Our island is the consummate dream factory, storing up childhood memories that will stay with your children forever. To create your own special moments, we have produced a comprehensive guide that will help you decide when to visit, what to do, where to go, what to see and where to eat and stay, as well as how to get about. It’s all here in the guide, the excitement of making plans, the holiday fun and those special moments that you will never forget.
There is no question that Ibiza is the perfect destination for a child-friendly holiday as there is so much to do, not to mention the safe beaches, outdoor leisure activities and some fun cultural things to do. There are events especially for children, along with places to stay and to eat, all tailor-made for your family requirements. Below you will find everything you need in our comprehensive guide to making the most of your family stay in Ibiza.
Practical guide for child friendly holidays in Ibiza
Useful information which includes helping you choose the ideal time of year for your trip and even hints on what to pack in your suitcase.
When to visit Ibiza with your family
Summer is obviously the favourite choice for families with children visiting Ibiza for their holiday; however, it has its charms at every season of the year.
For example, in spring and autumn the island proves a really attractive option for lively families with a thirst for discovering new things. The agreeable daytime temperatures are conducive to walks, cycling or horse riding; visiting historic sites, playing on the beach, and joining in the various cultural, entertainment and sports events organised throughout the summer, such as the Barruget Family Theatre Festival, Ibiza Light Festival, the Santa Eulària Ibiza Marathon, Milla Urbana Isla de Ibiza and so on. And not only that, but in May and October, the mild sea temperatures mean that you can still swim and play water sports, while enjoying the beaches and sandy coves with less visitors about.
Summer: from June to September, the island offers a heaven-sent opportunity for a memorable holiday with children, as there is so much entertainment and fun going on. If you are travelling with little ones, do bear in mind that July and August temperatures are extremely high and it is very hot in the middle of the day, so it is a good idea to use sun protection at all times and make sure you all stay hydrated.
Winter: this is the laid back, quieter side of the island that you will see from December to March. It is the time of year for walking in the countryside or along the beach, and for slowly discovering the island’s culture and history, as well as joining in the local fiestas held in Sant Antoni, Santa Agnès, Santa Eulària and Sant Josep.
The Ibizan climate: what to pack
Aside from typical summer wear, you should bear in mind that the nights in Ibiza can sometimes be chilly at the start and end of summer, so it is always a good idea to take a light coat or jacket with you. If you enjoy snorkelling, make room in your case for your goggles, although you can always buy some during your stay if needed. In the summer months, it barely rains except for the odd sudden summer storm which quickly blows over.
For a general idea of how temperatures vary throughout the year, take a look at the following details of minimum and maximum average monthly temperatures (data 1991-2021, source Climate-Data.org):
January. 9.6º C - 14.5 º C; February. 9.4º C - 14.7 º C; March. 11º C - 17.3 º C; April. 12.9º C - 19.7 º C; May. 15.7º C - 23.3 º C; June. 19.5º C - 28 º C; July. 22.4º C - 30.7 º C; August. 23.2º C - 30.8 º C; September. 21.1º C - 27.3 º C; October. 18º C - 23.5 º C; November. 13.6º C - 18 º C; December. 10.9º C - 15.3 º C;
How to get around in Ibiza
Both at the airport and in tourist areas you will find car rental companies that have all kinds of family vehicles for hire. It is the ideal choice for exploring the beaches and places of interest scattered around the island. You can also get about by taxi and by catching a bus that travels along one of several routes connecting tourist resorts with the city of Ibiza, the airport, various beaches and other places of interest.
And a great idea, as a fantastic extra that will add to your holiday enjoyment, is to explore Ibiza by ferry, travelling by boat along the island’s coastline, connecting Santa Eulària with Es Canar, Cala Llonga, Cala Pada, Es Figueral and Ibiza; and Sant Antoni and the bay with Port des Torrent, Cala Basa, Platges de Comte and Cala Salada.
Guide to Ibiza with children: all you can do
There is so much to do on a family holiday on the White Island that you'll find there aren’t enough days to fit it all in. This is, of course, the perfect excuse to make your holidays in Ibiza a series of enjoyable breaks at every season of the year!
Best child friendly beaches
Ibiza's beaches are ideal for families, with their shallow, crystal-clear waters where children can bathe safely, particularly the littlest ones. Not only that, but you can hire loungers and sunshades on most beaches, and there are beach bars and restaurants right on the sand or close by. Many of these seaside areas also provide water sports and activities for all ages.
Although there are over 40 beaches suitable for children, EU Blue Flag beaches stand out for their excellence and are awarded or renewed every year. Or you can also choose an officially Smoke-Free Beach where smoking is currently prohibited on the beaches of Ses Salines, Cala d´Hort, Es Cavallet, Es Bol Nou, Platges de Comte Santa Eulària, Caló des Moro, Cala Sant Vicent, Platja de Port des Sant Miquel and Ses Figueretes. Other traditional family beaches include Es Canar, Cala Llonga, Portinatx, Cala Bassa and Cala Llenya, to name just a few. Discover all the best seaside resorts in our Ibizan Beaches section.
Things to do in Ibiza: Sports and outdoor activities
For families looking for outdoor fun, Ibiza has some exciting possibilities for every age and at any time of year.
- Water sports: there is a huge range of activities to match your expectations for a great family holiday. Some of the fun options that you can enjoy include classic seaside attractions such as pedalos, banana boat and water skiing; you can also learn how to sail or take a PADI course (run by Professional Association of Diving Instructors) learning how to scuba dive, or you can snorkel, hire a canoe or paddle surf board, and explore the coastline.
- Boat trips and tourist train: you can discover the coastline and the Ibizan countryside in Santa Eulària des Riu and Sant Antoni by taking a leisurely trip on a glass-bottomed boat or in an open motor vehicle that simulates a train ride.
- City walks, hiking and cycling: Ibiza has some attractive and easily accessible routes for families with both small children and teens, such as the riverside Ruta del Río in Santa Eulària, the path that runs from Cala Bassa to Platges de Comte, or the coastal walk from the beach of Ses Salines to the Ses Portes tower.
- On horseback, with a go-kart or wandering among trees on a woodland walk: other outdoor activities to enjoy during the summer include our guided horseback or pony trekking trails, go-kart tracks for children and teens, or woodland walks among the pines.
More ideas for children: cultural and educational activities
Ibiza has a rich cultural heritage which you can explore as a family at the Dalt Vila historic centre, which is a must-see when you visit Ibiza, and one way you can see it is with a tour that includes historical re-enactments which are entertaining for children and adults alike. Dalt Vila has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Puig des Molins Necropolis, the Phoenician archaeological remains at Sa Caleta and the seagrass fields that lie between Ibiza and Formentera. You can discover all these jewels of the island’s heritage over several days by taking a car on this heritage route and stopping at each site as you travel along.
The Ibiza and Formentera Archaeological Museum can be found on the site of the necropolis; the Ibiza Museum of Mode Art and the Ethnographic Museum hold regular workshops and guided visits for families, as do several other cultural bodies. This is a fun way to get children interested in art and history. And that’s not all, there are so many more fun things to do for everyone, regardless of age, like visiting an organic farm or entering Can Marça, a cave which, with its karst rock formation, contains stalactites and stalagmites, and was once used as a smugglers' hideout.
Child friendly events and festivals in Ibiza
Before and during your trip to Ibiza, don’t forget to check our events calendar to find out what's on coinciding with your holiday dates, especially if you are coming in the summer. Here are just some of the dates that might be good to remember:
- Medieval Eivissa: the second weekend in May sees Dalt Vila transformed into a huge medieval market with entertainments, games and other activities for children. A guaranteed weekend of fun!
- Barruguet Family Theatre: held on the last weekend in May, this event is the ideal excuse to plan a spring break or getaway with your children. The programme includes musical entertainment, acrobatics, street theatre, puppet shows, mime, storytelling, dance, games and magic too.
- Local fiestas: summer is the most festive time of the year, especially in August, although there are also traditional festivals and celebrations all over the island throughout the year. Most include a programme of events for children, traditional dances, free concerts, street entertainments, fireworks, gastronomic events and all kinds of activities for every age. The most popular local fiestas include those of Saint Anthony Abbot (Sant Antoni, 17 January), Saint Eulalia (Santa Eulària, 12 February), Saint Joseph (Sant Josep, 19 March ), Fiestas of the First Sunday in May (Santa Eulària), Saint John (Sant Joan, 24 June), Fiestas de la Tierra (Ibiza and Figueretes, 5 and 8 August) and Saint Bartholomew (Sant Antoni, 24 August).
Family guide to Ibiza: where to stay and places to eat
When you’re choosing somewhere to stay in Ibiza with your family, it is a good idea to seek out places that offer facilities for children, such as children's paddling pools, activity clubs and special children’s menus. It won’t be hard to find one that suits you best, in line with your budget and plans, because there is a wide range of hotels, country cottages and tourist homes to choose from. Our directory of affiliated establishments contains details of all the family facilities available in each place, thanks to our practical information sheets. You will also find a list of restaurants with the Ibiza Family Moments seal of approval, detailing the services that they offer, such as children's menus, nappy changing facilities, highchairs etc.
Taking your children to Ibiza? You bet!
Once you have read our comprehensive family guide to Ibiza you will have no doubts that the White Island is an amazingly diverse, attractive and versatile place to visit with your family. With its safe beaches, entertaining and cultural activities, outdoor sports, lively festivals and hotels designed to welcome adults and little ones alike, the island will guarantee you a truly momentous holiday. So, when will we be seeing you?
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