Ibiza is known for being a total party place. It’s known for super clubs like Pacha and for wild shows from the world’s most famous DJs. In fact, before our trip, our friends and colleagues constantly asked if we were going to Ibiza to party.
Overall, I would say that Ibiza is probably best visited in a group when you’re planning to 1) spend lots of money and 2) party. But the truth is that there is a whole other side to the island that makes writing a travel guide to Ibiza for couples pretty easy. There are stunning beaches, dreamy hotels, and romantic restaurants all over the island. If you want to avoid the wild party scene you totally can.
I would probably rank Amalfi or Taormina above Ibiza if you’re looking for the best romantic trips for couples. But Ibiza for couples can definitely be done and can definitely be a fantastic trip. It’s all about finding the right spots and staying away from the crazy club areas.
Be aware that many things in Ibiza are not cheap. We spent a good deal on all of our dinners, and the day clubs all have minimum spends. You can do things on the cheaper side, for sure. But a lot of the popular spots are going to have markups.
Keep reading for my travel guide to Ibiza for couples and start planning your romantic long weekend now.
Xx, Kelsey
HOW WE GOT THERE
Jon and I flew into Ibiza airport which is just a 10-15 minute cab ride from the old town. Flights from Amsterdam were relatively affordable but also packed with party-goers.
WHERE WE STAYED
We stayed at the newly opened Oku Ibiza on the western side of the island. We picked this hotel largely because of its great pool and proximity to a few beaches. We ended up spending a lot of time relaxing at the pool, listening to the DJ spin relaxing house music.
The hotel was on the higher side of our budget, but was absolutely worth it. The concierge took care of everything for us, including booking taxis every time we wanted to go somewhere. The food and drinks were amazing, and they offer free yoga classes.
HOW WE GOT AROUND
I got so many recommendations to rent a car in Ibiza. Since it was just Jon and I traveling, and my driving license is expired, I didn’t want him to be saddled with chauffeuring me around. We ended up having no issues at all without a car. Taxis ranged from €20-€30 for most of the places we wanted to visit from our hotel. We never had any issue finding one or calling one.
If you’re really looking to explore more areas of the island or visit several beaches, then I’d recommend renting a car. But for us, taking taxis was absolutely fine.
WHERE WE ATE & DRANK
Cala Gracioneta – A travel guide to Ibiza for couples wouldn’t be complete without some romantic restaurants. This was our first dinner and absolutely such a romantic place. It’s nestled in a beach cove about a 10-minute walk from our hotel. We booked a table at sunset and really enjoyed the ambiance as the sun went down over the ocean. The food was amazing and very healthy. We ended up staying after dinner for a final cocktail and to listen to the live Spanish guitar music.
Casa Maca – I had heard so many good things about this farm-to-table restaurant, that I knew we had to try it when we were in Ibiza. We booked a table on the airstream terrace for 8 pm. The place really started to get busy with larger groups around 9:30/10, but I wanted to be there while it was still light out. The restaurant has the best vibes and feels quintessentially Ibizan. The grilled aubergine was to die for, as was the grilled pineapple for dessert. The menu isn’t far off from Cala Gracioneta, but the restaurant has a bit more of a lively vibe.
Cotton Beach Club – Admittedly, this is the one thing we did in a group. Another couple that we know was also in Ibiza and had happened to book the beach club on the same day. We expanded our lunch reservation to four and ended up having the best time. The food and wine here is great – lots of fresh seafood and the best Greek salad. If you’re going as a couple, I’d recommend an early lunch or something at dinner time. Around 3pm the party picks up with live music and is much more suited for groups until dinner.
Oku Restaurant– We wanted to be sure and make the most of our time at the hotel, so we booked dinner in the hotel restaurant after our day at Cotton Beach Club. I had the black cod, which was some of the best fish I’ve had, and Jon and I split some delicious tempura asparagus.
Gave Mx Ibiza – I always want to be honest, which is why this restaurant is on the list even though I don’t recommend it. We stopped by this Mexican spot in the hopes of finding decent tacos. Most everything was mediocre, other than the chips and guac. Those were actually quite good.
WHAT WE DID
Hung out by the hotel pool – The main goal of this trip was to get away and have a real vacation for the first time in 2021. Because of that, we didn’t put too much pressure on ourselves to make tons of plans. We ended up spending quite a bit of time at the hotel pool. They had the nicest sunbeds and great service for ordering fresh juices or drinks in the afternoon. It was definitely “the place to be” as we saw so many European influencers taking pictures poolside.
Cotton Beach Club – We booked beach chairs for the day at the most gorgeous beach. The sand is fine and white, and the water is the most intense shade of turquoise. The beds were fairly pricey, but worth being able to lounge in the shade versus getting sunburned on a towel. If you don’t want to book a chair, you can absolutely visit the beach on your own!
Dalt Villa – A travel guide to Ibiza for couples is not complete without at least one evening walking around old town Ibiza. It’s on the other side of the island from our hotel, but easy to take a taxi to. Dalt Villa was pretty crowded in the evenings since everyone was out and about for late dinners. This ended up making for great people watching. You’ll see all types of fashion and characters. I would have loved to walk around the city during the day to do some shopping, but we knew it would be miserably hot since the temps were in the high 80s/low 90s.
Ferry to Formentera – Ok, we didn’t actually do this one, but it had been on the list. For another beautiful beach, the ferry to Formentera is only ~30 mins. I’ve heard amazing things, so this island is definitely on my list for next time around.
Cala Gracioneta – The same beach where we had a romantic dinner is open during the day for swimming. It’s a little cove, so the water is nice and calm. Get there early to snag a spot before it gets crowded.
Went for a run in San Antonio – Ibiza is a great place to enjoy yourself, but also to stay healthy. We were able to fit in plenty of workouts and healthy meals. On our last morning, we ran along the port in San Antoni before all the party people showed up at the beach.
OUTFIT DETAILS:
All outfits linked in this blog post