SANTA EULALIA
Area: Ibiza
Country: Spain


Location:
On the SE coast of the island, 2 miles SW of Es Cana, 9 miles NE of Ibiza town, 13 miles NE of the airport.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Website:
http://www.santaeulalia.net

Position:
Backed by pine-covered hills, in a semicircular bay next to the only river in the Balearic Islands, which sometimes runs dry. The town centre itself is on gently sloping ground.

Description:
This growing cosmopolitan resort, much favoured by the artistic community, is the third-largest on the island. It dates back to the 16th century, and contains a church from that period. Today it is a town heavily dependent on tourism, but with a local flavour and atmosphere missing in many other resorts. The charming central square, Pla?a Espaħa, contains the old town hall, and is connected to the seafront promenade via a palm-lined avenue with a central pedestrian area hosting the daily market. The main thoroughfare that cuts through the middle is congested with traffic at most times during the day. To the E is a modern marina with many expensive yachts. W across the river, connected by footbridge, is the pleasant residential hillside district of La Siesta, filled with apartments, villas and well-maintained gardens.

Suitability:
Generally middlemarket. Suitable for families and couples, less so for singles owing to restricted nightlife. More mature clientele will appreciate its laid-back atmosphere.

Accommodation:
3-star hotels predominate on the outskirts of the resort with 1- and 2-key apartments predominating in the town centre. More modern and upmarket apartments can be found in La Siesta.

Shopping:
More sophisticated selection than that found in other popular resorts, including art shops, interior decorators, high-fashion leather outlets and jewellers plus all the usual supermarkets and tourist shops in abundance.

Beach:
In the centre a gently shelving man-made stretch runs in an arc for almost ­ ml, backed by a promenade with various cafes and shops. Similar Els Pins Beach just to the W has a scattering of loungers and parasols for a small charge. Beside the river mouth is Mariner's Beach, a triangular spit of sand with water both sides. Playa Siesta is small and secluded, located the other side of the river. Waters are generally calm.

Entertainments:
Daytime: most water sports including sailing, windsurfing, parascending, banana boats and pedalloes. Tennis; squash. Boat excursions including glass-bottom boat trips. Horse riding at Cala Llonga (3 miles) Golf at Roca Llisa (6 miles). Colourful daily street market at centre. Nightlife: only one public disco, otherwise music bars or entertainment provided within hotels.

Eating:
A number of good-quality restaurants, mainly typically Spanish. Calle San Vicente (closed to traffic during evenings) has an abundant choice. A plethora of informal cafe-style restaurants offering modest food at reasonable prices including British fare, German and Chinese and Italian pizzerias. More restaurants, and of better quality, in proportion to size of resort than elsewhere on the island.

Public-transport:
Half-hourly buses to Ibiza and Es Cana, hourly at weekends. Nine a day to Cala Llonga in high season. Disco bus hourly through the night to Ibiza in high season, Saturday nights only at low season. Regular boat service to Es Cana, Cala Llonga, Cala Pada, Ibiza and daily to Formentera. Reasonably priced taxis, with rank at centre.

Local-excursions:
Island coach tour. Boat trips to Formentera and other resorts. Aquaman Splashdown _ water park visit. Finca Feast _ traditionally prepared food in countryside location. Hillbilly Hoedown _ Wild West evening. Visit to casino with live show. Ibiza by night.