Benirràs is a small cove of coarse sand on Ibiza's north coast, in the municipality of Sant Joan de Labritja, facing the rock of Es Cap Bernat. It is about 30 minutes by car from Ibiza Town and has a summer shuttle bus, line P6.
Benirràs is the north coast beach with a single, very recognisable view: a horseshoe of coarse sand and pebbles closed in by pine-covered hills, and in the middle of the bay the rock of Es Cap Bernat, almost 30 metres high. In summer the sun goes down over the sea beside it. That view, and the drums that used to greet it on Sundays, made Benirràs one of the best-known names on the island.
Where Benirràs is and how to get there
Benirràs belongs to Sant Joan de Labritja and sits on the north coast, below the hill of Puig des Guixar. The Balearic tourism board measures the beach at about 132 metres long and 30 metres wide.
- By car from Ibiza Town: about 30 minutes, heading for Sant Joan and then turning off following the signs to Benirràs.
- By car from San Antonio: 35 to 40 minutes on a winding inland road through Santa Agnès and Sant Mateu.
- From nearby villages: 7.6 km from Sant Miquel, 8.7 km from Sant Joan and 6.5 km from Port de Sant Miquel.
- Bus P6: runs from Can Coroner via the Sa Plana car park and Can Planetes to Benirràs, from 1 May to 30 September. There are eight trips on weekdays and five on Saturdays. On Sundays and holidays it runs every 20 minutes from 16:00 until after midnight. The ride takes about 17 minutes.
Parking at Benirràs
The main car park above the cove is free and has around 60 spaces. That is very little for a beach this famous. On summer Sunday evenings it is normal for it to be full, with cars parked 500 to 800 metres up the road and police watching for anyone parked badly. The P6 timetable says the same thing in another way: on Sundays it runs every 20 minutes into the night.
What to do at Benirràs
- Watch the sunset: the reason most people come. The Balearic tourism board calls the view of Es Cap Bernat at sunset "a mythical sight". Arrive an hour before to find a spot on the sand.
- Snorkel: the Periódico de Ibiza recommends the left side of the cove for about half an hour of good snorkelling. The middle is sand and pebbles.
- Eat on the beach: the Balearic tourism board lists loungers, umbrellas, a beach bar and restaurants. The chiringuitos are simple. Do not expect a full beach club.
- Look around: there are traditional fishermen's boat shelters on the shore, and the Cova de Can Marçà, a show cave near Port de Sant Miquel, is a short drive away.
What happened to the drums
The Benirràs drum gathering started on 18 August 1991, when a group of anti-war activists met on the beach to protest against the Gulf War. It turned into a weekly ritual, with drummers playing the sun down every Sunday in summer. As the crowds grew, the gathering was regulated. The Sunday meeting still draws people, but it has no official schedule and nobody guarantees the drums. If you come on a Sunday, come for the sunset and treat any drumming as a bonus.
Best time to go
For space and an easy car park, go on a weekday morning. For the sunset, summer is when the Balearic tourism board says the view is at its best. Sunday evening is still the busiest moment of the week even without the drums, so if you want calm, pick another day. In May and late September the water is cooler but the beach is much quieter.
See Benirràs from the sea
The bay of Benirràs is sheltered, and yachts and motorboats use it as an anchorage. Most boat trips in our catalogue leave from San Antonio and work the west coast, and the closest one to this stretch is a snorkel trip to Cala Salada and the north coast. For the full list, see the boat tours from San Antonio.
Tips before you go
- On Sunday evenings, leave the car at Can Coroner or Sa Plana and take the P6.
- Bring water shoes. The sand is coarse and there are pebbles at the water's edge.
- Do not count on full services. There is no big beach club, only simple beach bars and restaurants.
- Check the last P6 back. On weekdays it leaves Benirràs at 19:09, on Sundays at 0:20.
Exploring the north? Read our guides to Cala Xarraca and Cala Salada, or compare the best beaches in Ibiza.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Benirràs?
Benirràs is 7.6 km from Sant Miquel and 8.7 km from Sant Joan, about 30 minutes by car from Ibiza Town and 35 to 40 minutes from San Antonio. From May to September the P6 bus links Can Coroner and the Sa Plana car park with the beach.
Is there parking at Benirràs?
Yes. Benirràs has a free car park above the cove with around 60 spaces. On summer Sunday evenings it fills and cars end up 500 to 800 metres away, so the P6 shuttle from Can Coroner is the easier option.
What bus goes to Benirràs?
Line P6 runs from Can Coroner via Sa Plana to Benirràs from 1 May to 30 September. There are eight trips on weekdays and five on Saturdays. On Sundays and holidays it runs every 20 minutes from 16:00 until after midnight.
Are there still drums at Benirràs on Sundays?
Not as before. The Benirràs drum gathering began on 18 August 1991 as a protest against the Gulf War and became a Sunday sunset ritual. The Sunday gathering still draws people, but it is regulated and has no official schedule, so any drumming is a bonus.
What is the rock in front of Benirràs?
It is Es Cap Bernat, a rock islet almost 30 metres high in the middle of the bay of Benirràs. The Balearic tourism board calls the view of the rock at sunset, above all in summer, a mythical sight.
Can you snorkel at Benirràs?
Yes. Benirràs has clear water and rocky sides, and the left side of the cove gives about half an hour of good snorkelling, according to the Periódico de Ibiza. The centre is mostly sand and pebbles.