Frugal City Guide: Ibiza on a Budget

Dress: £63.20, Boden. Hat: H&M (sold out buy buy similar from New Look here). Jacket: J Crew (sold out but buy similar from Mango here). Bag: £170, M Hulot. Sandals: Next (sold out)

We attempted the impossible. And succeeded. We had the BEST time in Ibiza, visiting our recommendations from my Ibiza insiders post – we didn’t spend a fortune on food or drink and still got the very best out of the island.

I’ve split this post into a couple as there was just too much to do and see! But if, like me, you want to get the most, more local offerings from your holiday – insider places with excellent, good value food (and don’t want Clubbing Ibiza), then read on.

WHERE TO STAY

We stayed at Thomson’s newly opened Sensatori resort, on the West Coast of the island – Cala Tarida. We loved its location – set into the cliffs with loungers and beach bar leading right to the beautiful beach. It’s All Inclusive but really reasonable – you could easily just stay just sunbathing here and flitting between the six restaurants.

Top: Gudrun Sjoden (sold out). Bikini bottoms, reduced to £4.50, Monsoon. Sandals: £45, Solillas. Sunglasses: £56, Mr Boho at Suitehazen. Sun cream 40 SPF: £27, Jurlique. Hat: H&M (sold out)

In ‘Casa de Esmeralda’, Sensatori, Ibiza. Bikini: H&M (sold out)

Hunter sliders: £34 in the sale, Office

The pool by ‘The Retreat’ spa – always quiet

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban. Bag: Straw Bag at The Conran Shop (they are doing initial ones soon – I will keep you posted!)

The local beach was absolutely beautiful, and Ibiza is so family friendly – it’s perfect for kids and adults alike – which was the main thing that surprised me – I always assumed it was full of teen clubbers!

Wearing the Jade Jagger designed kaftan (which 10 of you lucky readers won this week!)

GETTING AROUND


I would recommend travelling a bit around the island, even if just for the occasional lunch out – because there are some amazing ones to try. Nowhere really takes longer than 45 minutes to get to…
We rented a car for around £60 with Ok Car Hire and they were great. Island Bus offers buses to all the local resorts as well.

WHERE TO EAT

If you’re driving, follow signs for Sa Punta restaurant and then follow the coast round. A meal for 2 costs roughly €40, and some of the best, freshest fish you’ll have tasted. We went for lunch but apparently it’s great for dinner, too. We also went late afternoon around 3pm and there was no queue for a table (have heard it gets very busy at lunch).

DESTINO – I assumed this was the grand Hotel of the same name when Deborah Brett first recommended this place. But in fact it’s a tiny, inconspicuous restaurant in Sant Josep (only 10 minute drive from Cala Tarida).

If going in peak season, you’ll need to book or else face a long queue – because the food is that good. Again, there is no menu – the waiters take you inside and just point and describe what they’re serving that evening. We had the meatballs, black olive tapenade, squid and lemon sole – it was all very salty but totally divine. My dodgy iPhone photos (because I forgot my camera flash!) just don’t do it justice…

Cost: roughly €38 for 2 (and the waiter had to tell us to stop ordering anymore dishes – because we tried!).

LA BODEGA

If you want a great meal, even better ambience, and a feel of how crazy Ibiza starts to get as night beckons – you must try this place.

And what did I buy at the airport on the way home? Ibiza Salt, of course. Well, if it can make food taste that good it’s worth giving a go.

Thank you to Thomson Holidays for having us as guests to be able to do these posts!

Photos taken with the Olympus Pen E-PL7.