Music and Nature in Ibiza

The many towns and villages on the island each have their own distinct personality. You’ll get a fuller sense of the island if you get out of the immediate vicinity of your hotel/resort to experience a few of these different environments. Some excursions will provide pick-up at your hotel, but many will require a taxi ride. Taxis are pricey but are widely available throughout the island at all times of day — and still probably preferable to renting a car, since finding your way around can be challenging and parking is very limited at popular locations. If you’re on a budget, note that there are local bus routes as well as a “party bus” that makes a loop specifically stopping at nightclubs.

To get your bearings and see many parts of the island in one day, head out on a Jeep safari or a catamaran tour. Even better, do both! Explore the island by land one day and by sea the next. Various itineraries are available for each depending on the stops that interest you the most. For a slower-paced and smaller-scale exploration of Ibiza by water, head out on a half-day guided kayaking tour.

For souvenirs and local crafts, you’ll find plenty of shopping options (and, as a result, competitive pricing) in Ibiza Town. You may also want to pop into a grocery store to muse at the unique assortment of products that are apparently in high demand here (sunblock, hangover cures, face paint, body jewelry). The island has several “hippie markets” in various locations; the one at Cala Benirrás is the biggest, and has the added bonus of a sunset drum circle on the adjacent beach depending on the day.

A short drive from Benirrás is the Cuevas de Can Marça, a quirky and memorable attraction for visitors of all ages. The tour includes breathtaking views from a (well-protected and sturdy) cliffside staircase, tales of pirate lore and a sound and light show inside the cave paying homage to the island’s disco scene.

When in Ibiza, of course you’ve got to go to the beach! Preferably more than once. Some of the best beaches are tiny hidden gems; your travel advisor can help you discover one or more and find out how to get there. The larger and better-known beaches are likely to offer services such as restrooms, chair rentals, restaurants and markets. These include Playa d’en Bossa, Playa Talamanca, Cala Benirrás, Cala Comte, Cala Tarida (and the nearby Cala Codolar with its Stonehenge-esque Time and Space art installation), Cala Bassa, Cala Salada, Cala d’Hort, Es Cavallet, Ses Salines, Cala Jondal, Cala Nova and Cala Llonga.

Another time-honored tradition is passing the day at one of the island’s beach clubs. Check out Tuk Tuk at Playa d’en Bossa, El Chiringuito at Es Cavallet, Tropicana at Cala Jondal, or Sa Trinxa at Ses Salines.

If you choose to rent a car for a day, you can stop in various Ibiza villages (many of which, according to the local lore, have only the bare essentials of a church, a bar and a post office). Note the cliffside church in Es Cubells, the fortified church in Sant Miquel de Balansat, the traditional houses that line the road leading to the church and restaurant in Sant Vicent de Sa Cala and the somewhat more authentic hippie market in Sant Carles de Peralta. A drive through the countryside will provide views of the terraced farms that date from the time of the Phoenicians; stop by Can Maymó in Sant Mateu d’Abarca for wines made from grapes grown right here on the island.

Continuing farther east along the island’s rugged, forested northern coast, at Cala d’en Serra near Portinatx you can see a hauntingly beautiful abandoned hotel designed by Josep Lluis Sert that never opened to visitors but has become a playground for graffiti artists. Not far from Sant Antoni, an abandoned nightclub (the Festival Club) is a reminder of the oil crisis in the 1970s that drove up travel costs and drastically diminished the number of visitors to Ibiza.

Last but definitely not least: the music! Check local listings for lesser known venues and artists of interest during your visit dates, but the classics you won’t want to miss include Hï, recently voted the best club in the world for the third year running. Start your evening on the earlier side at Ushuaia, located just across the street from Hï on Playa d’en Bossa (even better, if you’re a guest at Ushuaïa, you get free admission to the shows). In San Rafael, Amnesia is another renowned nightclub that attracts big names. Experience a slice of the island’s past (along with present-day performers) at Pacha, open since 1973 near Playa Talamanca. In the heart of Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza Rocks Hotel has multiple acts performing each day, and also offers free admission to hotel guests. Under the same ownership is Pikes Ibiza, a short taxi ride outside Sant Antoni. A hotspot in the hedonistic Ibiza of the 1970s, Pikes has a somewhat more reserved atmosphere today, but still hosts parties with live DJs and the property is full of nods to its legendary past. For a quieter experience, have a meal at the restaurant at a time when there’s not a live show.

Day trips

FORMENTERA
Take the ferry over for the day to experience what locals call the “magical island,” with its crystal-clear turquoise water and white sandy beach. A trip to Formentera is about relaxation; this small island actually has a variety of beaches and beach clubs to choose from. Check out Beso at Ses Illetes for a Boho-chic local staple, Chezz Gerdi in Es Pujols for themed parties and the Instagrammable red van at the entrance, Piratabus at Es Arenals for signature mojitos and sunset views, or Blue Bar at Playa de Migjorn for fresh seafood and a tranquil, nature-forward vibe.

MALLORCA
This island deserves a trip of its own, but if you want to see the highlights in one day, you can take a ferry from Ibiza and then, once you arrive on Mallorca, take advantage of the hop-on, hop-off bus with twenty different stops. Among these stops are the 14th-century Castell de Belver, the Gothic Basilica of Santa Maria de Mallorca, and the ancient olive tree in front of the town hall at Plaça de Cort. If time permits, have a cliffside meal at Ca’s Patró March and try the sorbet made from locally grown oranges and lemons (or one of 40 other ice cream flavors) at Sa Fàbrica de Gelats. If you’re in a hurry, head to Es Rebost for well-made local favorites in a casual setting.

Where you eat will largely depend on where you’re staying and what activities you’re doing. Beyond these general recommendations, I can provide assistance with reservations and up-to-date information for options close to your chosen hotel.

There are plenty of options in Ibiza Town. Even if you’re staying elsewhere on the island, it’s worth heading over for dinner one night. Wander the winding, cobblestoned alleyways browsing menus; look for a place with outdoor seating for people watching that’s sure to be as good as the meal itself. Pino, El Olivo Mio, and La Plaza are good bets.

The southeast-facing stretch of the island in both directions from Ibiza Town (from Playa Talamanca down to Playa d’en Bossa) is walkable (most of it along the beach) and studded with restaurants and cafés you can pop into for a look at the menu or a quick bite. Hunt down a hidden gem of your own or stop at the Haddock Café, where we had a mouth-watering ceviche lunch with a sea view. A little off the beaten path (on the other side of Playa Talamanca from bustling Ibiza Town) is Sa Punta, which offers Mediterranean, Lebanese and Asian cuisines on different levels of the restaurant, all with breathtaking ocean views.

The village of Sant Antoni de Portmany has an urban feel in contrast to the resort vibe that encompasses most of the island. Bars and restaurants here advertise their sunset views since the village faces west; Café del Mar and Ibiza Rocks Bar are two of the places to enjoy these. Sant Antoni has an abundance of cheap food available into the late-night hours (think college town offerings like pizza and falafel). Visit Palapa for elevated cuisine with local ingredients at reasonable prices — plus an idyllic waterfront location that’s both covered and open to the elements so you can observe the parade of people and boats passing by.

Benirrás Beach is worth a trip even if you aren’t staying in the area. (Be prepared: The taxi line to leave the beach after sunset will be long, so it might be best to settle in for dessert, drinks, or a late dinner while you wait for the line to go down.) Elements Ibiza provides a quiet spot to rest in the shade (with delicious smoothies!) during the day; by night, it has a “see and be seen” vibe, but the food is delicious and the staff are earnest and eager to please. Restaurante 2000, located next door, offers local and international favorites in a relaxed, casual atmosphere.

If you are visiting the famous beaches at Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta, stop for lunch at Restaurante Cala Salada. Though busy and packed with tourists, the restaurant provides a tableside paella experience that is authentic and reliably delicious.