Ibiza holidays: the island beyond the clubs
Ibiza is famous for its clubs, yet most of the island is pine forest, small coves and whitewashed farmhouses. Choose the right corner and you get a very different holiday from the one its reputation promises.
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Ibiza
Photo: Rodrigo Kugnharski / Unsplash
Ibiza, two islands in one
At eight in the morning in a cove on the north coast there is a fisherman and two paddleboards on the water. Last night's music is a long way off, and the scent of pine and salt is all you notice. Ibiza has a reputation, but the island is much larger than it.
Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands, alongside Majorca, Menorca and Formentera. Its walled old town, Dalt Vila, and the surrounding sea are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, partly for the seagrass meadows that give the water its colour. For the rest of the country, see our Spain travel guide.
Which area suits you?
Ibiza Town
The walled Dalt Vila, the harbour and the restaurants of La Marina. For food, culture and quick access to the southern beaches.
Playa d'en Bossa and the south
Long beaches, beach clubs and the superclubs. For the music.
Santa Eulària
Calm and family-friendly on the east coast, with a promenade and good restaurants.
The north: Portinatx and Sant Joan
Small coves, villages and agroturismos, old farmhouses turned into hotels. Quiet Ibiza.
San Antonio
Known for its sunset bars on the west coast. Lively and less polished than the rest of the island.
When to go
May, June and September: warm sea, restaurants open and fewer people.
July and August: peak season, high prices and crowded beaches.
October to April: quiet and mild, with many places closed. Good for walking, not for clubbing.
Good to know
A hire car or scooter makes the coves easy to reach. Buses thin out beyond the towns.
The ferry to Formentera takes around half an hour and leads to some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean.
The Wednesday hippy market at Es Canar has run since the 1970s.
Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay
Photo: Hotels.com
Where to stay
Our Ibiza hotel guide picks hotels area by area. Fancy a bigger island? See Majorca.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay
Frequently asked questions about Ibiza
Where is the best place to stay in Ibiza?
Ibiza Town for food and culture, Santa Eulària for calm and families, and the north for coves and nature.
Is Ibiza only for partying?
No. The clubs are concentrated in the south and west, and the rest of the island is peaceful, especially outside July and August.
When is the best time to visit Ibiza?
June and September bring warm weather and a warm sea without peak prices.
How do I get from Ibiza to Formentera?
By ferry from Ibiza Town harbour. The crossing takes about half an hour.