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Oku Ibiza, Ibiza

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Ibiza

Updated 1 October 2026 · 13 things to do

Pictured: Oku Ibiza

Ibiza has a reputation that arrives before you do. Yes, the clubs are legendary. But the island is also a tangle of pine-covered hills, whitewashed villages, salt flats and coves with water the colour of a swimming-pool advert, and plenty of people come for those alone.

It's small, too. From Ibiza Town you can reach the beaches on the west coast, the hippy villages of the north and the sleepy east in under an hour, so you can swap a lazy beach day for a sunset on the cliffs without planning anything.

Don't miss

  1. 1Dalt Vila
  2. 2Es Vedrà
  3. 3Cala Comte
  4. 4Sunset in Sant Antoni
  5. 5Formentera

Old town and big sights

Start in Ibiza Town, then head to the coast for the island's most photographed rock.

  1. Dalt Vila

    Landmark

    Dalt Vila and the cathedral crowning Ibiza Town, seen from above
    Photo: UnFUG-Fabi, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The walled upper town of Ibiza Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's a proper climb: cobbled lanes, whitewashed houses, small galleries and tapas bars, all inside sturdy Renaissance walls that were built to keep pirates out. At the top sits the cathedral, with views across the harbour and out to Formentera.

    Walk the ramparts at golden hour, when the whole town glows.

    Tip: Wear flat shoes. The streets are steep and the cobbles are polished smooth.

  2. Sa Penya and the marina

    Neighbourhood

    Below Dalt Vila, the old fishermen's quarter of Sa Penya is a maze of narrow streets that now holds boutiques, bars and late-night restaurants. The marina next door is where the superyachts park, and where the evening promenade is half the entertainment.

  3. Es Vedrà

    Nature

    The rocky islet of Es Vedrà rising from the sea off Ibiza's south-west coast
    Photo: Macondo, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A steep, uninhabited rock that rises from the sea off the south-west coast, Es Vedrà is the image most people have in their heads when they think of Ibiza's wilder side. Legends cling to it: sirens, lost cities and mysterious energies. Whether or not you buy any of that, the sight of it glowing at sunset is hard to beat.

    The classic viewpoints are around Cala d'Hort, where you can watch the sun go down behind it.

    Tip: Arrive well before sunset in summer. The viewpoints fill up and parking is limited.

Beaches and coves

  1. Cala Comte

    Beach

    Sunset over the sea at Cala Comte beach
    Photo: AinaCE, CC BY-SA 4.0

    On the west coast, Cala Comte is a string of small sandy coves with clear turquoise water and low rocky islets just offshore. It's popular for a reason: swim in the afternoon, then stay for a sunset drink at one of the beach bars as the sky turns orange.

    Tip: Come early or late. Midday in high summer is busy.

  2. Benirràs

    Beach

    Musicians playing on the sand at Benirràs beach
    Photo: Cordula Schott, CC BY 2.0

    A horseshoe cove in the north-west with a laid-back, hippy feel. On Sunday evenings, drummers gather on the sand at sunset, a tradition that goes back to the island's hippy days and still draws a crowd.

  3. Ses Salines

    Nature

    The beach of Es Cavallet in the Ses Salines natural park
    Photo: JanManu, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Ibiza's southern tip is a natural park of salt pans, dunes and pine woods, where flamingos sometimes wade in the shallow pools. Salt has been harvested here for centuries. The park's long sandy beaches, including the naturist-friendly Es Cavallet, are some of the island's widest and calmest.

Sunsets and nightlife

  1. Sunset in Sant Antoni

    Nightlife

    Sunset over the sea at Café del Mar in Sant Antoni
    Photo: diluvi.com Anna i Adria, CC BY 2.0

    Sant Antoni's bay faces west, which makes it the island's sunset capital. The rocky shoreline west of the harbour is where Café del Mar made its name with chilled music and a front-row seat as the sun drops into the sea, and crowds still gather along the strip each evening.

    Tip: Book a table if you want to eat or drink right at the water. Walk along the bay instead and you can watch for free.

  2. Ibiza's superclubs

    Nightlife

    Pacha, Amnesia, Ushuaïa and Hï Ibiza are the names that put the island on the world's dance-music map. They are huge, loud and theatrical, with top DJs, big productions and dance floors that go on until sunrise. The season runs through the summer, and the line-ups change every year.

    Tip: Check who is playing before you pick a night, and book tickets ahead rather than turning up at the door.

Villages and markets

  1. Santa Eulària and Puig de Missa

    Neighbourhood

    The whitewashed church on the Puig de Missa hill in Santa Eulària
    Photo: Hans Bernhard (Schnobby), CC BY-SA 3.0

    On the east coast, Santa Eulària is a calmer, more family-friendly town with a leafy promenade, a marina and good restaurants. Above the old quarter, the fortified white church of Puig de Missa sits on a hill with views over the rooftops and out to sea, a lovely short stroll from the centre.

  2. Hippy markets

    Market

    Ibiza's hippy markets began in the 1960s and 70s, and they are still a fun browse for handmade jewellery, linen clothing and leather sandals. Las Dalias, near Sant Carles in the north-east, and the Punta Arabí market at Es Canar are the best known.

    Tip: Markets run on set days, so check before you head out.

Eat and drink

  1. Bullit de peix

    Food

    The island's classic fishermen's dish: fish poached with potatoes in a rich broth, followed by rice cooked in that same stock, with a spoonful of garlicky alioli on the side. It takes time, so order it at a beachside restaurant and settle in for a long lunch.

  2. Flaó

    Food

    A traditional Ibizan flaó pie
    Photo: ToNToNi, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Ibiza's signature dessert is a soft, crumbly pie of fresh cheese and eggs scented with mint. It isn't too sweet, and it goes perfectly with a strong coffee after dinner.

Day trips

  1. Formentera

    Day trip

    The pale sand and shallow water of Ses Illetes beach on Formentera
    Photo: MrPepanos, CC BY 3.0

    Ferries make the short crossing from Ibiza Town to Formentera, a flat, slow-paced island with some of the palest sand and clearest shallow water in the Mediterranean. Ses Illetes, on the northern peninsula, is the star. Hire a bike or scooter to explore, and stay for lunch with your feet near the water.

    Tip: Book your return ferry and keep an eye on the last departure time.

Where to stay in Ibiza

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Ibiza →

Getting around

A hire car or scooter gives you the most freedom, especially for the coves and the north. Buses link the main towns and some beaches, taxis are plentiful but can be pricey, and boat taxis run between a few of the coastal spots in summer.

When to go

Summer is peak season, when the clubs and beach bars are in full swing. May, June and September are warm and calmer, and the island is quieter and more local in winter, when many beach places shut.

Questions about visiting Ibiza

What is Ibiza best known for?
Its superclubs and dance-music scene, sunset bars, and a coastline of coves and beaches, plus the UNESCO-listed old town of Dalt Vila.
Is Ibiza worth visiting if you do not like clubbing?
Yes. Sunset spots like Cala Comte, the old town, markets, quiet villages and day trips to Formentera make it a great beach-and-culture holiday with no nightlife required.
What is there to do in Ibiza with kids?
The calm beaches around Santa Eulària, boat trips, walks around Dalt Vila and a day out on Formentera suit families well.
How many days do you need in Ibiza?
Four or five days is enough to see Ibiza Town, a few of the best beaches and a sunset or two. A week lets you add Formentera and the quieter north.
Do you need a car in Ibiza?
Not for the main resorts, which have buses and taxis. A car or scooter is useful for the quieter coves and the north of the island.

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