Destination guide

Ibiza

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Ibiza has two faces. One is the world-famous party island of superclubs and sunset bars. The other is a quiet Mediterranean island of pine forests, white villages, hidden coves and a medieval walled town that is a World Heritage site.

Which one you meet depends on where you stay and when you go. In spring and autumn, the island is calm and good for walking, swimming and eating well.

How many days: 5

Five days gives you time for the old town, a few beaches and a day on the quieter north or west of the island. A long weekend is enough if you stay in one area.

A small island, but traffic can be slow in summer. Choose a base and explore from there rather than moving every day.

What to do in Ibiza

Walk through Dalt Vila
The old walled town above the port, with steep cobbled lanes, a cathedral and views over the sea. It is a World Heritage site and best explored in the morning.
Watch the sunset on the west coast
The bays at San Antonio and Cala Comte are famous for sunsets. Arrive early to find a spot, and bring a layer for when the sun goes down.
Swim in a hidden cove
The north of the island has small coves with clear water. Some need a walk or a narrow drive, so wear sturdy shoes.
Visit the hippie market
A market in Es Canar began in the 1970s and sells crafts, clothes and jewellery. It takes place on certain days, so check the schedule.
Explore Formentera by ferry
The smaller neighbouring island has long white beaches and a slow pace. Ferries run from Ibiza town, so it is an easy day trip.
Walk or cycle in the countryside
Paths wind through pine woods, farmland and small villages. Spring is the best time, with wildflowers and mild weather.
Go to a club night
If you come for the nightlife, book tickets in advance and plan your return transport. Clubs open late and run until morning.
Walk around the old fishing quarter of Sa Penya
A tight neighbourhood of white houses below the old town, once home to fishermen and now to bars and small shops. Pleasant by day, livelier at night.

What to eat and drink

Bullit de peix
A traditional fish stew, served with rice cooked in the broth. Popular at beachside restaurants.
Sofrit pagès
A hearty countryside dish with meat, sausage, potatoes and spices. A local winter favourite.
Flaó
A cheesecake-style dessert flavoured with mint and aniseed. A true Ibiza speciality.
Fresh seafood
Grilled fish and prawns are easy to find at the beach. Look for places that show the catch.
Hierbas ibicencas
A herbal liqueur made on the island with local herbs. Often served after a meal.
Salt
Ibiza's salt flats have produced salt for centuries, and flaked sea salt is a popular souvenir.

Getting around

A hire car or scooter gives the most freedom, though parking at the busiest beaches fills early. Buses link the main towns and some beaches.

Taxis are available but can be hard to find at night. Ride-hailing apps work in some areas.

Boat taxis run between some coastal towns in summer and are a pleasant way to travel.

Good to know

  • Summer is the party season, from roughly late spring to autumn. Spring and autumn are quieter and more relaxed.
  • Many restaurants, shops and hotels close for winter. Check before you travel.
  • Alcohol and drug laws are enforced, and there are rules against street drinking in some areas. Check the official guidance.
  • Nightlife venues and prices vary a lot. Plan a budget for drinks and entry.
  • The sun is strong, so bring sun protection and water.
  • The island has a long tradition of welcoming alternative cultures, and its spiritual and wellness scene is part of that. Look for yoga, markets and sunrise events outside the clubs.

Where to stay in Ibiza

6 neighbourhoods, described the way a friend would - what each is actually like, not the brochure version.

Dalt Vila & La Marina

Ibiza Town's historic core combines UNESCO-listed Dalt Vila with the restaurants, shops and evening energy of the port-side La Marina district, making it ideal for couples, first-time visitors and travellers who want culture as well as nightlife. Accommodation is expensive, the old town is steep and busy in summer, and it is a poor choice if having a beach directly outside the hotel matters.

Figueretas

Figueretas is a practical beachfront district immediately beside Ibiza Town, suiting travellers who want an urban beach, restaurants and easy access to the historic centre without paying Dalt Vila prices. It is more functional than beautiful in places, can feel busy in summer and lacks the resort-scale nightlife of Playa d'en Bossa.

Playa d'en Bossa

Playa d'en Bossa pairs one of Ibiza's longest sandy beaches with beach clubs, major nightlife and a huge concentration of tourist facilities, making it the obvious base for travellers prioritising clubs and the beach. It is expensive, extremely lively during the summer season and a poor fit for anyone seeking quiet evenings or an authentic village atmosphere.

Santa Eulària des Riu

Santa Eulària is a polished east-coast town with a beach, marina, promenade and substantial restaurant scene, particularly well suited to families, couples and travellers wanting a calmer Ibiza base. Nightlife is restrained compared with Ibiza Town or Sant Antoni, and staying here puts you farther from the island's major clubs and western sunset spots.

Sant Antoni de Portmany

Sant Antoni combines famous sunset terraces, a broad bay, beaches, boat connections and a large nightlife scene, making it strong for younger travellers and groups who want an energetic resort without Playa d'en Bossa prices. Parts of the centre can be noisy and heavily tourism-oriented, while reaching Dalt Vila and Ibiza's eastern side takes noticeably longer than from Ibiza Town.

Portinatx

Portinatx is a small northern resort surrounded by coves and greener landscapes, best for families, couples and travellers whose priorities are swimming, nature and a genuinely slower pace. The isolation is also its main weakness: nightlife and restaurant choice are limited, and exploring Ibiza Town, the clubs or IBZ is considerably less convenient without a car.

What it costs

A typical day in Ibiza, per person, in pounds.

£131

Treating yourself - the good hotel, the good tables.

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