Things To Do in Es Cana

Here you’ll find 300 metres of golden sand, shallow water and plenty of bars nearby to provide drinks and nibbles. And you can stretch your legs with a stroll along the footpath that takes you south to secluded Cala Martina.

A three-course meal for 9 euros makes Restaurant Miranda one of those must-go places. The food is fresh and tasty – they do the best alioli – garlic and olive oil sauce – on the island. Staff happily mix and match dishes to please fussy eaters as well as the kids. And at those prices, there won’t be any tantrums.

La Jacaranda has a location that would put a smile on Phil and Kirstie’s faces – the terrace overlooks the full length of the beach as well as the coastline to the north. Try one of owner Mandy’s famous mojitos while you enjoy the sun setting on the sea view.

Around 40 minutes by bus will get you to Ibiza’s capital. The don’t-miss bit in these parts is the UNESCO-protected old town, with its castle and 14th-century cathedral. Then – moving from the sublime to the ridiculous – you can drop down to the marina for drinks with the ‘wetset’ and check out the yachts lined up in order of size.

You’re within an hour’s bus ride of the capital, Ibiza Town, so it’s worth paying it a visit. The old town comes with the UNESCO seal of approval thanks to its castle, cathedral and quaint winding lanes. The place is packed with shops and restaurants, and the marina makes a glamorous setting for early evening drinks.

As the name suggests, this annual, 3-day festival has a Medieval theme. It attracts thousands of visitors, who come to the old town to see acrobatics, battle re-enactments, concerts, workshops and falconry displays. You can also browse the large street market, which is manned by stallholders in Medieval costume, of course.

While Es Cana might not have the back-to-back club scene of its larger neighbours, there are plenty of bars here. In fact, they stretch all the way along the beach onto the main road to Santa Eulalia, and offer everything from quality cabaret acts and live music to karaoke and quiz nights.

Soft sand, shallow water and plenty of bars and cafés on standby – no wonder the beach here is popular. When you fancy a change, though, a short walk southwards along the footpath takes you to Cala Martina. It’s a nice secluded spot here, and the scuba divers love it, too.

Shopping at the hippie market here is a real must-do. As you’d expect, there’s a focus on ethnic clothing, essential oils, handmade jewellery, and colourful bags and scarves. It’s as much an attraction as a retail experience, so you can take breaks between browsing to watch the street performers and musicians. The market takes place on Wednesdays, at the Holiday Club grounds at the edge of town.

Es Cana’s patron saint is Saint Christopher, and the town gives him due kudos once a year with a chapel mass and a parade of traditional horse-drawn carts.

Set in the heart of the resort just 100 metres from the sea, La Perla boasts one of the largest outdoor terraces in Es Cana. Take a cold beer and enjoy the small tapas snack that comes with it. They do a great food menu, too – spicy sausages and Spanish-style fish. If sport’s your thing, you’re in luck, with games showing on the plasma every night.

Bars stretch all the way along the beach onto the main road to Santa Eulalia, so you can dip in and out as you go. All the usual suspects are here – karaoke, cabaret and quiz nights, just without the hardcore edge of Ibiza’s nightlife titans. Kids are welcome in most of these places, too.

There are plenty of eating places throughout the resort, but if you like fresh seafood you can watch it come ashore from one of the harbour-front restaurants. The sea views here are first rate, and set the scene for some of the best food in town. The sea bass in salt crust is a real favourite, and the locally caught lobster takes some beating.

Sea views with your dinner don’t come much better than at Es Cana. A barnacle of restaurants cling to the harbour front, and you can watch the fishing boats while you wait for your lobster to arrive. The local speciality, sea bass in salt crust, is well worth a try.

The hippie market at Es Cana is an island institution. Held on a Wednesday in the Holiday Club grounds at the edge of town, the place is packed with stalls selling handmade jewellery, batik wraps and aromatherapy oils, while street performers pound away on hang drums or twirl diabolos. Kaftans optional.