A cocktail of beautiful scenery, great weather, and gorgeous people - the White Isle is just the place to blissfully let the days and weeks slip by whether it be on a dancefloor or sharing quality time with friends in a bougainvillea draped villa.
Regular visitors often say that there are two very distinct Ibizas. On the one hand there are the "mad for it" Ibiza Uncovered style lads and ladies. They can be found downing jello shots in San Antonio and in certain corners of the clubs.
On the other hand, there is the rest of the island, where more discerning clubbers and those who have come for the other side of Ibiza – an energizing and spiritual retreat - can be found.
The Magic of Old Ibiza Town
It’s possible to spend weeks in Ibiza without venturing into Ibiza Town, but it’s well worth a visit to the stunning 1600 year old walled city. Explore its winding streets filled with great places to eat, drink, and watch the boys and girls go by.
One of the most popular places to gather and enjoy something to eat and drink is the Ibizan institution, Croissant Show. Clubbers, backpackers, locals, international jet set and superstar DJs all gather at this iconic café which serves more than 3,000 visitors a day in peak season. Croissant Show can be found at Mercado Viejo (Old Market) in Ibiza Town.
Ibiza Accommodation - From Backpackers to the Jet Set
There are a number of accommodation options for all budgets across the island, including hotels, apartment blocks and guesthouses. Those travelling solo or on a tight budget can take advantage of the numerous cheap hotel and discount Ibiza holiday websites on offer.
But the best – and some would argue only - way to experience Ibiza is renting a villa with friends. From charming and affordable smaller abodes to stunning super villas with infinity pools and guest houses, there is something for everyone. The best villas can be booked out years in advance though, so villa rental agencies advise potential clients to book as soon as possible.
Often so beautiful they are hard to move out of at the end of the holiday, a villa allows holiday makers to truly relax in style, and throw fabulous parties by their private pool. However, police have been clamping down on villa parties so it is best to be aware of neighbours and noise levels to avoid a fine.
Ibiza Clubbing Prices
Ibiza is of course known for its clubbinng, but it is also gaining a reputation as a destination where a round of drinks can cost a small fortune.
Most clubs charge around -€8, for any drink, whether it be a beer, spirit, mixer or water. Put a spirit with a mixer and it's -€16 a drink. Refilling water bottles in toilets won’t help keep prices down as the tap water in Ibiza’s clubs isn't drinkable.
If clubbers accept drinks from people they have met at the club, it's recommended that they always accompany them to the bar to watch the barman prepare the drink. There may not be many tricks to save money on drinks, but there are ways to save on club entry prices.
Clubbing on a Budget
Ibiza clubs can charge more than -€60 for entry on the door. Discounted tickets are available online or by buying ahead at various locations on the island.
It is also possible to get free tickets to Ibiza clubs. Club promoters can be found handing out free passes on the beaches to clubbers who are topping up their tans. Meanwhile those who dress to impress may be whisked to the front of the queue and allowed in for free. Remember, the promoters need people who are making an effort to make everyone else’s clubbing dreams come true.
Because for so many people, that’s what Ibiza’s all about. Clubbing. The island was named after Bez, the god of Dance, and after all these years it still offers some the best DJs and live dance acts around.
Superclubs and Superstar DJs Here We Go
Clubs such as Space and Privilege, which as the largest club in the world can fit 10,000 revellers under the one roof, are definitely an experience in themselves. It’s little wonder so many people go back year after year for the legendary Opening and Closing parties.
But things may be changing. In recent years the government has closed Privilege and Bora Bora for one month and DC10 for two months in the middle of the season for not doing enough to stop drug dealing.
There are some on the island who are worried the big clubs may not be able to survive if the government continues its hardline stance, while others welcome the crackdowns, saying it will help bring more of the right sort of people to the island.
Ibiza's Spiritual Energy
There’s definitely a sense of magic to Ibiza, a different energy. It's easy to see - or rather, feel - why it’s had a reputation as a spiritual location for more than 3000 years and was so important to the counter culture movement in the sixties.
Around 1000 BC Ibiza was home to the Phoenicians, who worshipped the goddess Tanit. The fiery goddess is associated with sex and fertility, but also destructive powers and hedonism, and there are those who believe she brings out the pleasure seeking part in us all.
Today there are a number of spots that people are drawn to, including Cala D’Hort, the beach that looks onto Es Vedra, Ibiza’s ‘magnetic rock’. Described as the third most magnetic spot in the world, Es Vedra has been known to affect compasses, and some believe it was the siren’s island in the Homer epic.
Whether people believe the stories or not, there’s no denying it is a popular and stunning place to swim in the warm Mediterranean Sea and enjoy a sangria underneath a beach umbrella.
Because that's part of what makes Ibiza so special. It's anything people want it to be.
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