Let’s be real, I’m way past the days of bouncing around nightclubs scantily clad, boozing into the night, dancing like a maniac. My ideal evening see’s me comfortably positioned in front of my television by 6 pm, with a bottle of Pinot Noir and Netflix. So it may surprise you to hear that Matt and I not only visited Ibiza, we actually had a really great time. How? By visiting during the off-season.
While Ibiza turns into a party-goers dream, overflowing with tourists in tiny swimsuits and glowsticks from 18 May to 18 September each year, it’s a super chill, delightful little escape the rest of the time. Visiting in the off-season means you avoid any of the craziness and save a heap of money too as local business owners are keen to keep their cash flow up and will offer low rates to do just that! Visiting outside peak times is a great way to have a budget-friendly holiday in a gorgeous Spanish location.
Where the heck is Ibiza?
Ibiza is a beautiful island set in the picture-perfect Mediterranean Sea. It’s off the coast of Valencia in the east of Spain and is a stunning destination for a relaxing holiday (outside of party-season). The water is cool, blue and incredibly inviting, the myriad of winding streets and beautiful old buildings make it the perfect backdrop for a fantastic getaway.
There are so many interesting places waiting for you to discover them including cafes, tiny tapas bars, winding steps, boutique shops and incredible restaurants. A trip to Ibiza should definitely be on a travellers bucket list because you get to enjoy all the beauty of an intriguing Spanish island set in a stunning part of the world.
Where to stay
If you’re trying to choose where to stay in Ibiza, the three main towns on the island, are as follows: San Miguel is very sleepy and aimed at the older generation, San Antoni is jam-packed with super clubs and Ibiza Town is just right for those somewhere in the middle (i.e. me).
We stayed at Hotel Playasol Maritimo and found it to be the perfect base for our Ibiza adventures. The hotel has undergone a makeover recently, with the rooms given a much-needed upgrade. You’ll find it located within easy walking distance to everything in Ibiza Town, and more importantly, right on the water. Sea view rooms are worth the splurge as you can wake up each day, sit on your balcony and soak in those million-dollar water views. It’s also a great place to sit of an afternoon with a few cold beers, cheese and cured meats sourced from a local grocer. Central, affordable, comfortable, boasting amazing views… Hotel Maritimo is a great choice.
How to get around
You can catch the #10 Bus from the Airport to Eivissa (Ibiza) for € 3.40 one way. This will land you in a central part of town where most of the hotels are located. From here you should be able to find your way on foot to your hotel and if you have any trouble, just ask a local.
We hired a scooter for the last few days of our trip and really wished we had done it sooner. Having access to your own wheels means you can zoom around and see, do and explore all the things you want when you want. It gave us a chance to see more of the island and find some cool hidden spots along the way. While you’d also be fine on foot, the scooter really does open up your options. You can hire a scooter from Europcar for €27 for the day and at just €7 to fill the tank, it’s great value.
Things to do
Dalt Villa (Old Town) is located near the water’s edge in Ibiza town and winds up the hill in a maze of beautiful cobbled streets and old houses and by far the best way to see the Old Town is by foot. The going isn’t too tough and you will have a lot of opportunities to see all of the amazing sites Ibiza has to offer, including incredible street art around every corner. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes!
If you have a scooter you can easily navigate the many winding roads to see sleepy San Miguel, Benirras Beach and the Can Marca Caves or head to San Antoni for a cocktail at Cafe Del Mar, home of the original Chillout Sessions. The Hippy Markets at San Carles are worth the visit for good food and a spot of shopping. If you’re after some more beach time visit the gorgeous beaches to the south, on your way to Es Vedra and the salt flats (Las Salinas).
Food, drink, and culture
Of course, tapas and sangria are the first things you think about when you picture Spain, so be sure not to miss out on consuming copious amounts of both! Bide Bide located near Plaza Del Parque do amazing tapas.
Bon Profit in Plaza Del Parque do amazing food and wine at great prices and is somewhere we consider a must eat. The lamb shank, fried squid, and aioli are to die for and the restaurant was recommended to us by a local. Be sure to get there early though as it does get quite busy later on in the night and don’t let the chilled out exterior put you off!
Plaza Del Parque is surrounded by great food and drink spots, stake out a seat at one of the bars with a litre of Sangria and watch the world go by.
Lonely Planet’s Europe on a shoestring will direct you to The Croissant Show for breakfast, and with an amazing view of Dalt Villa and delicious food, it’s easy to see why. If you’re on a budget and just want a really good croissant and a really good coffee for €2-3 then head to Cafeteria Gran Via on Avenue Isidor Macabich – it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but get there at 8 am for the best Croissant of your life.
Best travel resources for your trip!
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Hotels, I use Agoda
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