Ibiza, San Antonio travel guide: fun things to do, where to stay and what not to miss

Kimberley Bond
·5-min read
ibiza, san antonio travel guide fun things to do, where to stay and what not to miss
Ibiza, San Antonio travel guideGetty Images

As summer beckons, we can all hear Ibiza’s siren song. The party island welcomed 3.7 million tourists during peak season last year, with Ibiza calling on holidaymakers to enjoy its sandy white beaches and world-renowned nightclubs.

While Playa d’en Bossa is Ibiza’s most popular resort for sun worshippers who want to go raving, tourists considering a holiday to the White Isle should also consider San Antonio on the west coast. Yes, it has a reputation for being popular with younger sunseekers (it’s home to the Ibizan strip), but don’t write it off as solely a raucous party resort aimed solely at 18-year-olds desperate to get boozed up on cheap vodka on their school holidays. San Antonio is also home to a number of Ibiza’s best hotels, restaurants and clubs, as well as boasting some of the island’s most beautiful views.

Thinking of trying a new part of Ibiza for your holiday? Here’s everything you need to know about the Ibizan west coast…

Where to stay

Las Mimosas

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Las Mimosas Ibiza (@lasmimosasibiza)

You may be in the thick of Ibiza’s party town, but the four star boutique hotel is a slice of serenity away from the strip. Boasting just 11 Junior suites and six suites, Las Mimosas is the perfect place to stay if you want to enjoy the hedonism of a big night out (the strip is just a stone’s throw away) but you want to recover in peace during the day. As well as having an outside pool, it’s Las Mimosas spa facilities that make it a standout choice. With a jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath, late night club rats will feel well and truly recovered with a day of R&R. The hotel even offers yoga sessions, if you’re able to tear yourself out of bed for an early morning class.

Prices start from 218 euros a night

Sa Clau

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sa Clau Ibiza | Hotel Boutique (@saclauibiza)

Right by the White Isle’s blue seas, Sa Clau by Ibiza’s legendary Mambo group has a more Scandi-chic vibe as opposed to the boho shabby-chic aesthetics the island is known for. Slightly noisier than some other hotels on the island (particularly at the front of the hotel), Sa Clau’s prime location and sunset views make up for any disturbed nights. Its café, Bondi, also offers both a traditional full English fry-up and acai bowls with fresh juices to revive you after whatever you chose to indulge in the night before. Get a hotel that can do both!

Prices start from 235 euros per night

Cubanito

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cubanito Ibiza (@cubanitoibiza)

Bringing a slice of Cuba to San Antonio, this concept hotel boasts some of the most beautiful sunset views on the whole island, and its Havana-reminiscent, art-deco style means your stay will be Insta-worthy from the off. Looking for the perfect place to grab a few cocktails before heading out into the night? The rooftop bar is your best bet, boasting panoramic views of that famous Balearic sunset.

Prices start from 268 euros per night

Where to eat

Bohanans

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bohanan's (@bohanans)

Looking for some of Ibiza’s best surf n turf? Look no further than Bohanans. Located in the heart of San Antonio’s Houston Street, the steakhouse gives an old town charm. The Akaushi beef is a safe bet if you want something rich and indulgent, but it’s the fresh seafood that you can’t turn down. Those who want something softer and milder should turn towards the Mero sea bass – but the jumbo prawns (and we really do mean jumbo, so be sure you have an appetite) aren’t to be missed.

Es Tragon

A must-try for all foodies heading to the White Isle - Es Tragón is Ibiza’s first winner of the coveted Michelin Star award. Those who are lucky enough to snag a table should make the most of the restaurant’s famous taster menus, which offer Ibiza’s rich and varied culinary history on a plate.

Café Mambo

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cafe Mambo Ibiza (@mamboibiza)

The seafront restaurant is Ibizan legend for a reason, having just celebrated its 30th birthday. Famed for its legendary pre-seshes before punters head to the super clubs, Café Mambos has graced world famous DJs including Swedish House Mafia and Carl Cox amongst many, many others. Serving hearty food such as burgers, tacos and salads, it’s the big names and big beats which keeps guests coming – and cements its status as an Ibizan rite of passage.

What to do

Clubbing

Yes, San Antonio may not boast the superclubs that Playa d’en Bossa is best known for, but that doesn’t mean it’s a dull part of the island. As well as the infamous Ibiza Rocks pool parties, those looking for a more grown-up vibe should head to the legendary Pikes hotel-cum-nightclub. With its expansive terrace, a night out at Pikes feels like going to the world’s boujiest house party (though one once attended by Freddie Mercury), with hugely fun DJ collectives including Nightmares on Wax, Melon Bomb and La Discotheque. If you want more of the superclub vibe, Eden is one of San Antonio’s most frequented nighttime destinations boasting the now legendary Space club night every Friday during peak season.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pikes Ibiza (@pikesibiza)

But if you really are wanting to try the more famous Ibizan clubs, the legendary Ibiza disco bus, which traverses from San Antonio to Playa d’en Bossa, runs all night throughout peak season and costs as little as 4 euros. Must tries include day venue Ushuaïa, which hosts Ants and Calvin Harris as resident artists, and world-renowned nightclub Hï Ibiza, which has David Guetta, Eric Prydz and Black Coffee taking to the decks.

Exploring

There’s more to the White Isle than non-stop partying. No holiday to Ibiza would be complete without exploring the island's famous old town. The quaint La Villita still embodies the traditional Ibizan bohemian sensibilities, with plenty of artistic boutiques ripe for exploration. There’s also plenty to explore out on sea, with plenty of beaches, sea caves and snorkelling opportunities if you do want a wholesome break.

You Might Also Like

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories

  • Protesters in Barcelona tell tourists to go home

    STORY: :: Thousands of demonstrators take to Barcelona'sstreets to protest against mass tourism in the city:: July 6, 2024“We come here to demonstrate against mass 'touristification' here in Barcelona. The last years the city has turned completely for tourists and what we want is a city for citizens and not in service of tourists.”"Restaurants and hotels is the group that makes really big money, but all the people are in a very poor situation and they don’t have enough money to live. That’s a problem.”Protesters carried signs reading “Barcelona is not for sale,” and, “Tourists go home,” before some hit tourists with water guns while they dining outdoors.Rents rose by 18% in June from a year earlier in popular tourist cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, according to the property website Idealista.Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni, announced a plan in June to phase out all short-term rental leases by 2028, an unexpectedly drastic move by the authorities who seek to rein in soaring housing costs and make the city liveable for its permanent residents.

  • Henry Winkler issues urgent warning over London rickshaw taxis

    Henry Winkler has warned tourists heading to London to avoid taking rickshaw rides around town or else face huge travel bills. The 78-year-old Happy Days icon was far from impressed when he was slapped with a bill in excess of £100 after utilising one of the bicycle taxis in the British capital. Taking to social media while he was in the city, the actor urgently warned others to avoid the mode of transport at all costs. Sharing a photograph of his view from the seat of the transportation, Henry

  • The touristy British villages to avoid this summer

    “Overtourism” was shortlisted for “Word of the Year” back in 2018 and after a bit of pandemic-era calm, the issue is once again to the fore. This summer has already seen angry protests in a clutch of holiday hotspots, calls for restrictions on Airbnb in Spain, on cruise ships in Greece, and the imposition of tourist taxes in countless cities.

  • The holiday hotspots where fed-up locals want Brits to 'go home'

    After tourism protesters targeted diners in Barcelona, Yahoo News UK looks at the other locations where locals are disgruntled.

  • The Best Thing You Can Do To Make Sure Your Suitcase Doesn't Get Lost

    Experts swear by this luggage hack every time they travel.

  • More than 10,000 passengers stranded after BA and easyJet flight cancellations

    Exclusive: ‘To make us sit on a plane for three hours to then cancel the flight and give us zero alternatives is an absolute disgrace’

  • This Glasgow restaurant suddenly closed, but its story spans over 140 years

    This Glasgow restaurant closed very suddenly, but the story of its spans over 140 years.

  • Watch: Protesters soak dining tourists with water pistols

    Tourists dining in Barcelona were drenched with water guns by angry crowds of anti-tourism protesters marching down the main boulevards.

  • People have a clever way of making money off airlines to essentially travel for free—and it’s all about looking for an overbooked flight

    Some travelers have made $10,000 just by giving up their airplane seat and agreeing to take another flight just a couple hours later.

  • 'Charming little valley' in North Yorkshire among Britain's best summer walks

    Why Sutton Bank in North York Moors and the 'charming little valley' of Upper Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales are among Britain's best summer walks.

  • Why passengers should think twice before flying with British Airways this summer

    British Airways cancelled 4,033 flights from UK airports in the last twelve months, equating to 2.3 per cent of the industry's total.

  • How hostile is your holiday destination? The places that do and don’t want British tourists

    On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators marched on La Rambla in Barcelona holding placards that read things like “Tourism kills the city” and “Tourists out of our neighbourhoods” – standard issue, in an anti-tourism protest.

  • The 10 best things to do in Krakow

    Poland’s geographical position has meant a history where the country’s borders have changed and changed again, leading to cities which blend a variety of influences in their architecture and food. Kraków though is resolutely Polish and seen by many as their spiritual capital. Walk the cobbled streets, observe from a café on the vast Market Square, dip into the many museums and churches and you will understand the soul of this country. Its centre is compact making its various attractions there ea

  • Why ‘low-cost’ flights to the US aren’t always what they seem

    Low-cost flights from London to Las Vegas have arrived, thanks to Norse Atlantic Airlines – which advertises return fares from Gatwick from £399. It sounds good but what about when you add luggage or pay for seat selection? How do Norse and the other new low-cost, no-frills transatlantic airlines, such as Play and JetBlue, compare with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines?

  • Tourists stranded by storm Beryl pack Cancun airport

    STORY: :: July 6, 2024::Stranded tourists flock to Cancun airportafter Hurricane Beryl causes flight cancellations::Fabiana, Tourist from Florida"It was a little hard. We had to change our flights two times, but it was okay, it wasn't that bad."::Lynn Hayes, Tourist from Kansas"Friday was obviously scary. Thursday night, scary. But the hotel did an amazing job of preparing the hotel and the guests for whatever was to come and kept us fed and kept us safe. And it was great. We commend them."::Cancun, MexicoTravelers crowded in front of airline check-in counters to try and get flights after more than 300 flights were canceled, waiting in long lines as the airport slowly returned to operational mode on Saturday.Beryl weakened to a tropical storm as it passed over Mexico's top beach destinations on Friday (July 5), bringing strong winds and heavy rain but without doing major damage, after forging a deadly trail of destruction across the Caribbean.Mexico's civil protection agency said on Friday, there were zero reports of casualties as a result of the storm.

  • Popular historic castle 'delighted' after clinching global award

    A Bolton Castle in North Yorkshire has won a global award after placing in the top 10% of Tripadvisor listings worldwide.

  • Here’s how to experience one of the most iconic Tour de France climbs while barely breaking a sweat

    Cycling legends have been born on the notorious 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez, but you don’t need calves like Cavendish to enjoy the ride, finds Paddy Maddison

  • How to invest for Caribbean citizenship

    The Caribbean has long-been an attractive destination for the wealthy, given its constant sunshine, clear blue seas and favourable tax regime – but getting citizenship on the islands is becoming tougher.

  • Paris Hilton fulfils 'dream' by bringing daughter to London

    Hotel heiress Paris Hilton has revealed she has fulfilled a "dream" by bringing her daughter London to her namesake city in the UK to stay at the same hotel where her mother spent every summer as a child.

  • One half of holidaymakers factor in a ‘holiday eve’ before jetting off abroad

    More than a half of holidaymakers factor in a ‘holiday eve’ stay away before jetting off abroad. A poll, of 2,000 adults, found seven in 10 think staying somewhere the night before leads to a smoother, less stressful start to a trip, by minimising the chance of missing their selected mode of transport. While 38 per cent admit to sleeping better knowing they’re somewhere close to where they need to be in the morning. And 56 per cent of all respondents thought a comfortable night’s sleep was the main selling point of a ‘holiday eve’, alongside a relaxing dinner (49 per cent) and a few drinks (32 per cent). The research was commissioned by Premier Inn, which has launched a guide [www.premierinn.com/holiday-eve] with expert Victoria Philpott, on how to enjoy the perfect ‘holiday eve’.