Guide to Partying in Ibiza
You've packed your dancing shoes, booked your flight, misplaced your phone (oops), and you're ready to go hard. It's time to hit up the world's most famous party island. Marathon party nights, copious amounts of drinking (while being sensible, of course), girls, boys, beaches...
It won't hurt to learn a bit before you land in heaven. You'll want to know what clubs are epic, what time to get there without looking like a loser, how to get tickets, and how to get around.
Get your bearings
Ibiza is the most western island of the Balearic Islands and has a surface area of 572 kilometres squared. Over 100,000 people live there all year round, and approximately 400 million visit during party season. The official season runs from late May to early October, opening and closing parties attracting massive crowds and world-famous DJs. August is the peak month when partygoers flock from all around the globe to dance like crazy.The capital is Ibiza Town (or Eivissa) but most partygoers choose to stay around the Playa d'en Bossa area on the eastern side of the island, or San Antonio on the western side. Most regulars have a preference as the two party hubs vary in atmosphere and the type of crowd they attract. One pro on the San Antonio side is the gorgeous sunsets and famous sunset bars such as Café del Mar and Cafe Mambo. What's not to love about sipping a cocktail and watching the sun set before heading out for a boogie?
The nightclubs
The nightclubs are spread across three main locations. The glamorous Pacha is in Ibiza Town, while you'll find Amnesia and Privilege on the main highway between Ibiza Town and San Antonio. Eden and Es Paradis are in San Antonio and the world-famous Space is in Playa Den Bossa. DC10 isn't far from Space and there are plenty of other smaller clubs around. Your best bet is to check what party is on at which club and who's playing — as the clubs host different nights on different days of the week. To get around, a 'disco bus' does the club circuit running through the night taking clubbers to parties, and people to their beds as the sun comes up.
Which club?
Depending on how long you're in Ibiza, you'll want to visit a few clubs — some of them boast spectacular interiors, while others are known for their extravagant parties.Pacha attracts the beautiful people and the club's four rooms are full most nights. F*** Me I'm Famous on Thursdays with David Guetta is popular, along with Defected and Swedish House Mafia.Amnesia has been voted the Best Global Club at the International Dance Music Awards a number of times and is considered to be one of the best clubbing spaces around. Cream nights are pretty impressive! Privilege is the world's largest nightclub and is known for its shows and extravagant interiors. The club has a swimming pool, garden and 25m high ceilings. Stay till the morning and watch the sun rise from one of the colossal windows. With 13 bars across two floors, Eden attracts quality clubbing nights and promoters. Judgment Sundaysis worth staying up for.The pyramid-shaped and predominantly white Es Paradis is famous for its water and foam parties. If you're smack bang in the middle of the dance floor be prepared to get really, really wet (we suggest you don't wear white).Space is a haven for those who don't sleep and famous for its opening and closing parties, as well as Sundays at Space. It's the club to name drop.DC10 first opened in 1999 with a 6am start time for those who wanted to keep partying after Space. It's one of the most talked about clubs, though there's hardly any advertising for it on the island.
Other nightlife
It's not all clubs in Ibiza; you'll also find rock, soul and indie music, (check out Ibiza Rocks for great live rock acts). The venues on that site are usually free to enter and can be a nice starting point for the night ahead.
Useful tips
You need to be over 18 to party in Ibiza.The dress code is flexible but does vary between clubs — watch and learn and you'll soon become a pro.Nightclubs generally open their doors at midnight but don't start filling up till 2am or 3am. Be prepared to queue.Prices for club nights vary but expect to pay between $40 to $80 for a regular weekly night. You can buy tickets online or quite easily once on the island.Big parties may sell out, so pre-buy tickets.Drinks inside a club cost substantially more than outside. A vodka lemonade could be $20 or more, a beer or water around $16.
Other things to do besides party
Ibiza Island boasts beautiful beaches, towering cliffs and unspoilt forests — go for a hike or hire a bike and take in the surroundings. Isla Es Vedra is a rock island and famous landmark. It's got a legend behind it and makes for a nice boat trip.There are a number of scuba diving and snorkelling sites.You'll find stables and paddocks in Ibiza, many that offer horse riding and some that even have funky bars and restaurants.For those who like water sports you'll find almost everything on offer; waterskiing, kayaking, wakeboarding, parasailing, paragliding, rubber rafting, jet skiing and more!
