Recognised as Ibiza's third town, Santa Eulalia has neither the craziness of San
Antonio's, nor the colour of Ibiza Town's, night-lives. There is little here for
the dedicated clubber: here the nightlife throbs to a gentler beat. There are two
small nightclubs, Guarana in Santa Eulalia port, and Mirage, both lively enough
places but clearly nothing like the enormous, acre-eating clubs the island is famous
for.
The town seems to have set its sights squarely on the family tourist market and
its possibly all the more beautiful for that. The town council have spent a great
deal of money on development, including the wonderful promenade above the beach
and the town square, and its upkeep is of paramount concern to them. When you see
Santa Eulalia, you'll understand why.
The fine sands of Santa Eulalia beach are kept immaculate throughout the season,
and it's a popular, and very safe, area for families with younger children. One
of only a handful of blue flag beaches on the island, it has not only a watchtower
for the lifeguards but a medical centre on the sand itself. The usual water-sports
are here in abundance.
The whole beach, and beyond, is lined by a wide promenade. Shops, cafés and restaurants
range all along the rear of the promenade, so hunger or boredom are both easily
quenched. If you follow the promenade along to the left (looking out to sea), you'll
find the ferry-boarding area, for those trips to Es Cana hippy market, Cala Llonga
or Ibiza Town. A little further still and you're in the harbour itself. Home to
hundreds of boats of all shape and size, not to mention many fine restaurants, the
harbour is well worth a visit. If you follow the promenade in the other direction,
then you'll eventually reach the Mariner's Bar, where the only river on the island
meets the sea. If you follow this further, you come across the restored Roman bridge,
a labour of love which has taken the town many years to reconstruct.
In the town centre lies the Paseo, or town square. Here's where the caricature-artists
ply their trade, alongside stalls selling hand-made jewellery, belts and accessories.
There's also a newspaper stand selling all manner of guidebooks and maps, novels
and magazines, and if you really need a fix of glum news from home, there are newspapers
available in several languages.
The main street is lined with shops and restaurants and is worth taking a little
time to stroll through. The bars Cosmi and Royalty are here also, by the square
on opposite sides of the street from one another. Legend has it there still remains
some enmity between the two as a result of their hosting opposing factions during
the Spanish Civil War, but that era is long over, and nowadays they both play a
part in the day-to-day bustle of this lively little town.
The Street of Restaurants, famous across the island, is a must-see. Running parallel
to the high street (one street further back from the beach) it becomes in the evenings
a pedestrian-only area, and all the restaurants put out tables and chairs in the
street for you to enjoy your meal al-fresco and gaze at the passers-by. A real taste
of Mediterranean living, no matter which flavour of restaurant you pick.
If you get the opportunity, take a trip on the Ibitren. There are no railways on
the island, and this little tractor-dressed-as-a-train carts its passengers on many
and varied routes in the locality. One of these journeys may take you to the Puig
de Missa, the hill overlooking Santa Eulalia where the church stands. The views
from here are amazing and, at night, the church is lit up by spotlights and becomes
a view of its own.
Though catering wonderfully for families, Santa Eulalia makes everyone feel welcome,
whether young or old, single or married. For an apartment or hotel bookings in this
delightful area, please visit our accommodation guide.
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