NORTHERN IBIZA IS A WORLD OF ITS OWN
The clubbing crowd tends to converge in Ibiza’s southern reaches in places like Playa d’en Bossa near Ibiza Town. Less than 20 miles north of there, however, a quieter take on the island awaits. The areas around Portinatx and Sant Joan de Labritja conjure low-key Balearic living and natural beauty with large in landscapes backdropped by rugged coastlines dotted with whitewashed villages and thickly forested hillsides. You can walk along a clifftop path, roughly five miles, enjoying spectacular coastal views to reach the working Punta Moscarter Lighthouse—the tallest lighthouse (171 feet) in all of the Balearic Islands, which also include Mallorca, Menorca, Cabrera and Formentera. In the whitewashed town of Sant Joan de Labritja, a “hippy market” takes over the village streets every Sunday, with all manner of handmade goods for sale. Pop into cheerful cafes for fresh Mediterranean salads, seafood dishes and paella. Just west of town, a roughly four-mile loop trail leads to the watchtower of Torre des Molar for more jaw-dropping coastal views. You can consider exploring the area on horseback, too. Ibiza Horse Valley operates a rehabilitation facility for horses and leads guests on half-day tours into the surrounding mountains.
Prefer lounging on a gorgeous beach instead? Set your sights on the golden swath of sand at Platja de Cala Xarraca, a few minutes southwest of Portinatx, where clear, turquoise waters draw snorkelers, and there’s even a natural mud bath alongside the beach (ask locals to point the way if you have trouble finding it). Once there, use seawater to soften the mud rocks before rubbing them onto your skin and basking in properties the locals claim have purifying qualities.
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