Day 1
Eivissa & Dalt Vila
Wander the marina and market lanes, then climb into the walled old town to the cathedral. In the evening, tapas and a first taste of nightlife at Pacha.
Ibiza runs on contrast: the world-famous clubs of Playa d'en Bossa and Sant Antoni on one side, the hushed UNESCO old town of Dalt Vila and pine-forested north on the other. By day the island belongs to turquoise calas and sunsets people applaud every evening.
Step away from the crowds and you find whitewashed inland villages, hippy markets and the mythical rock of Es Vedrà. Treat Ibiza as party-only and you miss half of it; here beach calm and nightlife are two halves of the same island.
Itinerary
Day 2
West coast & sunset
Swim at Cala Comte or Cala Salada in the morning, then move to Cala d'Hort for the view of Es Vedrà. Stay for sunset, the finest on the island.
Day 3
North & hippy market
Drive through the pine forests of the north to the Cova de Can Marçà, then on to the Las Dalias or Punta Arabí market. Wind down with a quiet dinner in Santa Eulària.
Highlights
🏛️Landmark
Dalt Vila
The Renaissance-walled old town of Eivissa has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, crowned by its cathedral on the hilltop. Climb the cobbled lanes at dusk, when the light turns the ramparts gold and the whole bay opens up below.
🌄Viewpoint
Es Vedrà & Cala d'Hort
Rising some 400 metres straight out of the sea off the southwest coast, Es Vedrà is the island's most mythologised landmark. Time it for sunset from Cala d'Hort beach with a cold drink; the silhouette against the burning sky is unforgettable.
🏖️Beach
Cala Comte
This west-coast beach looks out over a scatter of rocky islets in water that runs from turquoise to deep sapphire, and delivers what many rate the island's finest sunsets. Arrive early: the sandy coves fill up fast in high summer.
🛍️Market
Las Dalias Hippy Market
Founded in 1985 in Sant Carles, this is the colourful heart of Ibiza's hippy heritage, hundreds of stalls of clothing, jewellery and handmade craft. It runs year-round on Saturdays; midweek in summer, head to the Punta Arabí market in Es Canà instead.
🍸Nightlife
The superclubs
From Pacha's twin-cherry logo in Eivissa to the open-air stage of Ushuaïa in Playa d'en Bossa, Ibiza has the world's most famous clubs across a season running late May to mid-October. Take the all-night Disco Bus (around 4-5 euros) instead of a taxi; it's faster and far cheaper.
🌿Nature
Cova de Can Marçà
This roughly 100,000-year-old cave in the cliffs of Port de Sant Miquel was once used by smugglers to stash contraband. The guided loop ends with a light-and-music show around a ten-metre waterfall deep inside the rock.
Neighbourhoods
Eivissa (Ibiza Town) & Dalt Vila
The buzzing centre, with a yacht marina, tapas lanes and the walled old town rising above. Ideal if you want culture, restaurants and nightlife all within walking distance.
Santa Eulària des Riu
The polished, family-friendly east, with a palm-lined promenade, art galleries and calm coves. A relaxed base well away from the club noise.
Sant Antoni de Portmany
The young, budget-friendly west, famous for its Sunset Strip bars and west-facing sundowns. Plenty of cheap stays and easy nights out.
The North (Sant Joan & Sant Miquel)
Pine woods, organic restaurants, yoga retreats and near-empty calas. The quietest, most rooted side of the island, best explored by car.
Where to eat
Bullit de peix
The island's fisherman classic: broth with rice first, then the fish with alioli. Served on reservation only at beach shacks like El Bigotes at Cala Mastella.
Sofrit pagès
A hearty country stew of chicken, lamb, baby potatoes and the Ibizan sausages sobrassada and botifarró. A traditional Sunday meal in the interior villages.
Flaó
The island's signature cheesecake, made from sheep's and goat's cheese, eggs and fresh mint, which gives it its green edge. A must with coffee.
Hierbas ibicencas
The sweet aniseed-and-herb liqueur that ends every local meal, served ice-cold straight from the freezer.
Good to know
Best time to visit
Ibiza is at its best from May to October, with a warm sea and chiringuitos open along the coast. July and August are the hottest, priciest and busiest; late May/June and September give you club season without the extreme rates. In winter the island goes quiet and many venues close.
Getting around
A rental car (around 30-50 euros a day) is the freest way to reach the remote calas and villages. The daytime bus network covers all the major towns, and the all-night Disco Bus links clubs and beaches cheaply. A ferry day trip to neighbouring Formentera is well worth building in.
- Currency
- EUR €
- Languages
- Spanish
How much does Ibiza cost?
A realistic daily budget per person, in three styles.
Backpacker€70per person / day
Mid-range€150per person / day
Comfort€300per person / day
Ibiza can be expensive, but options exist for all budgets.
Local tips
- ✓Reserve beach restaurants like El Bigotes days ahead; they're tiny and constantly booked out.
- ✓Book club tickets online in advance; on the door they're often double the price.
- ✓For sunset at Cala Comte, arrive at least an hour early or the car park will be full.
