Santa Eulalia is the ideal destination for those seeking a relaxed and quiet time in Ibiza. The town has a rather classy feel to it with its first class gastronomic joints and art galleries to peruse on a hot afternoon. Palm trees offer shade all along the length of the spacious arc of beach, the appeal of which is enhanced still further by little gardens and fountains to stop and admire along the way.

This area of Ibiza has long been a hit with families, and those in control have long fought hard to shelter Santa Eulalia from the hedonistic persist of San Antonio and Playa D’en Bossa, the result is a stunning typical costal town, bustling yet relaxing, that stays lively throughout the year, with plenty to see and do every day.

Santa Eulalia has accommodation for everyone, from budget family hotels offering full board, to 5 star luxury retreats. If flying solo is your thing, a range of apartments can be found in the centre of the town, or why not rent out an exclusive villa in the nearby hills?

Mariner’s Beach and close by

Mariner’s Beach is ideal for families with its shallow seabed and fine sand. With  a few restaurants dotted along the promenade, it’s ideally suited to a relaxing day of sun, sand and sea. The beach’s claim to fame is that it lies at the mouth if the island’s one and only river, the Santa Eulalia riu, alongside of which runs a pleasant walk that will lead you up to a fully restored Roman bridge, another unique point of interest on the island. If you walk just over the other side of the river via a footbridge, you’ll discover the quiet little beach known to locals as Calo de S’Alga which has a more relaxed feel than beaches in Santa Eulalia, and is a perfect spot for a bit of snorkelling. There is also little jetty from which swimmers can launch themselves into the tantalising waters.

In and around the harbour

Santa Eulalia harbour has some of the top restaurants in the area making it the ideal place to sit and enjoy a fresh fish dish while doing a spot of yacht spotting. There are plenty of bars as well where you can enjoy a sangria or two to get the evening off to the perfect start. An entire street, Calle San Vicente, is given over to restaurants of one sort or another, serving anything from the island’s very own Ibizan cuisine to much loved Indian dishes, all with tables and chairs set outside in true Mediterranean fashion. The street is closed to traffic in the early evening which adds to the laid-back ambiance. Known both locally and to tourists alike as Restaurant Street, the range of eateries caters to all budgets and cushiness.

Although you won’t hear too many thumping clubby beats here in Santa Eulalia, Ibiza Town is only a short bus or ferry ride away for those who feel the urge for a temporary change of pace.

Plaza España

The town’s main square,Plaza España, is well worth a look round with its craft stalls and shops and is beautifully decorated with colourful flowers in quintessential Mediterranean fashion.You’ll also see the picturesque Town Hall which has paid host to many a fairytale wedding over the years and forms the focal point of town processions of one sort or another.

The easy way to see the sights

For a slightly lazy way to see the sights, grab Ibiza Tourist Train which will take you all the way from Santa Eulalia on a relaxed jaunt of 15 km past some of this part of the island’s most picturesque locations. Pou des Lleó, Cala Boix, Cala Mastella, Cala Lleña beach and San Carlos are all on the tour and offer plenty of photo opportunities along the way. For other tours, you could easily catch a ferry from the jetty and explore Es Cana, home of the famous hippy market, Cala Pada and Ibiza Town. Also highly recommended is a day trip to Ibiza’s little sister island which has been described as Europe’s last paradise, Formentera.