Es Cana Travel Guide
by April Hutchinson


SummaryEs Cana | from iStock
If you're looking for a Med beach holiday for families, with well-priced hotels and apartments, plenty of restaurants, modest entertainment for you and the kids day and night, then this resort on Ibiza's north eastern coast is the place for you.

Es Cana has a lovely, safe Blue Flag beach, boasting a choice of watersports. Cala Martina and Cala Pada are nearby. Es Cana is also well located for visits to Ibiza's famous hippy market at Club Punta Arabi.


Getting there/around Es Cana
Your flight will arrive at Ibiza Airport and Es Cana is 16 miles from there. Unless you plan to really explore the island by hiring a car, two feet and swimsuit will be all you need to enjoy Es Cana.

There is also a public bus service to the decent-sized resort town of Santa Eulalia, three miles away, as well as taxis if you need them.


Es Cana beaches
Es Cana has a long, crescent-shaped beach with all life grouped around either end of its sandy stretch. If you're feeling more adventurous, head along the relatively new promenade to more rugged Cala Nova to the north, where swimming is more of a challenge, faced with some of Ibiza's most churning waves: this is one of few places to surf in Ibiza.

Peaceful coves include Cala Boix, Cala Mastella and the nudist beach of Aigues Blanques. To the south, check out Cala Martina, and S'Argamassa.

Get a little ferry to Santa Eularia, the fine beach of Cala Llonga and even over to Formentera, Ibiza's little sister island, with gorgeous beaches and a chilled atmosphere.


Es Cana sightseeing
The main sights to see here are the beach, the sea and your hotel swimming pool. Daytime distractions include watersports such as water skiing, pedaloes and jet skiing; mini golf, country walks or boat trips.

The old hippy in you might not be able to resist a visit to San Carlos - a tiny village and one of the original spots hippies favoured - and the bohemian beach appeal of Benirras over on the north-west coast.


Es Cana family attractions
Hotels are well geared to families, so lots of distractions on-site. Take kids to try either San Antonio's or Santa Eulalia's 'Express', both three-hour excursions via a cute 'toy train'.


Es Cana day trips
The charming interior villages of San Carlos and San Joan are chapters from Ibiza's past, quiet and peaceful, with whitewashed houses and laidback lifestyle. Make a trip into Ibiza Town to see the historic quarter, walled Dalt Vila (meaning 'high town'), the oldest part of the town, as well as the marina with its many gorgeous yachts.

Head into nearby Santa Eularia to wander the shops, and the town's marina and Puig de Missa, from where there are impressive views and an interesting church-cum-fortress.


Es Cana eating out
You'll be able to choose from more than 20-odd restaurants - whether that's Chinese and Italian, or classic Brits-abroad fare like steaks and hamburgers. There are some tapas bars, but real gourmets will need to go to Santa Euralia, where Spanish food can be enjoyed such as delicious local fish or local spicy sausages, sobresada.


Es Cana nightlife
You'll find hotels often put on little discos and karaoke for the kids - and adults - or take a wander along the beachside bars 'til you find your favourite.

Don't come here if you're planning a full-on clubbing holiday as taxi fares around to the island's big club nights will bankrupt you before you've even paid the over-odds ticket prices.

However, if you do want to try some of Ibiza's famous 'super clubs', Privilege and Amnesia will be the nearest ones. Alternatively, head into Santa Eularia, which has enough decent options for nighttime distraction.


Es Cana shopping
You'll find a decent smattering of supermarkets, newsagents, souvenir shops, holiday and beach gear, sports goods and leather buys.

The highlight is the weekly hippy market (held every Wednesday between May and October) which packs in about 400 stalls. It's more commercial than the original '70s vibe, but there are still excellent clothes, jewellery and bric-a-brac to be browsed amongst, as well as good grub to be sampled.


If you like Es Cana, take a look at the following travel guides:
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