Santa Eulalia holidays

When to go to Santa Eulalia

Ibiza has a balmy climate, with little rainfall and temperatures that rarely drop below double figures. Beach-friendly weather begins in May, with temperatures rising from a pleasant 18C to a piping 30C by August. By October, average highs drop to around 24C, but it’s still a great time to visit.

Price-wise, it’s very much a game of two halves in Santa Eulalia, with high season running from May to October. It’s a family-friendly resort, so school holidays are when it’s at its busiest; August is by far the most expensive month to stay.

In May, June and September, Santa Eulalia holidays are slightly cheaper than the more nightlife-focused resorts of San Antonio and Playa d’en Bossa, but November to April is the time to bag a cheap holiday deal – prices can halve. Tourist businesses and clubs are all but closed, but local restaurants stay open. It’s a great time to enjoy hiking or cycling too.

What to do in Santa Eulalia

Santa Eulalia’s beaches and restaurants are enough to keep most visitors happily switching between one and the other over the course of long, lazy sun-kissed days. Beyond, the pretty town has excellent shops and a few sights of its own. The resort is also a convenient spot for day trips to other parts of the island.

Puig de Missa

Standing on a hilltop overlooking the town, the whitewashed Puig de Missa church is hard to miss. It was easy prey for 16th-century pirates, so local worshippers fortified it, adding a watchtower alongside its domed roof and impenetrable walls to stop marauders. Enjoy the tranquil interior, and the spectacular views from outside.

Then, stop a few doors down at the Ethnographic Museum to learn about the rural heritage of the Balearics, with exhibitions of traditional dress, tools and musical instruments.

Es Canar

Just three miles down the coast from Santa Eulalia, Es Canar has its own boast-worthy beach, but its real draw is the Wednesday Punta Arabi Hippy Market.

The largest on the island, it’s open from 10am to 7pm, and packed with stalls selling handcrafted leather bags, belts and shoes, jewellery and knick-knacks of all descriptions – it’s basically souvenir central. There are food stalls too, plus a range of performers throughout the day, from musicians to jugglers.

Ibiza Town

Travel by road or hop on the ferry to Ibiza Town, the island’s capital and most stylish spot. The hilltop ‘Dalt Vila’ (Old Town) is picturesque, with cobbled streets and leafy squares, as well as atmospheric cafes, bars and restaurants hidden within hefty ramparts. Highlights here include the Museu d'Art Contemporani d'Eivissa and Ibiza Cathedral.

Benirras Beach

To see one of Ibiza’s most beautiful beaches, head north-west to Cala Benirrás (it’s about a 30-minute drive away). This protected cove has some great seafood shacks, and on a Sunday night, the air comes alive with the sound of locals beating their bongos as the sun sinks behind the Cap Bernat rock.

Nearby, the Can Marca caves are a welcome respite from the heat. Smugglers once picked their way through the stalactites and stalagmites to conceal contraband.

Formentera

An hour’s ferry ride away from Santa Eulalia is Formentera, the smallest and sleepiest of the Balearic Islands. Beaches here sparkle with soft white sands and unbelievably clear, turquoise waters (the secret is a seagrass meadow surrounding the island that acts as a water filter).

The island is only 12 miles long and pretty flat, so you can easily get around by bike or car. Both are available to rent from the ferry terminal. Snooze on the beach after a long lunch – lazy days are what Formentera is all about.