Es Caná (Es Canar in Catalan) is a lively, popular resort on Ibiza's east coast, just minutes north of Santa Eulalia.
A small but picturesque resort, its harbour, pretty beach and small town are an attractive location for families and those seeking a slower-paced holiday, while still offering plenty to keep them active and entertained.
Beaches
Es Caná really is perfect for a beach holiday, as it has not only one, but three lovely beaches, all within walking distance and each with its very own atmosphere.
Es Caná beach is in the centre of the resort and is a long crescent of fine, soft sand, fringed by palms and pine trees and crystal clear waters. Boasting a great selection of water sports to enjoy in these beautiful natural surroundings, it has appeal in abundance.
At one end of the beach, you will find a quaint little harbour with stunning views. There is also a great range of beach bars, all offering cocktails and a variety of menus throughout the day and evening.
A ten-minute stroll to the left of the main beach brings you to Cala Nova beach. Lovely and unspoilt, this is one of the main surfers' beaches on the island. Here you’ll find exclusive beach restaurants, along with more rustic beach bars.
If you stroll just ten minutes in the other direction, you'll find yourself at Cala Martina beach. This beach is home to the wind and kite surfers of the island. Here you can take lessons, and there's also a well-respected diving school if you’d like to try your hand at scuba diving.
Things to do
Across the three beaches, there are all sorts of water sports on offer.
Add to this guided excursions and all the fun boat rides and ferry trips imaginable: this is just the tip of the iceberg of all the amazing things to do in this gorgeous corner of the island.
Hippy markets
For the shopaholics amongst us, Es Caná has both of the largest and most popular hippy markets on the doorstep.
Just on the outskirts of the resort, the Punta Arabí Hippy Market, the largest and oldest of its kind on Ibiza, takes place every Wednesday during the summer season. The popular market offers a vast array of stalls, food and live music.
Jewellery is a speciality and is often inexpensive and beautifully crafted with silver from India. You will also find great clothing, shoes and handmade leather goods, not to mention a range of hand-crafted wares.
Just a short taxi ride away, the Las Dalias Hippy Market takes place each Saturday and Sunday near the village of San Carlos, all year round. During summer, you can also enjoy this large traditional hippy market on balmy evenings at the Las Dalias Night Market.
Both the Punta Arabí and the Las Dalias hippy markets attract people from the whole island. They really do incorporate the vibe of Ibiza, with some great bargains and quality merchandise right on your doorstep, not to mention terrific fun with all the colours, people and sounds.
Restaurants and bars
In Es Caná, there is a wide choice of nice eateries and restaurants, many of them directly on the main beach or near the rocky coast.
Near Cala Nova beach, you’ll find high-end hotels and beach clubs whose restaurants offer inventive, upmarket cuisine that will delight diners not only with fantastic food but also stunning sea views.
At all the beaches, there are also long-established beach restaurants serving fresh fish and seafood, along with cosy beach bars for snacks and ice cream, to help keep the hunger at bay on the long, hot days at the beach.
In the evening, there is a good choice of bars and pubs to keep you entertained, with some that offer live music. Check out our events calendar to find out more.
Nightlife
Although the resort is a quieter location, there are still some bars that offer events with live music or DJs, for example, the popular restaurant and bar EsBirra.
Close by, in the village of San Carlos, the Las Dalias garden and the inside club Akasha are fantastic venues on the same site. Here you’ll find a full programme of great DJs and live artists all summer, with some events even running in the winter season.
A taxi or bus can easily take you to Santa Eulalia for the evening, where you can explore more bars and restaurants. For a full schedule of parties in some of the world's highest-regarded clubbing venues, Ibiza Town is just a 20-minute taxi or drive away.
Getting around
If you’d like to explore a little further, then you’ll find that Es Caná is well connected to the rest of the island.
Santa Eulalia, Ibiza's third largest town, is just a few minutes away by car, bus or taxi. Here, you’ll find a fantastic selection of shops, beautiful restaurants and a pretty seafront promenade to stroll along.
The island's capital city, Ibiza Town, can be reached in just 20 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus. You can spend an entire day here exploring the old town with its winding lanes filled with restaurants and boutiques, and of course, the fantastic nightlife.
If you’d prefer, sea ferries make for a lovely way to travel and will take you to Santa Eulalia, Ibiza Town and even to Ibiza's sister island, Formentera.
Also nearby is the white-washed village of San Carlos. It’s home to the legendary Anita's Bar, one of the original 1960s hippy hangouts, a lovely spot to get lunch.
If you prefer to drive, you’ll find the surrounding countryside of Es Caná is largely unspoilt with fields of deep red earth and pine forests.
Spotlight tip - take a walk
The stunning coastline allows you to walk a good deal of its length. Head north, and the walk to Cala Nova and Cala Leña takes in idyllic places to rest in the shade or to swim from the sandy beaches along the way.
To the south, past the beaches of Cala Martina, Cala Pada, S'Argamassa and Niu Blau, the coastal walk to Santa Eulalia has many lovely spots to swim from rocks or the sandy beaches.
You can also rest in the pretty, shaded areas or take a refreshment in the all-important little bars strategically placed along the way. As another option, you could walk to Santa Eulalia and then get a taxi or water ferry back.
Nearby accommodation
Accommodation in Es Caná is plentiful and varied. You'll find budget hostels and inexpensive apartments for families as well as hotels with entertainment and sports programmes and even a 5-star luxury hotel.
Or live the dream and rent your own private holiday villa in the beautiful surroundings of Es Caná.
