Ibiza

Ibiza lies in the Mediterranean Sea, about 153 km off Spain's eastern coast.

The island is divided into five municipalities: Sant Joan de Labritja in the north, Santa Eulària des Riu in the east, Sant Josep de sa Talaia in the south, Sant Antoni de Portmany in the west, and Eivissa Vila (Ibiza Town) between Santa Eulària and Sant Josep.

Outside the towns, the landscape is notably rural and much of it is protected because of the island's biodiversity and cultural value. Some areas, including parts of Ses Salines Nature Park and certain beaches, have access restrictions or roped-off sections to protect dunes and habitats.

The island is mostly flat, with rocky inlets and a high concentration of pine trees.

Ibiza Airport is the island's main air gateway and sits about 7 km southwest of Ibiza Town. In summer it has many charter and low-cost flights, especially from the UK, Italy and Germany; in winter, services are more limited and mainly connect with other Balearic islands and mainland Spain.

Bus line 10 links the airport with Ibiza Town, where onward connections reach most other towns and resorts. Line 9 runs directly to Sant Antoni in season, and line 24 serves eastern resorts such as Santa Eulària and Es Canar.

The airport also has car rental desks, coach transfers to resorts, an official taxi rank, a tourist information desk and a paid lounge. There is no left-luggage service in the terminal itself, but lockers are available nearby.

Buses link the main towns and resorts, with schedules listed on local bus resources. For ferry travel, Ibiza Town Port is the main hub, with some services also using San Antonio. Taxis can be used around the island and are quoted at around €20-30 between cities.

After leaving the airport, it is better to queue for licensed taxis rather than take fixed-price offers, as licensed taxis are reported to be cheaper. Car hire is widely available, but summer demand can make rentals harder to secure at short notice.

The island's best-known sights combine coastline, old towns and market culture. Key places mentioned include the old centre of Ibiza Town, the west-coast rock of Es Vedra, and the cove of Atlantis, which is described as hidden and dependent on local knowledge to locate.

Market visits are also a major draw: Es Canar Hippy Market runs on Wednesdays and Las Dalias Hippie Market in San Carlos on Saturdays.

Other notable stops include Bar Anita in San Carlos, associated with artists and writers from the mid-20th century, and Cova de Can Marçà in Puerto de San Miguel, described as the island's biggest natural caves.

Beyond beach time and clubbing, Ibiza has quieter options such as exploring the countryside, taking boat rides and going parasailing. The island also has language schools, especially in Ibiza Town, where learning Spanish can be combined with easier access to hostels and daily use of the language.

Local wharfside festivals are another recurring activity described in the source, with food stalls, trinkets and parade-style elements. For visitors seeking a slower pace, the rural interior and unspoilt beaches offer a different experience from the more famous resort areas.

Two local specialities are highlighted: ensaimada, a soft pastry coil, and flaó, a sweet cheese and mint flan. Ensaimada is widely available in pastelerías and many bars, while flaó is less easy to find.

Nightlife is a major part of the island's food-and-drink scene, especially in Ibiza Town and San Antonio, where bars tend to get busy from about 19:00. Street-promoted drink specials are common and may offer lower-cost options, but club drinks are expensive.

Major clubs such as Privilege, Pacha, Eden, Amnesia and Es Paradis charge high entry fees and costly drinks.

Accommodation ranges from basic hostels to high-end hotels, villas and rural stays. Choice depends strongly on the type of holiday: San Antonio's central West End is described as the most rowdy part of the island, while its bayfront and sunset-facing areas are more polished.

Playa d'en Bossa is another major base, with upmarket beach bars and convenient access to Ibiza Town and the airport. There are more than 300 licensed places to stay, covering a wide budget range. August is the key month to book ahead, since arriving without a reservation is strongly discouraged.

Villas and apartments are also common, and can suit visitors looking for more independence or a quieter stay.

For a quieter nearby excursion, Formentera is the main onward destination and is described as calmer and less developed, with very clear turquoise water. Ferries from Ibiza are a common way to reach it for a day trip. Travel patterns, accommodation demand and transport options all change sharply with the season.

Summer brings more flights, more ferry options, busier beaches and more expensive nightlife, while winter services are thinner and quieter.

Driving on Ibiza is described as requiring extra care. The source warns of poor local driving, temporary detour roads that may be badly marked, and summer drivers under the influence of alcohol. For that reason, cautious driving and attention to road conditions are important.

Around the airport, licensed taxis are recommended over fixed-price offers, as they are said to be more reliable and cheaper. On beaches and in protected areas, access restrictions may be in place to preserve dunes and biodiversity, so following local signs and barriers avoids problems.