10 Best Activities in Ibiza

Ibiza is the most famous of the Balearic Islands and as well as being known for its beaches and landscapes, it is also known for its wide range of tourist attractions, which include everything from the best parties to one of the most beautiful walled cities in Spain.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

9 min read

10 Best Activities in Ibiza

Ibiza | ©Michael Tomlinson

Ibiza is synonymous with parties, paradisiacal beaches and boat trips, but it also has magical sunsets, adventure circuits and a wide range of peaceful plans if you're looking to relax or discover nature. Some of the best things to see and do in Ibiza also include Dalt Vila, the ancient walled city, and Cala Bassa Beach.

Located in the heart of the Balearic Sea, Ibiza is also very close to the Mediterranean islands of Formentera and Es Vedra, so the attractions of your visit also include the nearby areas. Here are the best things to do to discover Ibiza during your trip.

1. Visit Dalt Vila, Ibiza's old walled city

Ses Taules gateway| ©Ralf M
Ses Taules gateway| ©Ralf M

Dalt Vila, Ibiza's walled city, is not only one of the oldest in Spain but also one of the most beautiful. Crowned by the Portal de Ses Taules, it is home to the Cathedral, the Castle and the Plaza de Armas, and the ruins of the medieval wall are one of the symbols of the Spanish resistance in the Balearic Sea.

The old walled city is one of Ibiza's must-see sights because it harks back to the years when the island was founded, but also because it shows the other side of a place that has gone down in history for its parties and its paradisiacal beaches. Given that the size of its streets means that it is not possible to get around by car, a good alternative is to opt for one of the bicycle tours of Ibiza to get to know all that this visit has to offer.

In the areas near Dalt Vila you can also visit the Necropolis, the Parc de la Pau, the Vara del Rey promenade and Portal Nou, which is not only a spectacle in itself but also serves as a starting point for a tour of the city.

If you also visit the Marina, which is Ibiza's port, you will be amazed by the number of luxury yachts moored there and by the open view of the sea. From the heights of Dalt Vila it is possible to see the skyline of almost the entire capital of the island.

Book a boat trip in Ibiza

2. Visit the islet of Es Vedra on a cruise excursion

Islet of Es Vedra| ©Boris Bollow
Islet of Es Vedra| ©Boris Bollow

Located off the southwest coast of Ibiza and with its almost 400 metres of solid rock, the islet of Es Vedra has become one of the most enigmatic and interesting places for tourists visiting Ibiza, not only for its natural beauty but also for the myths that surround it.

You can see the islet of Es Vedra from the cove of Cala d'Hort in Ibiza, but the best option is to hire an excursion that will take you to the nearby waters of the islet where you can swim or kayak to the shore.

During the tour you will be told the stories behind Es Vedra, which according to local legends is the home of the Greek nymphs and goddesses and one of the most magnetic places on the planet. The ideal time to visit the islet is in the early afternoon.

In addition to a boat trip in Ibiza, you can also reach the islet by renting a sailboat or a small boat that allows you to reach the coast of Es Vedra, although it is always advisable to do so with the assistance of a local expert.

3. Discover Ibiza's magical sunsets

Sunset in Ibiza| ©Marcos Lozada Echenique
Sunset in Ibiza| ©Marcos Lozada Echenique

The sunset in Ibiza is one of the best spectacles in the world and you can experience it from different places on the island. From the beach, the sea, the city or the wooded areas, the Ibiza sunset will leave you in awe with its deep colours and the reflection on the watery horizon.

If you plan to visit Ibiza in summer you can have an open and unobstructed view of the sunset and you can also choose to experience it on an ATV excursion on the island, on a tour of Cala Bassa, Cala Comte and Cala Tarida or on a bike tour.

Ibiza is not very big so if you are planning a stay of several days you can see the sunset from different points of the island. Café del Mar on San Antonio beach , Punta Galeras, Las Salinas and Ses Variades are some of the places where you can discover the best sunsets in Ibiza.

Book an excursion to watch the sunset from the Balearic Sea

4. Take a trip to the Mediterranean island of Formentera.

Formentera| ©andreaferracani
Formentera| ©andreaferracani

Formentera is the smallest of the Balearic Islands and one of the most visited places by tourists who come to Ibiza. It is famous for its crystal clear waters, pink sandy beaches and for the water activities offered by nature, such as snorkelling and scuba diving experiences.

You can visit Formentera for a day trip by boat from Ibiza and these tours usually include lunch, snorkelling and diving equipment hire and paddle boards. You can also include a tour of Formentera's best beaches to see all the island's nooks and crannies.

Among the best beaches of Formentera are Ses Illetes, Llevant, Es Arenals, Es Migjorn and Cala Saona. All of them are freely accessible and ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving.

These excursions generally last between 10 and 12 hours and start at 139 euros. Touring Formentera, which is known for its tranquillity, is one of the best plans if you are visiting Ibiza with children.

5. Visit Cala Bassa Beach

Cala Bassa Beach| ©Eloisa Ozonas
Cala Bassa Beach| ©Eloisa Ozonas

To describe Cala Bassa it is perhaps enough to say that it is one of the best beaches in Ibiza, but it is also a paradisiacal spot with warm, crystal-clear waters, white sands and a setting surrounded by a pine forest that replaces the umbrellas and offers shade on the west coast of Ibiza.

Cala Bassa is also one of Ibiza's most famous beaches and an ideal place for diving experiences on the island, although its fame also makes it one of the most visited beaches, a fact you should bear in mind if you plan to visit Ibiza in June or during the high season months.

Cala Bassa is also surrounded by restaurants and tourist services, which makes it a very attractive beach for visitors and is a frequent destination for cruise ships that travel along the coast taking tourists along the beaches of Ibiza's west coast.

Although the sun is omnipresent at Cala Bassa, the best time to visit the beach is between 10am and 2pm, which is when there are fewer visitors and when you have the best chance of getting a space to set up your umbrella.

Book a cruise excursion to Ibiza's beaches

6. See Ibiza from the air during a hot air balloon ride

Hot air balloon| ©beth woodrum
Hot air balloon| ©beth woodrum

If you prefer a different experience in every city you visit then you may be interested in taking a ride in the clouds and getting to know Ibiza from the height of a hot air balloon.

Balloon rides over the island last approximately 3 hours and include instruction, the flight baptism certificate and breakfast or a snack once the excursion is over, as the flights always take place early in the morning or late in the afternoon, which is when the temperature is cooler and the wind is more stable.

If you opt for the late afternoon balloon ride, you will be able to see the sunset from the air and get some of the best photographs of Ibiza. Please note that tickets for each person have an initial cost of approximately 220 euros.

Please note that the minimum age for hot air balloon rides in Ibiza is 10 years old and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

7. Live a diving experience in Ibiza

Diving in Ibiza| ©Carmen Martin Moya
Diving in Ibiza| ©Carmen Martin Moya

Because of its crystal clear waters and the richness of its marine fauna, the Balearic Sea is one of the ideal places for a diving experience, and the best thing is that you don't need to have experience or be a certified diver to do it, because scuba diving in Ibiza can be done without any previous knowledge.

In Ibiza you can immerse yourself in an underwater world of shallow waters while observing fish, starfish, seaweed, octopus and a wide variety of anemones. In addition, with the assistance of a diving instructor you'll be able to do the regulator cleaning and recovery exercises to obtain the internationally valid scuba diving certificate.

Diving is a short experience, so it can also be a suitable plan for your trip if you're only planning a stay of a few days in Ibiza. If this is your case, here is a list of activities you can do in Ibiza in 3 days

8. Tour Ibiza's wooded areas on an ATV tour

Quad biking in Ibiza| ©La Skimal
Quad biking in Ibiza| ©La Skimal

If you really want an adventurous experience and are interested in off-road vehicles, it might be a good idea to go on an ATV tour through the island's wooded areas. This way you can get to know an alternative profile of Ibiza in the municipality of San Antonio Abad, which is where the tours take place.

On these tours you can alternate between asphalted roads and rocky and dirt tracks, visit beaches and cliffs, and discover some of the rural villages in the area, such as San Mateo and Santa Agnes. You'll also get to know Punta Galera and the Es Broll Valley on an adventurous trip through the interior of Ibiza.

If you decide to go on an ATV tour in the afternoon you'll be able to watch the sunset, even if you're planning to visit Ibiza in winter, as long as it's a day with clear skies.

Book a quad bike tour in Ibiza

9. Explore Ibiza's party scene on the Oceanbeat boat

Party on a boat| ©Omar Eagle-Clarke
Party on a boat| ©Omar Eagle-Clarke

If you want to get to know Ibiza's nightlife, then you have to get on board the Oceanbeat boat , which has become a reference point for partying on the island and is one of the unmissable spots if you want to experience an unforgettable day out.

The boat starts its journey at the pier of Playa d'en Bossa and includes a show of go-go dancers, an open bar and the presence of a guest electronic house music DJ from the very first moment.

The Oceanbeat party consists of a 4-hour trip along the coast of Ibiza on a boat packed with over 300 guests from all over the world and with an itinerary that includes stops for a swim in the crystal clear waters, a fresh paella lunch and three free tickets per person to continue the party in some of **Ibiza'**s most famous clubs once the boat returns to port.

After an experience that combines the calm waters of the Balearic Sea with the roar of the Oceanbeat music, the tickets are a way to continue the night and live an unforgettable experience.

Book your tickets for the Oceanbeat boat party in Ibiza

10. Say goodbye to Ibiza and enjoy its gastronomy

Fried octopus| ©Pablo Monteagudo
Fried octopus| ©Pablo Monteagudo

Spain is known for its gastronomy and Ibiza is no exception, as it also adds value with its typical dishes such as frita de pulpo, ensalada payesa and sofrito, as well as the delicious paella and fresh fish menus. On the island you will discover unique flavours and believe me, one of the things you will miss most when you leave will be its gastronomy.

In Ibiza you will be able to enjoy the best dishes no matter where you are, as both luxury restaurants and beach bars prepare exquisite delicacies and serve a wide variety of drinks. For recommendations you can visit La Gaia, Jungle Bowls, and Hambre

On the island you can also opt to go on gastronomic excursions that will take in everything from Ibiza's oldest restaurant to a Michelin-listed tapas bar. You can also visit Café del Mar, which on the beach of San Antonio became famous for its tapas and for being the ideal place to wait for the sunset in Ibiza.