Best Beaches in Ibiza

Ibiza has always been known for its anything-goes attitude, and you'll see this in full bloom at Aguas Blancas, the area's famed nudist beach. It's surrounded by rigged cliffs, and is known for its powder-soft, golden sand, and shallow, clear water. This is a great place to go to avoid the crowds. Make sure to stop by Restaurane Aguas Blancas, which has grown from a chiringuito shack into a fantastic beach restaurant serving sandwiches that hit the spot.

Don't be surprised if you come across a spontaneous drumming session on Benirras—this secluded beach is the heart of Ibiza's hippie community, so bongos and fire dancers are not an uncommon sight. Its calm waters are also fantastic for snorkeling, and it's in a secluded bay so it's quite popular for yacht owners and private boats that want to dock somewhere with less crowds. The nearby Elements restaurant offers yoga on the deck (as well as DJs spinning music), and a clothing boutique selling boho fashion from local designers.

This beach, on the south side of Ibiza, is beloved by locals. It's a bit off the radar for tourists, so it's rarely crowded and always beautiful. The picturesque setting is largely due to the two massive red cliffs that flank the two sides of the beach, which block the breeze and give the sandy stretch a sense of seclusion—it almost feels like a private beach. You'll also find some of the island's earliest ruins here, which date back to 654 BC, and are marked with plaques. Nearby, Restaurante Sa Caleta serves an incredible paella and white sangria that can't be missed.

This is easily the area's most notorious party beach. It's one of the longest beaches in Ibiza, and always packed with beautiful people, colorful umbrellas, and loud music. There are tons of cool beach bars with beds to lounge in, great DJs, and excellent water sports. At night, this becomes Ibiza's party hotspot as well, as it's home to Space and Ushuaia, two clubs that attract celebrities and world-renowned DJs.

Named for the salt lakes in the area, this beach has one of the best soundtracks. Music drifts over from the Sa Trinxa Beach Bar, where DJ Jon Sa Trinxa holds court all day with Balaeric beats. Kate Moss and Jade Jagger have been seen dancing along. If you need a break from the crowds, walk all the way to the southern tip of the beach, where you'll find an old pirate watchtower with views of the coast—you can even spot the nearby island of Formentera.

Though Cala Jondal is home to Ibiza hotspots like the Blue Marlin and Tropicana, it remains one of the more laid-back beaches in the area. Yes, you'll see celebrities and billionaire yacht owners there, but it's a relaxed, friendly place for sunbathing on the island's iconic white sun-loungers. Try the local rice dishes at Yemanja, one of the area's best restaurants.

This is one of the most popular beaches in the west—it's got such clear, clean water, and soft sand, that you might forget you're in the Mediterranean. It's very close to the San Antonio resort area, which means it can be quite busy. But there are quite a few qualities that make this a family-friendly spot: there's a protected area for swimming, away from the water sports and motorized boats, and plenty of great picnic spots. There are also tons of rock pools for wading in.

This is the ultimate crowd-pleasing beach. There are water sports that will please any adrenaline seeker, but the water is also shallow quite far into the ocean, so kids are safe here. There are shaded picnic areas for those who prefer to avoid the sun, and of course, great beach restaurants for either a quick bite or a long, leisurely lunch of seafood and wine.

Most locals will swear that this beach on the island's west side has the best sunset—it's got a varied coastline that includes rocks, sand dunes, and secluded areas that offer utter privacy. There are tons of wonderful seafood restaurants, but the best place to watch the scenery chance is at Sunset Ashram, a fun, hippy bar that serves delicious drinks.

This beach on the west side is perfect for adrenaline junkies. The sharp, rocky edge is not what you'd picture at a typical beach, but the cliffs have large, flat formations, and they're easy to access. Add its deep waters, and it's the ideal place for adventurous cliff jumpers and snorkelers. You'll often find people practicing yoga on the flat rock beds, as well as topless sunbathers enjoying privacy of the rocky crags.