Ibiza is primarily associated with parties, and we don’t intend to deny that. There are plenty of clubs, and their quality is high, with clubbing being a significant part of the island’s recent history. However, parties are not the only reason why it’s worth visiting the island. Ibiza offers numerous beautiful beaches, interesting spots, as well as many opportunities for trekking and cycling. What to see in Ibiza? Where to stay and how to plan your trip?
Eivissa – What to see in Ibiza?
Eivissa, also known as Ibiza Town, is the capital of the island and the only old town you’ll find on it. Eivissa is a charming town consisting of two parts: Dalt Vila, the old town also known as the “upper” town, and the newer part called Eixample. We recommend getting lost in the streets of Dalt Vila, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. One of the favorite spots for tourists and locals is S’Escalinata, a bar located on the stairs, where most people stop for a drink.
In Eivissa, there is a port where you’ll see many yachts and superyachts during the summer. The town is dominated by a castle, offering breathtaking views. Eivissa can surprise you with its calmness, as most partygoers stay in San Antonio and Playa den Bossa, while the old town lives its own life.
Beaches – What to see in Ibiza?
Ibiza boasts small, hidden beaches in coves surrounded by azure waters. There are over 80 beaches across the island, so you’ll surely find something for yourself! Our favorite beach is Cala Comte, surrounded by shallow waters and wonderful azure waters. Cala Comte is home to a popular restaurant called Sunset Ashram, where people applaud in gratitude for the spectacle after sunset. We arrived at Cala Comte by boat, and it’s a fantastic experience from both perspectives.
Other notable beaches include Cala Bassa, and the small Calo del Moro, practically within the limits of San Antonio. Another great beach is Cala Saladeta, but anchoring boats there is not allowed. In the eastern part of Ibiza, Cala Llonga and Cala Nova are worth mentioning. Cala Llonga is also worth visiting from the nearby viewpoint Mirador de Cala Llonga. However, we do not recommend the popular Playa den Bossa, as it is one of the resorts and the most party-centric place on the island.
Es Vedra – What to see in Ibiza?
Es Vedra is an uninhabited island and reserve located in the southwest of Ibiza. Es Vedra is associated with many legends; it was believed to generate an incredibly strong magnetic field and is a place where one can feel accumulated energy. Although science does not confirm these theories, it must be admitted that Es Vedra is unique.
In the past, the island attracted hippies, and now it attracts crowds of tourists who come to admire its beauty from the Mirador des Vedrà viewpoint. It’s worth going there for the sunset, observed by dozens of people. Despite the crowd, the atmosphere is relaxed and positive. During our visit, some enterprising Spaniards set up a mobile bar selling mojitos, and you can enjoy the sunset accompanied by music, as there’s always someone providing musical accompaniment. If you want to avoid the crowd, choose a hike to the Mirador des Vedrà Torres, which overlooks the aforementioned viewpoint. Not many people opt for the trek to the tower.
Atlantis – What to see in Ibiza?
Atlantis is the name given by the hippies to a place called Sa Pedrera de Cala D’Hort. This place is located in an old sandstone quarry, and it’s precisely because of this that there are geometrically carved pools. Hippies discovered this place in the 1960s, appreciating its magic and named it ‘Atlantis’ to honor the mythical, lost city.
The trek to Atlantis takes about 40-60 minutes one way, but there is no defined path. Leave your car or scooter in the ‘Parking Mirador des Vedra‘ and then follow the path, turning left at the fork (going straight will take you to the viewpoint). After walking for a few tens of meters, start looking for paths leading down to the beach – we used Google Maps to determine the direction. It’s a good idea to bring water, as the uphill return is short but tiring, as well as snacks and sunscreen. If you plan to take a dip, don’t forget a towel and swimwear!
Hippie markets – What to see in Ibiza?
Hippie markets are remnants of the hippie culture that made the island famous and still thrives on it. Hippie markets where you can buy handicrafts are organized both during the day and at night. One of the bigger markets is Las Dalias, which besides the market, also houses a small club that hosts interesting events. Next time, we will definitely attend their Namaste series.
Formentera
While in Ibiza, you must visit the nearby island of Formentera, which is the smallest of the Balearic Islands. Formentera, compared to Ibiza, is flat and has many long, sandy beaches. In Formentera, we recommend visiting Platja de Ses Illetes, located on a cape in the northern part of the island. We also enjoyed Cala Saona and Es Migjorn beaches. The Salinas near the town of La Savina are also beautiful, especially before and during sunrise (and probably at sunset too).
You can go to Formentera on a party boat, which departs in the morning and returns in the evening, with a few hours on the island in between. This option is great for partygoers who want to have fun in the company of like-minded people. However, if the thought of a party boat makes you nauseous (and not because of seasickness!), it’s worth considering a ferry. Several companies operate between the islands, and the journey takes 30-60 minutes. It’s best to search for ferries on websites like DirectFerries and book directly with the carriers. A significant advantage is that you can bring your rented car, scooter, or bicycle from Ibiza. You can easily rent transportation on Formentera itself – Formentera is not as small as it seems!
When to go to Ibiza?
July and August are the two warmest but also the most crowded months on the island. May, June, September, and October are warm and likely cheaper and less crowded in terms of accommodation. The party season starts at the end of April, early May, and ends at the end of September, early October. So, if you don’t mind the lower temperatures and want to enjoy complete peace (many restaurants and hotels will be closed), consider April and the period from mid-October to mid-November.
Party enthusiasts should aim for the so-called “openings” and “closings.” Openings mark the beginning of the season, meaning the end of April and early May, while closings signal the end of the season, around late September and early October. Surprisingly, the island is much quieter during this time (comparing to July and August), probably because students are returning to their universities, and the biggest and best parties happen then. Dates for openings and closings are announced by clubs a few months in advance, and it’s worth planning your trip accordingly.
How much time to spend in Ibiza?
If you plan only on intense partying, 3-4 days will probably be enough to hit a few clubs and relax on the beach. In our opinion, 7-9 days is the optimal amount, whether you’re going for parties or just to relax and spend time actively.
Those planning to visit numerous clubs, a few beaches, go to the hippie market, visit Formentera, go trekking, explore the surroundings, and also relax, two weeks will be perfect. It might seem like a lot of time for such a small island, but there really is a lot to do there!
Where to stay?
In our opinion, the best base is Eivissa. The town is beautiful in itself, offering many restaurants and bars, and nearby are clubs like Pacha, Amnesia, and Chinois. Eivissa itself is fairly calm, and you won’t have complaints about loud partygoers. Disco buses or taxis will take you to Playa Den Bossa or San Antoni.
In Eivissa, we stayed at the Cenit hotel and highly recommend it. It’s located on the opposite side of the castle from the old town, but it takes about 15 minutes on foot to get to the city center (or 30 via the castle hill). The hotel is in a residential area, with few other hotels nearby, making it quiet and peaceful.
If you want to relax and unwind, you’ll find PLENTY of perfect places on the island. In our opinion, an ideal trip would be a few days in Eivissa and a few days in agrotourism/boutique hotels in the heart of the island. We chose agritourism at Can Partit, and we highly recommend this place to you! There are two restaurants in the village, so you can stay there practically without moving for a few days!
Two places we absolutely discourage due to being typical, full of hotels, loud soulless resorts, and crowds of drunk tourists are Playa den Bossa and San Antoni. However, these places will suit you if you want to be close to the clubs.
How to get around?
On the island, you can move around by car, but we recommend renting a scooter due to parking issues in many places, and additionally – scooters always park for free. White lines indicate free parking, yellow lines are for residents, and blue ones denote paid parking spots.
Another option is the quite good network of buses, which you can read more about here, as well as discobuses that connect San Antoni, Playa den Bossa, and Eivissa. Taxis also operate efficiently on the island, and prices vary depending on the time of day/night. We paid around 10e for a ride from Pacha to the hotel in the early morning, 13-15e for a trip from Eivissa to Ushuaia in the evening, and around 35e for an evening ride from Ushuaia to Pikes.
Clubbing
Ibiza became a tourist destination in the 1950s, and in the 1960s, it began to attract young people seeking refuge, peace, and a place far from politics after World War II. In the 1960s, Ibiza became a center of hippie culture, with young people starting to inhabit the island. This is how parties were born in Ibiza, initially on the beaches, with naked sea swims and “recreational” drug use. Over time, venues began to be rented, and evening events were organized. In the 1970s, clubbing was born on Ibiza.
The first iconic clubs included Pacha, Amnesia, Es Paradis, and Privilage (formerly Ku), which were the first so-called superclubs in the world. At the end of the 1970s, Tony Pike purchased an old farmhouse, which he transformed into a hotel. The most exclusive parties for VIPs were held at Pikes, where the music video for ‘Club Tropicana’ by Wham! was filmed, and Freddie Mercury celebrated his 41st birthday. In the 1980s, Space was established, and its owner popularized the concept of after-hour parties – clubs closed at 6 a.m., only to reopen an hour later! Many of the iconic clubs still operate on the island, and there is no shortage of more modern clubs. In Ibiza, everyone will find something for themselves – from rave communities to 70-year-olds reminiscing about the parties of the 1970s.
In our opinion, it’s worth visiting Pikes, which is one of the last places of this kind on the island. Pikes is still located within the hotel grounds and can accommodate up to 800 people. Before the party, you can have a drink at the bar and even have dinner at the restaurant. Entrance is free, but you need to sign up on their website.
Two other clubs worth mentioning in our opinion are classics – Pacha and Amnesia. Flower Power party with music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s is organized at Pacha, paying homage to the hippies, from whom it all began. This event is perfect if you like lighter rhythms. Both clubs emphasize the highest importance of stage production. These are the places where dancers are suspended in the air, and the club’s decor is tailored to the event!
Hi Ibiza is according to rankings the best club in the world. It is very modern and can accommodate up to 7,000 people. The outstanding sound system is worth noting, placing the club high in the rankings. We went to Afterlife by Tale of Us, which is a fantastic event with huge screens displaying visualizations. Unfortunately, the whole event was quite crowded, which is a significant downside in our opinion. Another interesting aspect of HI Ibiza is the Wild Corner – a party in the restroom.
Parties in Ibiza are diverse, and it’s best to do research before your trip on what suits you best, and then build a plan around that information. Entrance to clubs is usually required by 1 am, parties (except for daytime clubs and places that start earlier) usually start around 12 am-1 am, and the main DJ comes on stage around 2:45 am-4 am.
Another great option if you want to save on Ushuaia club is to go to Ushuaia Tower, a rooftop located above the club, from which you can watch the parties. The price for a drink and entry is 15e, but no one asks for tickets in the elevator, so you can go up and watch the party from the passage between the elevator and the bar. Ushuaia club is known for its outdoor parties and planes flying over it. DJs like David Guetta and Dimitri Vegas play there.
Tickets can be purchased on-site at the club (longer queues and the risk of tickets being sold out), from brokers in the city or in hotels, and online. The cheapest option is to buy online in advance – we bought tickets for Afterlife for 45e, while on-site, we had to pay 85e. Ticket prices range from 20 to 90e depending on the club and event. You can also plan your entire trip with the help of a concierge, who can also assist you with club tickets.
Almost every club in Ibiza offers a VIP option, with prices starting at around 1000e for a table for two (Pacha) to 3000e (Hi Ibiza), and the prices for the best VIPs can reach several thousand euros – sky is the limit. Usually, you can spend the whole amount paid for VIP access on the bar. If you have that amount of cash to spend, VIP areas are definitely worth it at more crowded events, especially in places like Ushuaia or Hi Ibiza.
A day on a boat on Ibiza
Ibiza looks stunning from the water! We highly recommend renting a boat for a day and touring several beaches, especially those inaccessible from the land. We rented a boat for 250e from Daydream Boats Ibiza, and it was one of the cheapest rental services on the island. Boats of this type do not require a license. The rental was cheap, but we had trouble starting the boat after anchoring, and unfortunately, the owner didn’t speak English – with the help of some Spanish people we met, we managed to sort it out. Apart from that one incident (the rental place has many boats, so it’s quite possible that you won’t have any problems), everything went very smoothly.
Other Activities on Ibiza
Trekking – Ibiza is a fantastic place for trekking! The trails are not the best marked, but you can manage with the help of AllTrails and Google Maps.
Cycling – there are plenty of well-marked routes on the island, both for road cycling and mountain biking. We recommend choosing electric bikes because there are plenty of uphill climbs in Ibiza! We chose the Kandani rental in Santa Eulalia, around which there are many interesting routes. We recommend the rental; we were able to reschedule the rental date due to lost baggage by the airlines (all our cycling clothes were inside…), and also exchange one regular bike for an e-bike.
Jet skiing – in many places in Ibiza, you can rent jet skis and have a blast in the azure waters!
Where to eat in Ibiza?
Can Costa – our favorite spot in Eivissa, family-run with red tablecloths and simple food. They mainly serve fish, seafood, meat dishes, and a few traditional starters. While there, you must try their traditional, unsalted bread with aioli and olives. Prices, for Ibiza, are very low (12-17e for a main dish), and the food is fresh and delicious!
Casa Lhasa – a place specializing in natural, organic wines and fantastic food. If you’re looking for a sure bet for a special occasion (unfortunately, prices are rather typical for Ibiza, and you need to count around 200e for a dinner for two). The menu is seasonal and changes practically every day. We had fantastic zucchini flowers with ricotta, pate, and well-prepared leeks. We also managed to try the traditional butifarra sausage.
Gelato Ibiza – delicious, real gelato! Creamy and rich ice cream, perfect for a warm day, especially since you’ll also find sorbets on the menu. The pistachio was truly brilliant, and the lemon sorbet was intensely flavored.
Ushuaia Tower – an elegant rooftop where you can observe the parties at Ushuaia.
La Mota – a local breakfast spot in Formentera. You’ll have amazing pan con tomate there, a toasted baguette with garlic and crushed tomato, and a tasty tortilla. You won’t find avocado toast or eggs benedict on the menu, and you’ll be surrounded by locals 🙂
Finca 55 – a place for boho style lovers, so beautiful that you can spend hours there! We ordered a few simple starters, and it turned out that despite our concerns, the portions were generous. The food was tasty and fresh, and we rate the service 50/50 – one of the waitresses wasn’t too friendly.
Can Bellotera – another local breakfast spot, this time on the outskirts of Eivissa. Popular among locals, it serves great baguettes, pan con tomate, and other local breakfast delights. Prices are very reasonable.
Bar Anita – a legendary bar in the middle of nowhere, known as the first hippie bar. The bar is famous for its local herbal liqueur, and inside, you’ll still find mailboxes – used by hippies living in caves, among other places, who didn’t have a fixed address in the past. The food is tasty, and the place is popular – both among tourists and locals.
If we still haven’t convinced you to visit Ibiza, and you’d like to taste the Balearic atmosphere, we recommend our post from a day on Majorca! Beware, the Balearic Islands are addictive! We still have Menorca left to see.
