Ibiza is a small island in the western Mediterranean, just off the coast of Spain. Most people picture clubs, DJs and sunburned stag and hen parties. And sure, that exists. But there’s a whole other side to the island that most families completely miss!
A family destination hiding in plain sight
What makes Ibiza work so well for families is the size. It’s compact enough that you can cover a lot of ground without it feeling like a logistical nightmare – but varied enough that every day feels different. We explored beaches, chased sunsets, ate really well, and came back genuinely surprised by how much there was to do with kids.
The key is knowing where to base yourself – and avoiding the areas that are geared towards a very different kind of holiday. Get that right and you’ll wonder why you didn’t come sooner.
Best Locations
The biggest mistake families make with Ibiza is defaulting to Sant Antoni because it’s the most well-known base. It’s fine, but it’s loud, busy, and built for a crowd that isn’t travelling with kids. There are much better options.
Our advice: stay in Santa Eulària, use it as your base, and day-trip everything else. The island is small you won’t usually have to drive more than 30 mins.
EAST: Santa Eulària des Riu – this is where we stayed, and we’d recommend it without hesitation. It’s the most family-friendly town on the island – calm, clean, with a proper promenade, great restaurants, and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere. Close enough to the best eastern beaches, and an easy drive to everywhere else.
NORTH: Quieter, more rural, and seriously beautiful. Less infrastructure, but if you want to escape the tourist trail and don’t mind a drive, the northern coves are some of the most stunning on the island.
WEST: Sant Antoni Worth visiting for sunsets and the buggy tour (more on that to follow), but we wouldn’t base ourselves here with kids. It picks up significantly at night, and the family-friendly credentials aren’t really there.
SOUTH: Closer to Ibiza Town and some stunning beaches like Cala d’Hort. A solid option if you want easy access to the old town and the southern coastline.
Top Beaches
We visited SO many beaches during our trip and in all honestly, they were all stunning. But with limited time, here’s the ones we wouldn’t miss again.
Cala Mastella (north east)
Now this does get busy and has a secondary car park you’ll need to hike down from / to but it’s 100% worth it. It’s stunning, great for snorkelling and also a spot of rock jumping too.
Cala Salada (west)
Now this does get busy and has a secondary car park you’ll need to hike down from / to but it’s 100% worth it. It’s stunning, great for snorkelling and also a spot of rock jumping too.
Cala D’Hort (south)
It’s a bit further south than anywhere else, but with the views of Isla d’Es Vedrà, it feels like you’re in south-east asia. We stopped at Restaurant Cala d’Hort too for an incredible seafood paella.
Benirràs (north west)
Mentioned in the top activities too, so deserves a space on this list. Not only are the drums worth seeing, but the beach is stunning and there’s a great selection of restaurants.
Top Activities
A week in Ibiza with kids sounds like plenty of time. It isn’t. Between beaches, sunsets, food stops and the odd nap (kids, not us – mostly), the days disappear fast. Here’s what we’d prioritise if you’re going for a week:
Benirràs Beach at Sunset
Head here on any evening except Sunday and you’ll find drummers gathering on the rocks as the sun goes down. It’s one of those moments that’s hard to describe – you just need to experience it! The beach itself is beautiful too and had some great restaurants.
Ibiza Old Town (Dalt Vila)
Worth an afternoon without question. The old walled town is genuinely stunning – winding cobbled streets, incredible views over the harbour, and a real sense of history. Kids will either love the “castle” vibes or complain about the hills. Possibly both.
This tour from Sant Antoni was a highlight. You get to drive around the south-west of the island in open buggies with beach stops along the way. The kids absolutely loved it, and it’s a great way to see parts of the island you’d never find on your own!
Meet the Sea Boat Tour
We LOVE a boat trip. But this one’s different to anything we’ve done. Its focus is on kids, teaching them about the ocean and getting them comfortable in it. We couldn’t recommend this enough, and the freshly made paella for lunch was spot on!
Places to Eat
Ibiza’s food scene is better than most people expect, and Santa Eulària in particular has some great spots that work really well with kids.
Restaurante Ohm Ibiza in Santa Eulària
A solid dinner option in town with good food and a relaxed setting. The perfect vibe after a day at the beach.
El Bigotes at Cala Mastella
We didn’t eat here (as it was full) but we’re including it anyway because the reputation’s extraordinary and the food looked incredible. It’s a legendary beachside restaurant serving fish stew from a set menu, cash only, and with a booking list that fills up weeks out.
Kumharas near Sant Antoni
Not a restaurant exactly – more of an outdoor sunset venue with food trucks, ambient music and a genuinely lovely atmosphere. Great for an early evening with kids before the Sant Antoni crowd descends.
Brunchit in Santa Eulària
Exactly what it sounds like. Brilliant brunch spot, relaxed atmosphere, and the kind of place you end up returning to twice. Kids’ options, great coffee, no fuss.
If this family guide has inspired you to jet off an discover Ibiza, check availability and book at www.flydirect.co.uk
