Family Holidays in Ibiza with Babies, Toddlers and Kids

People in Ibiza are very child friendly and locals are generally very helpful

It is not unusual to see local toddlers up late at night eating in restaurants and playing outside so you won’t feel out of place taking your baby or toddler out in the evenings

Ibiza has become famous for its association with nightlife and the summer club scene which attracts very large numbers of tourists each year. However, Ibiza has so much more to offer and the island’s Government and the Spanish Tourist Office have recently begun working to promote more family-oriented tourism.

There are loads of family friendly hotels, self catering apartments, restaurants and activities and plenty of services suitable for parents travelling with babies and toddlers. You will also be able to buy all of your baby and toddler essentials on the island. Flight time to Ibiza from the UK and Ireland ranges from between 2.5 to 3 hours making it manageable with younger kids.

Best Resorts for Families

Portinatx

Portinatx is a smaller resort located in the north side of the island. It is ideal for families and for those seeking quieter holidays. It has three beautiful sandy beaches to choose from, a small water park and several shops and bars. The coves have shallow waters, perfect for toddlers to paddle in. there is a good selection of restaurants and a laid back bars with live music. The area is also known for its pine trees which create a lovely atmosphere, incorporating sun and sea with stunning pine forests. San Antonio is 24 km from Ibiza Old Town and Ibiza Airport is 30 km away.

Around Ibiza Town

Ibiza Town is well worth a visit, especially if you are staying nearby. The Marina’s Golden Mile couldn’t be more different from the cobbled street charm of Dalt Villa (old town), an immaculately preserved example of a Renaissance walled town. Within the walls of the old town you will find a myriad of restaurants, boutiques, markets, bars and top-class galleries, such as The MACE, Ibiza’s Museum of Contemporary Art. The town is flanked on either side by two utterly different stretches of beach. Playa d’en Bossa offers high octane nightlife and a glut of five-star hotels. This is not really ideal for families and if you are travelling with kids, Talamanca beach to the North of the town is a much better option. Talamanca is a local family favourite with relatively few hotels, making it popular for winter walks. From here, excellent roads traversing the island’s 571 sq km mean that nothing is much more than an hour’s drive away.

Es Cana

Es Cana is a popular, quieter resort, with a long, crescent-shaped sandy beach in the heart of the town. You can catch a ferry to Santa Eulalia, Ibiza Town or even Formentera from the pier. The town is home to the famous Hippy Market on Wednesdays. The bright clothes, jewellery, ornaments, music and street performers will be a hit with children of all ages. There are also a good selection of restaurants within the town.

Santa Eulalia

Santa Eulalia is the 3rd largest town in Ibiza and a popular destination for those seeking a quieter holiday or for those with young kids. There is an excellent choice of restaurants and a beautiful promenade lining the broad sandy beach.

When to go

Ibiza is at its busiest during July and August while Easter is also popular. It gets quiet on the island from September until spring time and many of the restaurants and hotels shut down during this period. For average monthly temperature charts please click here for tips on protecting your baby from the sun.

Getting There

You can travel to Ibiza by plane from Ireland or the UK and the flight takes between two and a half and three hours depending on the airline you use and the airport. Aer Lingus and Ryanair operate flights from Ireland and British Airways, Thomson, Easyjet, Jet 2 and Ryanair operate flights from the UK. There are also a number of charter flights leaving from British airports and these can be booked through tour operators offering package holidays such as Thomson and Thomas Cook. There have been recent complaints of drunk passengers causing disruptions on certain Ryanair flights to Ibiza lately and an Aer Lingus or British Airways flight may be quieter.

On Arrival

Ibiza airport is located just 7.5 km from the capital, and is well connected to most of the resorts by public transport. It is 20 km from San Antonio and 16 km from Santa Eulalia. The airport has plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops and baby changing facilities. There is also a small children’s play area. If you have booked a package holiday you will be met at the airport by your travel representative. If you have booked your own accommodation, check to see if your hotel arranges an airport shuttle service, otherwise you will need to rent a car (car rental agencies are located in the Terminal), take a bus or a taxi. If you decide to take a taxi but have not brought your own car seat you may wish to book a taxi with one attached. You can do so from Ibiza Airport Transfers. If you do not wish to book a car seat you can travel with your infant or toddler on your lap however this is highly dangerous in case of an accident. You can also rent a car seat (and plenty of other baby and toddler equipment) from Kids in Ibiza and this will be delivered to you for a fee of €15.00 or you can collect it at their store.

Getting Around

You can hire a car at the airport or in any of the resorts.
This is by far the best way to see the island and will allow you to explore quieter beaches and some of the older towns, inland, away from the resorts. Remember to pre book a car with a child safety seat if you think you will be driving as they may not be available when you arrive. Signposting in Ibiza can be poor so if you are driving it would be best to have a GPS navigation system with you or a good map.

Taxis use the meter system and can be flagged down when the green light is on. Taxis are not obliged to ask you to use a car seat for your baby and you can carry him or her on your lap. There are many cab companies that allow you to pre-book a taxi with a car seat but ensure that you give advance notice).

For more on getting around click here