Ibiza Travelers Recommend

Ibiza attracts partygoers from across the world keen to revel under the Spanish sun. And with around 80 beaches to choose from. there are plenty of options—there’s even room on the sand for some rest and relaxation. See below for info on some of Ibiza’s top beaches.

Cala Conta

With turquoise waters, white sand, welcoming beach bars, and spectacular coastal views, Cala Conta is widely considered one of the prettiest stretches of coastline in the Balearic Islands. Take to the waves by stand-up paddleboard and watch silver fish darting through the water below, then catch the sunset with a cocktail in hand as DJs spin relaxing beats on the beach. In summer, you can reach Cala Conta by ferry, which departs regularly from the harbor in San Antonio.

Cala Xarraca

Cala Xarraca sits on Ibiza’s northern shore, in one of the most remote and untouched corners of the island. Flanked by tall pine forests, Cala Xarraca offers everything an outdoor adventurer could ask for. Snorkel among colorful schools of fish, cast a line for blue marlin, or follow rugged hiking trails up into the high hillsides for sweeping coastal views. Isolated Cala Xarraca can be accessed only by road, and sits on the route to Portinatx.

Cala Bassa

Whether you’re looking for sun-soaked relaxation or adrenaline-fueled adventure, you’ll find it at Cala Bassa—one of the most popular beaches in Ibiza. Drop anchor to paddleboard or swim in the shallow waters, rent a private cabin to soak up the sunshine in peace, sip cocktails in the beach clubs, or dive off the high cliffs into the Mediterranean Sea.

Cala Martina

If it’s peace and quiet you want, Cala Martina is your oasis. It sits off the beaten track to the south of bustling Es Canar, offering visitors a wonderfully private feel. There’s plenty of opportunity for water sports like sailing and windsurfing, but Cala Martina remains most popular for those keen to relax with a book and watch the sultry sea.

Playa d’en Bossa

Party animals flock to the mile-long Playa d’en Bossa, keen to enjoy the vibrant bars, clear waters, and lively atmosphere for which this stretch of shoreline is famous. The largest beach on Ibiza, Playa d’en Bossa offers cocktail-fueled fun all day long. Beachside bars welcome thirsty revelers who enjoy all the sun, sand, and surf they can handle. You can reach Playa d’en Bossa easily by car, bicycle, or bus from Ibiza Town, only 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away.

Ibiza may be best known for its beaches and nightlife, but there’s much more to the Balearic island than that. From history and food to kayaking and cruises, here’s how to spend three days in Ibiza. 

Day 1: On Land

Spend the morning orienting yourself in Dalt Villa, Ibiza’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town; get an insider’s perspective on a walking, bike, or scooter tour. After lunch in town, rent a scooter and head out on your own, or go off-road on a Jeep tour to Ibiza’s more secluded beaches—set aside a couple of hours to spend on a white-sand beach as you’ll want to relax a bit before an evening of partying Ibiza-style. There’s no shortage of places to dance and drink on the island, but some of the best clubs can be found in Playa d’en Bossa, San Antonio, and Ibiza Town.

Day 2: In the Water

Dedicate today to enjoying the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Choose your own adventure—spend the day beach hopping around the island, learn how to scuba dive in turquoise waters, kayak to Xarraca Bay, Jet Ski in San Antonio Bay, or parasail high above the island. No matter how you choose to spend your day, wind down with a sunset catamaran cruise along Ibiza’s coastline; some cruises feature an open bar, which allows you to sip cocktails and sample Spanish tapas as the sun begins to set.  

Day 3: Fabulous Formentera

Devote your final day to exploring the neighboring island of Formentera, known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels worlds away from the clubs of the White Isle. Most day trips include round-trip boat rides, opportunities to swim and snorkel in the Mediterranean, and lunch either onboard the boat or at a beachfront restaurant. Some excursions also stop at Espalmador Island, an uninhabited islet that sits between Ibiza and Formentera. For the ultimate day of relaxation, opt for a private tour by luxury catamaran. 

Ibiza has a well-earned reputation as Spain’s party capital, but it also appeals to beach lovers and outdoor adventurers. With only one day on the island, you’ll still have enough time to get a taste of history, nature, and nightlife. Here’s how.

Morning: Around Town

Spend your morning in Ibiza getting your bearings. Depending on your travel style, take a self-guided tour of some of the island’s hidden gems; pedal through the Old Town on a bike tour; soak up the scenery on an off-road Jeep tour; or join a local to see a side of Ibiza that most first-time visitors miss. Consider a private tour that allows you to customize your itinerary so you don’t miss anything on your must-see list.

Afternoon: On the Water

No trip to the Balearic Islands would be complete without spending some time on the water, and this afternoon is your opportunity to do so. See the island from above while parasailing, take a speedboat cruise along the coast, or get active during an afternoon of wakeboarding, flyboarding, or kayaking. The White Isle also boasts many pristine beaches, so you could also soak up the sun on Cala Bassa or Cala Comte.

Night: Party in Ibiza

After the sun goes down, find out why Ibiza is internationally renowned for its nightlife. Kick off your evening with a sunset sail on a catamaran with an open bar and then make your way to one of the island’s clubbing resorts—Playa d’en Bossa, San Antonio, and Ibiza Town are top picks. If you’re visiting in summer, be sure to see which famous DJs are spinning on the island, or for a quieter evening, head to Santa Eulalia on the east coast for dinner and a nightcap. 

Two days on the third-largest Balearic Island give you plenty of time to enjoy spectacular beaches, party hard at a nightclub, and get off the beaten track. Here’s how to make the most of two days in Ibiza.

Day 1: Outdoor Adventure

**Morning:**Devote your first morning to exploring the island. Take a Jeep tour to discover off-road natural wonders or rent a scooter and explore the island at your own pace. A speedboat cruise also offers a fun introduction to the island, and allows you to escape the crowds on land. 

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon cooling off in the Mediterranean Sean. Take a kayaking tour of Xarraca Bay; discover Mediterranean marine life while snorkeling or scuba diving; or zip through the waters of San Antonio Bay on a Jet Ski. For a bird’s eye view of the island, opt for an afternoon of parasailing.

**Night:**Conclude your day with a sunset catamaran cruise along the coast. Many excursions include an open bar, so that you can enjoy a drink and some Spanish tapas as you sail.

Day 2: Culture & Nightlife

**Morning:**Dedicate this moring to Dalt Vila, Ibiza’s Old Town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn more about the city’s history on a walking or biking tour, or get fit and oriented on a running tour of Ibiza Town.

**Afternoon:**Explore Ibiza through the lens of your personal interests this afternoon. Learn to make the island’s traditional liqueur during a hands-on hierbas workshop, unwind at a yoga class, or learn about the medicinal plants of the Mediterranean on a foraging walk.

**Night:**Spend your final evening at one of the island’s pulsating nightclubs. You’ll find the heaviest concentration of options in Playa d’en Bossa on the east coast, San Antionio on the west coast, or Ibiza Town itself.

There are few better ways to explore Ibiza than by scooter. You can zip around the hilly terrain without so much as breaking a sweat, enjoy that wind-in-your-hair sensation, and find parking spots easily, even in busy locations. Here are your options for Ibiza scooter tours. 

Highlights

• Opt for an independent scooter rental to design your own itinerary and navigate your way around the beautiful island of Ibiza. 

• Weave through Ibiza Town’s Old Town (Dalt Vila), a UNESCO World Heritage–listed enclave surrounded by 16th-century walls.

• Cruise along the Mediterranean coastline from beach to beach, and admire views of the rock island of Es Vedrà. 

• Discover rural inland Ibiza, following quiet roads that lead to one-church villages and hilltop hamlets, stopping for a traditional lunch and passing by pine forests, vineyards, and sleepy farming towns along the way.

• Take a self-guided scooter tour around Ibiza’s sleepier sister island, Formentera, traveling to hideaway beaches, Las Salinas National Park, traditional towns, and Roman ruins.