The Ultimate Guide to Ibiza

Ibiza is known as the party capital of Europe, and quite possibly the party capital of the world. While the clubbing scene is what has brought this island to fame, it offers much more than nightlife. There are things to do in Ibiza to satisfy all different types of travelers.

It’s full of secluded coves, pristine beaches, mouth-watering seafood, and places to relax. The towns of San Antonio and Santa Eulalia are the most popular for visitors, but Ibiza attractions are found on all corners of the island.

Put in a little effort to plan out some tours and you will have an unforgettable experience in Ibiza.

How to get to Ibiza

By Air

Ibiza is really easy to reach via air. Flights are accessible from most major European cities, with Barcelona and Madrid typically being the cheapest. If you aren’t located in Europe, chances are you will find the cheapest flight by flying into Spain first and then departing from there.

There is only one airport on the island and it is located in Ibiza Town. There are plenty of things to do in Ibiza Town, so be sure to enjoy it a bit before heading off to other destinations.

A taxi from the airport to the center of Ibiza town costs around 15 to 20 euros. There is also the option of taking a boat from Barcelona, but this takes about 8 hours.

By Sea

Taking a ferry is another option when going to Ibiza. There are two companies that offer a ferry every day of the week, departing from the Spanish coastal city of Valencia.

The journey takes about 5 and a half hours and costs around 30 euros, depending on what day of the week you want to leave. There is also the option of taking a boat from Barcelona, but this takes about 8 hours.

What to expect in Ibiza

Language

Spanish is the main language on the island, but most locals speak German or English as well. This makes travelling in Ibiza quite simple! Locals are also very friendly.

Currency

The Euro is the official currency used on the island of Ibiza. There are plenty of ATMs on the island, so you won’t have to worry about bringing much cash with you.

Try to avoid currency exchange as much as possible because you will get a much more favorable rate when withdrawing money from a bank.

Tipping

A tip is never expected at restaurants or hotels, but most workers are paid quite low wages. If you thought that your service was worthy of a tip, the customary amount is 10%.

How to get around Ibiza

Ibiza is a quite small island and the major cities are only about 15 kilometers away from one another. I recommend exploring the different sides of the island.

You will be surprised by how different each place is. Having your own form of transportation makes it easy to explore the nooks and crannies of the island, but there is also public transportation available for Ibiza attractions.

Renting a car

Hertz, Budget, Enterprise, and Hiper are all different companies that offer rental car service at the Ibiza Airport. Booking a car ahead of time will save you time and money, especially if you are able to pick up your car at the airport. There are also car rentals available in San Antonio and San Eulalia.

Renting a Scooter

Renting a scooter on Ibiza is simple. In fact, you may be annoyed by the number of different vendors that approach you to rent one.

Be sure to protect yourself if you are renting a scooter. Some companies will try and scam you by claiming you made already existing damage on the scooter. The easiest way to avoid this is to take pictures of the bike before you leave the shop.

Public Transportation

If you’re based in one of the large towns on the island, you will easily be able to take the bus from one place to another.

There are buses that go between the different towns on the island as well. At night, the buses get a bit rowdier with partiers. The good news is that you can take the bus at any time of the day. Depending on how far you are travelling, the bus will cost anywhere from 1 to 5 Euros.

Taxi

Taking a taxi is another option for navigating Ibiza. There are taxis available at the airport to go to any destination on the island as well. Fortunately, taxis are available at all hours of the day.

The Best Time to Visit Ibiza

The best time to visit Ibiza is from May until late October. The temperature remains around 25 to 28 degrees Celsius, perfect for long days at the beach. The crows are much larger during these months, but Ibiza accommodates so well that you won’t feel claustrophobic.

From November until April, Ibiza is much colder. It is still a great place to visit, but don’t expect to enjoy the beach as much as you would if it was hot out. 

Things to do in Ibiza

Yes, Ibiza has a deservedly built up a reputation as one of the best places to party in the world, but there are plenty of other things to do in Ibiza.

The island is small enough as to where you can really jam pack your vacation with different ibiza sightseeing opportunities and attractions.

Party!

Finding a place to party in Ibiza can be easy and overwhelming at the same time. The partying never really stops. You can take advantage of a boat, beach, or pool party during the day, and then head to some of the island’s famous clubs at night.

Amnesia is regarded as the best on the island and has the capacity for 5,000 people. There are themed parties here, so be sure to come prepared! Another good club is Pacha. This is one of the oldest clubs on the island and has the character to prove it.

If you want to see some celebrities, check out Privilege. It’s also credited as being the largest nightclub in the entire world. If you plan to party a bunch in Ibiza, be sure to come prepared to spend!

There are often really high covers and drink prices at the popular clubs. Start your night out at a local bar to save yourself some money.

Visit Hippy Market

Ibiza is still the haven for hippies that it was in the 1960’s. Visiting a Hippy Market is a good place to pick up souvenirs and support artists at the same time.

Punta Arabí located in Es Caná and takes place on Wednesdays. Another popular market is Las Dalias, which takes place on Saturdays in San Carlos.

Hike

If you want to take a break from the beach, hiking Sa Talaia, the highest point on Ibiza, is one place to do so.

There is a 3-kilometer trail that starts at sea level and takes you all the way to the top. Once there, you will have a panorama view of the entire island.

Kayak, Scuba, or Snorkel

The beaches in Ibiza are not just for relaxing. There are plenty of things to do on the water to keep you busy.

The water in Ibiza is very clear, which makes for really great scuba diving and snorkeling. Cala Comte, Cala Xarraca, and Cala Boix are all great spots to snorkel.

If you want to scuba dive, I recommend checking out Don Pedro, a massive boat that sank in 2007. The Lighthouse is another good place, located right outside of San Eulalia.

Unusual Things to do in Ibiza

Spending your day at the Can Marca Caves is an adventurous way to escape the heat of Ibiza. The caves are a quite mystical place, is filled with large stalagmites and strange colors.

There is also a bunch of history to learn about here because the caves were used by smugglers in the past.

Another unusual thing to do in Ibiza is visiting Casita Verde, a sustainable living and eco-friendly lodge.

Spend your day learning about alternative, intentional living and get to know some of the coolest hippies on the island.

Places to visit in Ibiza

San Antonio

San Antonio (or San Antoni) has the most tourism infrastructure of place in Ibiza. The West End is where most people spend their evenings.

There are plenty of cafés, bars, and restaurants. Passeig de ses Fonts is another great strip to walk along and find many different places to eat or drink.

Tourists make up the majority of the population here, but you will still find friendly locals and good places to try authentic cuisine. I recommend San Antonio if you are planning to do a lot of partying.

Santa Eulalia

Santa Eulalia has a bit more character than the party center of San Antonio. Puig D’Missa is an ancient church set on a hill that overlooks the entire town, and is definitely worth the visit, not just for the views but to experience a piece of history as well.

Ibiza Town

There are so many things to do in Ibiza town. One of the things that it offers that other towns on Ibiza don’t is history. Dalt Vila is the old town of Ibiza and is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Dalt Vila techinally translates to “Upper Town” and is a part of the city that is most historically preserved.

There are different battlements, small castles, monasteries, and museums to see for the most curious travelers.

Ibiza town is posh, and there are great places to shop for fashionistas. Ibiza town is glamorous but has the charm to make you want to stay forever.

San Carlos

San Carlos is the hippy center of Ibiza. It’s not on the coast, so there are lots of different organic farms and eco-hotels where you can stay.

Las Dalias is one of the largest hippy markets on Ibiza and is one of my favorite attractions on Ibiza.

If culture is your thing, you will definitely want to make your way to San Carlos. Every night of the week there is something going on, whether it be live music or a drum circle.

What to eat in Ibiza

Ibiza belongs to the country of Spain, which is apparent whenever you sit down to eat on the island. In fact, there are little shacks on the beach that will sell and grill all that the fishermen have caught in the morning.

Because of the proximity of the sea, fresh paella is one of the best, most common dishes to eat. Bullit de Peix is one of the most traditional dishes served on the island of Ibiza.

It is typically served as a two course meal. The first course consists of brolied fish accompanied by potatoes with a spicy aioli sauce. The second course is a rice dish that is cooked in fish broth with a large chunk of fish.

There isn’t one type of fish that this dish is always served with. Whatever has been caught over the course of the day is usually served fresh!

Another common dish is Sofrit Pages. This is a thick, hearty stew that consists of a bunch of different types of meats and vegetables. There are types of meat that are special to Ibiza, like botifarra, which makes this stew special.

Ibiza really knows how to do their desserts too. Be sure to try ensamaidas, sweet croissants that are often stuffed with sweet pumpkin, chocolate, or another sweet delicacy.

The wine is also delicious on the island, and is a great pair with many seafood based dishes. If you are planning to go out in town though, be prepared to drink some of Ibiza’s specialty liquors. The most popular is a liquor made with anis.

Where to stay in Ibiza

Ibiza has all types of accommodations. So you won’t have any trouble finding something that fits your travelling style and budget. San Antonio is the main party place, and should be avoided if you are looking for a family or romantic getaway.

San Eulalia is the place to stay if you want to experience all of the different sides that Ibiza has to offer. For true luxury, check out either of the Grand Palladium all-inclusive resorts. Staying at one of these will make your time in Ibiza practically stress-less.

In Ibiza Town, La Torre del Canonigo is a 14th-century tower that has been renovated into a hotel. El Hotel Pacha is another great option for Ibiza Town. It’s much more hip, but you’ll still feel really comfortable.

When planning your stay in Ibiza, one thing to consider is the proximity the hotel has to the beach.

There are plenty of great hotels that are more inland, but you will want to consider how you will arrive to the different beaches you plan to visit. Ibiza also has a bunch of hostels if you want to save your money for the clubs.

Tours to do in Ibiza

Scuba Diving in Baptism

Ibiza is a great place to learn how to scuba dive due to its clear waters. Doing a tour will not only allow you to get up close to the marine wildlife surrounding the island, but you will also learn the skills to be able to go and scuba dive again.

Ibiza Parasailing

There is no better way to do Ibiza sightseeing than from a parasailing tour. Your palms will be sweating as you glance over the island’s pristine beaches and more mountainous interior. Parasailing is an awesome way to spend your day in Ibiza.

San Antonio Jet Ski

Another fun thing to do during one of your beach days is rent jet skis! You can either ride on the back of a tour guides or rent your own jet ski. I recommend having your own ride!

Day trips from Ibiza

Formentera

Formentera is similar to Ibiza, minus the massive crowds. There is a boat that leaves from Ibiza every single half hour and it takes about an hour and a half to arrive at Formentera. This place is much more rustic, and there are landscapes to prove it.

The white sand beaches and massive cliffs towering above them seem untouched. The water here is transparent, making it perfect for scuba diving or snorkeling.

The island has much more than just natural beauty though. You can rent a bike or ride the bus to really get a feel for this place. If you want to stay longer than just the day, book a hotel ahead of time!

Es Vedra

Es Vedra is really a mysterious place and one of my favorite Ibiza attractions. First off, it is the third most magnetic place on earth and nobody seems to be able to figure out why. Second off, it is massive.

The walls of this limestone island stand up to 400 meters tall. The island is only about 2 km off the coast of Ibiza and is a great way to spend the day. Take a tour guide to hear all of the conspiracy theories about this massive rock.

Recommend budget tours in Ibiza

• Ibiza Parasailing Experience
• Ibiza Speedboat Cruise
• Ibiza Beach Hopping by Catamaran
• Full-day Private Ibiza and Formentera Charter Cruise
• IBIZA JEEP TOURS
• Scuba Diving in Ibiza: Beginner Course
• Exploring Formentera by Sailing Boat
• Oceanbeat Ibiza Boat Party All-Inclusive
• Ibiza Party Boat Including Drinks, Water Sport and 3 Free Club Tickets

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