North & Interior Ibiza

The least-populated and most rustic part of the island, northern Ibiza has a boho, off-grid vibe thanks to its strong hippy heritage and spectacular, remote landscapes, which appeal to cyclists, walkers and wanderers alike. This is a magically beautiful region of forested hills, twisting backroads, timeworn whitewashed villages and a craggy coastline blessed with some of Ibiza's most exquisite, secluded coves. You'll barely catch a whisper of clubs and package tourism here. Portinatx is the north's busiest resort, while Sant Joan offers a slice of low-key Ibizan life and Sant Carles gets lively with its hippy market.

A little further south, gorgeous interior villages such as Sant Llorenç and Santa Gertrudis await discovery.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout North & Interior Ibiza.

  • Cave

    Cova des Culleram

    You'll need your imagination to fully appreciate this modest-looking cave, 5km northwest of Cala de Sant Vicent. Consisting of a few small chambers, it isn't visually impressive, but it does form a vital part of Ibiza's cultural legacy. The cave was an important Carthaginian place of worship until the 2nd century BC – around 600 terracotta images of the fertility and fortune goddess Tanit have been found here. Reflecting Ibiza's hippy-spiritual side, many visitors still leave offerings to Tanit.

  • Beach

    Benirràs

    Reached by two spectacular serpentine roads, the distant, silvery northern bay of Benirràs has high, forested cliffs, a trio of bar-restaurants and sun loungers with jade-hued umbrellas to rent. It's a dreamy location for sunset, one that Ibiza's boho tribe has favoured for decades. On Sundays, there's always an assembly of drummers banging out a salutation to the sinking sun.

  • Beach

    Aigües Blanques

    This exposed, east-facing, gold-sand beach gets its name ('White Waters') from the surf, which whips up here in strong winds. Most of the year things are actually very tranquil, and the scenery is stunning, with several sandy bays divided by crumbling cliffs. This is an official nudist beach, very popular with northern Ibiza's hippy community. It's also the perfect spot to witness a sunrise over the Mediterranean. It's 4km northeast of Sant Carles; park and walk 10 (steep) minutes down.

  • Historic Building

    Es Trull de Ca n'Andreu

    A fine example of an Ibizan casament (farmhouse), 17th-century Es Trull de Ca n'Andreu is a blinding-white structure of tiny windows, overflowing bougainvillea and low, timbered roofs. 'Es trull' refers to the house's massive 18th-century olive press, which you'll find in the traditional kitchen. Ibizan farming tools, musical instruments and handmade baskets are also exhibited, and local wines and hierbas liquor are available for purchase. It's just beyond the southern edge of Sant Carles (signposted).

  • Church

    Església de Sant Carles

    Sant Carles' village church is a striking, whitewashed 18th-century building, with an impressive arcaded, wood-beamed entrance porch and a simple single-nave interior. Today's peaceful scene belies a traumatic past: in 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, Republican forces hung both the village priest and his father from the carob tree that still stands outside the church.

  • Church

    Església de Sant Miquel

    Sant Miquel's shimmering-white 14th-century church-fortress sits atop a low-rise hill, on the site of a ruined Moorish-era farmstead. The restored early-17th-century frescoes in its Capella de Benirràs are a swirl of flowers and twisting vines in cream, black and earthy red. Wander around the back of the church to best appreciate its fortifications. Every Thursday from June to September, there's traditional island dancing – ball pagès – on the pretty patio at 6.15pm (adult/child €5/3).

  • Village

    Balàfia

    Take a lane west off the C733 beside the Camí de Balàfia restaurant, 2km northeast of Sant Llorenç, to find the once-fortified hamlet of Balàfia, where two homes have their own defence towers. Balàfia is often considered an Arabic-origin village, though the only thing definitely Arabic about the settlement is its name. There are a lot of privado (private) signs, but don't let these deter you from exploring its couple of lanes (which aren't private).

  • Tower

    Torre d'en Valls

    With majestic views over the Mediterranean from a patch of volcanic rock, 1km east of Pou des Lleó beach, the 18th-century Torre d’en Valls is one of the island's best-preserved defence towers (it was restored in the 1980s following a 19th-century explosion). Ibiza's towers were manned night and day, and, if raiders were sighted, a horn was sounded or a fire lit so islanders knew to take refuge. From this tower you get a terrific perspective of Tagomago islet.

  • Lighthouse

    Far de Portinatx

    There are many lighthouses sprinkled around the Balearics, but this majestic candy-striped structure is the tallest: 52m high, with a 2.25m-wide lantern. From Platja Es Port (with parking) at the northeast tip of Portinatx, a beautiful semi-marked path tracks northeast to the lighthouse. It follows rugged cliffs high above the sea, dipping past rocky bays and through patches of pine forest. On clear days you can see as far as southern Mallorca. Allow a leisurely hour there and back.