Things To Do in Portinatx

Hand-painted plates, gecko-print shoulder bags and spangly jewellery boxes are just some of the items you’re likely to find in the gift shops dotted around the village streets. Plus, every Sunday you’ve got the hippie market, where Ibiza’s long-haired locals set up shop with their wicker baskets, tie-dye dresses, and silver jewellery.

This July fiesta crams in tonnes of activities, from sack races on the beach to table tennis round robins. And on the final Saturday, the village is inundated with 4,000 visitors from across the island who come for the mother of all beach parties. There are DJs, a mammoth sound rig, and people of all ages getting into the Ibiza spirit.

The easiest coastal trail from Portinatx is an hour round trip to the candy-striped Punta d’es Moscarter lighthouse and back. Set out from Es Port Beach, and follow the coastline trail in a north-easterly direction until its comes into view. And if you fancy extending your walk, follow the blue markers to the secluded Cala d’en Serra Beach, where you’ll find an abandoned hotel in this rocky cove.

Sangria connoisseurs should make a beeline for this hotel bar on Es Port Beach. The owner uses a secret recipe you’ll be hard pushed to get him to reveal. And he also has a Champagne version that’s almost as popular as the classic recipe. It stays open late every night – perfect if you’re looking for a nightcap.

The superclubs of Ibiza Town are just half an hour's drive away, but Portinatx likes its nightlife a bit calmer. If you’re in the market for an after-dinner tipple, you’ll find most of the bars just a short walk away in the main square. There are no clubs in the resort, but live Spanish music washed down with a glass of sangria is never more than a few minutes away. Back towards the beach, there are Brit pubs to hand for a pint and a pub quiz.

Fish dominates the menu in these parts, and the best place to eat it is in the restaurants right on the beach. Two local fishing boats supply the town daily, so the catch of the day will be netted and plated for you by nightfall. The caldereta – a fishy stew often made with lobster – is always a favourite.

As its name suggests, Caballito del Mar looks out to sea and the food is as appealing as the view. There’s a different special on the menu every day – handy, as this is the sort of place you’ll want to return to. The mussels come highly recommended.

This scenic bay, fringed with trees, has a thick blanket of soft, golden sand. You don’t have to worry about letting children in the water, as the sea stays shallow for quite a way. Plus, there’s a lifeguard surveying the scene. On the right-hand side on the seafront is a little channel reserved for pedalos and banana boats. And backing the sand is a handful of bars and restaurants serving beers and sandwiches, or boccadillos as they’re known around here.

Right by the sand, this bay-view bar comes with friendly staff, cool music and equally cool cocktails. You can sink into one of the big comfy cushions tucked away in the bar’s various nooks and crannies. If you get peckish, there's a great menu, too – pizzas, fajitas and grilled sardines.