Las Salinas Beach Review

Named a World Heritage Site as part of the Parque Natural de ses Salines, Las Salinas beach is protected from development and has managed to avoid the fate of it’s near neighbour Playa D’en Bossa and has escaped any urbanisation. The sand dunes and forest that back this beach are the home of a variety of birds, wildlife and vegetation that leaves Salinas feeling like a slice of wilderness; a rare experience so close to Ibiza’s main town.

That’s not to say that Las Salinas is deserted, far from it. Having long been a haunt of the rich and famous, Salinas has acquired a reputation for understated luxury and you’ll find several lounge bars tastefully dotted along the beach catering perfectly to that ethos and the crowds that visit daily to sample it.

The four or five beach clubs along the dune line offer stylish service both in their restaurants and on the private sun loungers and cabana beds. Luxury is the name of the game and the champagne service, elegant menus and private DJ’s reflect that. Check out the Gurana Beach Club where they will personally wet down the sand around your chair so your feet don’t get too hot, or The Jockey Club where fresh fruit and cocktails are the order of the day. If you want something a little more rustic take a walk along the beach to hip Sa Trinxa Beach Club the original Salinas lounge bar which has been serving up its own brand of beach-side tunes and fresh seafood since the 1980’s. It’s reputed to be one of the islands best chillout zones, and it doesn’t disappoint for atmosphere.

If you don’t fancy the lounge lifestyle not to worry, this beach is long and there are plenty of places to set up camp away from the cabana crowd. Indeed the majority of beach-goers cluster around these lounge bars leaving a wide expanse in the middle of the beach relatively quiet, although possibly because the access to the sea here is rockier than in the busy sections. If you really want peace and quiet and sandy sea access then you have another option; go hunting for your own private beach.

At the southern end, Las Salinas’ sandy beach turns into some very rocky coastline. Craggy and uneven the rock formations become more dramatic the further along you walk, but in between the jagged arms of rock you’ll find little sandy coves hidden from view and popular with the nudist crowd spilling over from nearby Es Cavallet beach. There are quite a few of these little coves but private beach hunting is a competitive game so if you want one you’ll have to get there early to stake your claim. It’s definitely worth the effort, these coves are stunning and the snorkelling around the rocks is top notch.

Las Salinas is a beautiful beach and well worth spending the day on, pack accordingly and plan to stay a while. There’s a small shop at the north end that sells food and drinks as well as all the beach necessities although it is no doubt cheaper to stock up at a large supermarket on your way down. If you run short of anything there are many traders wandering the beach offering fruit, cold drinks, and sandwiches. So as long as you have some cash you’ll not go hungry or beerless.

Also plan to spend as much time as possible in the water, the sea is beyond doubt this beach’s best asset; crystal clear, sandy under foot and it’s shallow and calm to enter. If you’re after more than just a swim the Salinas sailing school has got you covered; they offer lessons and rentals of wind surf, paddleboards, kayaks and catamarans and also book excursions to get you out there on the open sea.

Head to Las Salinas for a blissful beach that has everything you need, wooden walkways make for easy access onto the sand, lifeguards are stationed along the beach and although there are no public toilets the lounge bars will let you use theirs. Parking is plentiful if you drive or the number 11 bus from Ibiza Town will drop you close to the beach. However you get there have your camera ready for when you pass over the Ibiza Salt Flats and if you fancy another camera sight take a hike along the beach to visit the defence tower, Torre de ses Portes at Ibiza’s southernmost point.