Ibiza Travel Guide: The Secrets of Ibiza

Table of Contents

Have you ever been to Ibiza?

Before I’ve ever been to Ibiza for the first time I had a very wrong impression of what it actually was.

My thoughts were that it was had to be a lame, dirty island, infested with party-goers. This association to the intense Ibiza nightlife was enough to make me cringe at the thought of ever visiting Ibiza.

It wasn’t until I was last minute invited by some friends to join them while they attending a wedding there that everything changed. Of course, considering that I was living in Barcelona and that a flight as cheap as 50 euros could fly me to Ibiza in less than an hour, this was an exciting opportunity that I was not willing to miss, even if Ibiza was not a priority on my bucket list.

Hence, in a matter of 2 days after that, there I was at the airport, all excited to meet my friends at the infamous Ibiza island, carry on at hands packed with summer clothes. Moreover, considering how last minute everything was, I hardly had time to prepare for my trip.

(this meant no time to go on Pinterest to research what to wear for summer in Ibiza and also no time to buy stylish swimsuits. Heck, I didn’t even have time to research what type of outfits to wear for partying in Ibiza, or even what were the good – and lame – clubs there).

Yes, the trip planning was a total disaster and if I can be honest, I couldn’t care less. I mean, how out of character would I be in Ibiza?

Well, check the picture below and let me know who do you think I am there! You have one guess (pretty sure you would not need any more than one)

Travel to Ibiza Summer Outfits — *Can you guess who I am? Pretty easy, no?*

Indeed, I am the boring outlier to the left of all those stylish beautiful girls. It got to the point that when my mother saw this picture she asked me why hadn’t I dressed up better, considering I am in Ibiza.

I was also surprised to notice that everyone there had kind of the same style of beachwear (a memo that I clearly missed). Their overall look consisted of a one-piece swimsuit paired with long skirts (that had an opening for the leg), or stylish seethrough summer dresses.

It didn’t take me long to feel like an absolute alien around all these girls. I made a mental note to remember all the interesting details that I had noticed so that if I had a chance to visit next time, I would blend in better with the crowd of beautiful girls.

The following year I was much more in accordance to the Ibiza style

(well, turns out that I actually had a freakin‘ blast while I was there and, believe it or not, I ended up returning the following year… And then the following one too).

Because of all that, I’ve decided to also share some other valuable tips that I’ve been learning from having this annual summer escape to that magical piece of Spain.

After 3 visits to Ibiza, these are the beaches I’m happy to come back again and again:

Nothing more beautiful than a sunset at a beach during summer — *The beautiful Cala d’Hort during sunset*

Cala Comte: a must-visit. To me, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ibiza, with stunning island views and crystal clear waters.
Sa Caleta: Expect to see the contracts between clear waters and dramatic red cliffs.
Cala d’Hort: A charming beach with a spectacular view of the mystical Es Vedrà.
Aigües Blanques: The perfect place for your sunrise: A sandy beach where you can actually get a free mud face mask. What a winner!
Cala Saladeta: The perfect postcard beach and something that should be witnessed with your own eyes.
Punta Galera: Expect to see naked people here, as it is mostly frequented by nudists. If that doesn’t bother you (or if you want to join the crowd), know that this beach is also a great option for a beautiful sunset.
Ses Salines: This beach was named after the salt lakes nearby, and it is conveniently well-located.
Cala Bassa: If staying at the beach all day is part of your plans, then you’ll love Cala Bassa, a beautiful beach surrounded by stunning trees (perfect for an afternoon shade to escape the summer heart).
Cala Xarraca: A secluded beach with some of the clearest waters in Ibiza. One of my personal favorites, considering it has fewer people around.

PACKING LIST

What to Pack for Summer in Ibiza

If you visit Ibiza in summer, leave your jacket at home, pack light and don’t forget your swimsuit!

As explained earlier in the post, even though Ibiza is a beach destination, expect to see people with the most outrageous styles all around. Even the girls who dress more discreet will be wearing either a stylish swimsuit or fashionista beach skirt.

So if fashion is your thing, be prepared to have fun experimenting with fashion accessories.

On the other hand, some beach essentials apply the same as to any other beach destination. With that in mind, I’ve written below a short list of essentials that are fundamental to take with you during your trip to Ibiza.

Keep in mind that it can be quite an expensive Island, and ideally, it is best to avoid buying anything there in order to save some cash.

10 items you should take to your Ibiza vacation:

I’ve created a fun IG TV video with many outfit ideas for Ibiza that I strongly recommend you checking out for some summer inspo. CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Get ready with me. PAcking for Ibiza today and decided to do a try on haul for you guys with some summer style inspiration. Cute and trendy summer outfit ideas for women. Look chic with these outfit suggestions to wear for vacation during those hot summer days. Beach, airport and evening outfits to look classy at any occasion this #summer. #summeroutfits #classyoutfits #summerbucketlist @classicstyle #summervibes — *PIN THIS FOR LATER*

My Favorite Beach Picks

As a good Brazilian, the beach is kinda my second home. Because of that, I am usually well-equipped to enjoying a day in the sun. Find below my favorite items to spend a day at the beach like a boss:

Fatboy Lamzac – My absolute FAVORITE beach pick. Say hello to feeling like the ultimate king of the beach.
Kindle – as a Traveler I had to let go of the hard copy books in favor of ease. I tried fighting against kindle for many years, but I ultimately made the switch because I was tired of the amount of space my books were taking and if I can be honest, I am so happy I did. I am obsessed with my kindle. Plus if you have an Amazon Prime account you have options of free reads for your kindle.
Beach Tent – Umbrellas are so last year. The best way to stay protected from the sun (and any unpleasant wind) is by equipping yourself with a beach tent.
Beach Blanket – a pro alternative to the beach towel
Cooler – Thinking on spending a day on a boat, or a long day at a remote beach? Take some fresh water, drinks (and why not some cold fruits)? Keep them all fresh by bringing a cooler with you.
Iphone waterproof case – Something we overlook until the day our iPhone accidentally goes for a swim with us in the water
Mocassin – I am such a fan of Mocassin for beach outfits. They give kind of a sailor look, at the same time they are super chic. I think I have mocassins in every color. If you notice the picture taht I am with the girls in Ibiza, I am wearing navy blue mocassins.

ARRIVAL TO IBIZA

The view from the plane upon arrival is quite spectatcular

Ibiza has an international airport which serves both the island of Ibiza and it’s cousin, Formentera (a quieter neighboring island that you can go by taking a quick ferry). The airport is just about 7.5 kilometers away from the center of Ibiza (so less than 10 minutes by car).

Furthermore, Ibiza’s airport is well connected by both road and sea (this means that depending on from which country you leave, you can either arrive by plane or by a ferry).

As an example, by now you guys are probably familiar that I have been living in Barcelona for the past 3 years. This means that all these times in which I’ve been to Ibiza was by taking a quick 1-hour flight.

Pro Tip: Save some money on a hotel night. Book an early flight around 8h AM and you’ll be In Ibiza by 9h and likely at the beach by 10h (and also most probably even before the Ibiza party-goers have a chance to wake up).

FYI – The majority of international flights in and out of the island are seasonal, operating during the main tourist season between May and October.

DRIVING

It might be cheaper to rent a car to drive around, just keep in mind that the police is very aware of the fact that people drink during parties, so expect many patrols at the exit of clubs (even in the morning hours).

Tip – There are night buses and taxis available at every club.

Here are my top practical tips for driving in Ibiza

Plan yourself to book your rental car in advance in order to get the best possible rate.
Beware of the speed limit at all times (also please note that it varies depending on the area, from 30 to 100 km/h, as a maximum).
On that note, if you do speed, beware of radar cameras as well. As you can imagine, being a party island, you can find quite a few of them spread out in various parts of the city
Don’t expect parking to be easy, especially in Ibiza town. However, many beaches have paid parking available for a small fee (around 3€/day).
Be smart and add comprehensive insurance to your booking to avoid additional charges. Your car can be damaged by gravel or other drivers.

Pro Tip – If you plan to return your car at the airport, plan to go with enough time at hands, especially if you need to refuel: there are just a few gas stations in the island and it may take you up to 30min to fill up your tank.

WHERE TO EAT IN IBIZA

*Last time we were in Ibiza, Cris took me to an AMAZING restaurant called Amante (warning: not cheap)*

BUY CLUBS TICKETS IN ADVANCE

A huge Ibiza rookie mistake is to wait to get your tickets last minute at the door, especially when it comes to the hottest clubs and popular events. Not only will buying tickets at the door cost you more, but you’ll also probably have to stand in line for at least an hour or more (and even risking not making it past the velvet rope).

Why waste all that party time?

Haveyou ever been to Ibiza_ did you know it is much more than simply a party island_

You can buy packages online through companies like Spotlight or Together Week.

My favorite clubs in Ibiza

As a note, be aware that Ibiza has clubs for every styles and taste. So if electronic music is not your thing, you can also easily find more commercial DJs available, such as David Guetta.

Below I will give you a general overview of the best clubs in Ibiza for all tastes (with their best days of the week, according to resident DJs).

The ones that I’ve insert a * are the ones that I personally like most.

Monday: Shine Ibiza (DJ resident Paul Van Dyke) or Circo Loko at DC10
Tuesday: Ushuaia presents Tomorrowland (DJ resident: Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike)
Wednesday: Paradise at DC10
*Thursday: Hï Ibiza Club: Hi (DJ Residents: Afterlife) – Of course I will start with my personal favorite. Not only I believe Hi is an awesome club (they eve have surprise DJs playing INSIDE the bathroom), but Afterlife’s style is my favorite type of electronic music, being more melodic.
*Friday: Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza (children from the 80s) – expect hits from 80s and 90s in this fun outdoor party.
*Saturday: Hi Ibiza (DJ Black Coffee) – Winner of the Best Deep House DJ award at the International DJ Awards in Ibiza, rapidly became one of the biggest stars of the scene
Sunday: Pacha (Solomun + 1) – A favorite to many, such an icon needs no introduction, but I’ll do it anyway. The man that changed the panorama to the house genre with its unique style, going from deep to tech house beats and beyond, awaits for you each Sunday in the famous and beloved Pacha.

Tip – Check local flyers for deals, or score some wristbands from the many promoters trolling the streets (be sure to check their ID to make sure they’re legit. You can imagine the number of scammers that exist on that island during summertime).

Pro Tip – Sign up to the social media accounts for the ‘’super clubs’’ (you never know when they are going to announce a promotion).

Before I’ve ever been to Ibiza for the first time I had a very wrong impression of what it actually was. My thoughts were that it was had to be a lame, dirty island, infested with party-goers. This association to the intense Ibiza nightlife was enough to make me cringe at the thought of ever visiting Ibiza. #traveltoibiza #ibizasummer #ibizatravelguide #ibizaactivities — *PIN THIS POST FOR LATER*

DON’T ENTER THE CLUBS BEFORE 00H

Being a Spanish island, don’t expect things to start early, and that also applies to the time that parties actually start.

Even though clubs offer cheaper entrances to early birds, ideally you don’t want to be inside any club in Ibiza before 1h. This can work to your advantage, as you can use the extra time to relax after the whole day at the beach (maybe take a nap?) and even do some proper pre-drinks before clubbing. Keep in mind that drink is inside clubs are extremely expensive, so if saving up some extra bucks is on your list, be sure to drink p before going in.

DON’T DRINK THE TAP WATER

This brings me to my next post. As aforementioned, drinks at the nightclubs are notoriously overpriced (for example, a bottle of water can set you back €8-10. A simple beer can cost €10 and vodka with coke around €20). Bars and restaurants are slightly more reasonable, but it’s still expensive.

Bottles of wine, beer and spirits are relatively cheap from the supermarkets.

People complain about high salt and calcium levels, and it also has a high chlorine content and taste.

NO HEELS

This is mostly a tip for women and even something that I was a bit surprised to notice when I went for the first time. I half expected to find extremely well-dressed girls, wearing high heels to the parties but I couldn’t be more wrong: Ibiza party-goers value comfort over looks, and wearing comfortable footwear is key when you’re dancing on your feet (or standing in a line) all night long.

People having fun and partying in Ibiza during summer.

Sure, heels may look cute, but they’re just not practical here. You’ll quickly notice that none of the hip fashionistas wear sky-high stilettos here. As a contrast, flip flops are probably on the “too casual” end of the fashion spectrum and would be kind of painful if/when you get stepped on by another fervent dancer.

Aim for some sexy flats, summery sandals or maybe comfy low wedges if you want to achieve a balance of style and comfort.

And party the night away, my friend!