While the majority of the people that come to Ibiza would go there to party, the island has so much more to offer, including picturesque hiking trails taking you through breathtaking coastlines, secluded coves, olive groves, green hills, and lush forests. If you want to venture off the beaten path, away from the crowded beaches and bustling towns, you’ll find a plethora of hiking trails on the island. Below, check out the top five hiking destinations to try in Ibiza.
1. Es Canar
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Es Canar lies in the Santa Eularia municipality of Ibiza, home to many hotels, bars, and restaurants. But its biggest draw is its sandy beach, which sits beside a port for small boats. Stretching to Punta Arabi from Cala Nova beach, Es Canar is one of the best areas in Ibiza to explore on foot.
You’ll find many lovely walks around the beach of Es Canar, especially the paths along the coast that takes you to Santa Eularia and where you can enjoy spectacular views of the beaches and coves. You can pass by a good selection of restaurants and cafes, where you can take some rest between hikes. The walk to Santa Eularia is about 5 km long, which should take less than two hours. Make a stop at the beach and indulge in some water sports or relax at one of the sun loungers. If you don’t feel like walking back to Es Canar, you can always hire a taxi to take you back to your hotel.
While in Es Canar, it’s worth visiting the Punta Arabi Hippy Market, a quirky market where you’ll find a long line of stalls selling souvenirs, arts and crafts, and pretty much all kinds of stuff. Stroll through the market in the evening and watch live musicians play flamenco music and some Spanish rock bands performing.
2. San Carlos
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San Carlos is another small village in Santa Eularia that’s a great place to enjoy hiking. Known as a “hippie village” during the 1960s, San Carlos still has its laidback hippie vibe, making it a wonderful place to explore away from the hustle and bustle of Ibiza.
As you walk around San Carlos, one of the things you’ll notice is that modern technologies are not abundant in the area. That’s because the locals prefer to live a simple life with no access to modern comforts and with as little money as possible, making this village even more interesting to explore. You will find many amazing things that have stood the test of time, such as the wooden mailboxes. Even today, the houses in Ibiza’s countryside do not have their own postal delivery service, so many people here still rely on mailboxes.
San Carlos has already grown over the years, with some houses built in modern designs. Visit the traditional village centre, where you’ll find a magnificent white church. You will also find a great selection of restaurants and bars in San Carlos, where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks after a day of walking around the village.
3. Cala Llonga
Source: ibizaoutdoors.com
Cala Llonga is one of the most picturesque beaches in Ibiza and a great place to enjoy leisurely hikes. It has a 200-metre-long sandy beach, about 13 km away from the centre of Ibiza. Boasting clean and shallow waters, it is an ideal spot for families with little kids. Moreover, the sand is fine and soft, allowing you to walk comfortably along the shore. Being only 7.5 miles from Ibiza Town means that you can choose one of the many luxury family friendly holiday rentals here, providing the perfect place to relax after a day exploring.
You will find many great places to explore if you want to hike from Cala Llonga. The area is surrounded by thick forests, with a trail leading you into the mountains. Once you get to the top, you will enjoy breathtaking landscape views of the bay. You will find many paths from Cala Llonga that will take you to the top of the mountain. Just make sure to wear proper footwear for your hike.
You can also hike to the nearby beaches of Cala Llonga, such as Cala Salada, which is about 9 km away. Cala Salada is one of Ibiza’s most popular beaches, as the waters are clean and crystal clear.
4. Cala Tarida
Source: seeibiza.com
Cala Tarida is a small cove famous for its beautiful beach, backed by stunning cliffs that make the bay look like a natural swimming pool. You will also find some rocks to climb in the area, from where you can enjoy the island’s panoramic views. The water in Cala Tarida is crystal clear, making it an ideal spot for scuba diving and snorkelling.
There are trails in Cala Tarida where you can enjoy a scenic walk along the coast. Most parts are rocky, and some of them will take you to nearby underwater caves. You can also hike to the famous Ses Saline Natural Park, about 12 miles from Cala Tarida. It’s a protected natural area in the southern part of the island, occupying an area of about 3,000 hectares.
But if you don’t feel like venturing far, the beach is a fantastic place to explore. It’s surrounded by a rocky coastline and backed by lush pine trees, making you feel like you’re on a different island. You will find plenty of shaded areas to relax, and there are many great restaurants a short walking distance from here.
5. Santa Eulalia
Source: visitsantaeulalia.com
When it comes to hikes in Ibiza, the municipality of Santa Eulalia is the perfect place to visit. It has many scenic routes and tracks taking you to the countryside and into the mountains where you can enjoy beautiful views of Ibiza.
One of the most scenic walks in Santa Eulalia is the one that starts at the mouth of the Santa Eulalia River and ends at the Es Canar beach. The walking path takes you to the coast, where you can admire the spectacular ocean views. It’s also possible to walk to Cala Llonga from Santa Eulalia. You’ll discover secret coves along the way, which makes for an exciting hiking adventure.
You can also take the trail that passes through the Church of the Puig de Missa, starting at the mouth of the Santa Eulalia River. It will also take you to the centre of Ibiza, and you can stop at the Dalt Vila’s Archaeological Museum or relax at the beach of Santa Eulalia.
