Ibiza is famous for its nightlife, but the island packs far more than clubs into its 571 square kilometers. A UNESCO-listed old town, pine-backed coves with water so clear you can see the bottom at 15 meters, Phoenician ruins from 654 BC, and a countryside of almond groves and stone terraces offer a completely different side of the White Isle. Here are the best things to do in Ibiza, organized by category, with hours, prices, and practical tips.
Ibiza weather by month Ibiza guideThings to Do in Ibiza: Historical and Cultural Attractions
Dalt Vila (Ibiza Old Town)
The upper fortified quarter of Ibiza Town, Dalt Vila, earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999. The 16th-century Renaissance walls designed by Italian engineer Giovanni Battista Calvi encircle a maze of cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and bougainvillea-draped plazas. Enter through the Portal de ses Taules gate with its Roman statue copies. Walk the full rampart circuit (free, roughly 1.5 km, about 45 minutes) for views of the port, Formentera on clear days, and the cathedral. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Snows (Catedral de Santa María) dates to the 13th century and sits at the highest point; entry is €3, open 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm (July to September hours extend to 9 pm). The adjacent Archaeological Museum (€3 combined ticket with the cathedral) displays Phoenician and Carthaginian artifacts excavated on the island. The Museu d’Art Contemporani (MACE), housed in a 17th-century building at Ronda Narcís Puget, is free and open Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm (closed Mondays). Start your visit at 9 am in summer to avoid the midday heat and cruise-ship tour groups.
best time to visit IbizaPuig des Molins Necropolis
This Phoenician-Punic burial ground on Via Romana in Ibiza Town contains over 3,000 underground tombs carved into the hillside from the 7th century BC onward. The site is the largest and best-preserved Phoenician necropolis in the Mediterranean. The on-site monographic museum (€2.40, open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 2 pm) displays the famous bust of the goddess Tanit and grave goods including jewelry, amulets, and pottery. The outdoor hypogea (underground chamber tombs) are viewable from the paths. Give yourself 90 minutes to see both museum and grounds. The necropolis plus Dalt Vila together are the reason UNESCO inscribed Ibiza under the category of “Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture” in 1999.
Ibiza events and festivalsSa Caleta Phoenician Settlement
Located on a headland just south of the airport, this archaeological site preserves the foundations of the earliest Phoenician settlement on Ibiza, dating to roughly 654 BC. It is the oldest known urban settlement on the island. The site consists of stone house foundations laid out in a rough grid pattern. Interpretive panels in Spanish, Catalan, and English explain the layout. Entry is free and the site is always open (unstaffed). Combine it with a visit to the nearby Sa Caleta beach (a sheltered red-cliff cove) for a morning of archaeology and swimming. The settlement was abandoned around 600 BC when the population moved to what became Ibiza Town. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the site itself.
Ibiza neighborhoods guideThings to Do in Ibiza: Best Beaches and Coves
Cala Comte (Platges de Comte)
On the west coast about 10 km from San Antonio, Cala Comte delivers some of the clearest water on Ibiza. The beach splits into three small coves of fine golden sand, each separated by rocky outcrops. The shallow, turquoise water makes it excellent for families, and the sunset views (facing the islets of s’Espartar and ses Bledes) draw crowds from 6 pm onward. Two beach bars (Sunset Ashram and S’illa des Bosc) serve cocktails and food. Parking is a large dirt lot that fills by 11 am in July and August. The L34 bus from San Antonio runs every 30 minutes in summer (€2.10). Bring water shoes for the rocky entry at the southern cove. The sunbeds on the main beach rent for €10 per day.
where to stay in IbizaLas Salinas (Ses Salines)
Ibiza’s most famous beach sits in the Ses Salines Natural Park at the southern tip of the island. The 1.5 km stretch of fine white sand is backed by dunes, pine trees, and wooden beach bars. Celebrities, models, and well-heeled tourists mix at the Jockey Club and Sa Trinxa beach bars, both serving €15 cocktails with a side of Balearic beats. Parking costs €5 to €7 in the official lot during summer and fills by 10:30 am. The L11 bus runs from Ibiza Town (€2.10, roughly every 20 minutes in season). The water is shallow and clear, with views of Formentera across the channel. The southern end near the old pirate tower is quieter. Nudism is common at the far southern end. The salt flats behind the beach (from which the beach gets its name) have been harvested since Phoenician times and attract flamingos in spring and autumn.
Ibiza travel tipsCala d’Hort and Es Vedrà
Cala d’Hort is a small pebble-and-sand beach on the southwest coast with a direct view of Es Vedrà, the limestone islet rising 382 meters from the sea. Es Vedrà is wrapped in local legend (said to be the tip of Atlantis, a UFO magnet, and the home of the Sirens from the Odyssey). The beach itself is compact and gets crowded, but the view is the real attraction. Park at the clifftop lot above the beach and walk down (5 minutes). Three seafood restaurants (Es Boldadó, El Carmen, and Restaurante Cala d’Hort) serve fresh fish with Es Vedrà views. For the best photo, hike up to the Torre des Savinar pirate tower (20-minute steep walk from the parking area) for a panoramic view of the islet against the Mediterranean. Sunset here is spectacular. No bus service reaches Cala d’Hort; you will need a car or taxi (roughly €35 from San Antonio).
Things to Do in Ibiza: Nature and Outdoors
Ses Salines Natural Park
The protected wetland between the southern end of Ibiza and northern Formentera covers 2,800 hectares of land and 13,000 hectares of marine area. Walking trails wind through the salt pans where sea salt has been harvested since the 7th century BC. The main trail starts at the Sant Francesc de s’Estany church (free parking) and loops for about 5 km on flat, gravel paths. Birdwatchers can spot flamingos (best in spring and autumn migration), black-winged stilts, and Audouin’s gulls. The interpretation center at Sant Francesc (free entry, open daily 9 am to 4 pm, shorter winter hours) explains the salt-harvesting process and the park’s ecology. Bicycle rental from Ibiza Town (roughly €15/day) makes for a pleasant flat ride to the park along the coast road. Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the trails.
Cova de Can Marçà
This natural cave system in Port de Sant Miquel on the north coast was used by smugglers in the 19th and 20th centuries. The 40-minute guided tour (€12.50 adults, €8 children 6 to 12, under 6 free) takes you 12.5 meters underground through chambers with stalactites, stalagmites, and a 10-meter waterfall (artificial, but dramatic with colored lighting). The cave opens daily from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm (May to October); winter hours are 11 am to 5 pm (November to April, closed some weekdays). The tour includes stories about the smugglers who used the cave’s sea-level exit to move contraband. The temperature inside is a constant 20°C, a refreshing break from summer heat. The views of the bay from the entrance terrace are worth the trip alone. Arrive early (before 11 am) to avoid tour-bus crowds.
Things to Do in Ibiza: Hippy Markets
Las Dalias Hippy Market
The island’s most famous market runs every Saturday (all year, 10 am to 8 pm summer, 10 am to 6 pm winter) in the village of Sant Carles de Peralta in the northeast. Over 200 stalls sell handmade clothing, jewelry, leather goods, ceramics, and artisan products spread through a lush garden setting. The market started in 1985 and retains its bohemian vibe despite its fame. Live music plays throughout the day. The on-site restaurant serves organic food and fresh juices. At night (June to September, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7 pm), the Las Dalias Night Market adds DJs, street food, and a different vendor lineup. Parking is free but fills fast; aim to arrive before 11 am for the day market. Bus L16 from Ibiza Town to Sant Carles (roughly €2.50, 40 minutes, hourly in summer).
Punta Arabí Hippy Market
Running every Wednesday (May to October, 10 am to 7 pm) in Es Canar on the east coast, Punta Arabí is the largest and oldest hippy market on the island, founded in 1973. It hosts over 500 stalls selling crafts, clothing, musical instruments, and global street food. Live bands, drum circles, and children’s activities add to the festival atmosphere. Entry is free. Parking costs €3. The L13 bus from Ibiza Town stops at Es Canar (€2.50, 40 minutes). This market is bigger and more commercial than Las Dalias but still worth a visit for the scale and energy. Go early (by 10:30 am) to browse before the midday crush. Bargaining is common and expected, particularly on clothing and jewelry.
Things to Do in Ibiza: Day Trips from Ibiza
Formentera Ferry Trip
The 30-minute ferry to Formentera, Ibiza’s smaller sister island, is the most popular day trip. Ferries depart from Ibiza Town port (Balearia, Trasmapi, Aquabus, and Mediterránea Pitiusa) roughly every 30 minutes in summer (7 am to 9 pm) and hourly in winter. Return tickets cost €45 to €55 in summer, €30 to €40 in winter. Book online at balearia.com for slight discounts. Formentera’s main draw is Platja de Ses Illetes, often ranked among Europe’s best beaches, with shallow Caribbean-blue water and white sand. Rent a bicycle at the port (€15 to €20/day) or a scooter (€30 to €40/day) to explore; the island is only 20 km long. Bring cash since many beach restaurants do not accept cards. The last ferry back is around 8 pm in summer; confirm times at the ticket office on arrival.
Es Vedrà Boat Trip
Several operators run boat trips from San Antonio harbour around Es Vedrà and the western coves. A typical 3-hour trip (€35 to €50 per person) includes stops for swimming in isolated coves inaccessible by land, a circumnavigation of Es Vedrà, and drinks. Departures are at 11 am, 2 pm, and sunset (roughly 6 pm to 9 pm in summer). Book at the kiosks along San Antonio’s promenade a day ahead. The sunset cruises are most popular and sell out. Private charters for up to 6 people run €300 to €500 for a 4-hour trip. The boat gives you the closest possible approach to Es Vedrà and access to the sea caves on its western face. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a light jacket for the return trip.
Things to Do in Ibiza: Nightlife and Clubbing
Pacha Ibiza
The original Ibiza superclub opened in 1973 and sits at Avenida 8 de Agosto in Ibiza Town. Pacha’s cherry-logo brand now spans the globe, but the Ibiza original remains the flagship. The club holds about 3,000 people across multiple rooms with a rooftop terrace. Key residencies include Solomun (Sundays), Music On with Marco Carola (Fridays), and Flower Power (Saturdays, a 1970s-themed night). Tickets range from €40 to €70 online via pacha.com. Doors open at midnight and the main room peaks at 3 am to 4 am. The dress code is stylish but not rigid; no flip-flops or swimwear. Drinks are expensive (€15 to €20 for a spirit and mixer). The rooftop terrace opens at 10 pm for early-evening cocktails with port views.
Hï Ibiza
Opened in 2017 on the former Space Ibiza site in Playa d’en Bossa, Hï Ibiza is the island’s most technologically advanced club. It features three rooms: the Theatre (main room with a 20-meter LED screen wall), the Club (underground feel), and the Wild Corner (an unisex bathroom-turned-mini-club). Major residencies include David Guetta’s F*** Me I’m Famous (Fridays), Black Coffee (Saturdays), and Glitterbox (Sundays). Tickets run €45 to €80 on hiibiza.com. The sound system is a custom Funktion-One installation. The outdoor terrace opens at 9 pm for sunset sessions. Arrive by midnight for headline sets. The surrounding Playa d’en Bossa strip has late-night food options for the post-club hunger. Hï Ibiza closes for the season in early October.
Amnesia
Opened in 1976 on the highway between Ibiza Town and San Antonio (Carretera Ibiza a San Antonio, Km 5), Amnesia is famous for its two distinct rooms: the Main Room (huge terrace-style with a glass roof that lets in the sunrise) and the Club Room (dark, enclosed, industrial). The terrace fills with morning light around 6 am, a legendary Ibiza experience. Key residencies include Elrow (Saturdays, outrageous costume parties with confetti cannons and inflatables) and Pyramid (Sundays). Tickets are €40 to €65 via amnesia.es. The club holds roughly 5,000 people. The foam party during Elrow soaks the crowd; wear clothes you do not mind ruining. Water is free at the bar, and the outdoor garden area provides a quieter space to recharge. Amnesia runs from late May to early October.
Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel
Ushuaïa is an open-air day club and hotel in Playa d’en Bossa that runs from 5 pm to midnight, making it the pre-game venue before the nightclubs. It features a swimming pool flanked by stages, aerial performers, and massive LED screens. Major residencies include Calvin Harris (Tuesdays), Martin Garrix (Thursdays), and Armin van Buuren (Sundays). Tickets are steep at €50 to €90. The crowd is hotel guests plus ticket holders, creating a hybrid pool-party atmosphere. Arrive by 7 pm for the support acts; headline sets start around 9 pm. The venue shuts down at midnight sharp due to noise regulations, after which the crowd disperses to Hï Ibiza (next door) or elsewhere. Book tickets on theushuaiaexperience.com.
