaurant El Carmen, cala d’Hort

Beaches:

• Family friendly, Cala Vadella
• The beach of Cala Comte
• Cala Secreta “the secret beach”
• Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta

The magical rock Es Vedra

From Cala Vadella it is about a fifteen minute drive to the south towards Es Vedra. It takes a while to find where you have to be and it’s quite a climb up, but it’s definitely worth it when you reach the plateau where you have a fantastic view over this magical rock.

There are several myths about Es Vedra. Some believe that it is a remnant of the city of Atlantis and people who are sensitive will feel more energy here, because the rock of Es Vedra has a high magnetic field. I didn’t feel anything myself, but please let me know if you have a special experience with this place.

The middle (the heart) of Ibiza

The beautiful village of Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera is located in the middle of the map of Ibiza and is also seen as the heart of the island. Around the square you will find white plastered restaurants and cosy bars. If you are looking for authenticity and cosiness then Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera is the right place to be.

The center is car-free and the cozy main street is surrounded by orange trees. Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera is also called the restaurant village, so if you like good food and you want to have a lot to choose from, this is the place. Here are a few tips for dining and drinking in Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera:

• Bar Costa, the most authentic and also very popular with locals
• Macao Café, cozy decor and fine Italian menu
• Sa Cornucopia – chez Paul, Mediterranean specialities
• Ama Lur, one of the best restaurants in Ibiza!

Nice beach bars in the south of Ibiza

• Blue Marlin, trendy and stylish beach club with lots of beautiful people. Really the place for people who want to see and be seen. Definitely worth a visit if you like luxury.

• La Escollera, eating paella on a beautiful white beach? This is possible here while the kitesurfers entertain you for free. The menu is extensive, but not cheap. That should not spoil the fun because a nice spot it is for sure.

• Sa Trinxa beach bar if you like to chill out, with your feet in the sand and a beer in your hand. Nice and accessible for everyone. I say great! Located in Ses Salines which is also a nature reserve.

Stylish dining and accommodation in Ibiza

 

Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena

There is only 1 hotel high on the cliffs in the north of Ibiza following a kilometer long road winding up to get there. Once at the top you arrive at this luxury resort. The 5 star hotel exudes luxury and exclusivity. Hacienda Na Xamena has a great sea view from the cliffs and from the stylish rooms that have all been recently renovated.

All 77 double rooms and suites have a private jacuzzi and balcony. Prices range from €390 to €1,817 per night. You can also book special spa treatments at Hacienda Na Xamena at La Posidonia Spa. After the Spa treatment you can immerse yourself in the outdoor pool with its magnificent sea views. I say, definitely do!

Amante Beach Club

Located in a private bay around the corner from Cala Llonga. Once you walk down the gravel path you will be amazed what you will see because the view is absolutely stunning. See photo below. When we were there in April it was already completely full, so if you want to eat at Amante Beach Club I recommend you to reserve a table in advance.

You can also rent a lounge bed and have fun all day long with tapas and drinks. I found the service extremely friendly and also to baby Sofie everyone was very nice and helpful. We only had a drink at the bar, but we definitely want to come back again to have a nice dinner with friends in the open air, because for that Amante is the place to be.

Time to Momo, the Ibiza Travel Guide

I’ve done my best to share as many tips as possible with you when you travel to Ibiza with a baby, but maybe you know a few more tips you want to share with us? If there is anyone who knows the island like the back of their hand and who has lived and worked in Ibiza for a number of years, it is Juliette Somers.

Juliette moved 5 years ago together with her husband to Ibiza and now lives there with her 2 children, daughter Fay and son Quin. Recently her first book has been published from Time to Momo, it is the newest travel guide of Ibiza (in Dutch). The guide of Time to Momo is so special because Juliette, as a local knows the hidden places and has discovered for you 4 special routes across the island.

In all 4 routes (including 2 car routes and 2 walking routes) is a balance between culture, nature, shopping and restaurants. Juliette wants the tourist to experience that Ibiza has a different side than the busy Ibiza city alone, and that Ibiza is more than just the party island. I am a fan of her Instagram account and always dream away from her beautiful photos. Also curious about her life on Ibiza, click here.

 

At last

One thing I know for sure, I’ll be back in Ibiza again and then I’d love to rent a villa with a couple of friends and our children.

If you ask me, the real Ibiza takes place as soon as you leave the main roads, where abandoned fincas are hidden between the flower fields. Where you experience the tranquility of the beautiful nature during the day and in the evening only hear the crickets. Then, toasting together with your friends on the good life. To be continued…