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Child-friendly Ibiza – an insider’s guide24th August 2020

Child friendly Mimosa in Santa Gertrudis

Tim Stacey of Charles Marlow Ibiza shares his insights into enjoying child-friendly Ibiza with a young family.

 I’m lucky enough to have a five-year-old stepdaughter, Maya, so I already had some idea of how child-friendly Ibiza is. Now that I’m the proud father of three-month-old Noah, enjoying the island revolves even more around making sure the children are having fun safely and finding bars and restaurants where they’re truly welcome.

Noah was born when we were beginning to come out of lockdown. We were already considering a home birth, but it became clear that it made more sense to stay away from hospitals.

We didn’t know what the situation would be in the hospital. There was a good chance that I wouldn’t have been allowed in the delivery room and our doula – the person we had asked to provide emotional and physical support during childbirth – definitely wouldn’t have.

In the build-up to Noah’s birth, we had many meetings with the doula and our two midwives. We felt prepared and relaxed.

Our midwives weren’t the conventional type so there was lots of incense being burned, chanting and singing and herbal teas being drunk. My partner Sophie’s waters broke at 3pm and Noah arrived in the water pool at 10pm. Sophie did it all without any pain relief, which was amazing.

It was very special to be able to sleep in our own bed with our new baby on his first night. The midwives stayed the night to make sure everything was fine, which it was.

I would absolutely recommend Cyd Lee, our doula. Cyd also arranged the midwives for us.

Cool in the shade

Child-friendly Ibiza recommendations

The outdoor lifestyle is great for children. Maya, our five-year-old, who has an incredible amount of energy, has grown up on beaches, which has made her incredibly confident in the water for someone so young.

I can’t wait for Noah to have the same opportunity to swim throughout the year, try water sports, learn to sail and maybe skipper a boat. All things I didn’t get to do.

I’ll also make sure Noah appreciates that there is an alternative to living his life in a corporate environment, tied to his job and caught up in the ratrace. I’m glad I’ve discovered what works best for my family.

Apart from the obvious – the many beaches on our doorstep and being surrounded by ocean – Ibiza has low crime rates and a laidback lifestyle that makes it the perfect place to raise kids.

It’s also absolutely true that Spanish people generally adore children so they’re welcome in more places than they probably would be in other parts of Europe.

Tim and Noah chill

If you’re looking for somewhere specific to hang with the children that’s especially child and family friendly, I’d definitely recommend Bam-bu-ku, the new beach club that’s opened in San Antonio.

It’s been created by the owners and operators of O Beach next door.

O Beach is aimed at the adult crowd looking to party but Bam-bu-ku is child-friendly Ibiza family fun. There are two swimming pools, one that’s small and shallow and safe for the kids. The décor and furniture is very cool, with bright bold colours. There are plenty of daybeds. The waiters, waitresses and start are all really friendly.

We went on a Sunday, had a few hours on the daybeds and treated ourselves to the restaurant’s bottomless brunch – all the food and drink we could manage for a not unreasonable price.

This value for money extended to the entertainment. There was a face painter, an amateur drag act and a magician. Spiderman appeared. A mermaid even appeared in the swimming pool.

Maya, our five-year-old said it was the best day of her life! (The unlimited ice-cream could have helped.)

Bam-bu-ku is, of course, designed to be child-friendly. But some of the top restaurants on the island also do a really good job of catering for kids.

La Paloma in San Lorenzo, everyone’s favourite restaurant in Ibiza, has a play area for kids and a climbing frame. El Chiringuito on Es Cavallat beach has a kids club.

We had dinner at Can Mimosa in Santa Gertrudis last week and, apart from being really impressed with the restaurant and the food, our children loved the play area.

Child-friendly Charles Marlow

 Apart from having first-hand experience of child-friendly Ibiza, I’m happy to tell you which of the villas we have for rent are most suitable for children.

We also work with the most trusted childminders on the island so, when you want to head out and sample the adult delights of the island, you can do so with absolute peace of mind.

Written by Tim Stacey

David Holzer

A freelance writer for many years, David is the author of a number of books and magazine articles, mainly on the subjects of the Beat writers and yoga. He is fascinated by the remarkably rich cultural history of Deia, from Robert Graves to the present day.

David also teaches yoga for writers.

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