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Ibiza Travel Guide
Welcome to the Holiday Extras travel guide for Ibiza, a beautiful Balearic known for big parties, big beaches and big resorts.
What you will find in this guide:
Practical Info
Getting around Ibiza
Top things to do in Ibiza
Where to stay in Ibiza
What to eat in Ibiza
Practical Info
GMT +1
Euro EUR
Catalan & Spanish
Type F
Avg 2 hrs 25 min
How easy is it to get to Ibiza?
The easiest way to get to Ibiza is to fly, with plenty of direct flights departing from the UK. It takes around two and a half hours to get there. If you're already in Spain you can take a ferry to the island from Barcelona, Deny or Valencia, and it'll take a little over two hours to make the journey.
What currency do you need in Ibiza?
Ibiza, along with the other Balearic islands, is part of Spain. So as a member of the EU, it uses the euro.
Tipping isn't always expected but it will be appreciated, especially in taxis - just 5%-10%. Many restaurants add a service charge to the bill so only tip if the service has been very good.
What language do they speak in Ibiza?
The official language of Ibiza is Catalan. English is widely spoken in popular tourist areas as well, so you shouldn't have too many problems. Here are some Catalan phrases to get you started:
- Hello - Hola
- Goodbye - Adeu
- Please - Si us plau
- Thank you - Gracies
- Yes - Sí
- No - No
- I would like - Quisiera
- I'm sorry - Ho sento
Getting around Ibiza
By car
Ibiza has a small number of main roads and this actually makes it easier to navigate if you decide to hire a car while you're there. Thanks to its small size, you can drive around the whole island in a couple of hours if you wanted to �� we'd recommend taking it slow though, or you'll miss some of Ibiza's best scenery.
Ibiza only has two motorways, one which links the airport to Ibiza Town, and another which connects Ibiza Town to San Antonio. There's also a network of smaller carriageways and rural lanes that keeps the island connected.
By bus
It's very convenient to get the bus around Ibiza, with regular services running between the resorts every 30 minutes or so, and even night bus services to and from the airport in the summer. There's even a disco bus that runs between all major resorts from midnight to 6am.
If you have time, buy your tickets in a ticket office before boarding. Otherwise you can purchase your tickets from the driver.
By Ferry
If catching the bus doesn't float your boat, another handy way to get around the island is to take advantage of its small ferry network. Depending on where you're travelling from, ferries depart every half hour and you can use them to travel to most of Ibiza's main resorts and cities, including Ibiza Town, Figueretas and San Antonio.
You can also take the ferry to Formentera too. It's the smallest of the Balearics and you can't fly there – so a day trip from Ibiza by ferry is a great way to see it.
Ibiza Airport Transfers
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Ibiza Car Hire
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Top things to do in Ibiza
Formentera
You can reach this tiny island by taking the ferry from Ibiza town, and it's worth a visit purely for all the things you can do there. Whether you want to try watersports among the island's unspoilt coastline, uncover its eye-catching natural landmarks on a hike, or visit the lively markets to pick up local handicrafts including ceramics and textiles.
Surprisingly the island also has quite a lively nightlife. And while it's not quite on the same level as Ibiza's, it's perfect if you're looking for a more laid-back night out.
Cala Salada
This idyllic beach is sheltered by pine-forested cliffs and it's very popular thanks to its clear, shallow water and soft, white sand. It can get very busy and for good reason, so it's best to get there early.
The area around the beach is great fun to explore too, with rocky paths leading up into the hills and cliffs, from where you can jump into the sea if you're brave enough.
You can also discover the neighbouring beach of Cala Saladeta which is a bit more secluded so it doesn't get as busy as Cala Salada, but it's just as beautiful.
Dalt Vila
Dalt Vila is Ibiza Town's historic core, set on a small summit beside the sea that overlooks the rest of the city. The narrow medieval streets are all encircled by high walls built during the Renaissance. Following the ramparts up to the peak of the town is a great way to explore it .
Entering Dalt Vila is very dramatic as well, as you cross a stone drawbridge through the old city gates into Plaza de Vila, the main square. Here you'll find a collection of restaurants and art galleries as well as shops selling local crafts.
Dalt Vila is also home to Ibiza Cathedral, or the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Snows. It's built in a mighty Gothic style and houses many works of art, some of which date from the 14th century.
Ses Salines Natural Park
Set on the south side of the island, Ses Salines Natural Park is a protected wetland with a more rugged landscape to what you'd typically see in the Balearics – a unique mix of salt flats, marshland, forest, sand dunes and beaches.
Salt has been exported from here for centuries and was once one of the island's main sources of wealth. Now the park is a haven for migratory birds, with hundreds of species calling the landscape home. You can even see flamingos here if you visit at the right time.
Where to stay in Ibiza?
Playa d'en Bossa
If you've come to Ibiza to party, Playa d'en Bossa is where you need to stay. It's close to the capital and home to the island's largest outdoor mega club, Ushaïa – open day and night for pool parties and DJ sets.
The resort has a huge range of hotels and apartments to suit all budgets, many of which play club music throughout the day and into the night so you can party 24/7.
Don't worry if you want to get away from it though, Playa d'en Bossa has the longest beach in Ibiza.
Portinatx
Lying on the north of the island away from the vast clubbing crowds of the south, Portinatx lies among some of the island's most gorgeous scenery and boasts three stunning beaches.
There's a number of hotels close to the beaches, with quiet bars and restaurants too. The area surrounding the resort is ideal for exploring on foot too, with plenty of nature trails to follow, showing you some of the island's stunning landscapes.
Cala Tarida
Cala Tarida is set on a sheltered bay on the island's west coast, with an almost endless stretch of beach and calm clear water. It's less lively than the bolder party resorts so it tends to attract families who are drawn to its all-inclusive hotels and holiday villas.
The beach is ideal for watersports or simply relaxing in a quiet spot. There's a great selection of bars and restaurants lining the seafront so if you do want a night out, be it more chilled, you've got plenty of options.
What to eat in Ibiza
Seafood plays a big part in Ibiza's cuisine, which is no surprise given it's a small island. This also means it's almost always super fresh – Parrillada de Pescado is a seafood grill served in most beachside restaurants and the fish is normally grilled on the same day that it's caught – you can expect cod, turbot, lobster, octopus and more all sharing space on a skewer.
Very popular on the island, and with many different variations, is Arros de Matanca, a thick stew made with rice, mushrooms and local meat, and flavoured with saffron. Restaurants all have their own versions of the recipe, with different meats and fish, and if you want to try it at its most authentic, try and find a family-run restaurant.
Try the local tipple too – thyme is abundant on the island and is used to distill frigola, a sweet liqueur usually served after dinner.
