Sunny and tranquil Santa Eulària des Riu on the east coast of Ibiza has all the ingredients for slow travel and the best way to appreciate the charm, culture and vibrant wildlife is on foot or by pedal power or through the enjoyment of local cuisine and small-scale hotels.

The island’s climate is ideal for exploring all year round. With around 300 sunny days a year, temperatures range from an average of 11.3C in January to 30.6C in August, with sea temperatures ranging between 14C and 28C.

To celebrate the routes and paths that criss-cross the scenery and the best ways to enjoy the region at a relaxed pace, from charming hotels and restaurants to hiking, biking and guided walks the region is championing slow travel as the perfect way to see this side of Ibiza.

Chiringuitos in Santa Eularia

 

The Chringuitos in Santa Eularia Guide has been designed to highlight family-friendly tourism and slow travel, through the charm of the simple beach bars or Chiringuitos. The guide aims to promote authentic, relaxed experiences in contrast to luxury beach clubs, focusing on nature and quality family time. The guide features descriptions of each Chiringuito, and detailed information on nearby points of interest and beaches. It is not just a list of places but a collection of narratives that capture visitors’ experiences

at each beach bar, encouraging travellers to embrace the beauty of simplicity.

 

Chiringuito Sa Punta Talamanca offers a serene and tranquil experience for visitors. Perched upon rocks, this chiringuito offers views of Dat Vila, Ibiza’s 500 year old walled town and is the perfect place to listen to the sound of the waves and watch passing sailboats. Meanwhile, Chiringuito de Cala Olivera is a rustic, laid-back spot offering a calm escape. Visitors will walk amongst pine trees to access the hidden cove in which it nestled, upon arrival they can take a dip enjoying the clear waters of the bay. Also set amidst pine trees is Chringuito de Cala Nova. With beautiful white sands making it the perfect place for young children to play whilst the adults sit with a nice cool drink. Chiringuito de Es Caló de S’Alga, is also a firm favourite amongst families. Children are able to play in the shallow waters with the postcard-perfect view of Santa Eulària’s coastline in the background.

The warmth of the beach meets the fresh forest air at Chiringuito de Cala Llenya, a cozy wooden kiosk, shaded under a pine tree. The soothing sounds of the ocean make this the perfect spot to enjoy authentic food and relax. Chiringuito de Cala Mestella is located in a peaceful cove framed by rocks. The quaint wooden kiosk blends seamlessly into the natural landscape, offering a true escape into nature. The quiet beach is also ideal for kayaking for those wanting a more active trip. The rustic, family-oriented Chiringuito de Pou des Lleó is tucked away in a small cove surrounded by fisherman’s huts and pine trees.  As if frozen in time, small boats bob in the ocean nearby, awaiting their next adventure to explore hidden turquoise caves, and nearby there’s an old watchtower that offers panoramic views over the stunning natural environment.

 

Charming Hotels and Restaurants

 

To showcase its fantastic offering of authentic accommodation and restaurants the ‘Hotels with Charm’ guide and ‘Restaurants with Charm’ guide collate the best on offer. Featuring traditional and independent suggestions the guides mean visitors can easily showcase where to visit / stay based on the kind of restaurant or accommodation experience they want to try.

 

Boutique accommodation options are increasing the choice of charming places to stay for Santa Eularia; visitors looking for more authentic and smaller-scale experiences away from the crowds. Locally operated four-star Nativo Hotel Ibiza opened in June 2021 offering guests a barefoot back-to-nature experience.

 

Luxury farmhouse retreat Hotel Rural OD Can Jaume has 21 rooms with terraces and traditional character surrounded by orange, fig and carob trees in the countryside but still only a short drive to nightlife.

Aguamadera, on the other hand is a 12-room and suite agrotourism, which opened in June 2023 under the ownership of Iria Urgell, co-founder of Pacha, Ibiza’s original nightclub. A secluded property in a green, wooded and tranquil part of Ibiza, it combines wellness treatments with Ibizan heritage, remaining true to its roots as a farmhouse dating back to 1888.

The century-old luxury Agroturismo Cas Gasí hotel and orchard grounds with olive groves has 18 suites and double rooms with al fresco dining terraces, where the cuisine is created from fresh produce picked in the hotel’s own organic vegetable garden.

 

Agroturismo Can Arabi is a rural dining favourite set amongst the citrus groves and olive trees. The Mediterranean menu features Asian accents and produce cultivated on the land in the surrounding fields and orchards. Cala Bonita is another restaurant for those in the know – hard to reach but a real gem to uncover. Hidden on the tiny cove of s’Estanyol it is one of the island’s most special eateries and fantastic location to spend a long leisurely lunch enjoying seafood

 

 

Hiking Routes

 

There are 14 hiking routes of varying distances and difficulty, from easy for families to challenging for hardened hikers.

 

Route 7 Es Figueral is a relatively short but challenging hike with a ‘high’ difficulty rating for the 18.95km trail traversing several steep hills and taking about four hours to complete. Starting from Es Figueral Beach, the trail goes inland and then back along the east coast, visiting secluded coves, churches, ancient towers and a natural wellspring. 

 

The Great Route is a longer, 65-km hike but rated medium difficulty, taking about 15 hours to complete the circuit, starting from the Town Hall and going along the coast then inland and back along the beaches, passing more than 15 points of interest along the way including 18th-century churches, ancient ruins, heritage sites and the hippy markets at Las Dalias and Punta Arabi, plus a 215-metre high view along the route.

 

For those looking to explore with families, the Route 13 River Walk is among the easiest and most scenic routes covering 3.1km along the river and waterways filled with wildlife and takes under two hours to complete at a leisurely pace over relatively level terrain.

 

Cycling Routes

 

In total, there are 12 cycling routes that wend their way through Santa Eulària des Riu. Most are low-to-medium difficulty, ranging in distance from 9km to 30km.

 

Cycling Route 3 Es Canar is a 13.3km ride to the church at Sant Carles and back via a different route of medium difficulty with chances to stop at beaches, hippy markets and ancient landmarks.

 

Route 9 Ses Feixes is an easy 9km ride around quiet town areas that takes about 40 minutes, while Route 02 Es Figueral is a more challenging 26km ride in a great circle going along the coast and inland, taking about two and a half hours to complete.

 

Guided Walks

 

Inquisitive visitors have increased demand for guided walks led by locals to hear first-hand accounts of the island’s history and culture. Multi-lingual (English, Spanish and German) groups are led by local enthusiasts, each taking approximately three hours and covering between three and 11km across a variety of terrains rated from easy to difficult along the coast and through ancient farmland.

 

The River Route Walk is an easy 3km stroll held in February, following the Balearic Islands’ only river and the coast, crossing ancient bridges and passing watermills among the first settlement in the region.

 

The first evening walk from Es Pou des Lleó to Canal d’en Marti is a leisurely 11km stroll hosted in April. Beginning at 7.30pm in order to catch the sunset on the coast, it lasts about three hours, passing Roman aqueduct remains before watching the moon rise over the sea.

 

The shortest but most challenging guided walk is a steep 5km sea cliff hike from Cala Llonga to Cap des Llibrell held during the high temperatures of August taking walkers through historical ruins and offering striking coastal views.

 

For more information please visit:  Santa Eulària des Riu, please visit: http://visitsantaeulalia.com/en/