Spain > Ibiza
Overview
Overview
For some, Ibiza is a hedonistic playground of stylish beach venues and thrilling nightclubs, where they can cut loose with a vengeance. Those in search of a retreat, however, can wander the jagged coastline or escape to the inland garden of ancient olive groves and fragrant pine forests. The idyllic island's many faces have something for everyone.
Ibiza's main town is the port of Ciudad de Ibiza, which locals know as Eivissa and visitors call Ibiza Town. Located in the south, it's the centre of the island's nightclub scene and has a lively marina and quaint old quarter, where there are some great restaurants. It lies close to the beautiful beaches of Figueretes, Es Cavallet, and Ses Salines.
San Antonio is the main resort town and is somewhat blighted by high-rise hotels and apartment blocks. The area is making efforts to clean up its slightly tarnished image, though, and its popularity is still legendary.
Clubs are the main attractions for many holidaymakers but there are also some beautiful coves nearby that have glorious beaches. It's best to get there early in the summer months to reserve a spot. Just three miles (5km) offshore is the 'satellite' island of Formentera. This little haven is reached by ferry and is less crowded, even at the height of the sweltering summer season.
There's good public transport between Ibiza Town and San Antonio, and to and from the main beaches and resorts. Taxis offer superb value and are the best way to get around in the evening, though the 'disco bus' that travels from San Antonio to the main clubs in Ibiza Town during the peak season is worth looking into. Cars and scooters can be hired by the day or week for those wanting to explore the island. Ferries run from San Antonio and Ibiza Town to nearby beaches between May and October.
Getting Around
Renting a car is easy and popular on Ibiza, but in the summer months, between June and August, high demand for rental vehicles means that it's best to book in advance. Those hiring cars should note that between the notorious local drivers, drunken tourists, and poorly signposted roads, driving can be a hair-raising experience on the island and should only be attempted by confident drivers. Taxis and buses can be used to travel between towns and many resorts and tour operators provide transport for their guests. The towns and resorts of Ibiza are almost always small and best explored on foot.
Nightlife
Ibiza's nightlife offers one of the best clubbing experiences in Europe through unrivalled mega-venues that feature the world's top DJs and countless cafés, pubs and bars. The main venues are clustered around San Antonio on the east coast of the island and Ibiza Town on the west, linked by a half-hour drive along a good road. There are very few nightlife venues on the rest of the island, which is quiet and rural.
An ideal foundation for a big night out is the place that gave birth to the Ibiza legend in the first place: Café del Mar in San Antonio. The trademark ambient music and chilled-out atmosphere is still in place, making this an essential visit. Innumerable other bars have sprung up around Café del Mar, so there's no shortage of vantage points to enjoy the justly famous sunsets. The top clubs open around midnight, with long queues forming by 2am.
Clubbing in Ibiza is certainly expensive. Entry fees get hefty and drinks are pricey. Many clubs will only have hot water available in the bathrooms to prevent visitors drinking cold water for free, forcing patrons to pay for bottled water. Cash-strapped young clubbers will hand out flyers and promos in the early evening with details of special offers, happy hours, and discounts. They are earning a commission for getting people through the door but the information can be very useful if visitors want to get maximum value for their night out.
As for getting around, visitors should use the disco buses that transport clubbers along the road linking San Antonio, San Rafael and Ibiza Town. Additionally, taxis are cheap, especially if visitors are travelling in a group.
The clubbing season runs from late May to September, although there are big parties around New Year's, Christmas, and Easter. Dress codes are non-existent. In fact, the more outlandish and extroverted a visitor's appearance, the better their chance of gaining free admission.
Shopping
Ibiza has plenty of boutiques and unique stores catering to international visitors. During the high summer season (June to September) shops in the port are open until well after midnight. However, in the off season they may be closed entirely during the week. Leather goods abound in Ibiza, but quality is hard to come by. Ibiza also has some great markets to supplement the touristy shops found all over the island. The best and most famous is the Hippy Market at Club Punta Arabí, running from April to October. The Sant Jordi Car Boot market on Saturdays is also fun, as is the night market at Las Dalias in San Carlos. Vendors at the markets generally expect people to haggle over prices.
Sightseeing & Attractions
Sightseeing
There is much more to Ibiza than its famous nightlife, and plenty to attract those with no interest in dancing and partying. The most obvious Ibiza attraction is the glorious coastline, which boasts many truly beautiful beaches along over 120 miles (200km) of coastline, and offers abundant scuba diving opportunities.
Ibiza has more than 80 beaches to choose from, including the popular Cala Jondal, S'Aigua Blanca, Cala Benirras, Cala Xarraca, Ses Salinas, Playa de Ses Figueretes, and Playa des Cavallet (Ibiza's official nudist beach). Water sports on offer apart from scuba diving, include waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and much more. Many of the beaches are lined with bars and restaurants and have a festive, party atmosphere during the summer season.
Away from the beach, Ibiza's Old Town is lined with picturesque cobbled lanes leading to ancient courtyards with some buildings dating from the 10th century. Further up the coast is the charming village of Santa Eulalia, which has excellent beaches, and the nearby caves of Can Marca.
Another special natural feature of Ibiza is the salt flats, La Salinas, which are worth a visit. The Ibiza Express mini-train departs from Platja d´Es Canar along various routes, and is a fun way to explore the island.
Kids Attractions
Ibiza is a great destination for children, with plenty of gorgeous beaches and healthy natural attractions to keep the little ones occupied. The Aguamar Water Park is great for a family day of fun. Karting San Antonio has a range of go-karting options to keep kids of all ages entertained. Another worthwhile excursion is to catch a boat ride or yacht across to the island of Formentera. If visiting Ibiza with kids, remember to select your accommodation carefully: you want to be far away from any nightclubs or concentrations of nocturnal clubbers.
Attractions
Ibiza Old Town

The old medieval district of Ciudad de Ibiza (Ibiza Town), the capital of the island, sports narrow cobblestone streets, picturesque whitewashed houses and Gothic buildings around courtyards bright with blooming geraniums and bougainvillea. Ibiza'a Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with architecture spanning 2,500 years of history. The Old Town, enclosed by historic walls, is best entered through the Puerta de las Tablas, which sees visitors passing across a drawbridge flanked by ancient statues; there is another entrance, Portal Nou, behind the Plaza del Parque, which is somewhat less dramatic. The district is best explored on foot, and contains some interesting sights, most noteworthy of which is the Archaeological Museum.
Cova de Can Marca

The tourist attraction cave complex of Cova de Can Marca sits a few miles north of Sant Miquel, a village with an attractive hilltop church and good tapas bars. The caves have been commercialised and fitted with some spectacular sound and lighting effects, providing for an entertaining guided tour. The caves are situated atop a rocky inlet, with spectacular views over the bay and of the islands Murada and Feriradura. The cave is said to be more than 100,000 years old and features underground lakes, stalactites, and stalagmites. There was once a natural waterfall in the cave system but the waterfall featured on the tour today is a replica, as the waterbeds of the cave system are now fossilised.
La Salinas

The salt flats of Las Salinas are some of Ibiza's most famous landmarks, and are close to the airport on the southernmost tip of the island. They've been used for more than 2,000 years since the Carthaginians traded with the salt left in the pans after the waters evaporated in summer.
The sparkling lakes provide one of the world's most beautiful sunset photograph opportunities. The fashionable Las Salinas beach on the southern tip of Ibiza attracts a glittering crowd of sun worshippers and party animals, including many celebrities, the wealthy, and the beautiful.
There are numerous beach bars to try out. The salt flats can be found in the nature reserve that surrounds this gorgeous beach, along with pine forests, sand dunes, and a general abundance of natural beauty.
Formentera

The tiny island of Formentera covers 35 square miles (90 sq km) and is home to just over 5,000 people. It can be reached by ferry from Ibiza Town, with a regular service running every two hours. Ferry services to Formentera from the mainland have also been established, due to the island's increasing popularity. It's relatively unspoilt by tourism development, although not as empty of crowds as it once was. Accommodation options are very limited. The main attractions are some pretty villages and marvellous beaches flanked by palms and pines, many frequented by nudists. The best way to explore is on a rented moped or bicycle, as well-maintained cycling tracks traverse the island.
Climate
Ibiza has a typical Mediterranean climate with long, dry summers and mild winters. Between May and September the days are warm, with temperatures usually averaging comfortably between 69°F (21°C) and 82°F (28°C).
August is the hottest summer month, and there are lows of 71°F (22°C) and highs of 86°F (30°C). Ibiza empties out in winter, between December and February, but the island never gets really cold by European standards. The coldest month is January, when temperatures average between 46°F (8°C) and 59°F (15°C).
Ibiza doesn't get much rain and, even in the wettest months, the rain is sporadic and not overly disruptive. October is the wettest month, but rain is possible any time between September and April, leaving the summer months blessedly dry.
The Ibiza party season begins in late May and ends in September, making all the months in between extremely popular with young revellers. The peak summer months, between June and August, are the peak tourist season and considered by many to be the best time to visit. However, April, May and September, just outside of the most popular season, are also pleasant months to visit Ibiza, especially for those wanting to avoid the crowds.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rain (cm) | 34.3 | 27.5 | 38.9 | 36.6 | 23.7 | 13.9 | 5.7 | 26.3 | 42.1 | 66.2 | 50.3 | 55.6 |
Rain (inches) | 1.3 | 1.08 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.03 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 2.1 |
Average Temperature (°C) | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 19 | 15 | 13 |
Min Temperature (°C) | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 10 |
Max Temperature (°C) | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 16 |
Average Temperature (°F) | 52 | 54 | 55 | 57 | 63 | 70 | 77 | 77 | 73 | 66 | 59 | 55 |
Min Temperature (°F) | 46 | 46 | 48 | 52 | 55 | 63 | 70 | 70 | 68 | 61 | 54 | 50 |
Max Temperature (°F) | 59 | 59 | 61 | 64 | 70 | 77 | 82 | 84 | 81 | 73 | 64 | 61 |
Ibiza Airport
The airport is situated about five miles (8km) south of Ibiza Town.
Tel: +34 902 404 704
www.aena.es/en/ibiza.html
Facilities
Facilities at Ibiza Airport include duty-free shops, restaurants, bars, fast food outlets, post boxes, a bureau de change and ATMs. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Car Parking
Facilities at Ibiza Airport include duty-free shops, restaurants, bars, fast food outlets, post boxes, a bureau de change and ATMs. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Car Rental
Car rental companies represented at the airport include Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, and Europcar.
Taxis
Taxis are available outside the terminal. Surcharges may apply for extra persons or luggage, and for travel after hours and on weekends.
Transfer City
Bus route 10 runs between the airport, Ibiza Town, the ferry port of Formentera and San Jorge. The bus departs every 15 minutes in July and August, every 20 minutes from April 2nd to October 31st, and every 30 minutes during the rest of the year. Additional bus routes run to San Antonio, Sant Eularia and Cala Nova between 23 May and 15 October. Taxis and rental cars are also available.
See map biggerGetting out and about

Ibiza Waterpark from £40 per person
Spend some time at the largest water park on the island of Ibiza where there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Market Madness from £35 per person
This is a great opportunity to browse or buy from the vast array of both hippy and Ibicencan hand-made goods