London can feel extremely chaotic at the best of times. Cramming into a packed Tube or attempting a food shop at 5pm on a weekday will leave many Londoners yearning for a European getaway.
Thankfully, CondeNast Traveller has compiled a list of the 10 calmest holidays in Europe to help recharge from our hectic lives. Mediterranean hotspots including Rhodes and Larnaca feature prominently on the list, along with the lesser known locations of Burgas in Bulgaria and Olbia in Sardinia.
But top of the list, ranked the best place for a calm and relaxed holiday is…. Ibiza. That’s correct, the island of tacky stag do’s, Irish bars and Wayne Lineker is the best place in Europe to recover from the stress of London.
On the surface it might seem odd, but (thankfully) there’s much more to Ibiza than the notorious San Antonio strip. Away from the loud southwest of the island Ibiza is most known for, you can make use of the laid back towns and villages in hidden in the north.
The Conde Nast entry reads: “There are a dozen secret coves and sumptuous spas for every state-of-the-art sound system. Embark on a mind-clearing amble along one of the 599 hiking trails, take a breath of fresh air and return home feeling truly rejuvenated. With much of the party scene focused around the island’s south, head to the hippier, happier north to discover the Ibiza of times gone by.”
Hark back to the 20th century and Ibiza was best known for its creative/alternative scene. Remnants of this can still be found in the hippy markets of Las Dalias. Es Cana and Cala Benirrás.
Santa Agnes is one of the best and quietest places to begin a hike along its rugged coastline. Just a 90-minute walk will take you along dramatic cliffs, two secret beaches and incredible views from Cap Negret headland.
Perhaps not in the north of the island, but Ibiza Town is still a much quieter alternative to the busy southwest. Dalt Vila, the old town, is living proof of the island’s rich history telling tales of ancient civilizations dating back to 2,725 years ago.
Ibiza Town was founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC and still holds remnants of empires past. The UNESCO-listed old quarter is a picturesque maze of quiet cobblestone streets, charming plazas, and local cafés and restaurants, all set against a backdrop of white painted buildings with countless flowers.
There’ll be a bit more to do here than the north of the island, but its far enough from San Antonio to enjoy a quiet break.
Flights to Ibiza can get expensive during peak tourist season, but you can still often find cheap budget airline deals from London in May and June. EasyJet has dozens of flights from London to Ibiza available from £20-40.
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