Ibiza is known as a party island but in reality is so much more than that. Because with a surface area of no less than 571.6 km², the island is large enough to seek both conviviality and tranquility. Picturesque villages here alternate with beautiful beaches and atmospheric beach clubs. On top of that, Ibiza is the ideal getaway to visit the smaller Spanish island of Formentera. So as far as we are concerned, your vacation to Ibiza is not complete without enjoying the ultimate island life. And what that all means, we share in the form of handy tips for your vacation to Ibiza.
How do you travel to Ibiza?
Ibiza is a Spanish island and is therefore located off the Spanish coast, in the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the most beautiful islands of the Balearic Islands, an archipelago that includes Mallorca and Menorca. Because Ibiza is a popular vacation destination among the Dutch, traveling there is quite easy. You can book direct flights to the Spanish island from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven. Of course, most flights depart from Schiphol Airport, but it never hurts to compare offers at Skyscanner.
Personally, our preference is to work with Skycanner because of its generally good flight schedules and competitive prices.
Transportation on the island
The best tip we can give you is to rent a car during your vacation. This will not only make it easier to explore much of the island, it will also save you a lot of cab costs (if you were planning to come outside your stay, of course!). A cheaper alternative is to use the bus, but remember that you are in Spain and they are not so punctual here when it comes to the travel schedule. Mañana mañana!
It is convenient to rent a car before departure so that you can pick it up immediately after arriving at the airport. Booking in time also often saves costs compared to renting a car when you are already in Ibiza. We always rent our car via SunnyCars. So far we have very good experiences with this party and therefore we definitely recommend it to you. Advantage: you are always all-risk insured. There is no need to take out additional insurance on location.
For a week's car rental (Opel Corsa type) we paid €300. On the spot we could upgrade to a Renault Kadjar for €3 extra per day, which was fine for driving on the dirt roads. Of course, you can also book your trip to Ibiza including a rental car via TUI book!
Where to stay in Ibiza?
By far most people stay in Santa Eularia, in Playa d'en Bossa or around the capital Eivissa. Because of the parties and vibrant atmosphere, it makes sense to stay in Playa d'en Bossa if you come to the island to party. If you prefer to be surrounded by nice stores, bars and restaurants. Then we can definitely recommend Eivissa. A fun gathering is that the downtown area, Dalt Vila, consists of a maze of narrow streets. It is one of our favorite places on the island. And then you have Santa Eularia, a quieter beach town where you can find very nice accommodations.
What to do in Ibiza - 7 tips!
The relaxed island life and friendliness make Ibiza a typical place where people stay longer than they had planned. If you are on vacation in Ibiza, it is recommended to take at least a week, but you can also enjoy yourself twice as long. Curious about what to do? Then quickly discover our tips for a vacation in Ibiza.
1. Stroll through the streets of Dalt Vila
Dalt Vila is the old town, the historic center, of Ibiza Town (Eivissa in Spanish). A beautiful place that you will discover while zigzagging through the winding paths. The old town is not for nothing on UNESCO's World Heritage List, well worth exploring. The streets are full of cozy hotspots and cute boutiques, so you have no excuse to miss this place. And while you're there, be sure to visit the highlight of Dalt Vila (near Castell Almudaina). From here you have a view of the atmospheric Playa d'en Bossa and Ibiza town.
Tip: parking in Ibiza town is not easy, but we have the golden tip for you: parking lot Aparcamiento Puig des Molins where you can park for €1 per hour. It's at the foot of Dalt Vila, so all you have to do is climb up to end up in the bustling center!
2. Visit the hippie market Las Dalias
Hippie market Las Dalias is one of the most famous in Ibiza and can be found in the mega cute village of Sant Carles de Peralta. This hippie market takes place every Saturday and has become more than just a hippie market. Besides the amazingly cute stalls, you can also go there for fun live music, tasty snacks and to drink a cocktail. The main reason to visit Las Dalias is of course to stroll along the (200!) stalls. Tip: go early! The market opens in the morning at 10:00 am and parking is available at one of the large parking lots for €3.50.
A must-do is to visit the nearby Anita Bar Restaurant. Here you can cozy up in the courtyard garden or along the road and, of course, order a tasty snack.
3. Find your way to the natural pools of Atlantis
On vacation, we always think it is very cool to go hiking once or twice. When we read about a hike to a hidden pearl on Ibiza, our interest was piqued immediately. The hidden pearl is also known as "Atlantis," which may remind you of the myth of a sunken city. The Atlantis of Ibiza is therefore named after this and we must admit that we understand why. How to get here and especially what to bring to this breathtaking location? You can read that in our extensive article: hiking to Atlantis. We guarantee you'll love it!
4. Have a picnic during sunset overlooking Es Vedra
We cannot ignore the rocky island of Es Vedra, this magical place deserves to be in the list of the most beautiful sights in Ibiza. Unfortunately, you cannot visit the island, but you can enjoy the view of the rocky island. You can do this from the beautiful and very popular viewpoint near Se Pedrera or book a boat tour via GetYourGuide To admire Es Vedra from the water.
5. Eat out at the nicest restaurants in Ibiza
Ibiza is not Ibiza if you can't eat out fantastically. There are also so many great hot spots to discover that it is logical that you start to hesitate where you want to eat. Now we have been to quite a few fine spots and therefore have our favorite restaurants in Ibiza listed for you. But with more than 1,300 restaurants in Ibiza, we must return soon to expand the list.
6. Discover the most beautiful beaches in Ibiza
The fact that Ibiza is such a popular vacation destination is not only due to its fun parties, but also thanks in part to its beautiful azure waters and fine beaches. Sun, sea and beach are important factors for a successful vacation. And let Ibiza have all this in store for you. The coastline of the Spanish island consists mainly of gigantic rock formations, but those who look carefully will find the most beautiful bays here. Our favorites? In our article the most beautiful beaches in Ibiza!
7. Sail over to the Spanish island of Formentera
Ibiza's little sister is the beautiful island of Formentera. From Ibiza, several daily ferries between the two islands back and forth. It is an insanely beautiful island where you can have a great day. The best tip we can give you is to rent a scooter there and explore the island by yourself. Do you love diving? Formentera is the place to be!
Did you know that you can also stay overnight on the island of Formentera? Check out all the beautiful hotels in Formentera.
More great travel tips for a vacation to Spain
Do you also love Spain as a vacation destination? The nice climate with the many hours of sunshine, the friendly people and the delicious food ... we understand! As travel consultants and travel bloggers we regularly travel to Spain to discover new known and hidden gems. Curious? In the following blogs we take you to some amazing places in Spain:
