Ibiza Itinerary 5 Days: How to Spend 5 Days in Ibiza (or more)

We all have heard of Ibiza, the iconic island of Europe known for its lively atmosphere and party scene. Because of popular culture, Ibiza is known more for its nightlife than for its beauty. 

If you’ve been living in Europe, then you might have already visited Ibiza in your 20s or 30s. But the thing is, Ibiza has so much more to offer than just nightlife.

This island in the Balearic Islands archipelago is stunning beyond words. Yes, I’m talking about the clearest blue water, picture-perfect beaches, lovely old town, cliffs, viewpoints, and so many hiking possibilities.

So, even if you have visited Ibiza and are returning for a long weekend or even a longer vacation, my Ibiza itinerary will help you experience the best of the island—from the prettiest beaches, to hikes, hippie markets, and also the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Before you read further, I’d like to say that the best way to explore Ibiza is by car, so make sure to book a rental car in before to make your visit epic.

Growing up in India, I heard of Ibiza when I was a kid because of a song called “We’re Going to Ibiza” by Vengaboys. You might have heard it too. But this post isn’t about exploring Ibiza’s party scene, it’s about enjoying this paradise island beyond its nightlife. Although I do mention one or two party spots and beach clubs.

So, here’s my itinerary to help you spend 5 days in Ibiza (or even more) after I spent a week in Ibiza and stayed with the locals who took me everywhere: (remember to check the weather and modify this itinerary)

Day 1 in Ibiza: the West

Let’s start with a bang and explore the prettiest beach, a sunset spot, and an optional stop at an iconic nightlife spot. Pack your beach bags for a day with an optional change of clothing so that if you decide to visit the nightlife spot, you can just change in your car instead of having to go back to your room.

I have mentioned three beaches here, and they are all stunning. If visiting three beaches in a day is too much, then you can pick just two out of this list.

Cala Salata (Morning)

This is perhaps the prettiest beach of Ibiza, and it has crystal clear waters that the island is famous for. The beach is so pretty that you would want to visit it every single day.

My jaw dropped when I arrived here from the car park and saw the view from the top. Yes, there are cliffs, and you have to climb down to get to the sand, but it’s pretty easy.

Technically, Cala Salata is a cove and not just a beach. There are many walking paths here that connect mini coves, so take your time to explore this stunning area.

Cala Salata is popular, so it tends to get busy. I was here in the shoulder season of the end of April and beginning of May, so the season was just starting. If you’re visiting in the high season, then arrive here early.

Cala Comte (Lunch & Afternoon)

Cala Comte is another great option for afternoon swimming and sunbathing. The rock formations and natural beauty make this one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.

Note: Consider booking this beach hopping cruise that includes a visit to Cala Comte, Cala Tarida, Conta, Cala Escondida, and Cala Bassa. This tour includes food, drinks, Paddleboards, snorkel, equipment, and other water gear. If you pick the sunset tour, it also includes 4 alcoholic drinks per person.

Just like Cala Salata, the water at Cala Comte is absolutely fantastic. So, bring snorkelling equipment because the water here is crystal clear.

There are two places to eat at Cala Comte with different vibes – one has loud music and the other has more fancy vibes. They both get very busy during the peak season. So, book in advance if you are sure that you want to eat here.

Nearby, Cala Bassa is another perfect spot with fresh seafood restaurants and a lively vibe.

Sa Punta Galera (Sunset)

Sa Punta Galera Nature Preserve is close to Cala Salata, but it’s a total change of scenery. This isn’t a sandy cove, but it has rock platforms. It’s a popular cliff jumping spot and is also perfect for watching the sunset.

The rocks form multiple platforms, and I was able to find one that was secluded. I spent a few hours here with friends sunbathing.

After my trip, I realized that some of the best Ibiza photos were taken here because these beautiful rocks create a nice backdrop for photos.

When the sun began to set, we moved around and found a higher spot with an amazing view.

Sant Antoni de Portmany for nightlife

Post sunset, head to San Antonio Bay and the famous Sunset Strip, where beach bars like Café Mambo and Café del Mar offer front-row seats to one of the world’s most beautiful sunsets. But again, you probably already experienced sunset at Sa Punta Galera.

Sant Antoni de Portmany is a small town within Ibiza, and the most famous spot here is Sant Antoni’s Bay. There’s a promenade from the harbor to the Es Pouet and S’Arenal beaches. The heritage site of Sa Punta des Molí is between these two beaches, which also has a windmill.

The Pikes (Post 11 or midnight party)

The Pikes is an iconic party spot in Ibiza, and it’s frequently visited by celebrities. It was actually the first boutique hotel in Ibiza and was founded by Tony Pike, who organized legendary parties.

This is where Freddie Mercury celebrated his 41st birthday. It is good to know that this place has a reputation for treating everyone alike, whether they are famous or not.

The Pikes’ parties are carefree, hedonistic, and one of a kind. This is one of the places that you should definitely visit if you want to experience Ibiza’s party culture.

Day 2 in Ibiza: the East

My favourite part of Ibiza was the East of this island. Santa Eulària des Riu the the name of the town in this part of the island. This is where I stayed during my one week in Ibiza.

The reason why I enjoyed Santa Eularia is that it is calm, not touristy, and has amazing beaches. Also, this part of Ibiza has some of the more affordable restaurants where the locals visit.

If you did party the night before, start slow, eat a nice brunch before you start exploring.

Amante Hike

Drive to Amante and park your rented car near Amante, a high-end sea-facing restaurant perched on a hill in Ibiza.

This section is about a small hike that goes from behind this restaurant to a nice viewpoint. You can consider stopping here for lunch, post your hike if you’d like.

Tip: Don’t pick the hottest part of the day for this hike. Do this before noon or 2 hours before sunset. Or, if it’s a cloudy day, then it will be easier for you.

This is an easy hike, but be aware of the pebbles because they sometimes roll when you step on them. Don’t make the mistake that I did; I wore sandals and I almost slipped a few times. So, wear decent shoes.

The complete hiking map is here, but you don’t have to do the entire circle. You can just go on top of one hill, see the view, stay there for a few minutes, and come back. This hiking trail goes to Cala Llonga, which we will visit next.

As you hike along the sea on the cliffs, you will see multiple viewpoints. I truly admired the blue of Ibiza’s water while looking down at the sea while hiking.

You can hike to Cala Llonga directly, which will take you around 30 minutes. We did part of this hike and then went back to the car to drive to Amante.

Cala Llonga

Whether you drove to Cala Llonga or hiked to it, you’re going to love a dip in the calm waters here. Cala Llonga is a nice sandy beach that you should definitely visit while you’re in Ibiza. It is halfway between the town center of Santa Eulalia and Ibiza Town.

Cala Llonga is a mini resort beach and has some nice places to stay. It is popular with families because of its ease, safe swimming, affordable prices, and decent infrastructure. Moreover, there’s also a children’s playground here right on the beach.

Do remember my tip to check the weather and wind conditions before visiting the beaches of Ibiza. The time I visited Cala Llonga, it got pretty windy, and we had to leave after just 30 minutes here because the sand was flying into our eyes.

It is worth noting that Cala Llonga also has a smaller hippie market here on Thursdays. I didn’t visit the market, but I saw a display board here with information.

Las Dalias Hippie Market (Saturdays & Sundays) OR Punta Arabi / Es Canar (Wednesday)

Ibiza has a lot of hippie markets, but which one is the most famous one? It’s Las Dalias – the oldest, most famous, and the hippest of all hippie markets in Ibiza. It starts at 10 am on Saturdays and 11 am on Sundays, and the market goes on till around 8 pm. The music gets louder in the evening, and people celebrate.

There’s so much to do here than just shop. You can eat, drink, shop, maybe get a tarot reading, enjoy live music, and even dance a little.

Another option for a hippie market in this part of Ibiza is Es Canar (or Es Cana), which is held every Wednesday at the Punta Arabí. While Las Dalias is the oldest hippie market, Es Canar is the largest one with around 500 stalls. There’s live music here too, and also a kids’ area.

Between these two, Es Cana is more touristy and Las Dalias has more local vibes. The stalls are pretty much the same, with the same vendors.

During summer, Las Dalias hippie market closes at 8 pm on Saturdays and 6 pm on Sundays. Punta Arabi / Es Canar closes at 7 pm. So, you can plan your visit in a way that you can eat here and also stay till the end to enjoy dancing.

Day 3 in Ibiza: Formentera

Formentera Day Trip

When you fly to Ibiza, you will notice a smaller island right before the airplane lands. If you look carefully, you will also notice sandbars on this island from up above. I did, and I couldn’t stop clicking photos.

This smaller island next to Ibiza is called Formentera, and this is on our agenda for today. Many people visit Ibiza but miss the nearby island of Formentera because you can only reach it by boat (or a private jet/chopper).

I have handpicked this amazing return trip to Formentera island that includes breakfast, dinner, and an open bar with Aperol Spritz, Sangria de Cava, Sangria de Vino Tinto, Cava, and beer. They also have SUP boards, water slides, and give you 5 hours of free time at Formentera.

Here are some more Formentera tours and/or return boat trips that you can consider based on your preference:

• Crystal Waters Formentera, Open Bar and Buffet Lunch: This tour includes stops at Cala Saona, Playa de Ses Illetes, and La Savina. It also includes snorkel gear, buffet lunch, open bar with water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria.
• Formentera Boat Tour with Lunch + Snorkeling: This Formentera boat tour will take you to Cala Saona, a.k.a. the jewel of the west coast of this island. You will also get 3 hours of free time to explore this small island at your own pace. Lunch is included.
• Ibiza Luxury Full-Day Boat Tour to Formentera: This boat tour costs three times of the above two because of the luxury factor. The stops are pretty much the same, but it is a smaller group and everyone gets a sunbed.
• Round-trip Ferry to Formentera: This is a flexible round-trip transfer from Playa d’En Bossa or Figueretes to Formentera so you can explore the island at your own pace.

Day 4 in Ibiza: the North

Ibiza in general has a hippie vibe, so let’s spend the second half of the day today on the hippiest beach here. Get ready to spend an entire day outside, so carry everything you need for a long beach day, with a jacket for the evening.

I have divided today into two beach days with more things to do on the second beach, where you will also watch the sunset and eat dinner.

Cala Aigues Blanques, Platja des Figueral

Cala Aigues Blanques is a gem because it is stunning, has soft sand, rock formations, and you can sunbathe naked. The time I visited, this beach wasn’t crowded, and we ended up having the best beach day here.

The cliffs divide this beach into multiple sections, as you can see in the photo above. I went to just one section and stayed there for a few hours for a perfect beach day.

The sand and water quality of Cala Aigues Blanques were absolutely perfect for me. The sand was soft, and the waves were gentle when I visited. It’s a nudist beach, so clothing is optional.

Although the above photo doesn’t show it, the water here is super clear. When I stepped into the water, I could see schools of small fish. For me, the water here was very cold because I visited at the end of April and early May.

My visit to Cala Aigues Blanques was with my friends who live in Ibiza. I noticed that this beach is visited by locals. In total, I just saw one tourist family.

Benirras Beach

Drive towards Port de Sant Miquel to arrive at Benirras Beach, the hippie beach of Ibiza. This is where I went the most during my 7 days in Ibiza because of the vibes.

Because it is surrounded by little green hills on two sides, Benirrás beach looks different than some of the other beaches of Ibiza.

When the sky is clear, the water of Cala Benirrás is blue, so it looks very pretty. The sand here isn’t very fine like that of Cala Aigues Blanques, which we visited earlier today.

Cala Benirrás is known for its stunning sunsets and drum sessions, but we will talk about that in the next point.

There are two restaurants on Benirras Beach – Restaurante Roca Y Mar and Elements Eivissa Beach Club. I ate twice in Restaurante Roca Y Mar and loved it. It has nice beachfront tables. The other restaurant, Elements, is a little more high-end, and it looked very good too.

There’s plenty of paid parking before this beach, but I saw that the parking was usually full.

Benirras Beach Market (Every day in summer)

Benirras Beach Market is a smaller version of the hippie market with interesting stalls. The good thing is that it is open every day of the week during the main season.

The unique factor of this hippie market is the location, and you can see the blue water and the beach directly from the market.

Explore Benirras Market. Admire and possibly buy some unique clothes, sunglasses, bags, and accessories. But remember to head back to the beach an hour before sunset for one of the best sundowner experiences of Ibiza.

Benirras Beach Sunset Drum Circle

Now let me come to the best part of visiting Benirras Beach – it’s the sunset and the drum circle. This drum circle occurs if you walk towards the left side as you enter the beach. Cross Restaurante Roca Y Mar and arrive at a spot that looks like an abandoned beach bar, where you will see drummers. Here are the Google Coordinates, just in case.

The drum circle of Benirras beach reminded me of Goa’s Arambol beach’s sunset drum circle. They are both similar in terms of vibes.

Keep in mind that this isn’t an experience that everyone will love. If you like live organic music, tribal sounds of percussion instruments, and a lively sunset experience, then this is for you.

I experienced the Benirras beach drum circle on two different days, and it was much more crowded on Sunday but amazing on both days.

Day 5 in Ibiza: the South

The South of Ibiza is actually the main area and is where most of the tourists end up going. Sure, there’s the Ibiza main town and everything, but I am also recommending an amazing hike and a hidden cove here.

Sant Jordi Market (Saturday)

Start your day at Mercadillo de Sant Jordi, which starts at 8 am. It’s a second-hand flea market where you can buy just about everything. Eat breakfast here in this market and explore. Most likely, you wouldn’t spend more than an hour here unless you’re really into shopping.

It is good to know that this market takes place at Sant Jordi Hippodrome. This old hippodrome turns into a flea market every Saturday.

The distinctive factor about this market is that it is a car boot sale. You will see a car or a van behind every single shop. This market is way more than just clothes and fashion accessories. You can find amazing vintage decor, furniture, toys, car parts, gardening tools, and the most random household items.

Dalt Vila & Playa d’en Bossa

Dalt Vila means upper town; it is Ibiza’s fortified old town and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 13th-century Ibiza Castle is also right here.

Walk through the narrow streets of the charming old town of Ibiza and make your way to Dalt Vila. This historic fortress offers panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and is a great spot for photos.

Enter through the impressive Portal de ses Taules, then explore the cobblestone alleys, local boutiques, and beautiful restaurants tucked away in this ancient part of the small island.

If you aren’t in the mood for hiking, then skip the next section and head south to Sant Josep de sa Talaia for Playa d’en Bossa, a popular spot known for its white sandy beaches, beach clubs, and buzzing club nights.

Take a dip in the turquoise waters, relax on a lounger, or try some water sports. This is also a great place to enjoy delicious food and live music as the sun sets.

Atlantis & Es Vedra Hike (Sunset)

Es Vedra is the legendary rock island off Ibiza’s southwest coast. It’s said to have magnetic energy and is especially captivating at sunset. It is a part of the Cala d’Hort nature reserve.

Park your car at Torre des Savinar and from there hike towards the rocks to see a nice view of Es Vedrà. There are many hiking trails, and some of them are closed to the public.

Now let’s talk about the hidden gem of Ibiza, which some say is the best part – Atlantis Ibiza Cove or Sa Pedrera de Cala d’Hort.

You must have heard about the myth of Atlantis. As per Greek Mythology, it was a civilisation on an island city that disappeared under the sea billions of years ago. This obviously isn’t the remains of Atlantis, but it surely inspired the name.

If you are lucky enough to find this spot, this is where you will find a bizarre landscape of geometric rock formations, a face on the rock, and also emerald pools.

Where to Stay in Ibiza?

Ibiza is massive, and you can find tonnes of options for places to stay, however, most of them are pretty expensive. Here are some of the areas that you can consider for booking a hotel to stay in Ibiza. I will mention a few options per location that would match different budgets.

Santa Eulària des Riu

This is where I stayed during my one week in Ibiza. I didn’t need to book a hotel because I stayed with my friends who live in this area. I enjoyed this area because it has the best beaches, two famous hippie markets, and comparatively affordable restaurants

AzuLine Hotel Mediterráneo – This is a perfect mid-range option with simple rooms and a decent location. Santa Eulalia Bus Stop is just 50 meters away, and Santa Eularia Beach is 450 meters away.

Hostal Rey – This place is a gem because not only do they have affordable private rooms, but the location is also perfect. It is just 200 meters away from Santa Eularia Beach, just 50 meters from Santa Eulalia Bus Stop, and 20 kilometers from Ibiza airport.

Grupotel Santa Eulària & Spa (Adults only) – Now this is the perfect option for couples who want to splurge. It is stunning, has a lagoon-style swimming pool, and it overlooks the Santa Eulária Bay. So, you can also find rooms with a sea view.

Playa D’en Bossa (for families or couples)

This area is close to the Ibiza airport and has a few upscale resorts. Do note that because this beach is close to the airport, it does tend to get more crowded during the peak season.

Hotel Vibra Algarb – This is a beachfront hotel with rooms that have a sea view. There’s also a pool here and sunbeds.

Apartamentos Vibra Tropical Garden – This place is located just 200 metres from Figueretes Beach. It has an air-conditioned apartment with a kitchenette. This place is a 10-minute walk from the lively bars and clubs of Ibiza Town. San Antonio.

San Antonio (for party people)

Sant Antoni’s Bay has some of the most famous beach bars and a busy promenade. It is Ibiza’s most lively area and is suitable for party travelers. Also, this area has some of the more affordable places to stay in Ibiza and a few hostels.

Rosamar Ibiza Hotel – Here’s a perfect mid-range hotel with studio apartments with kitchens, so you can cook your own meals. It is 150 meters away from Playa de Pinet beach.

Ibiza Rocks Hotel – Adults Only – This is an adults-only hotel that’s a 10-minute walk from Sant Antoni Beach, and 5 minutes from the Sunset Strip and the West. It is mid-range in terms of prices.

Hostal Horizonte – Even though the name says hostel, this place has affordable private rooms that you can book. It is a family-run guesthouse that’s situated 600 metres from Sant Antoni Beach.

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