Cheap flights to Ibiza from EUR40*

Ibiza is proud to be Europe’s party paradise, and welcomes the steady stream of beautiful people and bohemians all summer long and all night long – every night. It’s also heaven for shopaholics, whether you’re a couture connoisseur or a flea market bargain hunter. And there are loads of opportunities to chill – soaking up the sun, of course, or strolling 16th-century walls in Ibiza Town, cycling or wandering the winding roads and whitewashed villages in the northeast, or exploring the natural wonders of the south. You can even escape to an uninhabited island for an off-the-grid experience before you hit the clubs.

An island escape

Known as La Isla Blanca, or The White Island, Ibiza is rocky cliffs, pine forests, honey-sand beaches and turquoise waters, all accented by the lime-washed white churches, houses and restaurants overlooking the sea. Spend your days stretched out on the sand in a cove or on a yacht, snorkelling or windsurfing, tasting tapas or walking medieval streets. After the requisite siesta, seek out the sunset, then hit the restaurants, bars and clubs. The variety of the latter may be a bit much, but don’t worry, Ibiza never disappoints.

Old town charm and seaside paradise

By day, stroll the cobbled streets of Dalt Vila, the oldest part of Ibiza Town, climbing to the top to see both the cathedral and the sweeping panorama across town and sea. Choose to walk atop the ancient city walls and you can experience two kilometres’ worth of view, with a glimpse of the island of Formentera to the south. Down at the port, the narrow lanes of the former fishing village are now lined with boutiques, bars, and cafés, opening onto the seaside promenade with its yacht-packed marina. A list of the best beaches in Ibiza would include all of them, but just to name a few – busy Cala Bossa in Sant Antoni with nearby rocky outcrops for cliff-jumping, secluded Cala Colodar cove in the south, Cala Comte in the southwest for the sunset, sweeping pebbled Cala Jondal in the southeast, tiny Cala Mastella for snorkelling in the northeast, Cala Tarida for a full-service water sports-and-beach bar experience on white sands… the list goes on. To start your party in the daytime, outdoors and by the sea, choose Ushuaïa in Platja d'en Bossa, which also draws the world’s big-name DJs – think David Guetta and Martin Garrix. On the west coast, head to Platges de Comte, a set of three coves of honey-coloured sand and clear waters, also home to Sunset Ashram, which is picture-perfect when the sun goes down, while DJs provide the soundtrack.

Variety is the spice

Just like clubs and bars and beaches, Ibiza has it all when it comes to cuisine. In Sant Antoni, try Yenuina for fresh pasta, Sushimi for sushi, or Le Bistro de Stephan for gourmet burgers. Then there’s The Boat House offering Spanish and fusion cuisine in Sant Vicent, family-run Sa Finca serving up home-cooked meals in a farmhouse above Santa Eulària, Caos Ibiza specialising in organic food by the Santa Eulària waterfront, or Casapiedra attracting diners with exquisite beachside fare in Cala Llonga… again, the list goes on. As for Ibiza Town, head to Mariner or Marytierra for seafood by the marina.

Island flair by day and night

There are more ways than one to buy a piece of boho-chic Ibiza to take home, from hippy markets spilling over with handmade or second-hand clothes and bric-a-brac, to haute couture boutiques glittering with glitterati. Ibiza’s most famous market is probably Las Dalias in Sant Carles de Peralta, brimming with colourful goods and equally colourful food and people. Hippy Market Punta Arabí on the east coast is another place to enjoy live music and artisan crafts. In the south, Mercadillo de Sant Jordi is perfect for thrifting, aka treasure-hunting. If you’re more interested in glitz, start with Babaz on Ibiza Town’s market square for the sparkliest of island fashion. Peek into Spanish designer Charo Ruiz’s couture shop, or reVOLVER for big brands such as Kenzo and Alexander McQueen. You can’t avoid having a good time on Ibiza by night! The legendary Amnesia hosts the world’s biggest DJs in Sant Rafel. Pacha is the original Ibiza club, with a dance floor on several levels and different music in every room. If a terrace-bar-restaurant is how you’d prefer to spend your evening, possibly with a dance floor, head to Hostal La Torre on the west coast, where the clifftop terrace overlooks the sea for a relaxing vibe with DJ sets. For live music, make Ibiza Rocks Hotel your first port of call, which has hosted Sean Paul and The Prodigy.

Daytime escapes

Ready to relax, or enjoy some post-party quiet? Make your way to northern Ibiza, where you can walk, bike or drive through forests and over hills, stopping in a quaint village for a meal or on a cliff to contemplate the view. Explore the coast dotted with secluded coves, such as Benirràs, Aigües Blanques or the even quieter Es Portitxol or Port de Ses Caletes. Portinatx is the north's busiest resort town, but you can walk along the cliffs and through forest to the Far de Portinatx lighthouse for a tranquil afternoon. Sant Carles de Peralta is a peaceful village with a charming 18th-century church – chill with tapas and the homemade local tipple at Bar Anita after your visit. On the east coast, see the 13th-century fortress above Santa Eulària, head to the seaside cafés and restaurants, and never fear, this is still Ibiza, so they know how it’s done at Guaraná, Santa Eulària's only club. In the south, escape to the Parc Natural de Ses Salines, a nature reserve that covers not only southeastern Ibiza, but also part of the island of Formentera. This is not only a haven for tired tourists, but also for birds, including flocks of hot-pink flamingos in August and September. If you don’t want to get too far off the grid, don’t worry – this may be a nature reserve, but that doesn’t mean you can’t party here too, you just have to work for it! Walk from the parking lot to the chiringuito (beach bar) Sa Trinxa for the coolest place of its kind on the island. Speaking of which, off the southwest coast is the mysterious volcanic island of Es Vedrà, which legend says is home to Homer’s sirens as well as a landing pad for UFOs.

Ibiza airport

It’s just 10 minutes from Ibiza Airport to the centre of the city or the ferry port by bus, taxi, or rental car. Buses run to the resort towns of Santa Eulària, Cala Nova and San Antonio during the season, i.e. May through October. The airport has a duty free and a pharmacy as well as fashion brands such as Desigual, accessories, toys, books, electronics and souvenirs. There are cafés and takeaway shops, a beer-and-tapas bar, fast food, plus Japanese, Italian and Mediterranean food outlets.

Ibiza weather

Ibiza is warm all year round, with dry, hot summers and mild winters. In July and August, the busiest months on the island, the average temperature is 29-31ºC, although it can get as hot as 40ºC. Autumn is the rainiest season, and winter average temperatures are around 15ºC. The Balearic Islands are the only place in the world where the temperature at the seabed never drops below 13ºC, and the water can be as warm as 26ºC (on the surface) in August. Enjoy!