Offering wonderful beaches with a nightlife scene that has become famous worldwide, Ibiza has plenty to offer. This is an island of many talents. Yes, it’s predominantly known as the clubbing capital of southern Europe, and nightlife is easy to find, but that’s not all there is to this beautiful Balearic.
View my top tips for visiting Ibiza, including top things to do, best places to stay and also how to save money.
Ibiza Travel Resources
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Where to Stay
Ibiza is lined with resorts, each with its own charm and character, making it incredibly easy to find a place that suits you. Whether you’re looking for some lively evenings, quiet days, or vice versa there’s a resort and area perfect for you.
Ibiza Town
The historic old town is steeped in culture and tradition, whilst the pretty port area is alive with colour and activity. With a wide variety of bars, restaurants and nightlife venues to choose from, Ibiza Town is an ideal venue to spend some of your time whilst on the island.
Playa d’en Bossa
One of Ibiza’s most popular resorts, Playa d’en Bossa is far from a one trick pony. Yes, it is home to two of the island’s most iconic clubs – Space and Bora Bora, but there’s plenty of other reasons to stay here besides this.
The obvious thing that comes to mind is the resort’s brilliant beach. While you have the option to rent a sunlounger, lather up and just bask in the heat, there are plenty of activities to get involved in as well. One of the most fun is kite surfing, and you will see tourists having a go up and down the beach. After that, you can go for a game of volleyball, dive in the warm waters or head to one of the many beach-front bars.
If you stay here, you are also very close to Ibiza Town, which is around 15-minutes away. The old town is steeped in quaint charm and exploring its cobbled streets makes for a nice change from the sand.
Perfect for: beach lovers, night owls and part-time culture vultures.
San Antonio
For clubbing, this is the place to be in Ibiza. Those looking to spend a few nights cutting shapes at the famous Cafe del Mar will love it here especially, and during the peak season you can expect holidaymakers from all over Europe to be in town for some fun in the sun.
If you want to visit when it’s a little calmer, miss out the peak season of July to September and visit in May or June. You can also leave it until late September/October time when most of the clubbers have gone home, but the weather is still nice and warm – the ideal time for couples.
As well as the many super clubs and bars in the West End part of the resort, there’s also a great shopping scene if you fancy a little retail therapy. For a laid-back night out in the evening, the harbour and waterfront areas are filled with relaxed bars as the clubbers head off to the West End.
Perfect for: couples and party animals.
Figueretas
The hustle and bustle of Figueretas’ busy seafront makes it a very popular choice with all kinds of holidaymakers heading to Ibiza.
Ten-minutes away from the action of Ibiza Town, the resort also boasts a lively bar scene of its own and the beachfront craft stalls are always fun to peruse on a lazy afternoon. It’s just far enough removed from Ibiza Town that you can enjoy escaping the city, while you can be soon back in the middle of things if you fancy a big night.
As well as its location, the resort’s lovely beach is another big pull for tourists. It ticks all the boxes a beach should, ideal for those days when all you want to do is nothing at all.
Perfect for: part-time party animals and lazy day lovers
Portinatx
This is the ideal resort for those who want to be close to the action, just not too close.
Lapped by stunningly clear waters, this part of the island is known for its beauty and many people come here to try out snorkelling and diving.
If you fancy indulging in a real, full on Ibiza night out, there are regular ferries to the likes of San Antonio, where you will find some of the biggest, loudest clubs in town. However, if that’s not your thing, Portinatx has its own vibrant nightlife which, while completely different, is enough to provide a lively night out.
You also have your pick of three great beaches in S’Arenal Gros, S’Arenal Petit and Playa Porto Beach. Each one offers something a little different with the first being the biggest, the second a little more secluded and the third somewhere in between.
Perfect for: active types who like the odd night out, but don’t want to be surrounded by hedonistic clubbers.
… and finally a couple more suggestions.
San Jose
San Jose is well-known for its artistic community and there are a number of art and craft shops along with a small choice of bars and restaurants.
Santa Eulalia
Ideally located for exploring the undiscovered north of Ibiza, Santa Eulalia is a relaxed, family-friendly resort. The resort has a beautiful sandy beach and there are a number of bars and restaurants along the pretty esplanade.
Ibiza Tours
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Sightseeing & Attractions
There is tons to do in Ibiza that won’t even cost you a penny. Over in Ibiza Town, the convoluted Dalt Vila, translating literally into ‘high town’, is a labyrinth of cobbled alleyways, whitewashed buildings and cute quirky cafes.
Add to this the fact that the area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and that you can walk around here without even having to dip into your pockets, and you’re onto a winner. When exploring, look out for the secret escape tunnel on Calle de San Ciriaco, behind the Catholic church.
If you are travelling to Ibiza in May, the Medieval Festival should be at the top of your list. Not only is it free, but the entire island is dominated by local musicians, dancers, traditional performances and theatrical productions.
Over at the cove of Sa Caleta, there are also the earliest ruins on the island, with some of the Phoenician settlements dating all the way back to 654 BC. The south of the island is also famed for its views.
The whitewashed village of Sant Josep de sa Talaia will lead you to the top of the highest hill on the isle, Sa Talaia – the walk to the top may be strenuous but the dazzling views are sure worth it; on a clear day you can even see Majorca and the mainland. Another great view is of Es Vedra, a mystical rock that rises from the water just off Se Pedrera.
Other free attractions worth visiting include the clifftop home of late architect Erwin Broner in Sa Penya, a Modernist art lover’s dream, and the brilliant Centro Cultura S’Alamera that offers free seasonal photography exhibitions.
Ibiza Travel Tips
Sun. Sea. Sand. Spending more money than you have? There is no reason why a holiday to the charming and dazzling island of Ibiza needs to break the bank.
If you are escaping to Ibiza for its world-class nightclubs, or your idea of a holiday is lounging on the peaceful sandy beaches (or it could be a combination of both!), here are some ways you can come home not worried about that next credit card bill.
Getting Around
As soon as you arrive at the airport in Ibiza Town, head straight to the outside bus stop, where you can get the number ten bus to the port – taxis will be extremely pricey here. These buses are also useful during your holiday, as they connect all the major towns and resorts.
The Disco Bus, in particular, runs all night until 6am in the morning over July and August – perfect for those all-nighter parties. Bus companies that operate to different parts of the island shouldn’t have fares exceeding €3; firms to look out for include Autobuses Empresas, San Antonio, and Lucas Costa.
Eating Out
If it is lunch you are looking for, the old market, known locally as mercado viejo, offers organic and locally-sourced produce at low price tags. Tasty Greek cuisine on paper plates, small cafes dishing out glasses of vino rosado, and fresh salads including the catch of the day – what more could you really ask for?
For dinner, you may want to try the pizza favourite, El Pirata, along the waterfront – complimentary with your meal will be a nightly show involving street artists and local musicians. Impressive stuff. Furthermore, while sushi can be very expensive due to its popularity on the island, the much cheaper Sushiya Aoyama in Ibiza Town is ideal for those on a mid-range budget.
Order a simple ice cream from Ibirosa in Dalt Villa, Ibiza Town and it won’t be the flavour that surprises you. Your server will hand you a mini piece of ice cream art, with your ‘scoop’ made up of individual petals to resemble a rose. Definitely camera worthy – just don’t admire it too long in the heat!
Nightlife
Ibiza has some of the most famous clubs and nightlife on the planet! Whether you love clubbing, are keen to take a stag or hen do in Ibiza, or just want to experience the night of your life you have a lot of choice. Top clubs to consider include Amnesia, Eden, Ushuaïa and Pacha.
For a cheaper approach, consider Underground club just outside of Ibiza Town, Boutique Hostal Salinas in San Jose that offers free daily apres-beach DJ sessions in stunning gardens and flamenco shows, and free live music at Tropicana Bar at Cala Jondal. Of course, no trip to Ibiza would be complete without having a night out at Saint Antonio.
The sunset strip attracts all backgrounds, and it certainly doesn’t have to be a pricey night out. Famous DJs from around the world perform at Cafe Mambo for free, while all the major nights will have tickets available online or in resorts for so much cheaper.
Beaches
Obviously, laying on one of Ibiza’s many pristine beaches won’t cost you anything, unless you choose to hire out a sun lounger or umbrella – some of these are free on certain beaches. At the beach at Benirras, there are even free yoga sessions on Sundays if you are looking to tap into your inner self.
Shopping
And what about that all-important shopping? If you are holidaying in the south, your port of call should be the flea market at San Jordi, running every Saturday morning, selling anything from furniture and antiques to clothes and sandwiches. In the north, meanwhile, the market at Cala Llenya is on Sundays and is a major place for some hard haggling.
Best Things to Do in Ibiza
Most visitors to Ibiza will find themselves shuttling between Ibiza Town, which is five miles from the airport, and San Antonio, about double the distance away on the opposite, western coast.
These two main towns are where almost all of Ibiza’s restaurants, bars and clubs are located, along with other attractions. Like many things on the island, taxis are exceedingly expensive so it pays to hire a car if you plan to be moving about a lot.
A vehicle provides the best opportunity to visit other less-travelled areas of this beautiful island, beyond the nightclubs and the late-night bars. Areas like Sant Joan de Labritjain in the north remain largely untouched by tourism development despite being extremely popular when the island first opened up in the 1960s.
The beaches here sport crystal clear waters but are not subjected to the same crowds that plague the likes of San Antonio during the height of summer, when much of London and the rest of England transports itself to this popular Balearic island. The elevation here is also higher than in many other parts of Ibiza so there are great views out across the Mediterranean.
For a look at the exclusive side of life on Ibiza head to the southern region of Santa Eulària des Riu. This is where many of the large private villas can be found in towns like San Carlos and Port des Torrent, and the beaches here are among some of the best on the entire island. While this is an area of riches, it is also home to a number of popular markets specialising in counter-culture in the likes of Las Dalias and Punta Arabi.
For the best scenery on the island, take a drive to the southern region at Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The area, about six miles by road from San Antonio and close to 10 miles from Ibiza Town, features the island’s highest mountain at nearly 500 meters above sea level. On a clear day, it is possible to see most of the island from here. This area also features the longest stretch of coastline of any of the regions of Ibiza and many areas are protected.
Outdoor activities on offer here include horseback-riding, hiking, cycling and much more besides. The area is home to a cave which tunnels 25 meters into Cova Santa and there are also some historic Punic-Roman ruins in two towns just a short drive away which date back more than 2,000 years.
On the eastern side of the island, Santa Eulària des Riu is a town with numerous attractions and makes for an easy daytrip from Ibiza Town. Puig D’Missa is the historical highlight here, a 15th century fort that sits on top of a hill overlooking the town and bay below with its attractive little marina.
This is also where you’ll find the fascinating Living Museum which takes a look back at life on this simple little Spanish island before super clubs like Pacha and Space attracted the masses every summer. The town is home to a burgeoning fiesta scene, the best taking place during Easter when the town explodes in a sea of colour and all-night partying without the ubiquitous dance music.
Plan Your Trip to Ibiza
For some, coming to Ibiza without dedicating 100 per cent of a holiday to the night clubbing scene is sacrilege, but those that want a bit of variety and a chance to realise they’ve arrived in a different and very beautiful part of the world will want to explore the island by car.
Making the effort to do so is well worth it and will no doubt make a night at a club that little bit more special when you finally make it back to your hotel after a day away from the crowds.