Ibiza is one of our favourite European destinations for a long weekend, from hen parties at the infamous O Beach Ibiza to a guide of where’s best to eat, Here you’ll find no shortage of tips for visiting the White Isle. With San Antonio being the forefront of a party-goer’s mind for (arguably) the best nightlife, there’s a whole island that is ready to explore. If you’re looking for more family-friendly Ibiza holidays or looking for things to do during the day Ibiza is a haven for adventure, relaxation, parting and exploration. You can catch up on all of the previous Ibiza posts below;
- Where’s good to eat in Ibiza – Restaurant guide (2019)
- Where to eat in Ibiza guide (2018)
- Relaxing in Ibiza
- What to wear in Ibiza
- Where’s best to watch the sunset in Ibiza
- O Beach Ibiza, the world famous Day Club
5 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Ibiza
San Antonio
Home to world-famous superclubs such as O Beach Ibiza, Eden, Es Paradis as well as sunset strip which boasts Cafe Del Mar and Cafe Mambo and is the most magical place to watch the sunset. If you’re looking for a lively time in Ibiza this is your top destination. It’s a melting pot of tourists from across the globe looking to take in all the party-goers tourist spots of Ibiza.
The town is split pretty much into three main sections; The Sunset Strip, The West End with bars and clubs which appear from nowhere and are absolutely heaving on an evening. Or head along The Bay, which is the new up and coming strip. Home to Itacia, Ibiza Rocks and O Beach Lounge as well as the famous day club.
If you’re looking for club tickets you can check the lineup and buy tickets here for the following clubs located in San Antonio;
- Benimussa Park – also known as ‘the Zoo’, the open-air venue outside of San Antonio
- Es Paradis – located on the waterfront
- Eden – located on the waterfront
- Ibiza Rocks Hotel – located in the centre
- O Beach – located along the Bay
Playa D’en Bossa
In recent years the popularity of Playa D’en Bossa has risen exponentially, with many partygoers choosing to spend their holiday here over San Antonio. Both are vibrant and lively places on the beach with a great nightlife culture. Superclubs that you’ll find here include;
- Hï Ibiza – located on the main strip, opposite Ushuaïa
- Ushuaïa – located on the main strip, directly on the beach
With world famous Bora Bora Beach Club and the Cirque de la Nuit boat party leaving from Playa D’en Bossa you can see why this destination is popular too. Admittedly it isn’t as established as San Antonio and is significantly smaller with fewer restaurants, bars and shops. However, the Disco Bus runs from Playa D’en Bossa to San Antonio and other clubs across the island frequently.
Other Clubs on the Island
Is there a club on your radar that we’ve missed? Perhaps it’s not located in either San An or D’en Bossa. There are a few other clubs on the island these are;
- Amnesia – located in the middle of the island, near San Rafael
- DC-10 – located near the airport on the road to Las Salinas
- Destino – located at the end of Talamanca beach
- Heart – located very near the Ibiza Town Marina
- Pacha – located very near the Ibiza Town Marina
- Privilege – located in the middle of the island, near San Rafael
Santa Eulària des Riu
If you’re looking to stay out of the way of the club scene and are looking for something more picturesque, like a scene from a painting or a postcard then the historical beach town is for you. Perfect for families, it is Ibiza’s third largest resort. With a palm-lined beach front and bronzed Ibizian hound statues at the bottom of beautifully designed fountains, it’s a far cry from the other towns.
Santa Eulària has a history of being Ibiza’s gastronomic and cultural centre. With an abundance of restaurants and beautiful buildings, it’s easy to see why. With a more relaxed pace and quieter nightlife, it is a town which is busy with the local community all year round and not just seasonally. From Art Galleries to the exclusive Yacht Marina to the fantastic shopping, it is a more traditional approach to island life.
If you’re looking to head to Formentera for the day, you can hop on the ferry from Santa Eulària. Also the exclusive and luxurious concept day club Nikki Beach is located 3km from the town centre.
If you’re looking for boutique hotels Sol Beach House is located 1km from the centre, ME Ibiza is a 3.2km distance from Santa Eulària and Nobu Hotel which is located just 10km out from the town.
Cala Vedella
Similarly to Santa Eulària, Cala Vedella lives a more relaxed pace of life. The protected bay which is a 10-minute drive from San José is surrounded by pine-clad hills, perfect for off road walking.
Descend down from a climb into the bay to take in the breathtaking views of the beach. With on the beach cafes and bars as well as diving schools it’s the idyllic place to spend a day. Enjoy snorkelling in the crystal clear waters, which is a romantic place used by yachts and boats to enjoy the sunset. You can also hop on a boat from here to explore Formentera.
The bars are great during the day and can get a little lively on the evening to help get families enjoying their holidays in Ibiza in the mood for a traditional Balearic evening.
If you’re looking to relax the Pure Spa at 7Pines Resort is only 4km distance. San Antonio is only a 10km drive. There is a bus service which runs into this quaint town.
Portinatx
Situated at the top North of the island, Portinatx boasts a tranquil bliss. Boasting three beautiful beaches, S’Arenal Gros (which is the largest), S’Arenal Petit (which is more private) and Playa Porto Beach which are all lined with bars and restaurants. The stunning clear waters make this particular area a favourite of snorkelers and divers.
A family favourite area, Portinatx is quiet and away from the hustle and bustle of hectic Ibiza nightlife. With that said, you can still enjoy the traditional active nightlife in some of the local restaurants and bars.
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Portinatx, Grupotel Beach Resort is our recommendation of the top place to stay here.
Ibiza Holidays in Ibiza Town (Eivissa)
The capital (and largest town) in Ibiza is known in Catalan as Eivissa. This Mediterranean town has been made famous by Pacha, the superclub. Located on a port, it really does boast something for everyone. With a selection of small boutiques, high-end fashion stores, shoe shops, art galleries and museums there’s a lot to see and do.
In high Summer you’ll frequently spot a celebrity or two wandering around. Unsurprisingly the capital has an exceptional nightlife with bars and restaurants including the likes of well know chain, STK. New meets old with beautiful historic buildings set the scene, the Renaissance defensive wall, a spectacle in itself.
Split into three distinct parts; The Old Town, New Town and Marina. Perfect for lots of exploring on any type of Ibiza holidays.
The Old Town
This comprises of the fortified citadel Dalt Vila and the old fishing area around the main drawbridge called Portal de Ses Taules. Founded by the Phoenicians over 2500 years ago, today people still live within its walls.
Head to the old port area and you will find picturesque lanes with cobbled streets and pretty white-painted houses and buildings. During the Summer months, you’ll see plenty of people strolling around during the day. Come dusk the area comes alive for the nightly hippy market where you can pick up some wild and wacky souvenirs.
Heading to Pacha and looking for a few drinks prior? Then you’ll want to discover the bars next to the harbour with lively music for the perfect way to start your evening. Over recent years the promenade has been remodelled to give visitors lots of space to walk around and look at the stunning moored yachts. The port also boasts port stage where it holds several free events in the Summer with known DJ. Additionally, it is the endpoint for the annual Ibiza Gay Pride parade.
The New Town
This is the second part of the town. It includes everything on the flat plain, which the newer part of the city sits. The central boulevard of Vara de Rey and stunning plazas are home to beautiful townhouses from the beginning of the last century. The neighbouring Plaza del Parque is an ideal location for people-watching with its collection of bars on one side and restaurants lining the other.
You’ll also find big chains and lots of fashion boutiques in the New Town. Spend some time walking around here and you will again discover many bars and restaurants including many tapas venues which is hugely popular with the locals.
The Marina
Finally, the Marina. Located across from the Old Town you’ll discover the Marina. With a big sweeping walkway and beautiful coloured buildings, this area has been developed greatly over recent years. Again there is a great choice of bars and restaurants, especially for pre-club dining and drinking. With a luxe vibe from designer fashion boutiques and super-yachts, you’ll frequently see a Hollywood A-Lister or two frequenting the Marina in Evissa
Using the buses in Ibiza
Ibiza is a relatively small island and has an exceptional bus system. It’s simple to use and seriously cost-effective. There’s an ‘Ibiza Bus App’ you can download on both Apple and Android with all of the bus timetables and cost of each journey. A taxi from the airport to San Antonio will usually cost around 45€ and take 25 mins whereas the bus costs 4€ and takes around 45 minutes. Perfect for saving more money to spend on booze on your Ibiza holidays.
Some buses go direct from one place to another, however, you usually can map out a change in Ibiza Town or San Antonio as these are the two busiest hubs.
The bus stops are clearly marked and Ibiza Town and San Antonio have large bus terminals. The Discobus runs through the night too.
Have you been on any Ibiza holidays? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below. If you have any other tips do drop them there too and as always, I’d love for you to share this article with anybody planning their Ibiza holidays as it might just help them too!
