Even those of you who haven't yet stepped foot on the hallowed shores of Ibiza will know that it's the party capital of the world. And while it's most famous for its superclubs, dancefloors aren't limited to the likes of Amnesia, Hï Ibiza and Pacha. In fact, it's fair to say that music beats through the veins of this island, so whether you're at a club, on a boat or hanging upside down from a tree, you'll almost definitely be able to find a suitable platform for dancing somewhere.
Another bonus of clubbing on the White Isle is that the sun shines pretty much all day, every day - and that, combined with islanders' penchant for a party - means daytime al fresco venues should be high on the agenda for any trip to the island.
Dig out your sunglasses, slap on some sun tan lotion and prepare to groove all day long till darkness descends, because in Ibiza, we excel at outdoor partying. Here's a definitive guide to the places you should have on your hit-list this summer.
Ushuaïa Ibiza
Where: Playa d'en Bossa
Drinks: €€€
Vibe: Hands in the air festival fun times
Undoubtedly considered one of Ibiza's most famous clubs, Ushuaïa Ibiza is the quintessential al fresco experience. Hosting some of the biggest names in music every night of the week - David Guetta, CamelPhat, Martin Garrix and formerly the late, great Avicii among them - it hosts productions like nowhere else on the island.
Lasers, light shows and hypnotic dancers are all part of the jaw-dropping spectacle, all of which combines to make a night here unforgettable. If you're here on a Saturday, check out ANTS - the club's most underground offering musically, and one of its most popular parties.
Ibiza Rocks
Where: San Antonio
Drinks: €€
Vibe: Home of the Ibiza pool party
What could be better than reclining on an inflatable, cocktail in hand as you soak up the sun? How about reclining on an inflatable with a cocktail in hand, listening to your favourite DJ, tunes blaring in the sun? That's exactly the premise at Ibiza Rocks - the home of the pool party.
Whether it's Craig David, Fatboy Slim, Joel Corry or Nathan Dawe, Ibiza Rocks' line-up boasts some of the biggest names in music.
O Beach Ibiza
Where: San Antonio
Drinks: €€
Vibe: Gorgeous people, bronzed bodies, champagne spray and hot tunes
Taking the best elements of pool parties found in Vegas, Miami, Marbella and Dubai, and dumping them on Mediterranean coastline in the Balearic climate was a stroke of genius. A decade since its launch, and we can't imagine Ibiza without O Beach. It's now very much part of our entertainment ecosystem.
So round-up your friends, grab a bed, grab an over-sized bottle of spirit and find an excuse - any excuse - to party in the sun!
Cova Santa
Where: San José (20-minute drive from San Antonio and Ibiza Town)
Drinks: €€€
Vibe: Open-air awesomeness
You can catch the last of the afternoon sun at Cova Santa, where a handful of parties are held on a weekly basis. It's a stunningly intimate venue set among the cliffs of San José, and often serves as a gateway from day to night.
Flagship party WooMoon has laid-back soundtrack and mezcal-inspired cocktails proving a firm favourite with revellers so far. This venue also hosts the occasional daytime afterparty for Amnesia events, such as Pyramid, so keep your eyes peeled for those as they pop up.
Destino
Where: Cap Martínet, Jesús (10-minute drive from Ibiza Town)
Drinks: €€€
Vibe: Poolside perfection
Owned by Pacha Group, Destino is a ridiculously beautiful venue set atop cliffs and boasting views over to Ibiza Town's historic Dalt Vila and Formentera - Ibiza's smaller island neighbour. The stage is visually stunning, as is the swimming pool - so any gig held here is always guaranteed to be a spectacle.
Every Sunday during peak season, Destino host a party open to the public as well as guests. Here you catch Pacha's biggest stars, in the shape of Marco Carola and Solomun adding to the daytime feel-good vibes.
Blue Marlin
Where: Cala Jondal (25-minute drive from San Antonio, 20-minute drive from Ibiza Town)
Drinks: €€€
Vibe: Prime celeb spotting territory
A favourite hangout for some of the island's biggest movers and shakers, Blue Marlin attracts the European elite in their droves. They come to drink magnums of champagne, to lounge on luxurious sun beds and to party to some of the biggest DJs in the business - think Pete Tong, Themba, Agoria and ARTBAT you're along the right lines. This is a more upmarket, VIP-focused venue, so save your pennies and make the most of it.
Boat parties
Where: The Med
Drinks: €
Vibe: All aboard the banter boat
There's nothing quite like a boat party to get you hyped up and ready for some nighttime action, and there are so many available in Ibiza that they deserve their own section. So, find everything you need to know about partying out at sea HERE.
WORDS | by Abby Lowe & Stephen Hunt
Article revised and updated February 2022.
