Cala Bassa Beach

Cala Bassa is the west coast cove that turns up on every Ibiza postcard, and for once the picture is honest. It is a curve of soft white sand sloping into clear shallow turquoise water, sheltered and backed by pines, the kind of bay that looks unreal in photographs and then largely delivers in person. The calm shallow entry and the easy beauty make it one of the most family friendly beaches on the island.

The single defining venue is the beach club. Cala Bassa Beach Club, known across the island as CBbC, spreads above the cove with several restaurants spanning Mediterranean, Italian and more, a VIP zone, sunbed and boat service, and a polished resort style feel that few beach clubs match. It gives the cove a comfort and a buzz without overwhelming the natural setting, though it does mean prices at the smart end are firmly destination level.

Popularity is the honest caveat. The same qualities that make Cala Bassa lovely, the soft sand, the clear shallow water and the sheltered aspect, draw very large crowds in July and August, helped by a regular boat link from Sant Antoni that delivers day trippers through the morning. Arrive early and you get the cove close to its best, with space on the sand and quiet water, while a midday arrival in peak season means a packed beach and a hunt for a spot.

Who it suits: families with children, couples who want a beautiful easy swim, and anyone who likes a polished beach club beside a postcard cove.

Who should skip it: travellers seeking solitude or a wild undeveloped beach should look to the quieter calas, as Cala Bassa is firmly on the day trip map.