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Ibiza has become a hugely popular holiday destination for young revellers, middle-class European package tourists, and gay travellers, whose collective character imbue the island with a chic and trendy atmosphere that is at its most colourful in the frenetic nightlife.

Ibiza is renowned, quite rightly, as one of the best clubbing destinations in the world but Ibiza really is a destination for everyone and the good year-round weather makes it a top spot for a week or two away.

For many, this might conjure up images of rowdy revelers making a racket at all hours of the day and night and in some of the big resorts this can be the case.

However there’s much more to the island than the super clubs and away from the bustling resorts you’ll find family friendly beaches, unspoilt fishing villages, Stone Age ruins and fragrant olive, orange and lemon groves.

The climate in Ibiza is basically warm all year round. From November to April the average Ibiza weather forecast temperature is between 15C and 25C. Its in August when the Ibiza forecast can give you temperatures that can reach a sizzling 31C. Latest Ibiza weather.

Ibiza Quick Facts

Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish, English widely spoken
Flight time: Two hours from London
GMT: GMT +1 (+2 in summer)
Weather: Warm summers, mild winters with some rain
Dialling code: 00 34 (national) 971 (local)
Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz, round two-pin plugs

Getting there, getting around Ibiza

There are low-cost, package and scheduled airlines flying into Ibiza daily throughout the summer so shop around for the best deals.

The local bus services between the larger towns on Ibiza are very good and there are even some routes to the smaller towns and villages – look out for the orange buses.

Clubbers will be pleased to know that there’s a disco bus which runs in a continuous circuit around the island’s top clubs so you shouldn’t have any trouble trying two or three in one night.

There are plenty of car hire firms at the airport and in the major towns, and this is probably the best transport option if you really want to explore the island.

Beaches in Ibiza

There are some fantastic beaches along every stretch of coastline. Some of those in the big resorts like San Antonio and Ibiza town have been ruined a bit by the presence of several high-rise concrete monstrosities.

It’s easy to find the more gorgeous beaches though, if you head a little off the beaten track. Puerto de San Miguel Beach is a good size and the curved stretch of sand is backed by pine-covered hills which are great for those who fancy the odd little walk when they’re tired of sunbathing.

It’s just a short distance away from the caves of C’an Marca, a former smugglers’ haunt.

In the east of the island, Es Figueral is a really good all-rounder, with shallow waters (making it good for families), plenty in the way of watersports and good facilities. Otherwise, you can join the masses who head to Calo des Moro in San Antonio every day to watch the sunset with a DJ-led musical accompaniment at the Cafe del Mar.

Sightseeing in Ibiza

Most visitors don’t really come to Ibiza for the sights, but there are a few interesting towns and historical monuments. The old port of Sa Penya is a great place to go people watching. It’s full of narrow, crowded streets and squares nestled around the harbour and there always seems to be something going on. Near D’Alt Vila, an old walled town with an arched gateway, is the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, which features changing exhibitions of contemporary art. Also in this area is the cathedral which dates from the 14th century.

One of Ibiza’s most interesting sights can be found no far from the main airport. Las Salinas, or the Salt Flats, have been in use for over 2000 years. In the summer, the evaporating lake water leaves behind a layer of pure salt, and the scene makes for some stunning sunset photos.

Family attractions in IbizaThe Spanish are very family-orientated and your kids will always receive a warm welcome in shops and restaurants. Many of the Ibizan resorts have children’s play areas, crazy golf courses and the odd amusement arcade and Ibiza is home to Aguamar Water Park which has seven different sets of waterslides, some with scary names such as the Black Hole.

A nice way to see some of the countryside on the island is on board a tourist ‘train’. Running on wheels rather than rails, the trains run out of Santa Eulalia and San Antonio and take their passengers on a relaxed pace tour of the surrounding hills. The price of your ticket includes a drink at a shaded bar and on the San Antonio train, you can take in the views from El Mirador, one of the highest peaks on the island.

Day trips in Ibiza

Take in more than one of the Balearic Islands on your holiday and book yourself on a boat trip. There are lots of boat charter companies on Ibiza offering day trips and excursions and it’s a perfect way to explore, not only the many usually inaccessible beaches and coves on Ibiza, but also the neighbouring island of Formentera. There, you’ll find some incredibly quiet beaches, perfect for picnics or a bit of snorkeling.

Many of these boat trips also include a stop near the tiny island of Espalmador where you can indulge in a natural mud bath in a mixture of sand, algae and seawater. The mud supposedly boasts lots of re-vitalizing.

Eating out in Ibiza

All over Ibiza you’ll find excellent cuisine and of course the seafood is particularly good. As the island is part of Spain, you’ll find plenty in the way of tapas, which consists of lots of small dishes with delicious treats like spicy potatoes, grilled squid, prawns in garlic and chorizo, a spicy sausage. The locals like to stroll from bar to bar, enjoying a couple of dishes at a time with a nice glass of wine or beer.

In resorts such as San Antonio you can find many pretty grubby restaurants serving all the British holidaymaker favourites such as egg and chips or a full English fry-up. You can even enjoy a traditional Sunday roast if you really want.

Nightlife in Ibiza

The nightlife really is fantastic in the Balearics, but nowhere more so than in Ibiza, renowned as one of the best clubbing destinations on the planet. Thousands of party-minded punters flock every year to the super clubs on the island, such as Pacha, Space and Amnesia. You can dance the night (and some of the next day) away listening to the world’s most famous DJs. It isn’t cheap though and a serious clubbing holiday can be rather heavy on the wallet – club entrance can set you back anything from £10-£25 and the drinks aren’t usually cheap either.

If that all sounds a bit expensive then many clubbers prefer to wander between the dozens of cheap clubs in resorts such as San Antonio. Many have happy hours fairly early on in the evening, but too many happy hours can lead to an early night for some.

Shopping in Ibiza

Sa Penya has lots funky clothes stores, and is also home to a market where you can pick up anything from cheap T-shirts to local arts and crafts. If you really want cheap and tacky then you’ll find lots of souvenir shops in the main resorts such as San Antonio.

A visit to the famous Hippy Market in Es Cana, which is held every Wednesday from May to October, is a must. Batik wraps and clothing, leather moccasins and silver jewellery are all good buys. There’s another one in San Carlos in the North-East of the island, set in the grounds of a restaurant. It runs every Saturday and is a bit quieter than the one in Es Cana. Again you’ll find a nice selection of handmade clothes and jewellery and it’s open until late in summer.