If you're in Ibiza this week, you're in for a treat. April is genuinely one of my favourite times to be here — the frantic energy of high season is still weeks away, the hills around Sant Joan are a riot of wildflowers, and you can walk straight onto beaches that will be jam-packed by July. Best of all, some of the best experiences the island has to offer right now cost absolutely nothing.
Here's what I'd be doing this week if I had a free diary and a full tank of fuel.
1. Hit the Beach — Before the Crowds Do
This is the secret that every Ibiza local guards jealously: April beaches are extraordinary. The water is cool — probably around 17–18°C — but on a sunny afternoon at Ses Salines or Cala Conta, you'll understand why some of us take the plunge anyway. More importantly, you'll have stretches of powder-white sand almost entirely to yourself.
My picks this week: Ses Salines in the south is always stunning, especially with the salt flats behind it glowing pink in the morning light. In the north, Cala d'en Serra — past Portinatx — rewards the drive down a bumpy track with a turquoise cove that genuinely looks photoshopped. No entry fee, no sun lounger rental required. Just bring a towel.
2. Las Dalias Hippie Market — Saturday Morning Ritual
Every Saturday, the little village of Sant Carles de Peralta hosts one of the most iconic markets in the Mediterranean. Las Dalias has been running since 1954 and it shows — this is not a tourist trap, it's a genuine community institution. Entry is completely free, and you can spend a happy couple of hours wandering between stalls selling handmade jewellery, batik clothing, leather goods, crystals, incense, and enough macramé to decorate an entire finca.
This Saturday (April 11) the market runs from around 10am until sunset. Go early for the best browsing and grab a fresh juice from one of the food stalls — the vendors who've been here for decades are characters worth chatting to. The gardens are lush in April, and the whole place has a relaxed, colourful energy that feels very much like the soul of Ibiza.
3. Hike Es Amunts — Ibiza's Wild North
Most visitors never get further north than Portinatx, which means the interior of Es Amunts — the protected rural heartland of northern Ibiza — is almost entirely yours. Right now in April, the trails between Sant Joan de Labritja and Sant Llorenç de Balàfia are at their absolute best: carpeted with wild rosemary, lavender, and poppies, the air smells extraordinary and the views across to Formentera on a clear day will stop you in your tracks.
A good starting point is the village of Sant Joan de Labritja itself — park by the church (free, easy), pick up the trail heading east toward the coast, and you'll be in proper Ibizan countryside within minutes. No signage fees, no park admission. Just solid walking boots, some water, and a couple of hours to spare.
4. Birdwatch at Ses Salines Nature Reserve
Ibiza's southern salt flats — part of the Ses Salines Natural Park shared with Formentera — are a major stopover on spring migration routes, which means April is prime birdwatching season. Entry to the reserve is free, and on a quiet morning this week you might spot flamingos, oystercatchers, greater short-toed larks, and a range of waders passing through.
You don't need binoculars, though they help. Just park near the Torre de Ses Portes at the island's southern tip and walk the coastal path north along the salt pans. The combination of pink flamingos against the white salt and the deep-blue sea beyond is one of those Ibiza moments that never gets old, no matter how many times you've seen it.
5. Wander Sant Antoni's Sunset Strip — Without the Bar Bill
Yes, really. The famous Sunset Strip in Sant Antoni — home to Café del Mar, Café Mambo, and all the rest — is public promenade. In April, the bars are only just opening up for the season and there's no pressure, no queues, no minimum spends. Bring your own cava (a bottle from the supermarket will set you back €4), find a spot on the sea wall, and watch the sun drop into the Mediterranean for free.
The sunset facing west from Sant Antoni is genuinely one of the most spectacular anywhere on the island — especially in April when the light has that particular golden-hour quality that makes everything glow. The DJs won't be cranking it up until May, so this week you get the view with nothing but the sound of the waves.
Practical Notes
A couple of things worth knowing for this week: the weather in April can be changeable, so if you're planning a hike, check the forecast the night before. Rainfall is possible, and some of the rural tracks in Es Amunts can get slippery. For the beaches, afternoons are warmest — water temperatures rise a degree or two by 3–4pm after the sun has been on it all day.
Buses run between Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni regularly and are inexpensive. For Sant Joan and the north, you'll really want a car or scooter — the rural interior isn't well served by public transport and that's honestly part of the charm.
April in Ibiza is a gift. Enjoy every quiet, beautiful, unhurried moment of it — because by June, the island will be a very different place.