Ibiza is famous around the world for its vibrant nightlife and idyllic beaches. However, the island has much more to offer to anyone willing to discover it beyond its clubs. From charming cobbled streets steeped in history to magical viewpoints perched on cliffs, Ibiza hides essential spots that are well worth exploring.
Dalt Vila
Among the must-see places in Ibiza, Dalt Vila, the old town of Ibiza city, stands out without a doubt. It forms part of the ensemble “Ibiza, biodiversity and culture”, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. This walled enclosure, built in the 16th century under the reign of Philip II, offers a maze of narrow streets, whitewashed houses and picturesque corners that transport visitors back in time. Walking up its steep streets is well worth the effort, especially for the panoramic views from some of its bastions, such as Santa Llúcia.
Entrance to Dalt Vila is free and you can visit at any time, although in summer it is best to go early in the morning or at sunset and wear comfortable footwear: there are slopes and cobbled sections.
Es Vedrà viewpoint
One of the best viewpoints in Ibiza is the one overlooking the islet of Es Vedrà, off the west coast near Cala d’Hort. Es Vedrà is shrouded in myths and legends that link it to Earth’s magnetism, UFO sightings and even the lost city of Atlantis. What is certain is that the outline of the islet rising from the sea is one of the island’s most striking images, especially at sunset.
Nowadays, the best way to enjoy the views is to head to the Cala d’Hort area and use the viewpoints and car parks provided alongside the road or by the beach itself. The old paths leading to the former clifftop balcony and the makeshift parking area have been closed to protect the environment, and you should no longer park on the hard shoulder or climb over fences. Sunset is still the best time to visit, when the silhouette of Es Vedrà stands out against a sky full of orange and pink tones.
There are hardly any services or lighting at the viewpoints in the area, so take water and an extra layer if you are going to watch the sunset. Stay away from the edge of the cliffs and always take your rubbish with you: it is a protected environment.
Las Dalias Hippy Market
The famous Las Dalias market, located in Sant Carles, is another of Ibiza’s must-visit spots. Since it opened in 1985, Las Dalias has become a symbol of the island’s bohemian, hippie culture. Today it brings together more than 300 stalls ranging from Ibizan fashion to handmade crafts and ethnic jewellery. The multicultural, laid-back atmosphere is accompanied by live music, making it a very popular stop for travellers looking for this kind of experience.
The market is open all year round, with the liveliest atmosphere on Saturdays and at the summer night markets. Entry is free; you only pay for what you buy or consume at the stalls.
Ses Salines Natural Park
Among Ibiza’s best beaches, Platja de Ses Salines stands out. It lies within Ses Salines Natural Park, an area included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Ibiza, biodiversity and culture” thanks to its meadows of Posidonia oceanica seagrass. The beach offers light sand, clear water and a lively atmosphere, ideal for spending the day enjoying the sea and the sun.
In high season the car park is usually paid and fills up quickly. Respect the park signs: camping, lighting fires and driving off the marked tracks are not allowed.
Puig des Molins Necropolis
Anyone who thinks Ibiza is nothing but nightlife foam should head down to the shade of the olive trees at Puig des Molins. Here lie more than three thousand hypogea from the Phoenician and Punic periods, integrated into the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Ibiza, biodiversity and culture”. The best-preserved Phoenician-Punic cemetery in the Mediterranean immerses visitors in a galaxy of skulls, glass unguentaria and figurines of Tanit that still retain traces of ochre pigment. The Monographic Museum casts soft light over the grave goods and explains, without sugar-coating, how the Carthaginians placed perfumes and ostrich eggs beside their dead to ease their passage into the afterlife.
Cala Comte
Locals say that the colour palette of Cala Comte is the island’s Rorschach test: every eye sees a different shade of blue. In reality, the water, fed by white sand and shallow seabeds, looks like an endless swimming pool flanked by islets. Those who arrive early —before ten o’clock— will still find space for their towel and can swim out to the rock of s’Illa des Bosc with the feeling of gliding through liquid glass. Access to the beach is still free, but sunbeds and umbrellas are paid separately and, according to recent reviews, in high season a package of two sunbeds and one umbrella usually costs between 30 and 50 € for the whole day; drink prices at Sunset Ashram are at the high end for Ibiza beach bars and change every season.
Es Vedrà
Winding along the bends that lead to the Es Vedrà viewpoints on the Cala d’Hort road is an exercise in faith in both brakes and geology. Suddenly the almost 400-metre-high monolith appears, floating some two kilometres offshore, and you understand why Ulysses heard sirens singing here —or why energy-seekers open their arms as if they could embrace the horizon. Contemplating it is still free from the designated viewing areas, but it calls for proper footwear and caution: the paths are short, dusty and lack handrails.
Sant Antoni de Portmany
Few places divide opinion as much as Sant Antoni. Anyone who comes in search of peace flees at the first house beat, but a curious visitor only needs to stroll for half an hour to discover the other side of the story. The bay, once a refuge for fishermen, now offers the “Sunset Strip”: Café del Mar, Mambo and Savannah compete to serve the best cocktail —between 15 and 20 € per drink in 2025— and the best playlist for that daily ritual which ends in applause when the red sun dips into the sea. Before that moment, the light plays with the water, creating orange reflections that have gone around the world.
If you want to experience the sunset without paying front-row prices, many travellers buy their drinks at the nearby supermarket and sit on the rocks in front of the promenade, where you can still hear the “Sunset Strip” music just the same.
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