Ibiza Town (Eivissa in Catalan) is a grand, cosmopolitan and ancient Mediterranean city located on the southeast coast of Ibiza. It is the island's capital and, with over 50.000 inhabitants, the largest town on the island. The name for Ibiza in Catalan is "Eivissa", which you will see on signposts all over the island.
Ibiza Town is a city full of life and colour, where history blends with modern life. Bursting with energy and charm, its cobbled streets are a playground for day-to-night adventure. Spend the day exploring the stylish boutiques and quaint cafés, gazing out at the shimmering harbour or up at the imposing beauty of the citadel of Dalt Vila. It would be hard to find a better backdrop.
By night, sip on sangria and feast on paella in one of the many impressive restaurants that line the streets, and take residence within Dalt Vila’s Renaissance stone walls. Watch relaxed Spanish life play out in tree-lined squares such as Vara Del Rey and Plaza del Parque, as children and families mingle with holidaymakers in the balmy evening breeze.
Clubbers also find this a party paradise, as they begin the night in the buzzing port bars and hidden doorways along the winding lanes, later dancing the night away in world-famous clubs like Pacha Ibiza.
This vibrant city also boasts its own cultural scene, featuring galleries and museums, as well as a variety of events throughout the year.
The old town
Towering proudly above the city, the fortified citadel of Dalt Vila is the first thing you see when you approach Ibiza Town. A treasure trove of history, it was founded by the Phoenicians over 2500 years ago, and still has people living within its walls today.
Here, you can find traces of the Moors and museums displaying artefacts from various periods of the island's history, including Phoenician, Carthaginian, and Roman times.
A large ramp leads up to the Portal de Ses Taules, the main city gate through which you enter the historic walls of Dalt Vila. Its imposing stone structure was once a defining element in its defence against invading pirates, but is now an invitation to explore the stunning cobbled streets within.
Once inside, a colourful world upon the cobbled square of Plaça de Vila opens up before you, with the ancient city walls still acting as its protector. Here, lively eateries play host to families and holidaymakers, who while away the hours feasting on the delicious array of menus on offer. In the evening, the candlelit terraces of exclusive restaurants are the perfect place for a romantic dinner.
Explore further, and the winding lanes and stairs lead deeper into the beautiful melding of ancient and present day. As you climb higher, notice how much quieter it becomes and listen for the birdsong floating through the air.
From the bastions that protrude from the defence walls of Dalt Vila, you can enjoy sweeping views over the town and out onto the sea with Formentera in the background. The small cafés and restaurants offer the perfect place to enjoy a refreshment on their open-air terraces. At the top, the beautiful cathedral of Ibiza watches over the bustling city below.
Outside of the city walls, around the old fishing and port area, you will find lanes with charming walkways and cute white-painted buildings. In summer, visitors and residents mingle on the streets, going about their daily work and enjoying the shops, the old fruit and vegetable market, and quaint restaurants.
At night, the area comes alive with a more vibrant atmosphere and a small nightly street market where you can purchase a range of souvenirs. The buzzing bars here are perfect for pre-club drinks or for a little taste of the party spirit before wrapping up your day.
The new town
The newer part of the city encompasses everything else on the flat plain. Here, there are graceful plazas, like the central boulevard of Vara de Rey, with its beautiful town houses from the beginning of the last century. High trees beautifully blossoming in white, pink and rose give shade during the hot summer months, while performers entertain the many restaurant terraces.
The neighbouring Plaza del Parque is equally as charming, with its collection of bars and quality restaurants, which are ideal for people watching at any time of day or night. Mingle with the island residents who love this area just as much.
Between Vara de Rey and the parallel main road, the Avenida Bartolomé Rosselló, you'll find a sparkling selection of shops, both big chains and smaller fashion boutiques. Walking around here, you will come across many more restaurants and bars, similar to modern Barcelona-inspired tapas venues, with fresh plates that are hugely popular with the locals.
The port area
Since its remodelling in recent years, the wide harbour promenade has grown into a splendid space for all to enjoy. It feels fresh and cheerful, with the pretty building facades offering shade to the hustle and bustle that takes place below.
At night, it becomes rich with life, as crowds come out to prepare for their evening plans, or just to soak up the energy here. During the summer, there are some free DJ events, and it’s also the endpoint for the annual Great March of the Ibiza Pride in June.
It's impossible to miss the dazzling array of yachts here. In the summer months, some of the most expensive vessels in the world tower at the side of the harbour promenade, several stories high and decked out in the finest luxury furnishings. Some even have helipads atop, ready for guests to fly off at a moment's notice. One of the most exclusive mooring sites, its position in the centre of town provides the rich and famous with some of the best access to all that Ibiza offers.
The marinas
Across from the old town, on the other side of the harbour, lies the trendy and hip area that sweeps along the two marinas, Marina Botafoc and Marina Ibiza.
Beautiful modern buildings line the sweeping walkway on Paseo Juan Carlos I with generous lawns, shady trees and palm trees. Children play on well-maintained playgrounds, whilst joggers and fitness fans work out in the outdoor fitness park. Skateboarders and cyclists whizz past as a mix of tourists and locals enjoy the stunning views across the water of the citadel Dalt Vila.
In the evening, the area becomes a beacon for more glitz and glamour. The many great - and often gourmet - restaurants are filled with diners, while those wishing to try their luck will head straight to the Casino of Ibiza for a flutter. You’ll also find two of the island's clubbing venues, Pacha Ibiza and Chinois Ibiza , as well as the cabaret bar and restaurant Lío Ibiza
Extravagant yachts line the harbour, and stylish boutiques from international fashion designers can take your outfit from day to night. All this makes for a great area to do a bit of celebrity spotting; don't be surprised if you bump into Leonardo DiCaprio or George Clooney stopping by for the summer.
Restaurants
You will be truly spoilt for choice with the array of incredible restaurants, with worldwide flavours, that occupy the entire of Ibiza Town. Every budget is catered for here, from more budget-friendly to high-end.
In the fortified old town of Dalt Vila, a lovely strip of restaurants takes residence on the cobbled square of Plaza de Vila, evoking the history of one of the first major settlements on the island. If you follow the small lane at the end of this plaza, you'll eventually get to the beautiful Plaza del Sol, with even more restaurants and quaint bars to choose from.
With grand views of the city walls, the area around Vara de Rey and Plaza del Parque hosts several eateries. The relaxed outside terraces are the perfect spots for taking a sightseeing refreshment break.
In Marina Botafoc and Marina Ibiza, there are more high-end restaurants which combine fine dining, design and entertainment for a very special experience. Many offer a seafront terrace, with glittering views across the water to the fortified old town of Dalt Vila.
Cafés and bars
Many pre-club bars line the harbour promenade of the fishing quarter. Since the early clubbing days of the island, this area has been a traditional warm-up spot before hitting one of the super clubs. With a buzzing, cosmopolitan vibe, you owe it to yourself to go and experience it.
Above here, and around the small pedestrianised Calle de la Virgen, you'll find the majority of Ibiza's gay bars as well as other mixed bars. If you look for it in Google Maps, search for the Catalan name: Carrer de la Mare de Déu.
Calle de la Virgen, The street of the Virgin, is anything but. Collecting some of the most colourful people from the island and beyond, you can expect to see people sporting glitter, feathers, outrageous piercings and sequins, all walking the cobbled lanes like a catwalk.
Rainbow flags can often be seen, demonstrating their LGBTQIA+ allegiance and openness to love and freedom. Passing holidaymakers and groups on nights out mingle with the melee, amidst music, laughter and one of the coolest cosmopolitan vibes to be had.
Look closely and you’ll find hidden fetish shops, selling tough-looking leatherwear and sexy underwear shops for men. Head there for around midnight and you'll see the nightly parades advertising the parties in the superclubs of the island.
If you want to turn the volume down a notch, wander a little further and you'll find plenty of bars and cafés next to the Mercat Vell, the covered old market in Plaza de la Constitución, which is just at the foot of the big stone ramp that leads to Dalt Vila.
Clubbing
When the bars close their doors, the Ibiza night is only just getting started. This is when revellers will head to nearby clubs like Pacha or Chinois Ibiza, or jump into taxis to find dancefloors across the island.
Read more in our detailed Clubber's guide to Ibiza town.
Shopping
A shopper's paradise awaits you in Ibiza Town. Its sun-drenched streets and cobbled walkways are a mecca for those seeking one-off fashion finds.
On and in between the boulevards of Avenida de Bartolomé Roselló and Vara de Rey, you'll find recognised chain shops, along with boutiques large and small. With everything from high-fashion pieces to handmade items using fabrics from around the world.
Around the old port area, even more inviting doors lead to boutiques and souvenir shops, which in the summer months are open until 22:00 or sometimes even midnight. Many are open throughout the winter, also.
In summer, around 20 stands sell jewellery and handmade accessories on the small square Plaza Antoni Riquer. From mid August to mid September, this is complemented by an artisans fair along the harbour promenade.
Across the water are the stylish and trendy marinas Marina Botafoc and Marina Ibiza. High-end clothing chains and boutiques are nestled among the restaurants. Following a flurry of development, this area has transformed, now becoming one of the premier destinations for the super-rich.
Things to do
There are many activities in Ibiza Town and the neighbouring resorts that don’t just involve eating and shopping! Boat tours, diving, excursions across the water, guided tours of the town, and beautiful art galleries will all keep you occupied.
Ibiza Town is also the main departure point for its small sister island, Formentera, which is highly recommended - and very easy to do - as a day trip from Ibiza.
Ibiza fiestas and medieval festival
Every year, on the second weekend of May, the streets of Ibiza Town step back in time, as the olden days of the Middle Ages are played out at the annual Medieval Festival. Be entertained by jugglers and jesters as you browse the many stalls filled with handicrafts, tended to by vendors dressed in medieval costume.
An amazing array of food is available to enjoy, as music plays down the cobbled lanes by travelling musicians. People of all ages flock to the town to enjoy this wonderful four-day celebration, which showcases the island’s rich cultural history.
Two days of fiestas take over Ibiza Town in August, with the honouring of the day of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows) on 5 August, and San Ciriaco, the patron saint of Ibiza Town, on 8 August.
These fiestas are hugely popular with holidaymakers and residents, as music, entertainment, and activities light up the streets. To close the celebrations, the skies sparkle and shimmer with a grand firework display on 8 August, a spectacle that can be seen for miles.
Culture
Thanks to its rich history, Ibiza Town, with its museums and art galleries, is a great place for any culture vulture. The Archaeological Museum is a place to step into Ibiza's past, featuring many historical treasures from the large necropolis located in the heart of Ibiza Town.
The Baluard de Sant Jaume contains original Sixteenth and Eighteenth Century military technology, with replica weapons and armoury. You can even try on the armour to see how heavy it is yourself.
The brilliantly curated Contemporary Art Museum features both local and international talent, and the historic Puget Museum displays photographs and paintings from Ibiza's past. The art gallery Lune Rouge was created by Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté and displays works from leading modern artists.
Beaches
If you’re craving some beach time, then the suburb of Figueretas, with its pretty promenade, is a mere 15-minute walk, or Talamanca, with its lovely long stretch of sand, is just a short ferry ride away.
The longest stretch of beach on the island can be found in Playa d’en Bossa, which can be easily reached by taxi or bus. Much more lively and vibrant, you can easily nip into one of the many beach clubs for a refreshment, or stay on and party in Ushuaïa Ibiza or Hï Ibiza.
Getting around
Ibiza Town has excellent bus connections to and from all other resorts, including the dancer's choice of transportation, the Discobus. In summer, it runs all through the night, taking you to all the clubbing destinations across the island. Late-night travellers can easily get to [UNVRS] and Amnesia in the middle of the island and the major clubbing resorts, Playa d'en Bossa and San Antonio, and just as importantly, back home again.
Small water-taxis are a great way to get around, with regular services taking you from Ibiza port to the sandy beaches of Talamanca, Figueretas and Playa d'en Bossa. Larger ferries offer boat trips to Formentera, Santa Eulalia and the hippy market at Es Caná.
There are several taxi ranks in the town centre, and you’ll find that taxi fares are reasonable, especially when travelling in a group. However, in July and August, it can be difficult to get one at night..
As a pedestrian-friendly town, parking spaces in the centre can be hard to find. There is a large car park by the port, but it is quite pricey in high season. On the outskirts of Ibiza, you will find a free public car park with a shuttle service to the centre, but you can also walk; it is only a 10-minute stroll into town.
Find more detailed information in our Island transport guide and Holiday tips guide to getting around on Ibiza.
Accommodation
The town has a fantastic range of hotels and apartments to suit every price point.
You can stay right in the middle of the old town, with beautiful views of the cobbled streets and Dalt Vila as the backdrop. For the absolute romantic getaway, you can even stay in smaller boutique hotels within the ancient city walls of Dalt Vila. In the never parts of the town, you will find more budget options.
On the other side of the harbour, in the plush area around the marinas, there are more upmarket hotels, just a 15-minute walk or ferry ride from the town centre.
In the neighbouring resorts of Figueretas and Talamanca with their sandy beaches, you have the best of both worlds - staying near a beach but within walking distance of the buzzing town.
Whatever you want to do, Ibiza Town is a chic and cosmopolitan city that’s steeped in history and a must-visit during your Ibiza holiday.
