Nestled 2 km north of Sant Antoni de Portmany, Cala Gració and Cala Gracioneta are twin coves on Ibiza’s west coast, reachable on foot, ideal for families, couples and anyone looking for a swim in calm, transparent water.
In short: these two coves sit side by side very close to San Antonio. Cala Gració is the bigger one, easy to reach, with fine sand. Cala Gracioneta, the “little sister”, is tiny and incredibly picturesque, often considered one of the most beautiful coves in Ibiza. The water is turquoise and calm. They are well equipped and very popular, especially with families. Cala Gracioneta has a well-known restaurant. They are an excellent option for a quick, pleasant swim near town.
Cala Gració and Cala Gracioneta: soft sand, calm water and Mediterranean pine woods
Cala Gració is the bigger of the two coves: it stretches for about 70 metres and is 40 metres wide, with fine golden sand and limpid blue-green water. Its very gently sloping sandy bottom makes for reassuring swimming, even for the youngest. The beach is framed by dense pine woods that give shade in the morning and add to the feeling of being away from the bustle.
Cala Gració is also accessible for people with reduced mobility, with access walkways and an amphibious wheelchair service run by the lifeguards in season. Sunbeds, parasols and pedal boats are available to hire. The Gració restaurant, right on the sand, lets you have lunch or a drink without leaving the beach.
Cala Gració
A few metres away, along a coastal path beside the rocks, Cala Gracioneta is smaller and more secluded. The sand is just as soft, the water just as clear, but the atmosphere is even more soothing. The seabed, dotted with posidonia meadows, makes for great snorkelling.
The whole back of the beach is taken up by the Chiringuito de Cala Gracioneta, a restaurant known for its refined Mediterranean food, with tiered terraces facing the sea. I had a bad experience there, though, so I do not recommend it.
It is also one of the most popular spots in Ibiza for watching the sunset, with a direct view of the western horizon and the islet of Sa Conillera.
Cala Gracioneta
Getting to Cala Gracioneta in Ibiza: access and parking
From the centre of Sant Antoni de Portmany, Cala Gració is about 15 minutes’ walk along the coastal path by the sea. By car, allow 3 to 5 minutes via the Cap Negret road. There is a car park behind Cala Gració, but spaces are limited in high season: arrive very early!
For Cala Gracioneta, restaurant customers have a small free private car park. From May to October, regular buses link Sant Antoni with Cala Gració. A water shuttle also runs from Sant Antoni port, so you can arrive by sea.
Snorkelling, kayaking and sunset: what to do at Cala Gracioneta
From the water’s edge, the view looks straight at the islet of Sa Conillera and the wild coast stretching north towards Cala Salada. The panorama is especially striking at the end of the day, when the low light tints the sea orange and pink.
As the two coves are only a few dozen metres apart, it is very easy to swim from one to the other or walk along the rocks, a small water adventure open to everyone. Snorkelling is the star activity here: the posidonia meadows are home to varied marine life, easy to see from the surface. Kayaks and paddleboards can also be hired to follow the coast at your own pace and discover the nooks in the rocks.
For food lovers, Es Tragón, one of Ibiza’s Michelin-starred restaurants, is a few minutes’ drive away on the Cap Negret road. Worth combining with a beach day for those who want to make the most of the area.
To extend your stay with more water and nature experiences, find all the activities and trips available in Ibiza.
My recommendation
Cala Gracioneta is the balance between accessibility and tranquillity. The water is very clear and the sand fine. If you want a beach day without going far from Sant Antoni while still feeling you have found an unspoilt corner, this cove is exactly right. Arrive well before 10am in July and August to enjoy the calm of the early hours.
I love this place and go back from time to time with great pleasure!
