Dovetailed into the base of the towering stone walls of the Ibiza castle, amongst the shock of pink flowers spilling from terracotta pots, in the shade of leafy green trees, sits Hostal Parque and Dilo Brasserie side by side. They’re two tapas restaurants, just off the beaten path of Ibiza Old Town, the village built in and amongst the historic castle’s presence on the South Eastern side of the island.
A village square is laid out in front of the quaint eateries, echoing times past, bordered by a striking pink and white building, wrapped around a series of huge wooden doors. Relics of stables perhaps? Or a place to store provisions, transported to and from the harbour which sits just out of view. The Spanish climate welcomes vines and bougainvilleas, which thrive in the warmth, bursting from doorways and walls in vibrant explosions of purples and pinks.
Sun kissed women mingle in the ancient laneways, having just stepped onto land from their mega yachts, meandering with designer outfits in kitten heels, whilst locals chatter in musical tones. Iberian ham, delightfully salty green Spanish olives, bread and Aoli, adorn every table in the scattering of local cafes, a staple of the region. A chilled local rose frosts our wine glasses, accentuating the summer weather, and the brief hiatus to enjoy lunch forces us to relax and take in the sights.
Nearby, tiny alleyways with Juliet balconies, and festoon lights wrapped in lush vines, lead your eyes along the cobblestones, and up to the castle walls, which greet you at the end of every street. Tiny retailers occupy the narrow shopfronts, offering travellers and tourists everything from handmade leather shoes, sequinned club wear, I Love Ibiza souvenirs, and paper cones of cured meats to snack on as you explore the town.
The mix of the super wealthy, Contiki tours, clubbers, and the odd-family, bring a tapestry of languages and cultures to the crowds, which ebb and flow from the more popular waterfront tourist-filled destinations, to the lesser frequented, authentic back streets of the town. For all the places we visited in Ibiza, the lure of Old Town kept us coming back to explore, and so our tips on where to go, and what to know before you visit, will focus mainly here.
Speaking to Ibiza locals, it’s their love for the beauty of the island that makes them exceptionally proud to live there. While the island is notoriously known for its clubbing scene, and as a playground for the rich and famous, it’s also a paradise on earth. The beaches, islands, views, and natural beauty is in abundance.
When we booked our holiday to Spain with Phil Hoffmann travel, they shared some insight into some must-visit destinations, and then we discovered some of our own. It’s quite a gift when you can speak to someone who’s been before, to get their insider knowledge, so when your travel agent lives and breathes their job, you can’t really go wrong. It’s one of the many reasons we chose to use them to plan out our trip, including having a trusted back up team, should anything go wrong (which nothing thankfully did!).
TRAVEL
After we landed on Ibiza, amongst dozens of private jets (we were on a more common Iberia flight from Madrid), my husband Steve and I were subjected to more regular forms of transport, all of which were surprisingly easy to navigate.
Taxis can’t be hailed in Ibiza. There’s honour between the drivers, who not only meticulously keep their cars spotless, but also adhere to only collecting fares from taxi ranks. The sooner you learn this, the better! Your hotel can still order cars for you though, which is sometimes easier than hunting down your nearest rank. For short fares, we found they preferred cash to card, but when pressed, all drivers accepted cards everywhere we went.
The water taxi between Old Town and Hotel Corso (and the cruise ships) is only 3e and a gorgeous way to get across the harbour. Enjoy the spectacle of billions of dollars of super cruisers, and lap up the views of old town and the marina. A giant patinaed metal box near the old town waterfront, marks the jetty you need to walk to the end of to catch the boat. There seems to be two boats / a red one, to Figuretas & Playa d’en Bossa, and the blue boat which gets you to Talamanka.
You can also Uber on the Island – something we wish we had known earlier!
RESTAURANTS
We love to eat and explore a range of dining options when we’re overseas, and we experienced a HUGE range of venues during our whirlwind 7 days in Ibiza. Sea bass and Clams feature on plenty of the menus, and they’re pretty special. Try them if you can.
LIO
Pitched to me as ‘dinner and a show’, I was woefully underprepared for the experience that was Lio. Located in the millionaires playground that is the Ibiza Marina, amongst boats that were worth a staggering amount of money, Lio caters to those with bottomless wallets, or visitors wanting to experience a bucket list night out. Pack your black AMEX. Minimum spend is around $500pp. The food, of course, is incredible, and the show is absolutely A-grade. The fit out is slightly tacky, but it works with the show, and its cruise-ship vibes. The performances range from sexy singers, with so much talent, most Top 10 pop stars would be put to shame – peppered with aerial artists and cabaret performers to break things up. As the night edges toward 11pm, when the restaurant converts into a pumping club, the performers and their various state’s of undress, get raunchier, and more animated. It’s certainly not a family friendly night out. For those feeling flush, you can also book a booth area at the club, once the club strikes 11pm.
ZUMA
Located near the marina, on the main road into Old Town, Zuma is a gorgeous fusion of Japanese food, Spanish tapas and whatever else takes the chef’s fancy. The restaurant’s fit out is simply beautiful, spread across an open air rooftop, with a retractable roof for the warmer evenings. There’s an open kitchen for those who want to enjoy the spectacle of watching the world-class food being prepared, and a Sommelier, who delivers on fantastic recommendations. As the night gets later, the DJ and music gets louder, and the Ibiza vibes really kick in. It’s also incredibly pricey, so be prepared. It’s also worth noting that men must wear pants, and won’t be let in with thongs. This is where the beautiful people go to dine.
LA BOSCO
Recommended to us by a friend, this incredible secret garden restaurant is located Old Town, across the road from the striking pink building alongside the old square. A striking, enormous cascade of electric pink Bougainvillea, frames the doorway, which is otherwise unremarkable in the stone walls of the street. It’s only when you peer inside that you realise, this is THE PLACE everyone needs to discover when they’re in town. Known for its range of delicious, generous paella dishes, La Bosco’s tables as scattered below ancient trees, which have joined the buildings on either side of its charming courtyard. Small, seemingly secret rooms are tucked away off either side of the main dining area, accommodating larger crowds during its busier seasons. The paella for two is ridiculously large, and the tomato bruscetta with anchovies we had a starter, while fantastic, destroyed any hope of us finishing our mains. Our tip? Go there hungry. This was far more affordable than our first two dining experiences, and it’s also open for lunch from 12:30pm (many places aren’t).
TRATTORIA DEL MAR
Located amongst the fray of super yacht sales offices, designer boutiques, and cafes on the water’s edge at the Marina is a gorgeous coastal restaurant, serving up good food, great wine, and a spectacular place to people watch as all the mega cruisers come in to dock. Their spaghetti with clams was so good in fact, that we went back twice. It was fairly easy to grab a table at lunch, but we’d recommend booking for dinner.
CALMA
For a different dining experience along the marina, Calma faces out into the harbour, and gives you stunning views of Old Town, the castle, and some of the biggest, most expensive boats you’re likely to ever see. The art form of watching the waiter de-bone an entire sea bass is something I’ll never tire of, and their clams were the best we’ve ever had. They were HUGE, larger than South Australian mussels, and simply delicious. We tried their goats cheese salad too, which came heavy with fruit – far too much food, but all delicious. Don’t ask for wine recommendations – they’ll just point to the most expensive bottle…
HOSTAL PARQUE
One of the great tapas restaurants mentioned above, Hostal Parque is located in Old Town, in the base of what seems to be a pub with accommodation overhead. While the inside smells like old beer, and big nights, grab a table under the lush trees outside, and enjoy the food and the people watching. The oven-roasted peppers were heavily salted and moorish, while the Iberian ham delightful, and the burrata salad, to die for. One of the more affordable places we visited.
CASA COLONIAL
Wanting to explore a little outside of the marina and Old Town, we discovered Casa Colonial, about a 10 minute taxi ride from the marina where we were staying. When you arrive, walk to the left of the building an enter via their breathtaking courtyard. As the Summer warms up, we can only imagine that becomes the place to be for an early cocktail before dinner. Walking into the historic homestead, with its thick stone walls, before ducking under low wooden door frames, you’re transported back in time. The charm of the building is undeniable, before it opens up into a glass atrium, which is wrapped in green, as the gardens outside the restaurant put on a glorious show for diners inside. Views of cascading hills beyond the property glow golden as the sun sets, framing your magical evening in a special, memorable way. The menu is small, but well curated, crafting dishes from local, seasonable produce. We couldn’t choose as it all sounded so delightful, so we opted for the feed me menu, which is 5 mystery starters, and a main of your choice. For 50e it was a great choice. The favourite dish? A dark horse. Their truffle risotto had us spectacularly surprised. We are still talking about it.
CLUBS
USHWIRE
This popular, outdoor club, is one of Ibiza’s iconic destinations. Located in huge rectangular courtyard surrounded by accommodation, we were treated us to a night of David Guetta. The people watching was beyond spectacular. Absolutely anything goes, and the outfits were wilder than we could have imagined. There was not hope of me seeing the stage at 5’2”, so people watching and dancing kept me entertained all night. Drinks were pricey, around $40 for a G&T again, so pre-game before you go if you’re on a budget. With pyrotechnics, dancers atop huge towers, the odd confetti burst and more, it was quite the show. And of course, the music was everything we’d hoped it would be.
PASCHA
Got a billion bucks? Why not head to Pascha. This club offers VIP booths from 8000e. Not so wealthy? Grab a G&T for $40. Either way, you’ll need to pay attention to the dress code. No shorts for men, and certainly no thongs. You just won’t get in. If you are able to secure a VIP booth, the back entrance to get there is like something out of a movie. There’s also handy box seats in your booth to store your bags – but don’t forget to take them with you! The club is impossible to contact and you’ll never see your things again.
PLAY DE SOLEIL
This sunny destination is the latest addition to the vibrant beach club scene of Playa d’en Bossa. The luxury destination opened in the summer of 2023 and has quickly become a hotspot for those seeking a blend of relaxation, culinary excellence, and top-tier entertainment. Set on the site of the iconic former Bora Bora beach club, Playa de Soleil offers a sophisticated yet rustic and bohemian atmosphere, capturing the true essence of Ibiza. The venue is divided into various zones, each designed to provide a unique experience. For dining, guests can choose from Playa Chica, Oasis, and Le Restaurant, all curated by Executive Chef Cristhian Castañeda, who brings his expertise from Michelin-starred restaurants across Spain. The menu focuses on high-quality, locally sourced organic produce, promising an exceptional gastronomic journey.
If you’re planning on booking a day bed in the beach club section however, make sure you don’t wear heels! You’ll be ankle deep in the warm Spanish sand, so beachwear is the go. Try the premium package which includes a bottle of champagne and a sushi platter. Don’t forget to bring a towel though! This was one memo we missed.
BLUE MARLIN
Located on the picturesque shores of Cala Jondal, Blue Marlin is a renowned beach club that epitomises the luxurious and glamorous spirit of Ibiza. This elite venue attracts a cosmopolitan crowd from around the globe, offering an upscale experience that seamlessly blends relaxation, fine dining, and world-class entertainment. Visitors can unwind on plush daybeds, enjoy the stunning views, and indulge in modern Mediterranean cuisine, all while listening to sets from some of the best DJs in the industry. The atmosphere is electric, transforming from a laid-back daytime haven to a vibrant nightlife hotspot as the sun sets.
WESTERN SIDE
While we’ve focused on the Eastern side of the island, it must be said that the Western side of Ibiza is only a stone’s throw away. A 25 minute cab ride will get you from Old Town to Portmany, and it’s worth checking out. The Sea Sun catamaran was a gorgeous way to spend an evening (but remember to bring a jacket as it can get cold when the sun goes down!)
The Western side of Ibiza embraces its vicinity to Spain’s sunsets, and a quick search of the #ibizarestaurant hashtag on Instagram will showcase a myriad of incredible, aesthetically amazing destinations along the waterfront. From epic beach clubs, to unbelievable restaurants, it’s a visual feast for the senses. It’s also where iconic clubs like Cafe Del Mar are located, and where sunset cruises depart from for obvious reasons.
Head North for natural beauty that will take your breath away. Hacienda Na Xamena is simply spectacular. Probably THE MOST BEAUTIFUL place I’ve ever laid eyes upon, its background of the Spanish islands, and stunning sea, set amongst the lush forests of Ibiza, make this hidden paradise a must-visit. It won’t come cheap though. A definite bucket list destination.
IBIZA AIRPORT TIPS
Don’t get to the Ibiza airport 3 hours before your international flight. As the first connection is domestic, gates don’t open until 2 hours before the flight and you’ll be stuck sitting on the hard airport seats. If you’re looking for compression socks for the long haul flight (highly recommend these to prevent swollen ankles, plus they keep you warm when the plane gets cold) you need to ask for them over the counter at the pharmacy. They even measure your calf to make sure you get the right size. But be warned, they only sell the socks AS SINGLES as I unfortunately discovered whilst in the air. Grab two packs, or endure one swollen leg.
Another tip is to ask to be seated up front, as the turnaround between flights can be tight and we didn’t have rear stairs to disembark the plane. It took an extra 20 minutes we didn’t have, to get off the flight, and then we had to run to make the connection. Madrid airport is massive with trains connecting terminals. It takes time to get around but customs and security etc is all very efficient.
OVERALL
Our trip to Ibiza was absolutely breathtaking, and things (delightfully) went incredibly smoothly. Considering we only booked the week before we departed Adelaide, I really can’t recommend Phill Hoffmann Travel more. They swooped into action when we contacted them, and had everything organised and documented, with multiple copies for family and friends, before we could blink. Their recommendations were spot on, and they made the whole experience a dream. We’ll be going back again, both to Ibiza, and to Phil Hoffmann Travel!
