Travel To Ibiza: What Americans Need To Know

Ibiza, Spain, is a popular holiday destination for Americans. It is known for its beaches, food, lush green hills, and nightlife. Americans can visit Ibiza without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. From 2025, US passport holders will need to apply for the European visa waiver ETIAS to travel to Spain. Ibiza has a range of attractions, including beaches, museums, historical sites, and caves. It is also known for its nightlife, with many clubs and parties.

Ibiza's rise to fame

Ibiza has a long and fascinating history, with evidence of human occupation dating back over 3000 years. The island has been a melting pot of cultures, influenced by Mediterranean and North African civilisations. However, its fame as a tourist destination can be attributed to its vibrant party scene, which began to take shape in the 1960s with the influx of counterculture enthusiasts.

The birth of electronic music in the 1980s further propelled Ibiza's rise as a party mecca. The island became a magnet for DJs and producers, with legendary clubs like Amnesia and Pacha opening their doors. This marked a turning point for the island's music scene, which evolved from the free-spirited vibes of the bohemian counterculture to the pulsating beats of electronic dance music.

Ibiza's iconic venues, such as Space Ibiza, Ushuaïa, and DC-10, became synonymous with techno and underground beats, while also embracing a unique blend of nudity, costume parties, and a diverse range of people. The island's nightlife was characterised by its inclusivity, attracting a global mix of partygoers, including families, couples, and young clubbers.

In addition to its nightlife, Ibiza also offers breathtaking beaches, dazzling landscapes, a unique fashion scene, and superb cuisine. The island's rich history can be explored through its museums, picturesque villages, and the winding streets of Ibiza Town, especially the atmospheric old quarter, Dalt Vila.

Today, Ibiza continues to be a top tourist destination, with efforts being made to balance mass tourism with the preservation of its natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Ibiza's family-friendly attractions

Ibiza is a family-friendly destination, with an abundance of gorgeous beaches, family-friendly attractions, and a good chance of sunshine during the Easter season.

Family-Friendly Attractions in Ibiza:

• Beaches: During the Easter season, the weather in Ibiza is typically mild and sunny, making it perfect for families to enjoy the outdoors. The island boasts over 50 beaches, with popular family-friendly options including Cala Llonga, Cala Vadella, and Santa Eulalia. These beaches offer soft white sand and clear waters, providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience for both parents and children.
• Waterparks and Theme Parks: Ibiza is home to waterparks such as Aguamar Water Park and theme parks like Ibiza Karting San Antonio, offering fun for all ages.
• Nature Reserves: Ses Salines Natural Park and Es Vedrà Natural Reserve provide opportunities for families to hike, bike, and explore the island's natural beauty. Es Vedrà, in particular, is an impressive natural landmark with fascinating stories and legends associated with it.
• Dalt Vila: Dalt Vila, the historic old town of Ibiza, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features ancient fortifications, charming streets, and picturesque views. The canons on top of the castle are a highlight for children, offering a unique perspective of the island.
• Cap Blanc Aquarium: Found just outside of San Antonio, this aquarium is housed in a gigantic natural cave with a series of walkways. It offers a unique view of Mediterranean wildlife in their natural environment. There's also a terraced bar outside for families to relax and enjoy the views.
• Bicicletas Kandani: Cycling is a great way to explore the island with kids. Bicicletas Kandani offers private tours with gentle gradients and circular routes, passing by ancient landmarks and beaches.
• Es Cana's Hippy Market: Es Cana hosts a weekly hippy market with hundreds of stalls selling homemade clothes, art, and gifts. It's a great place to browse and soak in the vibrant atmosphere, with live music and a dedicated kids' area.
• Walking Ibiza: This private half-day walking and kayaking tour is designed for families, keeping kids engaged with a nature-focused treasure hunt and pirate lingo. The tour concludes with kayaking to secret caves and a billionaire's island, offering a well-rounded adventure.
• Minibiza Workshops: Minibiza offers workshops in art, cookery, gardening, and yoga for children, as well as babysitting services. They also have a specially adapted garden space for kids to play and explore.
• Surf House Ibiza: Budding beach bums can practice their surfing skills at this artificial surf wave. Instructors provide briefings on safe board techniques, ensuring a fun and safe environment for all ages.
• Mamboats Charters: Chartering a boat with Mamboats offers a brilliant day out for the family. You'll get stunning views of the western coast and Es Vedrà. Snorkelling gear and other water sports equipment are provided, along with family snack packs and life jackets for all ages.
• Casita Verde: Casita Verde is an ecology and education centre located in a typical Ibicencan 'finca' (farm). It's open to the public on Sundays, demonstrating sustainable living practices and offering a play area for kids to release their energy.

Ibiza's nightlife

Ibiza is known for its legendary nightlife and electronic music scene. The island's clubs are famous for their extravagant decor, with some featuring half-naked dancers, fog machines, and strobe lights. Ibiza's nightlife is not limited to land, as the island also offers a variety of boat parties. These boat parties usually depart from San Antonio in the afternoon, cruising into the sunset, or during the daytime from Playa d'en Bossa. They are a great opportunity to meet people and often include drinks, food, and entertainment provided by DJs and performers.

Some of the most famous super-clubs on the island include Amnesia, DC10, Eden, Es Paradis, Hï Ibiza, Pacha, and Ushuaïa. These clubs have capacities of several thousand people and host world-renowned DJs. They are known for their high cover charges, expensive drinks, and crowded dance floors. However, the music played varies from night to night and club to club, with different promoters bringing in a diverse range of artists.

In addition to the super-clubs, there are also medium-sized and smaller venues that offer a more intimate clubbing experience. Some of these include Club Chinois, Cova Santa, Destino, Ibiza Rocks, and O Beach. Ibiza also has many cocktail and music bars where clubbers can warm up before hitting the clubs or simply enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.

The dress code for clubs in Ibiza is generally more relaxed than in the United States. Shorts, t-shirts, vests, and even sandals are usually acceptable, except for some high-end establishments or VIP areas.

Ibiza's beach clubs, such as Bora Bora Ibiza Beach Club, are also worth mentioning. These clubs offer stunning settings, high-quality service, awesome music, and superb cuisine. They are an integral part of the island's music scene and often feature world-class DJs.

Overall, Ibiza's nightlife is known for its diversity, offering everything from large-scale super-clubs to intimate beachside bars. The island's electronic music scene is renowned worldwide, attracting lovers of house music and other electronic genres.

Ibiza's food and restaurant scene

Ibiza's food scene has evolved from playing second fiddle to the island's famous nightlife to becoming a hot ticket in its own right. From elevated beach shacks and sushi spots to rustic countryside gems, the White Isle has a lot to offer foodies.

For elevated classic seafood, Es Torrent is a San José institution, serving up paella and guisat de peix (rockfish stew) since 1983. Beachouse, meanwhile, has reinvented itself as a beachfront restaurant with a focus on sustainability, serving up sunrise yoga and breakfast sessions, an open charcoal grill, and full moon dinners on the beach.

For something more rustic, Cas Pagés, just south of the village of San Carlos, serves up grilled meat and lamb baked in a wood oven, with fuss-free salads like the ensalada payesa. There are no reservations, no credit cards, and no fancy footwork here.

If you're looking for a special occasion spot, Sa Capella, an 18th-century monastery hidden among the hills above San Antonio, offers a dramatic, gothic setting and a rustic menu centred on a wood-fired oven, featuring the best produce from land and sea.

For a unique dining experience, Overall, in the heart of Santa Gertrudis, is housed in a low-lit former art gallery, concealed behind a thick red velvet curtain. With just 24 seats per sitting, the restaurant offers a modern omakase experience, with dishes like octopus aged in wagyu fat and cacao, and hand-distilled moonshine cocktails with fermented fruit.

For a more refined dining experience, La Gaia, a one-star Michelin restaurant helmed by chef Oscar Molina, offers a culinary journey through different flavours, from a spicy Bloody Mary sphere to a box of sweet petit fours.

For a taste of the famous Ibizan party scene, Pacha, Amnesia, and Afterlife are legendary clubs, while Ushuaïa, the island's largest outdoor club, is a must-visit for EDM lovers.

How to get to Ibiza

Ibiza is a small island off the eastern coast of Spain, near Valencia. It is not accessible by rail or road, so flying is the fastest and most convenient way to get there.

By Plane

Ibiza has an international airport, located in Sant Jordi, which serves both the island of Ibiza and the neighbouring island of Formentera. The airport is just 7km from Ibiza Town centre, which can be reached in around 7 minutes by car.

There are direct flights to Ibiza from Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, ranging from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Direct flights are also available from other Spanish mainland cities such as Menorca, Sevilla, and Palma de Mallorca, with flight times between 30 minutes and 1 hour.

From the United States, there are flights to Ibiza from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, with prices starting at around $534 for a round trip. These flights usually include a layover at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

By Ferry

If you prefer a slower and more scenic route, you can reach Ibiza by ferry from the Spanish mainland. The two main ports on the mainland are Denia and Valencia. Ferries from Denia take about 2-3 hours, while ferries from Valencia take 5-7 hours. Both cities are well-connected to Madrid and Barcelona by car, public transportation, or plane. Ferries are also available from Barcelona, but the journey takes about 9 hours.

The main ports on Ibiza are San Antonio and Ibiza Town. The journey from Denia to Ibiza Town is around 2 hours by hydrofoil, and from Valencia, it takes about 5 hours. The longest route is from Barcelona, which can take up to 8-9 hours.

Within Ibiza

Once you arrive in Ibiza, you can use regional buses and shuttles to get around the island. However, renting a car is recommended if you want to explore the beaches and hiking areas that are not serviced by buses. Rental cars, scooters, and private transfers are available at the airport and port cities. Taxis are also readily available at reasonable prices.

Frequently asked questions