Destinations · Ibiza
Ibiza family holidays
Ibiza's reputation and Ibiza's family holiday offer are two different islands. The north and east coasts are quiet cove country with shallow, warm water and a small clutch of family hotels that fill up early because they don't over-supply the market.
The family map of the island
Skip the west and the San Antonio strip entirely. The family-friendly Ibiza sits around Portinatx and Cala San Vicente in the north, Es Cana and Santa Eulalia in the east, and Playa d'en Bossa's family end near Ushuaia only if you can commit to sticking north of the club strip.
Portinatx
Three small coves, all with lifeguards in summer, and a pedestrianised horseshoe of restaurants around the beach. The best fit for under-8s: nothing is more than a five-minute walk from anywhere else.
Santa Eulalia
The island's family town proper: a long promenade, decent supermarkets, more choice of restaurants and easy taxis to the pretty coves nearby. Best for families needing more than a beach and a hotel.
Es Cana
Smaller and cheaper than Santa Eulalia, a Wednesday hippy market, and a single sheltered bay that's usable at low tide with toddlers. Good for a lower-budget week.
When to go
May and September are the sweet spots. Sea temperatures hit 22 to 24 degrees, hotels are open, and half the mopeds have gone home. Peak July and August pushes prices up 40 to 60 per cent versus June, and the north-coast lanes get tight. Easter is variable: cool for the beach, fine for exploring.
Flight times
Two hours 15 to two hours 40 minutes from most UK airports. Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Gatwick and Stansted all fly direct in summer. Ibiza airport is on the south of the island, so add 30 to 50 minutes' transfer to reach the family coasts.
What each age gets out of it
Under-fives: shallow coves and long naps in a shaded balcony. 5 to 11: boat trips to Formentera, snorkelling at Cala Xarraca and Aguas Blancas' calm days, plus the water park at Aguamar. 12 plus: quieter than they want. Consider Menorca instead, or hold Ibiza back until they'd genuinely enjoy the food, the sunsets and a hire moped from the age of 16.
Rough costs
A week half-board in Portinatx or Santa Eulalia for a family of four lands £1,900 to £3,200 in June or September, £2,800 to £4,500 in peak August. Villas run 15 to 25 per cent cheaper if you're four adults sharing costs, more expensive at family-of-four scale.