Our Walking Ibiza guide is something of an old salt – with a deep tan, waist-length plait and kind, crinkled eyes. She’s leading our small crew, stopping only to pass us rosemary sprigs and juniper berries to nose. We’re headed to the watchtower a few minutes north of the sleek entrance of Six Senses’ Balearic outpost, and it’s here that I learn of Ibiza’s pirated past.
16th century Ibiza, much like Nineties Blockbuster, had a pirate problem. Ships would sail through the Med to steal goods, women and children from this bijou island. Our guide explains that the tower is one of seven that stood guard on the island’s perimeter – lighting fires to warn of enemy ships approaching. The King even licensed Ibicencos to form their own bands of pirates who guarded from the ocean – seizing and looting any ships that tried their luck.
Consequently, Ibiza has been home to everyone over the years. It continues to act as a magnet pulling wandering spirits, party lovers and cultural creatives together. Its heritage created the melting pot you see today on its beaches, in its restaurants and in the super clubs.
This is no different at Six Senses Ibiza – and is more evident than ever out of season, when travellers from all over the globe drop anchor with the hopes of catching slices of European sun. Ibiza outside of summer is unhurried and inclusive, with a slower, elemental energy. Here’s why we think you, too, should seize the off-season.
FREEDOM TO ROAM
It’s unequivocally the best time for walking, biking and exploring. Hiking in high-season is hard work – but from October to April it’s cooler and calmer. Autumn brings vast expanses of wildflowers, and remote hills bear juniper trees, asparagus plants, ripe figs and pin-drop silence. Look out for pines – pirates made their ships out of these trees thanks to the coastal winds that bent them into a perfect curve – and they’d use the tree pulp as glue to keep things watertight.
And if you didn’t know, Spanish law states that access to the coast has to be open (something that even applies to the rich and famous who might try to corner off a slice for themselves) – so you literally can wander everywhere – easier still without the crowds.
SPECTACULAR SUNSETS
If, like me, sunsets fill your heart, then off-season is your friend. Warm days turn to cooler evenings and as a result, skies take on a celestial light and patchwork of soft orange, umber, honeycomb and lilac.
Hues shift across casas, coastlines and cliff-faces with an intensifying rose-tinted warmth. Swashbucklers should forge a route over rock faces to a nearby deserted cove with a blanket, bottle of wine and layers – it’s hard to beat the feeling of cosying up after a sun-drenched day.
SLOWER, MORE IMMERSIVE STAYS
Six Senses sits pretty on the islands’ northern tip. Exteriors here are raw – cast your eyes down from the infinity pool (admittedly not so raw) to a limestone shoreline with jagged cliffs and a rocky jetty from which you can swim, kayak and paddleboard. The alfresco restaurants are cocooned by native plants, rust-coloured terraces and cinnamon-coloured cliffs. Rooms face seaward, with bamboo-clad roofs resembling Ibiza’s traditional fisherman huts.
Interiors are sophisticated. Light-bathed corridors are lined with black and white Magnum photography, leading to earthy-toned rooms decked out in rattan, wood and stone. Raid the glass-fronted coffer for local snacks plus mushroom supplements and CBD-infused drinks. And you’ll want for nothing thanks to the fleet of tanned, uniform-clad waiters. Speaking of, if you forget your linen and crochet (something of an unspoken dress code here) then fear not – on-site boutique Agora is fully stocked with sustainably-made pieces.
Off-season Ibiza is a shore thing. As the bass dies down, history and culture resurface. Travellers from all walks of life look to the white isle for anything from a shift in pace to a full reset. With its swirling coastline, sparkling waters and introspective allure – you needn’t look any further for a slow-release hit of health and a more holistic form of hedonism.
Need a fourth reason? Explore our complete collection of Ibiza hotels
All photography by the author