Ibiza without the party crowds

Ibiza has a quieter life, and it is the one most locals live. Here is how to find it. ## When to come May and October are the sweet spots: warm sea, green landscape, and the day-trip crowds gone after mid-September. April gives wildflowers and empty trails; November and December are peaceful, mild and great for walking. ## Where to stay Choose the north and east over the west and south: Sant Joan, Sant Carles and Santa Eulària's quieter edges. Small rural hotels and agriturismi give you silence, a pool and easy access to the trailheads. ## What to do Walk the north coast at dawn, eat lunch at the beach grills before the sun is high, take the ferry to Formentera on a weekday, and save the sunset for a headland rather than a beach club. ## The practical bit Some restaurants and bus routes close in the shoulder season — check ahead, hire a car, and treat the quieter months as the point, not a compromise.