Cala Vadella sits on the west coast about twenty-five minutes from Ibiza Town, in the municipality of San Jose. The bay is a near-perfect horseshoe with steep pine-covered sides, and the shape does the work: the water is sheltered, shallow and calm in almost any weather.
Unlike most of the coves on this coast there is a village behind it rather than a car park, which is why people take a week here rather than an afternoon.
What is there
Low-rise hotels and apartments with villas up the hillsides, and restaurants and beach bars along the front. Behind them sit ice-cream shops, mini-markets, beachwear boutiques and a dive school. There is enough here to live on for a week and not much more.
The bay is a natural anchorage, so there are usually yachts sitting in the middle of it.
The beach
Wide sand, shallow water, pedalos and paddleboards for hire, and boat trips running out to Es Vedra and across to Formentera.
The sunset
It faces west between two headlands, which frames it, and it is regularly named among the best on the island. Because the village is right there you can watch it from a table rather than from a rock.
Walking from here
A marked circular route links Cala Vadella to Cala Carbo over the Serreta d'en Toni Pere, around eleven kilometres and three and a half hours at a medium grade.
Quick answers
Where is Cala Vadella? West coast, about twenty-five minutes from Ibiza Town.
Is there a village? Yes, a small one with shops and restaurants.
Is it good for families? Yes. Shallow, sheltered water and everything within walking distance.
Is there nightlife? Bars and restaurants, nothing beyond that.
Can you get a boat from there? Yes, to Es Vedra and Formentera in season.
Is there parking? Yes, behind the beach, and it fills in August.