Before booking our family holiday to Ibiza, we spent weeks researching the best place to stay.
Like many first-time visitors, we kept coming back to two popular options: Es Canar on the east coast and San Antonio on the west.
San Antonio is one of Ibiza’s most famous destinations, known for its nightlife, beach clubs, and legendary sunsets. Es Canar, on the other hand, is much quieter and often recommended for families.
After comparing both areas, we decided to stay in Es Canar, and after spending a week exploring the island, we’re convinced it was the right choice for us.
Here’s why.
What We Were Looking For
Every traveller has different priorities.
For our holiday, we wanted:
- A peaceful atmosphere where we could genuinely relax.
- A hotel close to the beach.
- Family-friendly restaurants.
- Easy access to beautiful beaches around the island.
- Activities suitable for both our children.
- A location that would work well as a base for daily road trips.
Because we planned to rent a car and explore Ibiza every day, we weren’t looking for nightlife—we wanted somewhere calm to return to each evening.
Why We Chose Es Canar
1. A Much More Relaxed Atmosphere
The biggest difference we noticed was the pace of life.
Es Canar feels like a traditional Mediterranean seaside town. People stroll along the promenade, families enjoy ice cream after dinner, and evenings are peaceful rather than loud.
For us, that was exactly the holiday we wanted.
2. Family-Friendly Beaches
One of the biggest advantages of Es Canar is its beach.
The main beach has soft sand, calm, shallow water, and plenty of space for children to swim and play safely.
Nearby, we also discovered some of our favourite beaches in Ibiza:
- Cala Nova
- Cala Llenya
- Cala Mastella
- Aguas Blancas
Being so close to these beaches meant we could explore somewhere new almost every day without spending hours in the car.
3. Better Base for Beach Hopping
Because we rented a car, Es Canar worked perfectly as our base.
Within an easy drive we visited:
- Cala Xarraca
- Portinatx
- Cala Benirràs
- Cala Salada
- Cala Saladeta
- Cala d’Hort
- Cala Bassa
- Cala Comte
- Dalt Vila
The east coast location made it easy to explore both the north and south of the island.
4. Great Hotels for Families
We stayed at Leonardo Royal Suites Ibiza Santa Eulalia, directly opposite Es Canar Beach.
Our Quad Deluxe Superior Sea View room overlooked both the Mediterranean and the hotel’s main swimming pools, giving us beautiful views every morning.
The half-board option made travelling with children much easier, and the daily entertainment programme, kids’ activities, and varied Mediterranean buffet meant everyone looked forward to returning to the hotel after a day of exploring.
5. Plenty of Activities Without the Crowds
Es Canar isn’t just about relaxing on the beach.
During our stay we:
- Went kayaking along the coastline.
- Rented a catamaran with a slide.
- Walked the seafront promenade every evening.
- Visited nearby beaches.
- Explored local restaurants.
- Visited the famous Punta Arabí Hippy Market.
There was always something to do, but without the busy atmosphere often associated with Ibiza.
What About San Antonio?
San Antonio is one of Ibiza’s best-known destinations, and for many travellers, it’s the perfect choice.
What San Antonio Does Better
- More nightlife
- Famous Sunset Strip
- Beach clubs
- Boat parties
- Larger selection of bars
- More nightlife entertainment
If your holiday revolves around nightlife, DJs, and late evenings, San Antonio is probably the better option.
Where Es Canar Wins
For our family, Es Canar offered several advantages.
Peace and Quiet
We slept well every night without noise from nearby clubs or bars.
Safer Feel for Families
The promenade was full of families taking evening walks, children riding scooters, and people enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
Less Crowded Beaches
Although July is Ibiza’s busiest month, Es Canar still felt noticeably calmer than many of the island’s more famous tourist areas.
Easier to Relax
After spending the day exploring Ibiza, it was wonderful returning somewhere peaceful.
Comparison
| Feature | Es Canar | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Relaxed | Lively |
| Best For | Families & couples | Nightlife |
| Beaches | Calm and family-friendly | Busy and lively |
| Restaurants | Relaxed waterfront dining | Wide variety |
| Nightlife | Limited | Excellent |
| Water Sports | Excellent | Excellent |
| Sunset Scene | Peaceful | World-famous |
| Family Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Who Should Choose Es Canar?
Es Canar is ideal if you:
- Travel with children.
- Prefer quieter holidays.
- Plan to rent a car.
- Love beach hopping.
- Enjoy relaxed evenings.
- Want to stay close to nature.
Who Should Choose San Antonio?
San Antonio is a better choice if you:
- Want to experience Ibiza’s nightlife.
- Plan to visit beach clubs every day.
- Love sunset bars with DJs.
- Prefer walking between clubs, bars, and restaurants.
- Don’t plan to spend much time away from your resort.
Would We Stay in Es Canar Again?
Without hesitation—yes.
It gave us everything we were looking for: beautiful beaches, a welcoming atmosphere, excellent family activities, and a fantastic base for exploring the island.
Even after visiting many of Ibiza’s famous locations, we always looked forward to returning to Es Canar at the end of the day.
That balance between adventure and relaxation made our holiday feel exactly right.
Final Thoughts
Choosing where to stay can shape your entire Ibiza experience. For us, Es Canar offered exactly what we wanted: a peaceful base, family-friendly beaches, fun activities, and easy access to every corner of the island.
While we enjoyed visiting places like San Antonio, Cala Comte, and Dalt Vila, coming back to Es Canar each evening felt like the perfect way to end every day. If your idea of Ibiza is turquoise beaches, relaxed evenings, and unforgettable family memories rather than all-night parties, Es Canar is a choice you won’t regret.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Es Canar better than San Antonio?
It depends on the type of holiday you’re planning. Families, couples seeking a quieter escape, and travellers who want to explore Ibiza by car will likely appreciate Es Canar more. Those looking for nightlife, beach clubs, and late-night entertainment may prefer San Antonio.
Is Es Canar good for families?
Absolutely. In our experience, Es Canar was one of the most family-friendly places we visited in Ibiza, with calm beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, and plenty of activities for children.
Can you still visit San Antonio if you stay in Es Canar?
Yes. Ibiza is a relatively small island, and with a rental car it’s easy to visit San Antonio for a day before returning to a quieter base in Es Canar.
Is Es Canar too quiet?
Not at all. Es Canar has plenty of restaurants, cafés, shops, water sports, and evening entertainment, but without the crowds and nightlife that define some of Ibiza’s busier areas.
