Ibiza, Spain: an island in the Balearics known for its pretty beaches, extravagant nightlife and bustling town centre.
Usually, Ibiza attracts tons of tourists every summer due to its popular clubbing scene. However, this year, the pandemic has meant that the reality is very different.
I recently got back from a four-night, five-day trip there with some of my best friends for my belated hen do.
Sure, it wasn’t Ibiza as Brits usually know it (Spain currently have strict COVID restrictions in place). That said, it still took my breath away.
After all, there’s so much more to this Balearic island than its partying.
How to Get to Ibiza from the UK
Before we can dive into what to do in Ibiza, you need to know how to get there.
Typically in the summer season, at least one flight heads to Ibiza from a major UK airport every day.
My girls and I flew from Leeds-Bradford with Jet2 and our journey only took two and a half hours. Other airlines that fly to Ibiza are:
- easyJet
- Ryanair
- TUI
- British Airways
- Thomas Cook
Out of season, there will still be flights going to Ibiza — just less often.
That said, the best time to visit Ibiza is between May and October. The weather is warm and the party crowd is out in full force!
How to Get Around Ibiza
Getting around Ibiza is straightforward. Because it’s classed as a small island with an area of 571 square kilometres, you only have to take a 25-minute drive before you reach the farthest part.
If you stay in San Antonio, the main clubbing destination in Ibiza, you’ll be happy to hear that it’s pretty walkable.
To get to other parts of the island, you could use the public bus or grab a taxi. Some other options are:
- Renting a car
- Taking a boat trip
- Renting a bike
It all depends on where you’re staying and what you want to see while you’re there.
Where to Stay in Ibiza
Sant Antoni de Portmany (or simply San Antonio) is one of the most popular resorts in Ibiza. If you want to make the most of Ibiza’s famous nightlife, I’d recommend staying in or near here (like we did).
Having said that, other popular hotspots in Ibiza for accommodation are:
- Playa d’en Bossa, which has beautiful beach resorts, all-inclusive hotels and plenty of bars and clubs
- Santa Eulalia del Rio, which is the spot for culture and cuisine as well as beaches and scenery
- Cala Llonga, which is the most family-oriented area with a wide and white sandy beach and hills covered in pine trees
- Es Canar, which is a beach resort famous for its hippy market and outdoor recreation activities, such as windsurfing and parasailing
- Ibiza Town, otherwise known by the locals as Eivissa, which is a historic area full of shops, restaurants and bars on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea
Let’s just say if I was lucky enough to visit Ibiza again, I’d probably stay in Playa d’en Bossa for a change of scenery. Although, Ibiza Town is perfect for explorers.
Tips to Elevate Your Ibiza Stay
Planning ahead can make your stay in Ibiza much simpler and more enjoyable; so make sure that your itinerary reflects what is most appealing to you, whether that means clubbing, exploring local culture or merely lounging around on the beach. Here are some quick tips to help with the preparation.
- Consider renting a vehicle to give yourself freedom and flexibility while on vacation, such as a car for long distance travel or a bike for shorter journeys. Even a boat trip can provide an economical yet scenic travel option.
- Communication is key, with most locals speaking Spanish, so connecting with an online Spanish tutor can help you make the most of your travels.
- Book accommodations early, particularly during peak season, as this ensures availability as well as lower rates. Ibiza offers unique experiences wherever you stay, ensuring you leave with unforgettable, lifelong memories.
What to Do in Ibiza: 7 Recommendations
Now let’s cover what to do in Ibiza, whether you’re travelling with friends, family or your other half.
1. Head to the Beach
What to do in Ibiza 101: check out the local beach. I can’t say I’ve visited them all — but from what I gather, you can’t go far wrong with any Ibizan beach.
It was a 10-minute walk for us to walk from the edge of San Antonio where our hotel was to San Antonio beach. Granted, the sand was more golden than the lovely white beaches I’ve been to around the world (like Perth). However, the water was a gorgeous clear turquoise colour.
Just make sure you slap on loads of sun cream. We were in 31/32 degrees Celsius and even burnt in places wearing SPF 30+! Not ideal.
2. Visit Ibiza Town
The port city of Ibiza Town is split into two sections: Dalt Vila and Eixample.
Dalt Vila, or Old Town, is perched above the water where you can find world-class eateries and many different shops. It was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 because of its historic fortress and Cathedral called Our Lady of the Snows, which has the most amazing viewpoint.
Eixample is where most of the newer buildings can be found, but it’s just as enchanting as Dalt Vila. In fact, you could spend hours getting lost amongst its cute and quaint cobbled backstreets.
3. Watch the Ibizan Sunset
You can’t visit Ibiza without watching the sunset at least once. After all, Ibiza is known for its cloudless, spectacular sunsets.
The Sunset Strip is the most famous sunset location in Ibiza, which is a row of bars along the seafront in San Antonio.
Head to Cafe Mambo or Cafe Del Mar for good food, good drinks, good music and good vibes while you soak up the incredible scenery.
4. Go to Ocean Beach Club
Ocean Beach Club is a must when it comes to what to do in Ibiza — especially if you’ve never been before.
Owned by Wayne Lineker, this popular day club is the equivalent of a Vegas pool party in the Balearics. Many people lock down one of the circular sunbeds or VIP areas for a minimum spend per person.
Having said that, this minimum spend per person includes the cover charge and all your food and drink on the day.
O Beach is known for having celebrity DJs and generally being a good time. And trust me, I can definitely confirm this.
5. Explore the Nightlife
Sadly, we weren’t able to go to an Ibizan club on our trip because all clubs were closed in line with Spain’s COVID regulations.
The bars were only open until 1am and it was table service only.
Even so, we still had fun in Wi-Ki-Woo (which is totally Instagrammable and has the yummiest cocktails) and Ibiza Rocks (which had a great DJ and atmosphere).
I’m excited to head back to Ibiza when the clubs are open so I can experience one of these big players:
- Amnesia
- Pacha
- Ushuaia
It’s like I’ve just been given the appetiser for Ibiza and now I’m ready for the main course!
6. Do a Boat Trip to the Caves
Because we only had a few days total, we didn’t quite get around to the last two items on this ‘what to do in Ibiza’ list.
Although, I’ve been told that the caves are worth seeing in Ibiza. You can get a boat trip to Cova de Can Marca caves on the north east of the island where you can take a tour and also snorkel.
These caves date back 100,000 years and are supposed to be incredibly picturesque. In other words, they’re on my to-do list for next time!
7. Hop on a Ferry to Formentera’s Playa de Ses Illetes Beach
Lastly, what to do in Ibiza if you have more time? Head to Formentera. This tiny island is the smallest of Spain’s Balearic Islands and home to Playa de Ses Illetes beach.
Famous for its pink coral sand and clear blue water, this coastline looks stunning in photos alone.
Plus, it’s just a quick hop on the ferry from Ibiza to paradise.
Hello Party People! This is Captain Kim Speaking…
(Hopefully, you’ve heard the “We’re Going to Ibiza” song by Vengaboys or you’ll be wondering what on earth I’m talking about with that heading!)
Essentially, if you’ve never been to Ibiza before, you’re missing out. While I wouldn’t recommend booking until the pandemic is pretty much over, it still makes for a fun trip with restrictions.
After all, there’s no way of restricting Ibiza’s natural beauty. Right?
(I already can’t wait to go back!)
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