Ibiza in 1 Day: all you need to know
Ready to get to know the most lively and vibrant island of the Balearic Islands? This itinerary with a one-day tour is designed to give you a taste of everything Ibiza has to offer to its visitors.
Ibiza | ©steve gilman
Many Mediterranean cruises include in their itinerary a stop of 1 or 2 days in Ibiza. Similarly, some travelers who explore the Balearic Islands on their own distribute the available days between the different destinations of the archipelago.
There are many reasons that can lead you to spend only 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 must have three ingredients: know the city, enjoy the sea and enjoy the party.
Have a tasty breakfast at the Marina de Botafoch
Start the day recharging energy and having breakfast in Botafoch, famous for being considered one of the most famous ports of 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 know the old town and everything related to the history and evolution of the city, but before starting I recommend waking up early and go to the Marina Botafoch for a delicious breakfast.
Here are some recommendations.
- Cappuccino Grand Cafe: Located in the Marina, the terrace offers breathtaking views. Its specialty is international cuisine.
- Calma: If you want to taste local food this is one of the best options in the area.
- Roto: A restaurant of modern and contemporary design, its gastronomic offer includes a variety of local dishes.
Stroll among the walls of Dalt Vila.
Ibiza's ancient walls were built to protect the city from the Muslims in times before the 10th century. Designed to resist heavy artillery, the colossal structure reaches the impressive height of 25 meters and in it you will find 7 bastions, the main and most majestic being 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 cab to get to Dalt Vila. By car, the journey takes only 10 minutes. Considering that you have little time on the island, it can be money well spent.
Finally, if you are going to Ibiza with children for a family vacation, I recommend avoiding the use of strollers in the old town; the wall area is full of steps and ramps are very scarce.
Useful information
- Hours: Always open to the public.
- Price: Free of charge
- Duration of the visit: In less than 1 hour you can walk the entire perimeter.
Explore the Cathedral of Santa Maria
After the tour of the walls, it's time to explore the streets of the interior of Dalt Vila. The first stop will be to visit the most important religious temple of the city: the Cathedral of Santa Maria.
Located imposingly on 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 civilizations.
In this same location was located an Arab mosque, a Roman temple and most likely some kind of Phoenician construction.
The design of the Cathedral presents a mixture of styles as a result of the various reforms it has undergone over the years. The facade of the present one has Gothic elements in the apse and in the bell tower, as well as many Baroque elements.
Useful information
- Hours: Open to the public from Monday to Sunday, the schedule may be modified from one season to another. During the spring it is from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and then from 4 pm to 8 pm. During the winter it opens at 10 am.
- Price: Free of charge.
- Duration of the visit: 30-40 minutes are 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 will find a fabulous collection of works by local artist Narcís Puget i Viñas and his son, Narcís Puget Riquer, both important figures of impressionism.
The collection includes paintings, oil paintings and colorful sketches that portray all kinds of traditional scenes and typical landscapes of Ibiza.
In addition to the collection housed inside, the Puget Museum itself is a work of art. Located in what was once an ostentatious 15th century mansion, the architecture of the place is impressive with very well preserved interiors in a late Gothic style. Pay special attention to the beautiful stone staircase and the bright interior courtyard.
From your location at the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the museum is only a 2-minute walk away, taking the Calle Mayor in a westerly direction.
Useful information
- Hours: The museum is closed on Mondays. On Saturdays and Sundays the opening hours are from 10 am to 2 pm. The rest of the year, from Tuesday to Friday, it is open from 10 am and the closing time varies according to the season. Check the timetable 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 the Old Town of Ibiza take a break for lunch and recharge your batteries. The walled city of Dalt Vila is home to some of the best restaurants in town. In addition to enjoying the Ibizan gastronomy you can marvel at the picturesque and ancient buildings characteristic of this part of the city.
In the area of Dalt Vila there are plenty of good restaurants to choose from:
- Trasero: Considered by many travelers as the best tapas restaurant in town. One of the favorites of the locals.
- La Bodega: A fun and lively place to enjoy a delicious meal, it has become a favorite of visitors touring the old town of Ibiza.
- La Oliva: An elegant restaurant with a beautiful terrace and informal atmosphere. Its menu includes traditional Mediterranean cuisine and Asian-influenced dishes.
- La Mezcalería: A restaurant with an interesting concept that mixes traditional Mediterranean food with strong influences from Mexican gastronomy.
Take a boat trip through the coves of Ibiza
Leaving Dalt Vila and the historic center 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 to practice a variety of water sports, from swimming and snorkeling in Ibiza, to surfing.
For short trips, the best alternative is to hire a boat excursion, as many local companies offer this type of experience to travelers and the options are very diverse. It is recommended to book in advance, especially if your trip to the island lasts only 1 day.
Keep in mind 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 snorkeling, paddle surfing or other activities.
Other popular alternatives on the island are the excursions to Formentera from Ibiza, although you must reserve a full day for this experience. I recommend it only for those travelers who will be in Ibiza for at least 3 days.
Useful information
- Schedule: Available in morning and afternoon.
- Price: Around 60€ per traveler. This price includes round trip transportation and all the necessary equipment for the adventure.
- Duration of the visit: 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 will be able to party until dawn if you prefer.
However, Ibiza's nightclubs get lively 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 option to start the night with a delicious dinner and a few cocktails while enjoying the views of the bay.
This area abounds with options. 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 to the coast and it is not uncommon to find numerous beach bars during the high season, such as summer in Ibiza.
Some options of bars to start the party in the area are the following:
Bars in San Antonio:
An inexpensive and very popular area of Ibiza with young and party-minded travelers of any age. This part of the island is also known for offering an environment where much of the communication is handled in English.
Some of the best cocktail bars in the San Antonio area are: Bar Mambo, Sun Sea Bar, Donnegans.
Dance in the best nightclubs in Ibiza.
I invite you to close with a flourish your excursion on the island by attending a night of fun. Ibiza has world famous discotheques and nightlife centers. Travelers from all over the world contemplate short stays of 4 days in Ibiza just to enjoy the fun that its nights offer.
Depending on the area of the island where you are, you will find from small clubs to big discos. However, if you are looking for the most epic side of Ibiza this is 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 classic and most iconic nightclubs on the island. It opened its doors in 1973 and has franchises in major capitals around the world including Madrid, London and New York.
- Hours: From midnight to 07h.
- Price: The entrance fee ranges between 30 € and 60 € approximately.
Amnesia Ibiza
The Ibiza nightclub that has won the distinction of the Best Global Club. It began its activities in the 1970s as an open-air discotheque. Amnesia today has two large rooms with capacity for 5 thousand people.
- Opening hours: From 00h to 07h.
- Price: From 20€ to 60€.
Ushuaia Beach Hotel
Another classic of the party in Ibiza that you will want to consider in one of your trips. This place redefined the concept of partying in Ibiza and has a style of fun somewhat different from other options on the list.
In Ushuaia Beach you will find a hotel-discotheque to celebrate a great pool party with lots of music.
- Opening hours: From 17h to 24h.
- Price: Around 30€ and 70€ per participant.