IBIZA, Spain

OVERVIEW OF IBIZA IbizaIbiza, often called the White Island for its typical architecture, became a major centre of touristical attraction during the 1960s, being then famous for its "Hippie-Culture" and nudist beaches. Today Ibiza has an ample offer as well for families and older visitors, anyhow, still there are the young ones who are attracted by the island's rollicking nightlife, which already starts in the afternoon, at the beaches and in the center of town, to continue until dawn in the numerous discotheques. If you leave the beaches behind you to explore the island's interior, you will find a pure and simple Mediterranean culture, and remains of populations which inhabited Ibiza thousands of years ago, as for instance the famous wall-paintings of Ses Fontelles . Ibiza (often written as Eivissa on the island) is only 30 miles by 12 miles at its widest yet has assumed a huge importance in European culture over the last 40 years. First it was one of the original hippy retreats, then it became a gay haven, now it is a dance mecca. And the legacy of that is that whoever, and wherever, you are on the island, you'll find an anything-goes atmosphere. After years being the poor relation among the Balearics, Ibiza has become one of Europe's trendiest destinations - thanks to a host of fashionable all-night clubs and hangar-sized discos. Its fame among the young has meant pop and film stars now take holidays here, the very latest fashions are in the shops and the latest dance-floor grooves can be heard in local clubs such as Amnesia, Space, Pacha, Eden and Privilege. Away from the clubs, Ibiza's coast is the most attractive bit, peppered with hidden beaches. The best are difficult to find and difficult to reach but if you do, they're as empty as any in the Mediterranean. The main resort beaches aren't bad, and often have excellent watersports facilities. They do get crowded, but on Ibiza there usually seems to be another quieter beach just round the next rock if you're determined. It has some hilly pine forests but nothing to compare with Mallorca's jagged peaks. Inland, Ibiza seems dry and scrubby but has olive groves, fruit orchards and salt lakes. There are some sleepy villages but few major sights. Ibiza Town is the main focus of the island. It does have a couple of great beaches nearby but most people are here for the night-time excesses. The place is simply crammed with bars, discos, clubs and late-night shops. The next biggest city, Sant Antoni, in comparison with Ibiza Town is simply an ordinary package holiday resort, but the third biggest town, the whitewashed family resort of Santa Eulalia, has plenty of old charm and is worth a day trip to explore.

Right Now · June 2026

Where to Eat

Es Mercat — The market-to-table concept that Ibiza Town has needed for years: a beautifully restored space where croquetas arrive crackling hot and the sea bass ceviche lands like a statement. Among the most-recommended tables in the old quarter, it earns repeat visits through consistency rather than novelty — order the tuna tartare and let the espresso martini follow.

Restaurante Sa Nansa — Sitting quietly near the port, Sa Nansa has been the island's keeper of authentic Ibizan cuisine long before the word authenticity became a marketing category. The rices are among the finest on the island — dense, juicy, properly rested — and the calamari with sobrasada is the kind of dish you reconstruct from memory on the flight home.

Ginger — Perched above Sa Punta with an unobstructed view of the water, Ginger threads together tapas and contemporary Mediterranean cooking in a setting that rewards lingering. Come for sunset, stay for the sea bass and a house sangria that doesn't insult the wine inside it.

STK Ibiza — The international steakhouse brand makes a credible case for itself at this Ibiza Town outpost, where service is sharp and the dry-aged cuts are treated with more seriousness than the surroundings might suggest. The ambiance skews theatrical; the food skews reliable. Order beef, trust the sides.

Ushuaia Tower Oyster & Caviar Bar — Positioned at the base of the Ushuaia Tower with a view out across Playa d'en Bossa, this is Ibiza's most unapologetically indulgent lunch stop: cold-water oysters, caviar service, and a wine list calibrated to the hour of day. The stylish, modern setting makes the extravagance feel considered rather than gratuitous.

After Dark

Pacha Ibiza — The island's enduring temple of dance has not coasted on legacy. A dramatic overhaul of its sound and lighting has delivered 360-degree immersive visuals, a VIP Garden with an atmospheric 'walking cloud' effect, and an ultra-exclusive VIP+ platform floating above the DJ booth. Residencies from Solomun, Marco Carola, and Robin Schulz anchor the weekly calendar throughout the summer season; the Flower Power Thursday is the island's most affectionate institution.

Amnesia — Set in San Rafael between Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni, Amnesia operates two massive rooms with excellent acoustics and stage scenography that genuinely transports. The Elrow Saturday residency brings theatrical excess — confetti, costume, genuine euphoria — while Pyramid and other techno nights attract a more purist crowd. Arrive before 1 a.m. and explore both rooms before the overselling sets in.

Aluna Funky Room — Tucked at the edge of Ibiza Old Town, Aluna Funky Room is the antidote to velvet-rope theatre: DJs from Pacha and Space alumni spin house, funk, and disco purely for the pleasure of it, often on their official nights off. The terrace commands a view of the castle walls; the cocktail program, particularly a Spicy Mezcal Margarita, is among the most carefully made on the island.

Out of Town

Formentera by Catamaran — The ferry is fine; the all-inclusive catamaran from Ibiza Town is considerably better. Glass-bottom deck panels reveal the extraordinary Posidonia seagrass meadows — a UNESCO-protected ecosystem — as the boat crosses to Formentera's Platja de Ses Illetes, where the water turns an improbable shade of Caribbean green. Half-day and full-day options are widely bookable; full-day gives you time to rent a bicycle on the other side.

Into the Island Jeep Safari — The operator takes small groups into the island's less-trafficked north and interior on 4x4 routes that reveal a genuinely different Ibiza: pine-covered hillsides, inland fincas, and coves that no taxi route approaches. The four-hour format is well-paced, with knowledgeable local guides who treat the terrain as something worth protecting.

Ibizkus Winery — One of the few producers working under the Vino de la Tierra Ibiza designation, Ibizkus grows Monastrell and Malvasia in soils that shouldn't, by any reasonable logic, produce wine this nuanced. The tasting experience, led by a guide described by visitors as genuinely informative rather than sales-focused, is a useful corrective to a week of nightlife. Book in advance.

On the Calendar

Elrow at Amnesia (Saturdays throughout summer 2026) — The Barcelona-born party brand brings its signature theatrical madness to Amnesia every Saturday of the season, running well into September. Confetti cannons, live performers roaming the floor, and a production budget that treats the dancefloor as a stage set make this the most visually singular club night on the island. Book tickets well ahead; Elrow Ibiza editions are a different animal from the touring shows.

Solomun+1 at Pacha (Sundays throughout summer 2026) — The Hamburg-based DJ's weekly Sunday residency has been among the most sought-after tickets in Ibiza for years, and the 2026 season continues the format: Solomun anchors the night with his characteristically deep, unhurried melodic techno, inviting a rotating cast of guests to open. The VIP Garden is the place to be positioned by midnight. Tickets for peak July and August dates sell out months in advance.