Ibiza '25: Something to be grateful for
- 7 days ago
- 14 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
Destination: Ibiza 🏝️
Duration: 8 days
Transport: Airplane
Company: 3 of us and grandma and grandpa
Time: Sep/oct
The following applies to every trip/journey:
All trips and vacations are primarily practical challenges and concerns about possible infections or other physical ailments. However, we will not let this stop us (any longer) from doing what we love most: spending time together, discovering new places, and marveling at—and immersing ourselves in—unknown landscapes and cultures.
Bright spots on wheels: our trip in the fall of 2025 🌍✨
The fall of 2025 became a trip for which we are especially grateful.
Because this trip... was a gift. Yes, really!
With tears in our eyes, we accepted this offer last year via Facetime. Grandma and bonus grandpa were in Ibiza at the time, staying at a beautiful, quietly located B&B run by a local couple from South Limburg. When they heard about our situation, they called us: “Come to Ibiza, you are more than welcome.” Why? Out of gratitude that they are able to live in Ibiza.
Us? Surprised, moved, and above all grateful. And with a renewed dose of confidence in the future.
Why does this feel so special? In a world full of bureaucracy, negativity, and money-driven choices, where families with baggage don't always have it easy, where many have lost touch with everything around us, and where emotional people are often still in the minority... that's precisely why such an unexpected gesture of empathy, kindness, and connection is a ray of light that warms your heart.
And that is exactly what traveling gives us: not only new places, but new confidence, memories, and above all, energy💙
🌍Journey from Eindhoven to Ibiza
Here we go! With our Pawpatroller (Van) packed and ready, we headed to Eindhoven Airport.
It takes quite a bit of preparation, which I'll come back to at the end of this blog.
Dad dropped us off at the entrance by charmingly “borrowing” a public transport parking space (we call it creative parking), so we could quickly unload the 2 suitcases, 2 wheelchairs, and 4 carry-on backpacks. He was then allowed to drive on to P4, the nearest parking lot without a height restriction — ideal for buses and other vehicles that have grown just a little too enthusiastic. It's about a 15–20 minute walk to the terminal, but hey, that counts as a warm-up.
Inside, we checked our suitcases in digitally at the self-service counters. Always exciting: will the machine work, or will we all end up sitting on the floor puzzling over baggage tags? Fortunately, everything went well and we were able to proceed to the mobility assistance desk.
The wheelchairs had already been requested in advance—after a frustrating saga of phone calls, text messages, and inner monologues directed at the airline. Still, we had to complete 30 minutes of extra paperwork. But after that, we did get to feel like VIPs: through the fast lane at customs!
Boarding then went a little... more creatively than planned. We weren't called first, which is normally the case with mobility assistance, so there was a bit of chaos. But: the seats in the front row were neatly reserved and the flight attendants were super friendly and immediately asked if we needed help.
Accommodation
We stayed in a B&B in a finca near the village of Sant Carles de Peralta, called Todo Bien. And that was absolutely right: everything was bien!
Our visit was really at the last minute. The couple who ran this gem were closing down at the end of October this year. So we were pretty much the last guests to enjoy their hidden paradise. Lucky us!
Looking for this or a similar place online? Forget it. You won't find this kind of B&B on Booking, Google Maps, or even in Indiana Jones' archives.
How does it work? Mostly “through the grapevine” — a kind of secret lodging club for insiders, haha!
That's because B&Bs in Ibiza are not actively promoted by the government. They are tolerated, but that's about it. That's why there's no flashy website, no big signs along the road... and not even a paved road. Your navigation system says “Destination reached,” but your suspension and shock absorbers say otherwise.
Activities
The quiet village of Sant Carles de Peralta (San Carlos) in the northeast of Ibiza is charming, relaxed, and—let's be honest—remarkably well populated by Dutch people. It is less crowded than the classic seaside resorts and a great base from which to visit both beaches and restaurants without having to deal with the party vibes.
The drive from the airport takes about 35 minutes, mainly on provincial roads, with the last few minutes on “strada bianche” as a bonus. Your suspension will remember it.
Cala San Vicente is so quiet that you half expect someone to offer you a cup of chamomile tea and a flyer for a mindfulness retreat. The sea is calm, the beach is uncluttered, and the vibe... well, let's just say that snails would feel overwhelmed here. Perfect for landing, breathing, and doing absolutely nothing for a while.
*Wheelchair accessible via a platform and water chair available to borrow from the lifeguard.
Cala Llenya is the beach to go to if Cala San Vicente feels a little too tame. You can laze around, swim, play volleyball, or just pretend you're reviewing a beach guide. The atmosphere is laid-back, but with just enough people to eavesdrop on others unnoticed. Ideal.
*Wheelchair accessible via a platform and water chair available to borrow from the lifeguard.
Las Dalias, the hippie market in San Carles, is a place where time doesn't exist, where every corner reveals a new scent or amulet, and where you can stroll among art, jewelry, natural products, and cocktails. Ideal for letting your inner boho shine.
Punta Arabi is Las Dalias' big sister — more stalls, more people, more noise. Super cozy, but also super busy in the summer months. Keep that in mind if you don't like walking in the slipstream of 3,000 other people.
*Mostly wheelchair accessible.
Santa Eulària is for people who want to enjoy their vacation without losing their brain cells at a nightclub. A beautiful coastal town with a relaxed pace, popular with families and couples.
The palm-lined boulevard is especially beautiful in the evening, with the sea on one side and cafés and boutiques on the other. The main beach is wide, clean, shallow, and easily accessible. The modern marina is bursting with restaurants and bars—and you can rent a boat if you feel like spending a day sailing as if you're suddenly rich.
Ibiza Town is lively, stylish, and wonderfully authentic. It is the place where modern Ibiza goes hand in hand with the historic island. Luxury yachts bob in the harbor as if it were the most normal thing in the world, while trendy restaurants and stylish bars try to tempt you from every corner.
Around the harbor, you will find shopping streets and boutiques in every category imaginable: from small local shops to high-end fashion that will make your bank account break out in a sweat. You will find unique gems, especially in the old streets.
Dalt Vila, the UNESCO World Heritage old town that towers above Ibiza Town, is magical, romantic, and impressive. The climb to this old town and fortress is definitely worth it, perhaps not all the way to the top with a wheelchair, but to the viewing platform in the middle. Magnificent views!
Nightlife? Yes, indeed! The iconic club Pacha is located here, and Platja d'en Bossa is also within easy reach for those who still have some energy left.
Pou des Lleó is one of those places where you arrive and in a second you understand why people fall in love with Ibiza. A quiet, small bay in the northeast of the island, surrounded by rocks, fishermen's huts, and water so clear that you almost want to apologize for disturbing it.
From the village, there is a footpath leading to the sea, and after a slightly adventurous climb (read: occasionally scrambling as if you were in an outdoor advertisement), you arrive at a beautiful viewpoint, which we immediately renamed the viewpoint.
Here, you mainly hear the sea, the wind, and occasionally a local who decides that clothing is overrated.
The bay and the plateau itself are a bit rugged and rocky, so it's not the most logical place for wheelchairs. But it is perfect for:
a moment to enjoy the view
a drink
lunch with a sea breeze
recharging your batteries in pure tranquility and authenticity
How did we get to the viewpoint?
Mom carried Lanah over the ‘rough part’ and Dad and Grandpa carried the sports wheelchair. Everyone got their workout!
Pou des Lleó is Ibiza in its purest form: simple, honest, peaceful, and beautiful. A little paradise — especially for those who like to discover the lesser-known side of the island.
The energy here was truly wonderful: peaceful, free, grounding.
🍽️ Food & Drink
Bar Anita – Sant Carles de Peralta
Food like grandma used to make. Atmosphere? Just like grandma's house, haha!
A bar where locals pick up their mail, watch soccer games, and visit for after-work drinks.
Perfect for a light lunch or dinner at reasonable prices.
*Tip: Hierbas. It's an anise-based drink with extracts and infusions of more than 20 herbs such as fennel, thyme, sage, rosemary, eucalyptus, mint, lemon peel, orange peel, and much more. Ideal nightcap ;)
Casa Bella – Sant Carles de Peralta
Cozy, casual setting, delicious ‘average’ Italian food where you don't have to rush.
Ideal for recovering from the hippie market in San Carles or simply because you don't want to eat tapas or paella every day.
*Plus point: gelateria next door!
Aliño – Santa Eulària
Lovely, good, tapas.
A restaurant where everything feels just right: the atmosphere, the food, and the service. Perfect for lunch or dinner, with fresh ingredients and creative combinations. Order something you would never normally try – chances are you'll fall in love with it. And yes, a glass of wine is always welcome.
Lagom – Santa Eulària
Lovely, perfect, Paella.
The name says it all: not too much, not too little, just right. Modern, light, and with a relaxed vibe, ideal for brunch or dinner. Here you can convince yourself that you're eating super healthy... while secretly enjoying a decadent bottle of wine.
The Boat House, San Vicente
A great place to go for lunch and dinner. Completely in tune with the ‘vibe’ of the sea. Everything exudes ‘boats, water, fishing, beach’.
Both the terrace and the interior are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the toilet.
A wonderful place to relax with a view of the sea and delicious, fresh food. Something for almost everyone ;)
On the Beach, San Vicente
Same owner as The Boat House.
On the beach, atmosphere: exudes surfing, relaxation, cocktails. Ideal for lunch or a relaxed afternoon with good food (with a Dutch influence here and there) and cocktails overlooking the bay.
*Wheelchair accessible except for the toilet.
Chiringuito, Pou des lleo
Right on the bay is a bar where they don't mess around. Fish, tapas, beer, sea, sun — done. The kind of place where you eat shrimp that just had a career at sea and where no one asks if you want your water “with or without vibes.”
*Accessibility is disappointing, but hey, it's a small, authentic bar. Just lift yourself onto a chair on the terrace and enjoy.
💡 Dining tips for wheelchair users: Check in advance whether the restaurant and/or terrace is accessible, either via Google Maps or simply by giving them a call.
Bar Anita has a threshold outside, but with a little help, it's usually no problem with a non-electric wheelchair.
Gelato? Very pricey in Ibiza, but if you take more than one scoop, each additional scoop becomes cheaper... so it's not a difficult choice ;)
Want to be sure of a nice spot with your wheelchair? Make a reservation!
Dinner? Restaurants usually don't open until 7 p.m. because Spaniards generally eat quite late in the evening, with rush hour around 9 p.m.
Is your digestion not so good when eating late, like mine? Have a warm, substantial lunch.
🛣️On the road
A vacation without our “big, electric” wheelchair, because yes... it's not allowed on the plane. Unbelievable, but unfortunately completely true. Airlines apparently find these kinds of practical things too complicated. Sigh....
So what did we take with us?
✅ The non-electric wheelchair with e-move wheels
✅ The sports wheelchair (a.k.a. our all-rounder or Hippocampe)
We ended up using the sports wheelchair the most — and not just because it rolls so well. Ibiza is full of unpaved roads, spontaneous sandy paths, and lots of little bays where you can swim/float. With the sports wheelchair, we can easily get into the water and use the Stabilo: a moldable seat cushion that you can shape to suit practically any situation. Indispensable, in other words.
We rented a Dacia Jogger through an intermediary at Auto Union.
It was a 7-seater, but we politely asked them to remove the last two seats.
That saves a lot of digging around in the trunk and makes room for... two wheelchairs, two suitcases, four backpacks, four adults, and one child.
You have to do what you have to do, right?!
Because we didn't want to run the risk of ending up with a “similar model” upon arrival (read: a car that could fit at most one backpack), we paid in advance. This isn't possible with every rental company, so check carefully.
The car was neatly parked in the parking garage opposite the terminal when we arrived. It was just a matter of loading up — aka Tetris with baggage — and going.
The Dacia Jogger turned out to be a great solution. On the way there, we were packed like sardines, but once the suitcases were out, it was great. Lanah sat in her Stabilo Positioning Cushion between grandpa and grandma in the back seat, and that worked out just fine.
Driving in Ibiza — sometimes exciting, always beautiful
Plan a road trip: Ibiza is made for road trips. Every time you round a bend, there's a new view waiting to make your day.
Ibiza occasionally surprised us with sudden steep roads, bends, and unpaved roads. The kind of roads where halfway through you think: is this still part of the route or have we turned onto a goat track?
*Tip: If you think “Oooooh no...” when you turn in, turn around. Because believe me: it usually doesn't get any better. 😉
🅿️ Parking
Please note that towns often have zones/colors:
Blue (zona azul), White, Yellow, Red, and Disabled parking spaces (blue with wheelchair symbol).
*Tip: These spots are often close to beaches, markets, or city centers and are worth their weight in gold for a wheelchair-friendly vacation, provided you have your Disability Parking Card with you.
*Tip: Check facilities: Wooden paths and wheelchair-friendly beaches are usually clearly marked, but it's worth checking Google Maps in advance or asking your accommodation for some tips.
Return trip Eindhoven-Ibiza
Check-in was completely different from the outbound journey. In the departure hall, we had to report to the Mobility Point: a kind of waiting area with a digital sign and a call button that you hope will work.
It was a bit chaotic at first. Officially, only the wheelchair user and one companion are allowed to accompany this employee, but because we had divided our luggage as if we were participating in a logistics puzzle competition, it was impossible for me to carry everything on my own. Fortunately, the rest of the group was eventually allowed to “hitch a ride” as well.
The landing was smooth... the arrival hall a little less so. It was packed, and there was a lot of jostling at the baggage carousel. After what seemed like an eternity, our luggage finally came out — and a little later, the sports wheelchair.
Well... what was left of the sports wheelchair. The transport bag was completely torn and hung half fatally over the belt as if it had just had a fight with a baggage cart.
It remains incomprehensible: you hand in special luggage at ‘odd sized baggage’ because it is not suitable for the normal belt... and then it comes back on that same belt anyway. Logic level: airline.
So, after a long journey, we also had to queue at the damaged luggage desk. Exactly what you can't face after hours of traveling.
✈️ Handling: small print, big frustrations
Long story short after the trip: Compensation from the airline? You can usually write it off right away. There's always a new rule, exception clause, or creative interpretation to avoid responsibility.
And us? We ended up stuck with almost 3000 euros in damages... SO SUCK IT... but looking on the bright side: grateful that this happened on the return trip and not on the way there.
♿Do's and don'ts
Traveling with two wheelchairs
Traveling with one wheelchair is already a challenge. Two? That's almost an Olympic sport.
Preparation is everything, and don't let the airline brush you off; fight for your aids!
When booking airline tickets, you must provide all the details of the wheelchairs. Length, width, weight, battery type... sometimes I feel like a wheelchair engineer.
Don't forget to request assistance at the airport. Without it, you'll literally be maneuvering up and down the conveyor belt as if you're in a stunt movie.
Seriously, it's a bit like organizing a mini-expedition... only with more wheels.
Don'y take 'no' for an answer!
Make sure you have an extra insurance on the privately bought wheelchairs/aids.
Airlines mostly don't compensate all repaire costs.
2. Choosing accommodation
Not every “accessible room” is truly accessible. We always ask for photos/videos of the room and check whether we can even get through the door and park the wheelchair. We knew there was gravel around the accommodation, but the week went better than expected. We were out and about a lot, and Lanah was able to ride her e-move wheelchair on the paved terrace. That was all we needed, as we were out and about a lot.
Once again, compromise proved to be the key to success.
Spoiler alert: an elevator and a wide door are your best friends.
3. Rental car or taxi
Public transportation in Ibiza? Not for us.
We arranged a large rental car in advance.
Unfortunately, we have not yet found a rental company that rents wheelchair buses at any destination, and renting a van? Then you will have no vacation budget left, unfortunately.
4. European Disability Parking Card
Bring your European disabled parking card, it's very handy.
5. Medical and practical matters
Bringing spare parts is not an unnecessary luxury. Batteries, pumps, inner tubes, Lubrication, tools... you'll feel like MacGyver on wheels. And don't forget your English-language medical certificate!
6. Practical tips
Always bring your swim bag with you to Ibiza, because you might find a bay or beach so inviting that you want to take a refreshing dip.
Going into the water with your Stabilo seat cushion? Keep in mind that drying time depends on the amount of sunlight it gets.
After we had been to the beach and in the sea with the Hippocampe for the first time, the sports wheelchair sounded like an old squeaky ice cream truck when we were driving. Thank goodness we had brought lip balm with us to ‘lubricate’ the rubbing parts along the way.
Ibiza has a number of wheelchair-accessible beaches, such as Cala Llenga, Cala San Vicente, Santa Eulalia, etc. With special wooden paths and beach wheelchairs available, or in our case with the sports wheelchair. It was a great added value to be able to enjoy the sea. Unfortunately, some smaller beaches or remote spots were difficult to reach due to sand and steep slopes.
Many activities, such as boat trips and day trips, require prior consultation for accessibility. But cultural attractions such as Dalt Vila were reasonably accessible with a wheelchair, provided you are fit enough to cope with steep slopes.
🌟 Reflection
If we have confirmed one thing on this trip, it is this: We seem to be destined to encounter and overcome a wide range of challenges that exist when traveling with a wheelchair (and then, of course, tell you all about it in this blog...)
Ibiza taught us once again that a little challenge is inevitable.
Rain? Check.
27 degrees and sunshine? Check.
Emergency alert on a Spanish island? Check.
A road that turns into a goat path halfway through? Double check.
Fever and chickenpox on the return flight? Check.
A badly damaged Hippocampe and Stabilo after the return flight? Check.
And yet: every time we came out with a smile (okay, sometimes with a deep sigh first, then with a smile).
We discovered that steep slopes are fine, as long as you pretend you're participating in Expedition Robinson for advanced participants. That wooden beach paths are sacred ground. That the Hippocampe sounds like a dying ice cream man as soon as you take it into salt water and that lip balm has officially been promoted from “for dry lips” to “multifunctional technical lubricant.”
But most importantly: We came. We saw. We rolled. We enjoyed.
With the realization that nothing can stop us from continuing to discover the world together.
Not even an airline that thinks a large wheelchair is some kind of unicorn: beautiful, but impossible to take with you.
So yes... our vacations remain a mix of adventure, improvisation, emotion, and pure love. And as long as we keep smiling, either because it's fun or because otherwise we'll cry, every trip remains a bright spot on wheels.
💙✨
