For such a tiny island, loads of stuff is always going on here on Ibiza. If you don't have someone to walk you through the basics, it can seem a bit overwhelming. To help you out, we have put together some simple advice guides on the clubbing scene for those of you popping your Ibiza cherry for the first time, giving you a bit of basic knowledge to help you get the most out of your holiday.
A typical day might be spent chilling on one of our amazing beaches or partying with your friends on one of the many boat parties, followed by watching the sunset and a bite to eat. Then you can move on into town for some drinks, for some mingling and maybe a bit of a dance. From there the legendary Ibiza clubs are calling you for a big night with your favourite DJs.
clubs
The most famous super-clubs on Ibiza, with a capacity of several thousand people, are (in alphabetical order):
- Amnesia - located in the middle of the island, near San Rafael
- DC10 - located near the airport on the road to Las Salinas
- Eden - located on the waterfront in San Antonio
- Es Paradis - located on the waterfront in San Antonio, right next to Eden
- Hï Ibiza - located on the main Playa d'en Bossa strip, opposite Ushuaïa
- Pacha - located very near the Ibiza Town Marina
- Ushuaïa - located on the main Playa d'en Bossa strip, directly on the beach
Furthermore, there are these medium-sized, also very popular clubbing venues:
- Club Chinois - located in Ibiza Town, near Pacha and the Marina Ibiza
- Cova Santa - located on the road from Ibiza Town to San José
- Destino - located near Talamanca, on the cliffs of Cap Martinet north of the resort
- Ibiza Rocks - located in the centre of San Antonio
- O Beach - located on the promenade along the Bay of San Antonio
In addition, many smaller venues such as Akasha, Lío, SWAG and many more await.
Boat parties (see below) are also becoming increasingly popular.
promoters and parties
Both the clubs themselves and external promoters from many different countries around the world are responsible for the club's daily parties. This variety means the music played at each club varies from night to night and promoter to promoter. You can check out our party calendar for the most up to date information available with full DJ listings for every party. Also see Ibiza Parties for descriptions of each night.
Examples:
In Pacha, on Saturdays the masked man of mystery Claptone takes over the cherry-branded club with The Masquerade party. His musical range includes vocal House, Deep House and occasional divergences to Pop music - ideal for a Saturday night crowd.
On the other end of the musical spectrum, Fridays in Pacha caters to an underground crowd with the Music On residency. Party leader Marco Carola and other guest DJs play groove-focused Tech House to a fashionable international crowd.
Just to confuse the issue, all the major clubs have a back room or alternative area that usually plays different music to the DJs in the main room, for example, The Terrace in Amnesia or Pacha's Funky Room.
Read more in our Ibiza Virgins' Guide | The types of music found at Ibiza parties.
If you have want to see certain artists, you can also use our DJ search.
Boat parties
Boat parties are an essential pillar of the Ibiza clubbing scene and no Ibiza holiday is complete without having experienced at least one party out at sea. The choice of boat parties is large nowadays and promoters offer party cruises for all tastes.
These maritime adventures depart either from San Antonio, departing in the afternoon and cruising into the unforgettable Ibiza sunset, or daytime from Playa d'en Bossa. These tours are the perfect opportunity to meet other people. There is usually a pre-party, drinks and food are served on board and DJs and entertainers provide the right relaxed atmosphere. Some boat party promoters even include a club night in their package.
Check out our boat party guide for dates, details and tickets for the best Ibiza boat parties.
Club tickets
You can get official tickets for practically all club nights and boat parties on the island in our party calendar.
Buying tickets beforehand ensures you get the best price and guaranteed entry. Also, keep in mind that a few parties on the island sell out, so getting your tickets in advance is always the safest bet.
Apart from that, once you're on holiday you don't have to bring as much money with you, nor waste precious time running after tickets. Should your plans change, you can cancel some tickets purchased directly through Ibiza Spotlight up to 1 day prior to the event and still get a full refund. Any exceptions to this are clearly marked in your basket and order confirmation.
For some venues you can purchase a cancellation insurance at a low price if you want to be able to cancel tickets later. The cancellation insurance enables you to cancel for any reason, and at any time up to 1 day before the event - and receive a full refund of the ticket price (the cost of the insurance is non-refundable).
Cancelling is really easy and only takes a minute from My Orders.
See which parties we've got on sale here and make sure you check out our frequently asked questions.
bars
Another vital part of the Ibizan club scene are the many cocktail and music bars in the resorts and dotted around the island. Here, you will find clubbers warming up with a few drinks before hitting the clubs, dancing to music in a more relaxed, less intense atmosphere or enjoying a professionally mixed cocktail to start the evening in style.
Most of these bars have free entry and cheaper drinks but still have great local and guest DJs. See our page about Cocktail and music bars and the resort guides to see which bars we recommend.
Special mention must go to the sunset cafés along the Caló des Moro in San Antonio, famously known as the Sunset Strip. Here, you can watch the sun go down in a romantic setting and later dance to your favourite DJ.
places to stay
At Spotlight, we have plenty of experience of what you're looking for in your holiday accommodation. To assist you in making the most informed choice, we have put together a list of the best places for clubbers to stay on Ibiza. All the hotels and self-catering apartments are clubber-friendly and range from budget to luxury.
If you don't find what you're looking for remember to check out our full range of accommodation.
Flying solo
If your mates are all too busy counting pennies and cannot get their bums into gear, don't be afraid of heading to the White Isle on your own! You'll not only find a welcoming, warm embrace, you'll also certainly not be alone. Tons of people make the solo trip to the Med each and every summer, and they usually go home with a truckload of unforgettable memories as a result.
We've given you heaps of advice on your first solo trip to the island here, and if you still don't believe us, head to our forums, where loads of our members will tell you the same.
Our advice
- Don't leave home without reading our Ibiza Virgins' Guide feature series
- Check out our club guides, where you can get a feel for the different clubs, to see which one you might like to visit.
- Bookmark our club news and reviews page, which is updated daily in the summer, and browse through our agenda-setting archives. In our magazine you'll also find general news about Ibiza.
- Check out our tips and tricks page, which is a must-read before you come. It will save you time and money.
- Check out our clubbing forums - don't be afraid to ask any question you like. There are many regular visitors who will be happy to help.
- When you are here, feel free to ask other clubbers what they recommend. It really is a very friendly atmosphere on the island. Go to Playa d'en Bossa, the Sunset Strip in San Antonio or the Port of Ibiza Town and make some new friends.
