Are you thinking of spending a few days in Ibiza but don't know where to start planning your trip? Don't worry, follow these tips for traveling to Ibiza (and not screwing it up) and you'll have almost all your problems solved 😉
Oh, what is it about this island that breaks all generational barriers? A hippie (and hipster, ahem) vibe, crystal-clear waters, magnetic sunsets and plans for all tastes. But we've already told you everything there is to see and do in Ibiza , so today we're going to talk about those things that are always good to know before you get on the plane/ferry... How to get there? Where to stay? Where to eat? And all those details, perfect for not wasting time and enjoying an epic vacation.
Tips for traveling to Ibiza
Below we are going to tell you everything we would have liked to know before going to Ibiza: from all the options to get to the most magical island of the Balearics to everything to see, excursions and a few tips for traveling to Ibiza and not screwing it up…
Ready to set foot in one of the best destinations in Spain? Here we go:
1. Arrive in Ibiza by plane
To get to Ibiza there are two options: flight or ferry. Or well, if you want to swim, that's up to you 😉 If you choose to go by plane you will arrive at Eivissa airport , very close to Playa d'en Bossa. From there there are 3 city buses with different routes:
- Line 10 : which stops at the Ibiza bus station, at the port where ferries leave for Formentera, the port and goes to San Jorge.
- Line 24 : towards Santa Eularia and Cala Nova
- Line 9 : which goes to the San Antonio area
- More information about city buses
You can also take a taxi (the price to Ibiza town will be around €15-€20) or hire a transfer service ( more info ). Obviously this option is more expensive, but if you are travelling with friends, you may find that it is cheaper.
At the airport exit there are several offices where you can pick up your rental car if this is your option to get around the island (and the one we recommend!).
→ Find cheap flights to Ibiza
2. Getting to Ibiza by Ferry
If you choose to arrive by ferry, the only points on the peninsula connected to the port of Ibiza are Barcelona , Valencia and Denia . From the first two the route is overnight, while from Denia the journey is much shorter and is done during the day. There are only two companies that manage these routes: Balearia and Trasmediterranea . You will arrive at the port of the city of Ibiza, a stone's throw from Dalt Vila, the beautiful historic centre.
→ Here we tell you more about how to get to Ibiza by ferry
→ Comparison of prices, schedules and ferry companies
Flights are generally cheaper, but we recommend you take a look at both options with your dates and compare. The ferry also offers the added bonus of being able to bring your car and save on rental (although the extra fee may end up being more expensive than the rental price!).
3. What to do in Ibiza and how many days are needed?
We always say a minimum of 3 days , a maximum of as many as you want. It's true that 3 days are not enough to get to know the whole island of Ibiza even halfway well, that's clear, but you can enjoy a great getaway, combining beach, markets, towns and parties.
No matter how much time you have, try to at least include this in your itinerary:
- Visit some of the best beaches in Ibiza . For example, one day in Cala Saladeta and Cala Es Bol Nou, another in Cala Comta and another in Playa de las Salinas.
- Explore the beautiful historic centre of Eivissa (known as Dalt Vila ) where most of the charms of the island's capital are concentrated. Here we tell you 20 things to see and do in Ibiza .
- Spend at least one night partying in one of Ibiza's legendary clubs, such as Amnesia, Hi Ibiza, Pacha or Ushuaïa. To get there, you can use the "Discobus" and forget about complications.
- To “escape” from mass tourism, we tell you about 7 alternative plans in Ibiza .
What is the ideal time? We would say that if you have a week , you can take a long trip around Ibiza, as well as take a trip to Formentera .
4. Cheap accommodation in Ibiza: mission impossible?
It's no secret that accommodation in Ibiza is not exactly for backpackers (especially in high season). It's a problem that both tourists and residents suffer from... a friend worked there for a few seasons and told me absurd things about rentals. But don't lose hope! You can always find interesting offers , or focus your search on areas with more affordable accommodation .
In this post we tell you which are the best areas to stay in Ibiza and we recommend hotels and hostels that usually have good offers, even in high season. One of the tips for travelling to Ibiza on a budget is to look for accommodation in advance…
Remember that for a few years now, Ibiza has been charging a tourist tax , which is charged directly by the accommodation. It will be between €2 and €4, depending on the type of accommodation and the season in which you travel.
5. Where to eat well and cheaply in Ibiza?
As with accommodation, Ibiza is not a destination known for its cheap restaurants. However, by searching and searching, you can find places where you can eat really well and at more than reasonable prices . We promise!
Don't believe us? Well, take a look at our article with recommendations of restaurants where to eat in Ibiza (well and cheap) . Options for all tastes and budgets! Also, taking advantage of the fact that you will spend the day at the beach, a tip for traveling to Ibiza and saving a few euros is a classic: sandwich or tuppers and cans 😉 Yes, it is a tip for traveling to a crowded Ibiza, but very effective.
6. Rent a car, the best advice for travelling to Ibiza that we can give you
Ok, you've booked your flights, you've got your eye on a nice hotel and you know what are the essential things to do in Ibiza. Now all you need to do is figure out how to get around the island , and the solution is very simple: rent a car!
This is one of the best tips we can give you for travelling to Ibiza, as public transport does not reach everywhere, nor at all hours, so if you want to explore the island thoroughly, at your own pace and with total flexibility, a car is essential.
We always use the Auto Europe website , which is a search engine where you can find the best deals.
Another great option, if you plan to combine days of movement with days of beach time close to your accommodation, is to rent a motorbike . However, they are expensive: a one-day rental (with insurance) costs around €35-40. More information here . And please, if you decide to rent a motorbike, drive very carefully.
7. Take a trip to Formentera
To do this, you will have the option of doing it on your own , taking an early morning ferry and returning on one of the last ones in the afternoon. There are several companies that offer this route, with plenty of schedules throughout the day in summer. However, it is better to book in advance to avoid surprises. The price is €35 round trip.
And you can also do it by booking a day trip , with transfers, guide and activities, like this one .
We provide you with more information in our article on how to get to Formentera from Ibiza .
→ The best things to see and do in Formentera
→ What to do in Formentera in one day
8. The best sunsets in Ibiza
One of the unmissable things to do in Ibiza is to enjoy the sunsets. There are two places from where you can experience the best sunsets in Ibiza: Torre des Savinar , with great views of the islet of Es Vedrà, and Cala Benirrás where, if you go on a Sunday, you can attend its peculiar “drum festival”.
Don't go crazy trying to get the best photo, the important thing is the moment and immortalizing it in your memory, so relax!
9. Hippie markets in Ibiza
The flea markets are one of the hallmarks of Ibiza and it would be a real sin not to visit at least one of them (if not all!). The Dalias market is one of the most famous, it takes place every Saturday of the year but in summer there is a miniature version on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. There you will find clothes, crafts, souvenirs and especially, good vibes. Although the first of all was the Hippy Market of Punta Arabí , which began back in 1973.
› Most popular flea markets and where to find them
- Las Dalias : Saturdays and night market in summer (Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays). Location
- Punta Arabí : Wednesday. Location
- San Rafael (craft market): Thursday. Location
- Cala Llonga (market with all kinds of stalls): Thursday. Location
- San Miguel (craft market): Thursday. Location
- Sant Jordi (second-hand market): Saturdays. Location
- San José (crafts and local products): Saturdays. Location
- Forada Market (handicrafts and local products): Saturdays. Location
- San Joan (hippy and craft market): Sundays. Location
More tips for travelling to Ibiza and not screwing up
To complete the list, here are some other tips that will help you plan your trip to Ibiza:
- Bring a snorkel mask and booties with you , you will be grateful for doing so.
- Do not camp on the beach or anywhere else: it is prohibited and fines will not be a pleasant reminder of your stay.
- The apps you should download before arriving in Ibiza are: Welcometoibiza (complete guide to the island); Ibiza City (multimedia guide to the city); Ibiza Bus (information on bus lines); TAXI IBIZA (to order taxis); or Ibiza: Your beach guide (with the best beaches in Ibiza ).
- And finally, an obvious tip that can save you hundreds of euros: travel to Ibiza in the low season ! May, early June or, even better, late September and the whole month of October are ideal times to visit the island. And not only because prices are obviously lower, but because there are far fewer people and the climate will be milder than in the middle of summer.
Other Balearic Islands
Do you want to extend your holidays to the rest of the islands of the archipelago ? In this post we tell you about the best things to see and do in the Balearic Islands.
We hope that these tips will be of great help to you when travelling to Ibiza without making too many mistakes, and that they will help you spend some unforgettable days in one of the most magical destinations in all of Spain.
