Ibiza, isn’t it that party island where you can only party or lie on the beach and sizzle in the sun? Far from it! As soon as you land on the Balearic island, you’ll see the impressive natural landscape with its many mountains, green forests, steep cliffs and turquoise-coloured bays, all waiting to be discovered. We spent a week on Ibiza and explored the most beautiful places.
Table of contents
Hiking in Ibiza: what you should know beforehand
Firstly, the most important thing: we are not trained professional hikers, but we do have at least a few years and a lot of hiking experience. This has proven to be very valuable on Ibiza, because although the island offers an incredible number of routes, many of the hiking trails are not marked and are sometimes difficult to recognise with several parallel paths. Not every hike is therefore suitable for beginners, and children should not be taken everywhere. It is also advisable to carry a hiking guide – printed or digital, for example on your smartphone as a hiking app – so that you can check from time to time whether you are still on the right path.
Some hiking trails are quite remote and cannot be reached by public transport, and not just in the low season. If you want to get out and about in nature and above all be independent, a hire car is therefore highly recommended. The smallest category is perfectly adequate and beyond Ibiza Town, driving is generally quite relaxed. Depending on the remote hiking starting point, however, the car should be fully insured for peace of mind – thank God for shock absorbers.
As a general rule for all hikes, sturdy footwear – preferably proper hiking boots that are already broken in – is an absolute must. Your feet and joints will thank you! Although we were hiking in the off-season and hadn’t yet sweated under the hot summer sun, you should definitely bring plenty of drinks (ideally water) and apply a generous amount of sunscreen; even at “only” 15°C, the sun can still be intense. A snack for some quick energy is also a good idea – as not everywhere offers the opportunity to buy something along the way or at the destination (especially in the off-season when many cafés and restaurants are still closed). A sun protection hat, such as a cap or a sun hat, and sunglasses are also advisable. We would also recommend taking a small first-aid kit.
All packed and ready to go? Then let’s get going!
1. Lost place and a lighthouse: Far des Moscarter and Cala d’en Serra bay
In the north of Ibiza, two highlights can be linked together on one hiking route to create a circular walk: the Far des Moscarter, a lighthouse at the northernmost tip of Ibiza, and the Cala d’en Serra swimming bay.
The starting point is the harbour in Portinatx, where you turn right and follow a path upwards through the pine forest. The path leads to Cala d’en Serra beach, a kind of lost place, because in addition to the beautiful little bay with its sandy beach and turquoise-blue sea, there is a building that has been falling apart for several decades and was probably once a hotel. Now just a ruin (be careful when exploring!), graffiti artists have pounced on it and decorated it colourfully and creatively. The detour down to the beach and ruins is definitely worth it!
The route continues towards the lighthouse, now permanently on a small path directly on the sea cliffs (not for people with a fear of heights – there are no safety barriers!), with impressive views again and again; sometimes you have to fight your way through the undergrowth. Soon, however, the black and white painted lighthouse becomes visible in the distance and the path becomes rockier, with fewer trees. After a (photo) break at the lighthouse – unfortunately you can’t enter it – you continue along the coast back to the harbour of Portinatx.
In total, you walk about 4.7 miles with several ascents, the hike can be classified as moderately difficult.
2. For influencers: Puente de Piedra stone bridge
Always on the lookout for the most impressive photo motif – that’s why you put up with difficult hikes, right? Well, we’re not quite so influencer-like, but we wanted to see the Puente de Piedra stone bridge with our own eyes. The rock formation is located in northern Cala d’Albarca and the starting point can be reached by car after a bumpy journey and is marked with a sign – unfortunately, it cannot be found on Googlemaps. From there, it is a steep 1.5-kilometre descent along a wide gravel path, which is anything but pleasant for the feet, even with good hiking boots, and requires absolute surefootedness. We were already dreading the way back on the descent …
At the bottom, you are more than rewarded with the natural stone bridge and other rock formations, enjoying stunning views of the coastline. And yes – a photo on the bridge is a must, of course. ?
The round trip is just under 1.9 miles with a steep ascent on the way back, but overall the hike is still rather moderate in difficulty.
3. Path to the defence tower: Torre de Campanitx
On our tours of Ibiza, we have repeatedly come across defence towers on the coast; this is due to the history of Ibiza, which used to be a strategically important point in the Mediterranean. One of these towers, the Torre de Campanitx, is located in Sant Carles and can be reached on foot with a short hike.
You can park your car at Cala Boix beach, where you can relax after the hike; from there, the path is signposted towards the tower and leads up another small section of beach into a wooded area. After a final small climb, you reach the tower, which unfortunately we could only admire from the outside; nevertheless, we really enjoyed the view of the small island of Tagomago just off the coast.
To make the way back a little more creative as a circular walk, you can turn left just before the beach to go a little deeper into the forest along a stone wall – where, unusually, there are cacti as well as pine trees – and finally cross a meadow to get back to Cala Boix.
The trail is about 2.5 miles long and beginner-friendly; the ascent is quite gentle, only shortly before the tower does it get very steep and rocky again.
4. Almond blossom hike in the valley of Santa Agnès de Corona
Anyone visiting Ibiza in February should not miss the impressive almond blossom. The most famous route for a hike through a particularly picturesque area is found in the Pla de Corona valley in Santa Agnès. In the small village, there is a large car park near the church of Santa Agnès, as this area is very busy during the season, with locals also wanting to admire the white and pink blossoms.
Unfortunately, we were a little early and couldn’t enjoy the trees in full bloom – but the short hike was still worth it, even though it passes many sections along the busy country road. The section through the fields and among the almond trees must surely be an impressive experience when in full bloom! While the trees are in full bloom, guided tours – even at night – are also offered.
A highlight for us was also the detour to the Mirador de sa Penya Esbarrada, with spectacular views of the steep cliffs and small rock islands in the sea.
With detours, the circular route is just under 4 to 4.3 miles, with no major changes in elevation, and is easy to manage and suitable for beginners.
5. View of the magical rock: Mirador Es Vedrà
Es Vedrà is one of the highlights that you absolutely must see on Ibiza – however, it’s also always quite crowded, as the viewpoint overlooking the impressive rock formation, which rises 400 meters above the coast of Ibiza, is one of the most popular spots. Many myths and legends surround the rock island, and you can’t help but feel a magical sense of awe when you look across from the Mirador.
The hike starts at the Torre des Savinar car park, and we were only lucky enough to grab one of the few spaces; especially at sunset in summer (but even earlier), it gets very busy. From the car park, a path leads straight ahead towards the Mirador, which later becomes narrower and steeper. After about 20 minutes, you reach the viewpoint.
For those who want something a bit more challenging, there’s an additional, very steep climb up to the Torre des Savinar watchtower. It’s only a few hundred meters – but these are very steep, not properly marked, and really quite demanding. However, you’re rewarded with an even more impressive view of Es Vedrà. We climbed a bit further up to the top and had a wonderful 360° view of the entire bay.
The total distance with detours, both ways, is about 1.9 miles and is of moderate difficulty.
6. The hidden paradise: Atlantis – Sa Pedrera de Cala d’Hort
For those who want to really challenge themselves after the Mirador Es Vedrà and combine two hikes, turn right before the car park at the metal gate, heading towards “Atlantis” to the hidden little paradise – also known as Sa Pedrera de Cala d’Hort. This is a sandstone quarry right by the sea, where stones were once transported by ships, and today you can swim in small pools or relax on the beach. However, to get there, you must tackle an extremely steep path down, which is also not marked; several small, worn paths lead down, and you must be very careful not to slip on the rubble or later, the sandy ground.
Once you reach the bottom, it’s definitely worth it, as you get a beautiful view of the sea and, if you’re lucky, have the bay to yourself to swim in the natural pools or explore the area. The place is also very popular with hippies, as you can see directly from the large stone-formed peace sign (which, by the way, can be seen particularly well from the viewpoint at Torre des Savinar!).
The climb, however, is truly a challenge and cost us a lot of energy; it’s very steep, and despite it being February, the sun was strong, so we needed several short breaks and took about half an hour to get back up. I would recommend doing this hike only very early or late in the afternoon.
The round trip is about 1.9 miles, and despite the short distance, the hike is challenging and not suitable for beginners.
Are you still looking for accommodation in Ibiza? A few kilometres from Sa Pedrera is the TUI BLUE Tarida Beach with swim-up rooms and adult area and many pools or the TUI BLUE Aura with aqua park and childcare.
7. Santa Eulària des Riu: From the stone bridge to the beach
Less of a hike and more of a pleasant and relaxing stroll with lovely sights is what we experienced in the town of Santa Eulària. After finding a parking spot in the middle of the town, the walk starts right at one of the most beautiful photo spots in the town, Pont Vell, an old stone bridge right by the river, home to many different water birds. From there, you stroll through a charming park area along the river all the way down to the beach, then walk along the town’s promenade to the harbour and sit down in one of the countless cafés or restaurants with a sea view to enjoy a coffee and a sweet treat. After that, we explored the lovely little town, with one of the highlights being the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Jesús, built on the highest point of the town.
The path from the stone bridge, along the beach, and to the harbour is about 1.2 miles and is very easy to walk, making it suitable for children as well.
8. Parc Natural de ses Salines: Hiking in the nature reserve
In the south of Ibiza, just a few kilometres from the island’s airport, lies the protected area Parc Natural de Ses Salines d’Eivissa i Formentera. The area stretches far out over the water to the neighbouring island of Formentera and is important for both the marine ecosystem due to the numerous seagrass meadows and for a variety of migratory birds that take a break there on their long journey. We humans, on the other hand, can use the area for hiking and relaxation, as there is much to discover: directly adjacent to the area is Ses Salines Beach, the most visited beach in Ibiza in summer, and while hiking, you can view another watchtower, the Torre de ses Portes, at the southernmost tip, and look across the Strait to Formentera.
Even on the way to the car park, you get a great view of the vast salt flats where salt is extracted from seawater. From the car park, you can start a circular route through the pine forest towards the watchtower; on the way there, we kept to the left, near the salt flats, and even spotted some wild flamingos on a small detour! Through the forest, we then oriented ourselves towards the coast and walked directly along the water to the tower. For the return journey, we took the path closer to the beach with less woodland on the other side.
With a few detours, we walked just under 2.5 miles; the hike is very easy, with no significant ascents. However, due to the rocky, uneven ground, you should still wear hiking boots.
9. Day trip to Formentera: salt flats and a lighthouse
NFormentera is just a stone’s throw away – or rather, about a 30-minute ferry ride from the port in Ibiza Town and definitely worth a day trip or more. We slightly underestimated the size of the island and wanted to explore it on foot; one day, however, isn’t enough for that. Fortunately, there are also occasional bus routes on the island!
From the port in La Savina, we first made our way towards the town of Sant Francesc de Formentera; a relaxed path first leads along the salt flats and then past the inland lake Estany Pudent. Swimming is prohibited there, as it is also a protected nature reserve, home to a variety of different birds. We walked about 2.8 miles from the port to Sant Francesc and took a coffee break there.
A highlight of the island is the Far de la Mola lighthouse at the eastern tip of the island, perched on a 120-meter-high cliff and thus the highest point on the island. There is a bus from Sant Francesc to the lighthouse; we got off at the penultimate stop to visit the Molino Viejo de la Mola windmill and then took a relaxed stroll along a country path, passing rustic buildings and green meadows, for about 1.8 miles to the lighthouse.
Both routes are absolutely beginner-friendly and also exciting for children.
10. Ibiza Town: Tour of the old town
During a holiday on Ibiza, you definitely shouldn’t miss the island’s capital, Ibiza Town. While it’s not a hike in the traditional sense, the old town offers a beautiful long walk with its historic buildings and the harbour; countless cafés, restaurants, and bars are available for refreshments. If you want to learn more about the history of Ibiza, you should definitely visit the Madina Yasiba Museum, where you can dive into the history of Ibiza Town using audiovisual technology.
We started our tour of the city along the harbour and first took a detour to the pier to see the Far d’Eivissa lighthouse. From there, several small alleys wind their way up towards the Ibiza Castle, which towers high above the town and is already impressive when approaching the island. Around the castle, you can wander through the medieval fortifications and enjoy a fantastic view of Ibiza Town – and of course, the sea. This vast open-air museum also has numerous information boards that tell you more about the complex. Entrance is free.
We walked just under 3 miles through the town; the climb to the castle is quite steep in parts, but easy to manage.
Still much to discover: more hiking trails on Ibiza
There are many more exciting hiking trails on Ibiza that we would have loved to explore – but unfortunately, one week just wasn’t enough time. Next time, we would definitely check out the island’s highest point, Sa Talaia, from which you are said to have a fantastic panoramic view of the whole island. Sa Punta Galera and Cap Nunó in the west promise particularly beautiful sunsets, the hiking area Cala Nova in the east still needs to be discovered, and a particularly challenging and adventurous hike is said to be the path to the Far de sa Punta Grossa lighthouse in the northeast. So we’ll have to come back.?
Book your Ibiza holiday now!
Questions and answers about hiking in Ibiza
What should I definitely take with me?
– Comfortable hiking shoes
– Flexible, movement-friendly clothing
– High SPF sunscreen, plus a sun hat or cap, possibly sunglasses
– Sufficient drinks, preferably water
– A small first-aid kit
– Smartphone, GPS device, and/or hiking guide for orientation (for longer hikes, additionally a power bank and charging cable)
– Snacks to keep your energy up, e.g., energy bars
– Camera and binoculars (if needed)
What’s the best time of year for hiking on Ibiza?
Hiking is beautiful at any time of year on Ibiza – for us, the off-season worked especially well, as there were few people around and we had some hiking trails and destinations all to ourselves. In winter and spring, nature blooms – especially impressive is the almond blossom in February. The temperatures are mild and not as hot as in the months from June to September – during the high season, you’ll need to protect yourself more from the sun, as it can get over 30°C, and many routes offer little to no shade. Popular viewpoints like at Es Vedrà are also completely overcrowded. The months from October to May are therefore ideal.
Which part of the island is the most beautiful?
It all depends on your personal preferences, and each part has its own charm. On the north coast, we were particularly impressed by the wild, rugged nature and the cliffs. On the west coast, you can enjoy breathtaking sunsets with panoramic views, for example, at Es Vedrà. The inland offers fantastic views of the entire island from Sa Talaia. The south is known for the salt flats, and the east has peaceful beaches and forests. Our favourite is the wild north!
How do I get around the island?
Most hiking trails are difficult or even impossible to reach – especially in the off-season – by public transport. If you want to explore a lot and be independent, it’s best to rent a car.
What else can I experience on Ibiza?
Plenty! And you can do it even without a car, on foot or by bike. Check out our article on the best things to do in Ibiza for more. If you prefer a more relaxed pace and want to soak up the sun on the beach, you can discover the island’s most beautiful beaches. We also have tips for the perfect family holiday on Ibiza with kids.