Ibiza is a 40x20 km island in the Balearic Sea that somehow contains multitudes: the world's most famous superclubs, a UNESCO World Heritage fortress, hidden coves with water clearer than a swimming pool, and a lingering hippie culture that started in the 1960s and never quite left.
This guide covers all of it.
Population: 150,000 year-round, doubling in summer. The island has three main areas: Ibiza Town (Eivissa) in the southeast, San Antonio in the west, and the quieter north around Portinatx and San Juan. The central interior is rural — white-washed fincas among pine forests and red earth.
Languages: Spanish and Catalan (Ibizan dialect). English is universal in tourist areas.
Ibiza Airport (IBZ) is 7 km from Ibiza Town. Budget airlines (Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling) fly from across Europe. Peak season flights are pricier — book early.
Ibiza Town (Eivissa): Central, walkable to Dalt Vila and the marina. Best for culture, dining, and moderate nightlife. Mid-range: 120-200 EUR/night.
Playa d'en Bossa: The party strip. Ushuaia and Hi are here. Loud, beach-focused, young crowd. Budget to mid-range: 80-180 EUR/night.
San Antonio: Western coast, sunset strip, more affordable. Good budget option with hostel-style accommodation from 30-50 EUR/night.
Santa Eulalia: East coast, family-friendly, quieter. Restaurants, a marina, a decent beach. 80-150 EUR/night.
North (Portinatx/San Juan): Rural, quiet, yoga-retreat territory. Ideal for the "other Ibiza" experience. 60-120 EUR/night.
Ibiza's superclub season runs late June through September.
Book tickets at ibiza-spotlight.com — many events sell out. No re-entry at most venues. Dress code: smart-casual (no sportswear, no flip-flops).
The south and west coasts have the biggest beaches (Playa d'en Bossa, Cala Comte, Cala Bassa). The east and north have hidden coves (Cala Mastella, Cala Xuclar, Pou des Lleo).
Top picks:
Ferry from Ibiza Town: 25 minutes, about 20-30 EUR round trip. Ses Illetes beach. Rent a bike (15-20 EUR/day). Crystal-clear water. Minimal development.
Ibiza dining splits between overpriced beach restaurants and genuinely excellent inland spots.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 30-80 EUR | 100-200 EUR | 300+ EUR |
| Dinner | 12-20 EUR | 25-45 EUR | 60+ EUR |
| Club entry | 30 EUR (guest list) | 50-60 EUR | 80+ EUR (VIP) |
| Car rental/day | 35 EUR | 45 EUR | 80+ EUR |
| Daily total | 80-120 EUR | 180-300 EUR | 500+ EUR |
Guest lists for clubs: sign up online at ibiza-spotlight.com or through PR workers on the streets for free or discounted entry.
The island is small (40x20 km) but the best calas require a car or scooter. Car rental: from 35 EUR/day (book 2-3 months ahead for summer). Scooter: 25-40 EUR/day. Bus network covers main routes but not hidden beaches.
Taxi apps: Ibiza Taxi and Cabify. Late-night taxis after clubs are scarce — plan ahead.
South + West = party, beaches, sunset bars, clubs, internationalism. North + Interior = quiet, bohemian, rural, yoga, hippie markets, empty coves.
Both are real. Both are excellent. The magic of Ibiza is that they coexist on an island you can drive across in 40 minutes.
English is spoken everywhere in tourist areas. But a few Spanish/Catalan words help:
Ibiza is expensive but manageable with strategy. Eat inland. Pre-game before clubs. Use guest lists for entry. Stay in San Antonio if budget matters. Stay in Ibiza Town if culture matters. Stay in the north if peace matters.
The island has been reinventing itself for 2,600 years — from Phoenician trading post to hippie commune to clubbing capital to UNESCO World Heritage site. It'll reinvent itself again. But right now, in 2026, it's all of these things simultaneously, and that's precisely what makes it extraordinary. For more on the non-clubbing side, read our 10 things to do in Ibiza beyond clubbing. And for a local's take on how the island has changed, our conversation with Carlos offers a perspective you won't find in guidebooks.
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