Escape: Santa Eularia des Riu, Ibiza

Santa Eularia des Riu is a beautiful coastal town on the south eastern side of Ibiza in the Balearic Islands. This picturesque village is a quiet and more peaceful alternative to the two larger towns on the island – Ibiza Town and San Antonio. A wide palm lined promenade curves around the beach and is dotted with restaurants, hotels and shops. A pretty square is perfect for people watching and the beach is lovely and sheltered, making it great for families.  It is known as the cultural and gastronomical centre of Ibiza and numerous restaurants serve up classic Spanish fare and international cuisine. There are plenty of accommodation options from apartments to hotels and if you are lucky enough to have your own boat or yacht there is an exclusive marina at one end of the town. If you can drag yourself away from the beach, there is a great walk up to the Church (Piug de Misa) where there are views over the town and and a walking trail back down beside the river to the beach. There is some interesting architecture along the way and beautiful bougainvillea growing along many buildings.

We visited in mid-September, when the crowds had dispersed and the weather was slightly cooler but the sea was still perfect for swimming. The town is easily accessible to the airport by bus or by taxi and makes a perfect base to explore the island. There are only a few bars and clubs in the town making it a much more peaceful Ibiza escape. ELE tip- try the gelato on the main boulevard, it is delicious!