Hotels near Cala Mastella

Cala Mastella is a tiny cove on the east coast - barely 60 metres wide - that catches the morning light and stays shaded and cool by early afternoon when most of Ibiza's beaches are at their hottest. The water is shallow and clear over a sandy bottom, and there are a handful of mooring buoys suggesting the local fishing boats have been using this cove for years. The car park above holds about 20 cars; once it's full, access is blocked.

A small restaurant - El Bigotes - operates at the cove and is famous across the island for its grilled fish and bullit de peix (fish stew) cooked in a wood-fired oven. It operates without menus or written prices and serves what was caught that morning. Reservations are essential and fill weeks ahead in summer.

Pro Tip: Arrive at Cala Mastella before 9:30 AM in summer to secure a parking space and have the cove almost entirely to yourselves for at least an hour. The morning light on the east-facing water is excellent for swimming and noticeably quieter than the more famous west-coast coves.