Sunrise to sunset

We pine after days spent by the beach, long lunches with friends and family in scenic outdoor spots, afternoons that pass by in a haze thanks to relaxing massages, and evenings that begin with the first colours of sunset and end supping ice-cold cocktails. Fortunately, there are venues in Ibiza where we’re able to experience all of this in one location, and one of the finest is Elements Ibiza. Open daily, Elements Ibiza is a destination for breakfast, lunch, dinner and sunset, and generally the kind of laidback ambience most preconceived Ibiza reveries are made from. Set amid the bohemian paradise of Cala Benirràs, it’s a whitewashed haven for holidaymakers and locals looking to experience some of the magic this particular beach is famed for. Popular every day of the week, Benirras is at its busiest on Sundays when free spirits descend to watch spiritual drumming erupt on the far end of the beach as fire performers light up the sand in a whirl of acrobatics and explosive contortions.

Elements Ibiza isn’t just about sunset, though admittedly it excels at this time. It’s also about the sheer satisfaction you enjoy when you’re by the sea in Ibiza from day to night and you happen to be at a venue which seamlessly caters for all of it. Take a seat on the Elements Ibiza terrace with its sandblasted tables and features carved from recycled materials and you’re instantly transported to a faraway bliss where any worries are swept away with the sea breeze. That’s why this beach club has such a loyal local following – come here for a morning and you won’t be able to tear yourself away. The menu is a key factor in keeping clients content. Presided over by Italian chef Mauro di Mauro, it’s a varied affair offering something for everyone. The breakfast offering is full of classics – think traditional Spanish options like tostada with tomato and olive oil alongside omelettes and a range of other egg dishes. The Eggs Royal is standout, largely because the kitchen cure the salmon themselves (and then smoke it in their Josper oven), but also because the eggs are organic, the bread is handmade and the Hollandaise sauce is point perfect.

Accompany this with a fresh juice made at the restaurant’s adjoining juice bar and you’ll be loaded with energy for the rest of the day. The juice menu is lengthy and bursting with unique flavour combinations and unusual ingredients. The Cactus Cooler is a must try, its deep green colouring enough to satisfy even the most ardent detox followers. Post breakfast, unwind by the beach or retreat from the midday sun at the onsite boutique, where without even trying you can spend hours browsing the rails of fashion and sparkling silverware. Come lunchtime, pop back for a light bite and some sanctuary at the hottest point of the day. The salad section of the menu is a great place to start – options include chickpea and quinoa, chicken and goat’s cheese, and a seriously impressive tuna niçoise, which boasts colourful presentation and huge chunks of yellowfin tuna, again, grilled in the kitchen’s trusty Josper. Sip on another juice if you want to keep flowing with the detox, or instead browse the cocktail menu – the restaurant’s Zentini, made with Japanese sake, triple sec and blackberry and cranberry juice, enriches the flavour of the salad beautifully.

With the rest of the afternoon spread out before you, take advantage of the beautiful scenery surrounding Benirràs, book in for a massage (it pays to have done this advance) and revel in your own leisure before returning to Elements Ibiza for some pre-sunset dinner. Options are plentiful, and the new additions to the pasta menu in 2017 come highly recommended by the chef. Made fresh on the premises each day, it’s hard to beat the black ink Tubetti served with King Prawns and Coastal Prawns. Essentially like presenting your tastebuds with all the sensations of the ocean, tucking into this dish is the perfect way to end a sunkissed day at the beach, especially when paired with a Minty Mezcal – the refreshing taste of Mexico in a glass.

As the day draws to a close, sample some homemade desserts, explore the cocktail menu in more detail (dusk is the ideal time to retox, after all), or head over to the shoreline to catch the sun doing its finest for the last time that day. Then head off in the knowledge you’ve created a day to remember – one that’s well worth saving for the daydream bank once you’ve made your way home.