Ibiza Town (Eivissa in Catalan) is the heart of Ibiza and a true gem - an absolute must for anyone visiting the island. From the gorgeous harbour bustling with lively nighttime hippy markets and buzzing bars, to the cobbled paths of the old town, Ibiza Town truly captures the magic and beauty of the White Isle.
As the capital of one of the best clubbing destinations in the world, it also boasts spectacular clubs and countless bars besides the wide variety of shops, boutiques and restaurants. A great place to start your evening, it provides a taste of everything Ibiza has to offer.
While being perfect for a daytime excursion, Ibiza Town fully comes alive at night for shopping, dinner, pre-party drinks and club nights until early morning.
Main areas
Ibiza Town consists of various areas, all of which have their own distinctive charm. The best idea is to explore all of them.
The old fisherman quarters of the port, the fortified old town Dalt Vila with its old castle, the gay-friendly Calle de la Virgen, the stylish Marina Botafoch and the boulevard Vara del Rey with the adjoining Plaza del Parque in the centre of town - all are wonders waiting to be enjoyed.
Dalt Vila
The upper part of Ibiza Town, Dalt Vila is one of the city's biggest attractions besides being the featured on many a postcard. Listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO, the fortified old town is encircled by 16th-century walls.
As you wander up through the charming cobblestone streets, prepare yourself to stand amazed at the breathtaking views of the harbour and neighbouring resorts such as Talamanca and Figueretas from the top. Dalt Vila grants a spectacular view that is well worth the climb.
On top of its dreamy surroundings, it offers a mouth-watering selection of restaurants and bars along the way. Perfect for any meal, from daytime tapas – the typical Spanish snacks accompanying aperitifs – with friends to the most romantic of candlelit dinners, the many locales offer various cuisines and unique corners from which to enjoy one of the most charming historical spots on Ibiza.
The port
At the foot of Dalt Vila, the port area consists of the old fisherman quarters La Marina and Sa Penya. The small, winding lanes through the quaint white buildings are almost completely pedestrian.
A multitude of small boutiques with typical Ibiza fashion line the streets and are open until late, even past midnight during the summer. From late afternoon on, myriad hippy market stalls open up in the alleys, selling silver jewellery, hand-made leatherwear and lots of other souvenirs.
In the port, make sure to wander along both the modern seafront promenade and little alleys, sampling the atmosphere of the bars and restaurants. Innumerable establishments offer drinks, chupitos, shishas and more, playing music in the streets until 01:00. When the outdoor music stops, you can continue the party inside before heading to one of the island's clubs.
During high season the streets of the port area become the catwalks for sexy, scantily-clad dancers (male and female), who are out to entice you into one of the island's best clubs. Expect naked flesh, extravagant costumes, stilt walkers and leather. These parades pass along the port before ending up in the gay-orientated Calle de la Virgen.
Calle de la Virgen
At the far end of the port, you will find the LGBTQIA-friendly Calle de la Virgen. The street of the Virgin is a must-see whatever your inclination. Hippy chic boutiques, fetish shops, cool restaurants and music bars line the street that winds from the end of the port back into the heart of Ibiza Town.
Calle de la Virgen will open your eyes to the diversity and freedom of Ibiza. Explore it with an open mind and enjoy the ride. If you look for it in Google Maps, search for the Catalan name Carrer de la Mare de Déu.
Vara del Rey and Plaza del Parque
To escape the city buzz, at least to an extent, take a moment to grab a coffee, bite or drink in the Plaza del Parque area next to the beautiful tree-lined boulevard Paseo Vara de Rey in the centre of the town. Here you will also see an increasing number of performers, singers, musicians, dancers and capoeira artists as evening approaches.
A few years ago, these two areas have been pedestrianised, attracting a large, diverse crowd with their wide choice of restaurants, numerous bars and diverse shops.
Marina Botafoch and Ibiza Nueva
On the other side of the harbour – away from the hustle and bustle of the port area – are the yacht marinas of Marina Botafoch and Ibiza Nueva, hubs for the rich and famous. Impressive boats line the jetties and yacht owners dine in the exclusive restaurants there.
Here you will find many glamorous venues. Whether you are headed out for a bite to eat, a fancy cocktail or full night of dancing, this part of town holds the creme de la creme.
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Bars
To start off your night with an evening aperitif or pre-clubbing drinks, you are spoilt for choice in Ibiza Town. The bars here are all worth a try as you find your favourite vibe. All have their unique characters, with each bar creating a distinctive atmosphere.
Dalt Vila offers a selection of spots for an aperitif in a fairytale setting. Enjoy the local bars in the square up the main ramp to the old town or discover hidden gems nestled on Dalt Vila steps.
In the port, you will find a multitude of bars along the harbour promenade and in the small lanes next to it. As you venture further inside the La Marina fishermen's quarter, Calle de la Virgen is literally lined with bar after bar, particularly LGBTQIA-friendly, with both hosts and patrons in outlandish and eccentric outfits, with sky-high stilettos, gender-crossing attire and extra skin showing.
The fancy Marina Botafoch has a vast selection of bars, most of which are seafront and offer postcard views of Ibiza Town.
Restaurants
Even hardcore clubbers have to eat to gather enough energy for the buzzy and bustling Ibiza nightlife. Ibiza Town boasts numerous restaurants where you can find any cuisine you fancy at your preferred price. From exclusive fine dining to casual bistros, every whim will be gratified here.
In the port area, you will find a more diverse selection of restaurants within all price ranges, from haute cuisine to more down-to-earth restaurants.
The cobbled streets of the fortified old town of Dalt Vila are also home to a variety of cosy restaurants. As you enter the area through the main gate, you will find a pedestrian area teeming with people dining on the outdoor terraces.
The tree-lined boulevard Vara de Rey and the neighbouring small square of Plaza del Parque are also full of small restaurants where you can dine open-air on the busy terraces and delight in some great people watching at the same time. The same is true for the small pedestrianised street of Calle de la Virgen.
The yacht harbour of Marina Botafoch is home to a vast number of glamorous options, as the whole area is packed with upmarket restaurants. All offer tantalising food and drink accompanied by stunning views of Ibiza Town.
The luxurious dinner show-restaurant Lío is also situated in the Ibiza Nueva marina. Part of the Pacha Group, it boasts an incredibly high standard of performers (think Cirque du Soleil) and an unmatchable setting with views of the castle and port area.
Clubs
Ibiza Town is home to several nightclubs, including some of the most iconic on the island. In Marina Botafoch we have, of course, the world-famous Pacha. The two-cherried global brand opened the first super-club on the island in 1973 and covers all shades of electronic music, from the most underground to mainstream favourites.
Its sister venue Lío turns into a proper nightclub after dinner around 01:00, with its seafront postcard views of Ibiza Town.
The new Club Chinois is an exclusive nightclub, sumptuously decorated in the style of 1930s Shanghai. It offers international DJs and interesting live-shows from across the musical spectrum in luxurious surroundings and a sophisticated atmosphere.
Once a year, Dalt Vila hosts one of the most memorable and picturesque parties in the world. The International Music Summit (IMS) takes place around the last week in May and culminates in a spectacular outdoor live event in the old town of Dalt Vila. With a unique ancient dancefloor and DJs overlooking the harbour, it is widely considered one of the best events of the year.
Accommodation
For a nice city break, you can choose from several hotels and apartments in Ibiza town, from five-star luxury to more budget options. See also our island wide choice of hotels and apartments which are especially suited for clubbers.
If you want to have the best out of both worlds, consider renting your own private holiday villa in the beautiful and tranquil surroundings of Ibiza Town.
How to get there
As a compact, pedestrian-friendly town, parking spaces in the centre can be hard to find. There is a big car park just by the port, but it is quite pricey in high season.
On the outskirts of Ibiza, you will find free public parking with a shuttle service to the centre in the summer season, but it also is only a 15-minute stroll into town. Find detailed info and maps in our Holiday tips - getting around.
Ibiza Town is the capital and as such there are excellent bus connections from all other resorts, including the disco bus, which in summer runs all through the night, taking you to the other clubbing resorts Playa d'en Bossa and San Antonio, as well as Amnesia in the middle of the island.
There are several taxi ranks in the town centre, however, in July and August, it can be difficult to get one at night. Taxi fares are reasonable, especially when travelling in a group.
The airport is only 10km away, so easily reached by bus or taxi.
Read more...
Read more in our extensive resort guide for Ibiza Town.
