Ibiza

Ibiza offers so many different versions of itself that arriving without a plan can leave you wondering where to start.   First, there's the practical stuff. Direct flights from Ireland to Ibiza take just over two and a half hours, plus, Irish passport holders enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, of which Ibiza is a part.   The currency is the euro (that means no hurting your brain with complicated calculations), and cards are accepted almost everywhere. A quick note: the Balearic government charges a Sustainable Tourism Tax (a few Euros per night), which is usually included in package prices, but it's worth checking out.   But, when is the best time to visit Ibiza? The answer to that may depend on what kind of holiday you're looking for.  May, June, and September are the sweet spots; warm weather, manageable crowds, and that perfect Balearic light. July and August are peak season - vibrant, buzzing, and hot - with everything at its fullest, from beaches to clubs to restaurants. October offers a quieter, mellower Ibiza, with many venues winding down but the sea still warm enough for swimming.   The island practically shuts down from November to March, though some people love these times and come for winter walking and quiet contemplation.   A rental car is the key to the island's secret coves and hilltop villages. Book before you travel, especially in summer. For nights out, taxis are plentiful but can be scarce during peak season - pre-book or use ride-hailing apps, and be prepared for a long wait after the clubs close. The island's bus network covers main towns but won't get you to that hidden cala (sheltered bay).   Where you choose to stay sets the tone of your whole vacation. Ibiza Town is the sophisticated choice: UNESCO-listed Dalt Vila, high-end dining, and the marina's glamour. San Antonio is the sunset capital, with a livelier, more budget-friendly scene and easy access to west-coast coves. Santa Eulària offers a relaxed, family-friendly base with a long promenade and sandy beaches. But, to get the best advice, contact the Ibiza experts at Cassidy Travel who'll be happy to give you the whole picture.  Ibiza has a reputation for expense, and it's not undeserved - but it is manageable. Beachfront restaurants and superclubs command premium prices, while local spots in the interior or family-run chiringuitos (beach bars) offer excellent value. All-inclusive packages, - which Cassidy Travel offers - can be a smart way to lock in costs, especially for families. A menu del día (set lunch) is still a good deal across the island.   There's also a few other things you should know.  Ibiza's roads are narrow and winding, and parking in town can be a puzzle - patience is required. The island's famous clubs often open late and close very, very late; if you're going, pace yourself and book tables in advance for busy nights. But, while the nightlife is legendary, some of Ibiza's truly magical moments happen earlier: a sunset swim at Cala Comte, a quiet dinner in the Dalt Vila, a morning hike through pine forests with the scent of rosemary underfoot.   Whether you're looking for romance or revelry? Family beach days or club nights? The real beauty of Ibiza is that you don't have to choose just one - you can weave seamlessly between them. Now that's a holiday! 

You could spend your entire Ibiza holiday bouncing between beach clubs and sunset bars, and honestly, you wouldn't be alone. But dig a little deeper and there's another side to this super little island.   The best days are the ones where you follow a dusty road to a cove with no sign, discover a village market that's been running since the seventies, or find yourself hiking a pine-shaded trail with nothing but cicadas for company. Ibiza is famous for its nights, but its days are the real hidden secrets.   The way to enjoy this unique island's vibe, is to start with the water. The south coast beaches - Cala Comte, Cala Bassa, Cala d'Hort - are the postcard-perfect versions; sapphire blue seas, golden sands, and views of the mystical rock Es Vedrà (one of the most magnetic places on earth). Try to arrive by 10am to claim a spot, or go late afternoon when the day-trippers start to thin out. For something different, head north. Cala Xarraca offers mud baths - clamber down the cliffs to smear yourself in clay-rich sediment, let it dry, then rinse off in the incredibly clear water.   The hippie markets are Ibiza's eternal soul. Las Dalias in San Carlos is the original, still going strong with its Saturday market and summer night sessions. Punta Arabí in Es Canar is larger and more commercial, but Wednesday mornings still carry that bohemian energy. Go early, and don't leave without hierbas ibicencas - the island's signature herbal liqueur.   Dalt Vila, Ibiza Town's UNESCO-listed old town, is worth the climb. The steep cobbled streets leading up to the cathedral are lined with galleries and restaurants. At the top, the ramparts offer the island's best view - the marina below and the island of Formentera floating on the horizon. Go at sunset for golden light, or late at night when the walls are floodlit.   For families shallow coves like Cala Llonga and Cala Vadella are perfect for small children. Aguamar Water Park offers a day of slides without the club scene, and the Cova de Can Marçà provides cool escape with a sound-and-light show that all ages will love.   The famous clubs are part of the story, but not the whole story. Pacha, Amnesia, and Ushuaïa are legendary, but you don't have to commit to a full night. Many open early for sunset sessions that capture the energy without the 6am finish. Try to book tables in advance for busy nights, and pace yourself - it's a marathon, not a sprint.   A day trip to Formentera is a must; the ferry takes 30 minutes and lands you on a tranquil island of shallow turquoise waters, and beaches like Playa de Ses Illetes, where the water is so clear you can see the sandbars from the shore.   Finally, leave room for the unexpected. A morning hike in Ses Salines Natural Park, where flamingos gather in the salt flats. An afternoon in Santa Gertrudis, the island's prettiest village. A drive up to Sant Miquel de Balansat for the Sunday market and fortress church views. These are the moments and the places that don't make the brochures, but they're the ones you'll remember. 

Ibiza's coastline is a string of stunningly beautiful coves, each with its own unique personality. Some are famous for sunset scenes and beach clubs; others hide at the end of dirt tracks, known only to locals and the curious.   Whether you're after family-friendly shallows, clothing-optional stretches, or a rocky inlet for a quiet swim, here are twenty of the island's best.   Cala Comte - Turquoise water, golden sand, and sunset views over the islets of Ses Margalides. Arrive early for a front-row spot.   Cala Bassa - A wide, sandy bay backed by pine forests. Shallow waters and a popular beach club make it a family favourite.   Cala d'Hort - The classic Es Vedrà view. A cute rocky cove with clear water and several excellent seafood restaurants perched above.   Cala Saladeta - A tiny, wild cove beside Cala Salada. No facilities, just rocks, sand, and impossibly clear water. Arrive before 10am.   Cala Xarraca - Northern rocky inlet famous for mud baths. Climb down the cliffs to the clay-rich sediment, then rinse in turquoise water.   Cala Benirrás - Sunday sunset drum gatherings draw crowds, but the horseshoe bay backed by hills is beautiful any day of the week.   Ses Salines - Protected cove within the natural park. Sand dunes, clear water, and a laid-back, inclusive vibe with excellent chiringuitos.   Es Cavallet - Ibiza's main gay beach, backed by dunes and salt flats. Beautiful, accepting, and home to a chic beach club.   Cala Llonga - A family-friendly horseshoe bay with shallow water, fine sand, and a promenade of restaurants. Ideal for young children.   Cala Vadella - Sheltered west-coast cove with a relaxed vibe. Good swimming, family-friendly, and restaurants doing amazing paella.   Cala Jondal - The celebrity favourite, lined with exclusive beach clubs like Blue Marlin. Rocky shore, deep water, and a see-and-be-seen vibe.   Playa d'en Bossa - Ibiza's longest beach, buzzing with life. Hotels, bars, and Ushuaïa club line the sand. Lively, loud, and unapologetic.   Cala Tarida - Wide sandy bay with shallow water and excellent sunsets. Family-friendly with several good restaurants along the shore.   Cala Mastella - Tiny pebbly cove near Sant Carles, home to the legendary El Bigotes restaurant. Arrive early - parking is limited.   Cala Nova - A surfer's favourite near Es Canar, with consistent waves and a relaxed vibe. The beach bar does a great paella.   Cala Boix - North-east cove with dark volcanic sand and good swimming. Less crowded than the south, with a couple of family-run restaurants.   Cala de Sant Vicent - A long, sheltered bay with shallow water, ideal for families. Pine-backed, with a promenade of shops and cafés.   Cala Gració - Small sandy cove near San Antonio, popular with families for its calm, shallow water and easy access.   Portinatx - Three coves in one: S'Arenal Gros (sandy, family-friendly), S'Arenal Petit (rocky, quieter), and Cala Xarraca (sandy shore) nearby.   Cala Molí - A quiet, rocky cove near Cala Tarida. No facilities, just clear water and a small beach - perfect for escaping crowds.

Ibiza's culinary identity is rooted in the land and the sea, shaped by past generations of farmers and fishermen who called the island home. Long before the clubs arrived, this was an island of almond groves, salt pans, citrus groves, and small fishing boats. That older Ibiza still exists - you just need to know where to find it.   Let's start with the markets. The hippie markets of Las Dalias and Punta Arabí are famous for their crafts, but the food stalls tell the real story. Here you'll find hierbas ibicencas, the island's signature herbal liqueur, distilled from rosemary, thyme, and fennel. Local queso de cabra (goat cheese) is creamy and best with honey, while sobrasada - a soft, spreadable cured sausage - is totally delicious on fresh bread.   One of the Island's' most famous traditional dish is bullit de peix. Fish boiled with potatoes and rice, served in two courses: the fish first with its broth, then the rice cooked in the same stock, absorbing all the flavour of the sea. Can Pilot in San Rafael is the classic spot to enjoy this classic dish, a farmhouse restaurant that's been serving bullit de peix since the 1970s. Es Torrent, near Cala Jondal, offers its own version that comes with a magnificent sea view.   For something simpler, find yourself a chiringuito. These roadside beach bars grill fresh fish over charcoal, served simply with just salt and lemon. El Bigotes in Cala Mastella is the legendary version - no menu, just rock up and discover whatever the fisherman brought home. You sit at wooden tables, eat with your hands, and understand why people come here for more than just the nightlife.   Ibiza's rural heart beats in its agroturismos. Working farms converted into restaurants and guesthouses. Can Caus in Santa Gertrudis serves garden-to-table vegetables and slow-cooked lamb. La Paloma in San Lorenzo offers Mediterranean sharing plates in a lazy lemon-shaded garden.   Culture is also woven naturally into the landscape in Ibiza. The Ses Salines Natural Park has produced salt since Phoenician times - you can visit the salt pans and watch as flocks of beautiful flamingos gather at sunset. The Puig de Missa in Santa Eulària is a fortified hilltop church that has offered refuge and sanctuary since the 16th century.   In Ibiza, it's the fiestas where the locals let loose. June's Sant Joan brings bonfires and fireworks, a pagan tradition that predates Christianity. August's Festa de la Terra celebrates island heritage with street parades, traditional music, and the ball pagès, a folk dance performed by locals in spectacularly elaborate costumes.   Finally, you can't ignore the sunsets in Ibiza. It might sound like a cliché, but it's a cliché for a reason. The west coast offers countless spots, from Café del Mar to a rocky outcrop with just a blanket and a bottle of wine. You watch the sun sink, the sky burn, and the first stars appear, appreciating the silence and afterglow, before turning back inland, ready for whatever the night brings your way.   Ibiza's culture isn't preserved in museums. It's lived in farmhouses, cooked in paelleras, and danced in village squares. Taste it, wander it, and discover it, and you'll find an island that's been welcoming travellers for a long time before the modern clubs arrived. 

First, let's deal with the essentials. Direct flights from Ireland to Ibiza take just over two and a half hours, with Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and others operating year-round. Irish passport holders enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen Area.   The currency is the euro, which makes mental conversion easy, and cards are accepted almost everywhere - however, keep some cash handy for markets, taxis, and tipping. It's also good to know that the Balearic government charges a Sustainable Tourism Tax (a few Euros per night, usually included in package prices).   For electrical devices, Ireland and Spain both use 220V voltage, but you'll need a two-pin Type C or F adaptor for your Irish three-pin plugs.   The best months to visit Ibiza are May, June, and September - the really sweet spots: warm weather, manageable crowds, and that perfect Balearic light. July and August are the peak season - vibrant, buzzing, and hot - with everything at its fullest, busiest, and liveliest, from beaches to clubs to restaurant waiting times. October offers a quieter, mellower Ibiza, with many venues winding down but the sea can still be warm enough for swimming.   Knowing how to get around is essential for discovering Ibiza's secret coves, inland villages, and hidden getaways. A rental car is the key, but book before you travel, especially in summer. Forget about motorways on Ibiza, the island's roads are narrow and winding, and parking in towns can be a nightmare, but the freedom to follow a dusty road to a hidden cala will be worth it. For nights out, taxis are plentiful but can be scarce during peak season; pre-book or use ride-hailing apps, and be prepared for a long wait after the clubs close.   Where to stay sets the tone. Ibiza Town is the sophisticated choice: UNESCO-listed Dalt Vila, high-end dining, and marina glamour. San Antonio is the sunset capital, with a livelier, more budget-friendly scene. Santa Eulària offers a relaxed, family-friendly base with a long promenade and sandy beaches. To get the best advice on where to stay, ask the Ibiza experts at Cassidy Travel who'll be more than happy to help.  Ibiza has a reputation for expense, but if you're smart you can make it a lot more affordable. Beachfront restaurants and superclubs command pretty hefty prices, while local spots in the interior or family-run chiringuitos offer excellent value. All-inclusive packages can be a smart way to lock in costs, especially for families. Also, the menu del día (set lunch) is still a good value right across the island.   Ibiza's famous clubs open late and close very, very late (or early depending on which way you look at it) if you're going, book tables in advance for busy nights and most importantly, pace yourself. While the island's nightlife is legendary, some of Ibiza's most magical moments happen earlier in the day; a sunset swim at Cala Comte, a quiet dinner in Dalt Vila, or a morning hike through pine forests with the scent of rosemary hanging on the air.   Come with an open mind, comfortable shoes for the old town steps, and a curiosity to discover the Ibiza that matches your dreams.