Ibiza town is a mesmerising blend of romance and intrigue, the cosmopolitan and the classic all wrapped up in one dazzling package. By day, indulge in shopping sprees, take a boat to Formentera, partake in bar hopping, and widen your horizons with some cultural exploration. As the sun sets, the city morphs into a magical setting for alfresco dining, starlit strolling, and dancing until the early hours.

Ibiza Town is buzzing from late May to early October, before transforming into a winter wonderland in December when enchanting Christmas markets and special events fill the streets with good cheer. April sees pious Easter processions wend their way through the labyrinthine streets of the old town in a fascinating display of historical religiosity. Culinary enthusiasts and history buffs should mark their calendars for the second weekend in May to experience the Eivissa Medieval festival. This free, three-day event celebrates the town’s UNESCO World Heritage status by transporting Dalt Vila back to the medieval era with a feast of food, arts, crafts, and performances.

Perched high atop a hill, Dalt Vila dramatically shapes the iconic skyline of Ibiza, standing as a testament to the island’s rich history within its ancient walls. It unfolds in a jumble of cobbled streets, many accessible only on foot, peppered with historical gems including cathedrals, chapels, and an array of cultural must-dos such as the Archaeological Museum and the sleek Museum of Contemporary Art. Just beyond the fortress walls lies another historic marvel, Necropolis Puig des Molins, an ancient cemetery with thousands of underground tombs, inviting the curious to explore its mysterious depths, while the stunning renovation of Teatro Pereyra brings live music back to Ibiza town.

The first-rate people watching from one of the many bars on the port, La Marina, is essential – especially when the nightly club promo parades saunter by in a flash of glitter and sequins. Don’t skip the complimentary shot of the local hierbas liqueur after dinner then stroll through Plaza del Parque for drinks and browse the cornucopia of trinkets and fashion in many boutiques and markets in the barrio. Stop by Mercat Vell (the old market) for local organic fruit and veggies plus some artisanal souvenirs. Mingle with the rich and famous in the glitzy Marina or keep it low-key in Los Molinos, hanging out with just the seagulls on the rocks as you soak in the sun and views across to Playa d’en Bossa and Formentera.

Ibiza Town pulses with a cool, eclectic vibe, drawing everyone from fashionistas and savvy restaurateurs to free-spirited ex-hippies, superstar DJs and born-and-bred locals. Marina Botafoch is the playground for the global jet-set and yacht crowd, while urban beaches cater to a diverse mix of families and VIP holidaymakers. After dark, edgy creatures of the night frequent the port area and the LGBTQIA+ friendly back streets of Sa Penya come alive with the classy and quirky.