Ibiza in 1 Day: all you need to know
Ready to get to know the liveliest and most vibrant island in the Balearics? This one-day itinerary is designed to give you a taste of everything Ibiza has to offer its visitors.
Ibiza | ©steve gilman
Many Mediterranean cruises include a stop of 1 or 2 days in Ibiza in their itinerary. Similarly, some travellers who explore the Balearic Islands on their own distribute the days available between the different destinations in the archipelago.
There are many reasons to spend just one day on the island, but whatever the reason, the activities and entertainment in Ibiza are as many as you can imagine. However, a perfect trip to Ibiza should have three ingredients: get to know the city, enjoy the sea and party.
Have a tasty breakfast at the Marina de Botafoch
Start the day by recharging your energy and having breakfast in Botafoch, famous for being considered one of the most famous ports in the Mediterranean. Take advantage of the quiet time to enjoy the beautiful views of the port of Dalt Vila.
The morning of this one-day itinerary in Ibiza will be dedicated to getting to know the old town and everything related to the history and evolution of the city, but before starting I recommend waking up early and going to the Marina Botafoch for a delicious breakfast.
Here are some recommendations.
- Cappuccino Grand Cafe: Located right in the Marina, the terrace offers breathtaking views. Its speciality is international cuisine.
- Calma: If you want to try local food, this is one of the best options in the area.
- Roto: A restaurant with a modern and contemporary design, its gastronomic offer includes a variety of local dishes.
Stroll along the walls of Dalt Vila.
Ibiza's ancient walls were built to protect the city from the Muslims before the 10th century. Designed to withstand heavy artillery, the colossal structure stands an impressive 25 metres high and contains seven bastions, the main and most majestic of which is the Portal de Ses Taules.
The walled city of Dalt Vila was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
From your location in Botafoch I recommend taking a taxi to get to Dalt Vila. By car, the journey takes only 10 minutes. Considering you only have a short time on the island, it can be money well spent.
Finally, if you're going to Ibiza with children for a family holiday, I recommend avoiding the use of pushchairs in the old town; the wall area is full of steps and the ramps are very limited.
Some useful information
- Opening hours: Always open to the public.
- Price: Free of charge.
- Duration of the visit: In less than 1 hour you can walk around the entire perimeter.
Explore Santa Maria Cathedral
After the tour of the city walls, it is time to explore the streets of the interior of Dalt Vila. The first stop is to visit the city's most important religious temple: the Cathedral of Santa María.
Imposingly located at the top of the fortified citadel, the temple that remains today was ordered to be built by the Christians in 1235. However, throughout history this same place has been chosen as a place of worship by different civilisations.
An Arab mosque, a Roman temple and most probably some kind of Phoenician construction were located in the same place.
The design of the Cathedral presents a mixture of styles as a result of the various reforms it has undergone over the years. The façade of the present-day cathedral has Gothic elements in the apse and bell tower, as well as many Baroque elements.
Useful information
- Opening hours: Open to the public from Monday to Sunday, opening hours may change from one season to another. During the spring it is from 09:30h until 13:30h and then from 16h until 20h. During the winter it opens at 10am.
- Price: Free of charge.
- Duration of the visit: 30-40 minutes is usually enough.
Visit the Puget Museum
Visit the Puget Museum in old Ibiza to connect, through art, with the past and the history of its people. Here you'll find a fabulous collection of works by local artist Narcís Puget i Viñas and his son, Narcís Puget Riquer, both important figures in Impressionism.
The collection includes paintings, oil paintings and colourful sketches depicting all kinds of traditional scenes and landscapes typical of Ibiza.
In addition to the collection inside, the Puget Museum itself is a work of art. Housed in what was once an ostentatious 15th-century mansion, the architecture is impressive with well-preserved late Gothic interiors. Pay special attention to the beautiful stone staircase and the bright interior courtyard.
From your location in the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the museum is only a 2-minute walk away, taking the Calle Mayor in a westerly direction.
Useful information
- Opening times: The museum is closed on Mondays. On Saturdays and Sundays the opening hours are from 10am to 2pm. The rest of the year, from Tuesday to Friday, it is open from 10am and the closing time varies according to the season. Check the opening times before your visit.
- Price: Admission is free.
- Duration of visit: Spend at least 1 hour exploring the exhibition and the old mansion.
Take a lunch break in the heart of Dalt Vila.
Before leaving Ibiza's Old Town, take a break for lunch to recharge your batteries. The walled town of Dalt Vila is home to some of the best restaurants in town. As well as enjoying Ibizan gastronomy, you can marvel at the picturesque old buildings that are characteristic of this part of the city.
There are plenty of good restaurants to choose from in the Dalt Vila area:
- Trasero: Considered by many travellers to be the best tapas restaurant in town. One of the locals' favourites.
- La Bodega: A fun and lively place to enjoy a delicious meal, it has become a favourite with visitors touring Ibiza's old town.
- La Oliva: An elegant restaurant with a beautiful terrace and an informal atmosphere. Its menu includes traditional Mediterranean cuisine and Asian-influenced dishes.
- La Mezcalería: An interesting concept restaurant that mixes traditional Mediterranean food with strong Mexican influences.
Take a boat trip around Ibiza's coves
Leaving Dalt Vila and the historic centre of Ibiza behind, it's time to enjoy one of the island's distinctive features: its fabulous beaches and discreet coves. These are ideal places for a variety of water sports, from swimming and snorkelling in Ibiza to surfing.
For short trips, the best alternative is to book a boat trip, as many local companies offer this type of experience to travellers and the options are very diverse. Booking in advance is recommended, especially if your trip to the island lasts only 1 day.
Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the company you hire and the format of the excursion. However, some interesting alternatives include visiting some coves and sea caves in Ibiza, for snorkelling, paddle surfing or other activities.
Other popular alternatives on the island are excursions to Formentera from Ibiza, although you should book a full day for this experience. I recommend it only for travellers who will be in Ibiza for at least 3 days.
Useful info
- Timetable: Available in the morning and afternoon.
- Price: Around €60 per traveller. This price includes return transport and all the necessary equipment for the adventure.
- Duration of tour: Varies depending on the company you hire, on average you will need a minimum of 3 hours to complete the experience.
Get ready to enjoy the night in Ibiza
Ibiza is a destination known worldwide for its lively nightlife and you'll be able to party until dawn if you prefer.
However, Ibiza's nightclubs get livelier after midnight, so before you go dancing, I recommend you start the night enjoying some bars.
Bars in Puerto Ibiza
The modern area of Ibiza town is also one of the most elegant and glamorous. It is also the ideal place to start the night with a nice dinner and a few cocktails while enjoying the views of the bay.
Options abound in this area. Some recommendations to consider are:DeMiedo, Mambo Ibiza, Number 5 Ibiza, The Rock Ibiza.
Bars in Playa d'en Bossa
If you are looking for a lively, relaxed and youthful atmosphere, the area of Playa d' en Bossa is the alternative for you. Here the party goes all the way down to the coast and it's not unusual to find numerous beach bars during the busy summer season in Ibiza.
Some bar options to get the party started in the area are as follows:
Bars in San Antonio:
An inexpensive area of Ibiza and very popular with young and party-minded travellers of any age. This part of the island is also known for offering an atmosphere where much of the communication is in English.
Some of the best bars in the San Antonio area are: Bar Mambo, Sun Sea Bar, Donnegans.
Dance in Ibiza's best nightclubs.
I invite you to round off your trip to the island with a night out. Ibiza has world-famous discotheques and nightclubs. Travellers from all over the world contemplate short stays of 4 days in Ibiza just to enjoy the fun that its nights have to offer.
Depending on the area of the island you are in, you will find everything from small clubs to big discotheques. However, if you're looking for the epic side of Ibiza, here's a list of its most popular and famous nightclubs.
Pacha Ibiza
Located a short distance from the main port, Pacha Ibiza is one of the island's classic and most iconic nightclubs. It opened its doors in 1973 and has franchises in major world capitals including Madrid, London and New York.
- Opening hours: From midnight to 07h.
- Price: The entrance fee ranges from approximately €30 to €60.
Amnesia Ibiza
The Ibiza nightclub that has won the Best Global Club distinction. It began its activities in the 1970s as an open-air discotheque. Amnesia today has two large rooms with a capacity for 5,000 people.
- Opening hours: From 00h to 07h.
- Price: From 20€ to 60€.
Ushuaia Beach Hotel
Another Ibiza party classic that you'll want to consider on one of your trips. This place redefined the concept of partying in Ibiza and has a slightly different style of fun to the other options on the list.
At Ushuaia Beach you'll find a hotel-discotheque for a great pool party with lots of music.
- Opening hours: From 5pm until midnight.
- Price: Around 30€ and 70€ per participant.