Legend has it that Es Vedrà, a towering limestone rock that juts out of the glittering Mediterranean sea on Ibiza’s west coast, is the third most magnetic point on earth (after the North Pole and the Bermuda Triangle). It’s certainly true that visitors to the White Isle just can’t seem to stay away, beckoned by its deep blue waters, golden sands and lush landscapes scented with pine and soundtracked by the hum of cicadas.
Here, sun-soaked revelry and some of the world’s best nightlife and stylish beach clubs sit alongside a more bohemian magic that harks back to the island’s 1970s heyday as the hippie destination for relaxation and rejuvenation — plus you’ll find some of the Balearics’ most beautifully designed small hotels. If you’re wondering how to make the most of a 48-hour weekend break in Ibiza, read on…
FRIDAY: EVENING
From the airport, Ibiza Town is a breezy 20-minute drive, so hit the ground running with dinner at The Standard, Ibiza, a former movie theatre turned buzzy boutique hotel. Rooftop bar and restaurant, Up, serves Japanese-Mexican flavours, potent cocktails and views of magnificent 16th-century fortress, Dalt Vila. Check in to neighbouring Montesol Experimental for a restorative sleep in stylish rooms curated by the Parisian designer du jour Dorothée Meilichzon, featuring geometric prints; lacquered, pastel-hued wardrobes; and seashell-engraved walls.
SATURDAY: MORNING
Fuelled by a hearty breakfast of shakshuka, avocado toast and açai on the Café Montesol terrace — a prime people-watching spot on the pedestrianised Vara de Rey — explore the Old Town’s charming, cobbled streets and ancient ramparts. While you’re there, swing by the iconic fashion boutique Annie’s Ibiza, an Aladdin’s cave of sparkly dresses and collectable vintage pieces (Kate Moss is a fan) or tap into the White Isle’s burgeoning art scene at galleries like the Contemporary Art Museum (MACE) and the Puget Museum, which occupies an exquisitely renovated manor house.
SATURDAY: AFTERNOON
Lunch doesn’t come much tastier than at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay’s Chambao by the Beach, a laidback chiringuito restaurant where you can feast on rainbow salads, freshly grilled fish and huge pans of lobster paella with your toes in the sand, as the sleekest yachts bob silently on the waves of Talamanca Bay. Tempting as it is to linger here all afternoon in one of the cabanas by the Slim Aarons-esque swimming pool, it’s worth heading west to the postcard-perfect beaches of Cala Conta and Cala Bassa, with sugary white sands and gin-clear waters to dive into.
SATURDAY: EVENING
Get the party started at Café Mambo, a hipster favourite for 25 years, where you can watch the dusky-pink sunset, daiquiri in hand, before heading back south to Ocean Drive Talamanca, an excellent base for a night on the dancefloor. Shower off the salt and dress to impress in one of the luxurious sea-view rooms, then join the glamorous crowd to party at Pacha nightclub, just a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Saturdays also see some of the best DJ line-ups on the island with Circoloco at DC-10 and Elrow at UNVRS, the colossal new super club that’s opening this year on the former site of Privilege.
SUNDAY: MORNING
Ibiza may be famous for its glorious beaches, but the island’s countryside is just as picturesque. Among the pretty meadows and citrus forests of Ibiza’s pastoral inlands sits the village of Santa Gertrudis, a magnet for stylish travellers looking to fill their suitcases with organic cotton dresses and handpainted ceramics. Grab a restorative café con leche at the legendary Bar Costa, a historic hub for the island’s artists and creatives, then enjoy lunch at nearby hotel Ca Na Xica’s sleek Mediterranean restaurant, Salvia. This secluded retreat is housed in a whitewashed finca and boasts a spectacular T-shaped saltwater pool lined with ancient olive trees, perfect for a quick dip.
SUNDAY: AFTERNOON
Every Sunday, bijou village Sant Joan de Labritja hosts a hippie market that draws in the locals for buying fruit and vegetables, and visitors to browse handmade jewellery, clothing, soaps, dreamcatchers, shoes and more. Make a pit-stop at the Raices de Ibiza stand for delicious organic and vegan cookies, washed down with a ‘multi fruit zumo’ juice for just €2. You’re then a stone’s throw away from some of Ibiza’s best beaches, like wild and unspoilt Cala Xarraca, for lying horizontal and maxing out those Vitamin D levels before the end of your trip.
SUNDAY: EVENING
Continue north to Six Senses Ibiza, located in the secluded Xarraca Bay, for dinner at The Beach Caves, the hotel’s atmospheric bar and restaurant, perched right on the waterfront. Settle in for a sophisticated evening of mezcal cocktails, Latin American dishes (think oven-baked empanadas served with smoked corn, zucchini and coriander) and dreamy live music — a fitting farewell to your time on the island.
NEED TO KNOW
Transport Direct flights touch down at Ibiza Airport from all over Europe. The best way to get around the island is by hiring a car, with numerous rental companies to choose from. The only public transport available is the bus network, which is inexpensive but unreliable. For taxis, try Uber, TaxiClick and Radio Taxi, although wait times can be long during peak season.
When to go Shoulder season is the perfect time for soaking up some sun without the crowds. Warm temperatures start in April and extend into the early autumn months. Opening parties are in May, kicking off the clubbing action, which tends to wrap up by October.
What to buy Adlib fashion is a signature style of clothing that originates from the island — look for white flowing dresses, tops and accessories adorned with embroidery and lace detailing. If you want to add a splash of colour to your wardrobe, opt for rainbow-hued shirts from Vicente Ganesha and Charo Ruiz’s fringed kaftans. La Galeria Elefante’s whimsical pieces, such as lavender pouches, patchwork blankets and feathered hoop earrings are great for gifting, while foodies would do well to stock up on Ibizan salt, sobrasada and herb liqueurs.
Good to know The tiny, laid-back island of Formentera is just a 30-minute ferry ride away and makes for the perfect day trip. Hire bicycles to explore its white sand beaches fringed by crystal-clear waters; follow winding dusty paths to clifftop lighthouses; and stop for a languid lunch at low-key beach shacks like Karai or Amar. End the day with sundowners at Teranka, a convenient 15 minutes away from La Savina port by taxi.
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Lucy Halfhead is a London-based travel and lifestyle editor, writer and consultant, specialising in luxury hotels. The former travel director of Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, she now freelances for titles including The Standard, Citizen Femme, PRIOR and SheerLuxe.