Is there anything to do in Ibiza outside of beach clubs and parties? Absolutely.

When most people picture Ibiza, they see the same thing: strobe lights, bottle service, and afterparties that stretch into midday. But the party and clubs came to Ibiza, and the island became such a globally known destination for a reason, all of the Mediterranean beauty and life the island has to offer. All inclusive holidays in Ibiza can be whatever you want them to be - a week of all-night dancing, yes, but also days spent exploring secret beaches, swimming in clear blue water, and watching the sun fall behind stone cliffs.

What To Do in Ibiza:

1. Visit Dalt Vila and the Old City: Ibiza's Ancient Heart 

High above the marina and glittering white townhouses sits Dalt Vila, the fortified Old City that has watched over Ibiza for centuries. This is where Phoenicians first settled, where Moorish rulers built their walls, and where Spanish cathedrals still echo with silence. Walking through the cobbled streets and sun-bleached ramparts, you feel the weight of time layered over in terracotta, marble, and faded pink stucco.

Start your morning at the Portal de ses Taules, the dramatic stone gateway flanked by statues and carved crests, then make your way up to Castell d’Eivissa, the castle ruins and former military stronghold perched at the island’s highest point. From here, the views stretch endlessly across the harbor and sea - all sailboats, white facades, and the occasional glint of a distant cove.

Wander down into the maze of narrow alleyways lined with whitewashed homes and overflowing bougainvillea. Stop in at Museu d’Art Contemporani for a glimpse into Ibiza’s creative undercurrent, or take a slow loop through Plaza de Vila, where quiet cafés spill out onto the square and the hum of conversation floats through the air like music. Order a vermut at La Oliva, browse handmade ceramics and jewelry in tucked-away boutiques, and end with a glass of wine at S'Escalinata, where mismatched cushions spill down the steps and the entire Old Town feels suspended in time.

It’s easy to lose track of hours up here, where the air feels still, the architecture holds centuries of silence, and every corner leads somewhere you didn’t expect. This is where the island begins.

2. Rent a Self-Drive Speed Boat (No License Needed)

One of the most underrated ways to experience Ibiza is to be out on the water with your own boat. We love to rent self-drive speedboats as often as we can, and always find it to be the sweet spot between the affordability of booking a group boat tour, and the freedom and luxury (and high expense) of booking a chartered boat. Especially if you have a group of 4-6, boat rentals end up being incredibly affordable. We went with a place literally called No License Boat Hire, and had the best day of our trip cruising around different coves and beaches.

The boats are simple but surprisingly spacious, easy enough for beginners to navigate, and designed for a slow kind of freedom. Pack a cooler with snacks and cava, cue up a playlist, and set your sights on wherever the water looks bluest. You can cruise to Cala Conta or Cala Salada, cut across to the ochre cliffs of Es Vedrà, or simply idle just offshore from your favorite beach and jump straight into the sea. No shoes, no schedule, no crowds.

For a few hours, it feels like the island belongs only to you - the sun overhead, the salt in your hair, and the sound of nothing but your own waves.

3. Take A Day Trip to Formentera

Just 30 minutes across the water, Formentera feels like a secret that somehow never got out. Smaller, quieter, and wrapped in aquamarine shallows that look more Caribbean than Mediterranean, the island is everything Ibiza isn’t - slow, stripped back, and almost untouched. Ferries leave hourly from Ibiza Town (Eivissa) and Figueretes, with companies like Trasmapi and Balearia offering fast catamaran service from dawn until well after sunset; tickets can be bought online or at the dock, and the ride is smooth, scenic, and easy. Or you can book a tour that will take you to the island and then around it for a day.

If you take the ferry, once you land at La Savina, rent a scooter, electric bike, or tiny convertible (you can book ahead or just walk up at the port), and spend the day chasing light across the coastline. Platja de Ses Illetes is the postcard - a thin finger of white sand lapped by clear turquoise on both sides - but head further down to Platja de Llevant or Cala Saona if you want something quieter. The water here doesn’t look real. Even in the height of summer, it feels like you’ve slipped into a different time zone entirely.

End the afternoon at a rustic beach restaurant like Juan y Andrea or El Tiburon, barefoot in the sand, with grilled fish and a bottle of rosé in front of you and the ferry waiting in the distance. Formentera doesn’t try to impress you - it just exists, and that’s what makes it unforgettable.

4. Rent a Car and Explore the Island

Ibiza may be famous for its beach clubs and boat days, but some of the island’s most magnetic places are far from the shoreline. Rent a car - ideally something small enough to wind through narrow hills but sturdy enough for the occasional gravel road - and spend a day following your own map.

Head north, where pine forests give way to open farmland and quiet roads twist through sleepy whitewashed villages like San Juan and Santa Gertrudis. Stop for a slow breakfast at Wild Beets or a strong espresso at Musset Café, then drive on without an agenda. The further inland you go, the more the island softens - the louder Ibiza gets in August, the quieter it is in these hills.

Pull over for unexpected viewpoints, for roadside fruit stands, for long stretches of golden afternoon light. Make your way to Es Vedrà for sunset, or detour to hidden beaches like Cala Xuclar, Cala d’en Serra, or Atlantis - places where the roads end, the cliffs drop, and the island feels wild again.

Check the best rental prices here!

The Best Beaches in Ibiza 

1. Playa Es Bol Nou (Sa Caleta)

Tucked between rust-red cliffs and turquoise water, Playa Es Bol Nou feels raw in a way that most beach clubs never do. The cove is small, quiet, and sheltered - perfect for floating in still water or laying out under the jagged sandstone bluffs. Locals often coat themselves in the clay from the cliffs for a DIY mineral-rich skin treatment before rinsing off in the sea. And don't miss the sea window in the cliffs over the beach!

You won’t find loud music or overpriced cocktails here - just a single rustic chiringuito and the sound of water against rocks. It’s simple, grounding, and completely worth the detour.

2. Cala d’Hort

Facing the legendary rock island of Es Vedrà, Cala d’Hort delivers one of the most cinematic views in all of Ibiza. The beach itself is beautiful - soft golden sand and calm waters perfect for a swim - but the real magic is up high, along the cliffs above. Drive (or hike) to the viewpoint near Torre des Savinar for a panoramic view of the sea, the sky, and Es Vedrà rising like a monolith out of the water.
There’s a strange energy here; stories of magnetic fields, myths of sirens and lost cities, and a silence that feels heavy in a good way. Come at golden hour, bring a bottle of wine, and just stay.

3. The cliffs above Cala d'Hort

So nice, it's a place worth mentioning twice! Above the turquoise bay of Cala d’Hort, the cliffs rise steeply from the sea, carved by time and wind into sharp edges and quiet ledges. From the top, you get one of the most iconic views in all of Ibiza - looking out toward the mystical rock island of Es Vedrà, rising like a mirage from the water. The cliffs here are raw and wild, with just a few dirt trails, scattered pine trees, and open sky. It is the perfect place to come at the end of your day, bring a full picnic spread or just a bottle of wine, and watch the sunset.

4. Cala Comte

Possibly the most famous beach for sunset, Cala Comte has a wide stretch of pale sand framed by rocky outcrops and floating islets just offshore. The water is impossibly clear - perfect for snorkeling or lazy swims - and the late afternoon light turns everything a rich honey gold.
The crowd here is more relaxed than party-heavy; think families, couples, and travelers in linen shirts lingering at Sunset Ashram, the boho cliffside restaurant and bar perched above the water. Stay long enough to watch the sun drop into the sea and you’ll understand why this spot fills up every evening.

5. Cala Bassa

Further west, Cala Bassa draws a bigger crowd, but it’s still worth a visit - especially if you can grab a table at Ses Roques, a sea-facing restaurant known for fresh fish and long lunches under the sun. Cala Bassa’s water is pure Mediterranean eye candy, and the beach itself is wide and sandy, ideal for groups or those looking for a more full-service beach experience.

6. Playa d’en Bossa

Playa d’en Bossa is where Ibiza’s energy hits the shoreline - a wide, sun-drenched stretch of golden sand that pulses with music, movement, and all-day hedonism. Lined with beach clubs, cocktail bars, and daybeds that blur the line between lounging and dancing, this is the place to be if you want your beach day with a side of champagne and a live DJ. The water is calm and swimmable, the crowd is international, and the vibe shifts effortlessly from lazy morning swims to late afternoon parties. Bossa isn’t about quiet - it’s about indulgence, sun on your skin, and the freedom to live out loud.

7. Cala Gracioneta

A smaller, quieter neighbor to Cala Gració, Cala Gracioneta is a tiny cove surrounded by pine trees and calm, shallow water that glows a brilliant blue. The beach bar here - El Chiringuito - serves sangria, grilled seafood, and fresh paella with one of the best beachside views on the island. Come early or late in the day for fewer people and softer light.

8. Cala Carbó

It’s hard to call anything in Ibiza truly hidden anymore, but Cala Carbó might be as close as it gets. This quiet cove has kept a low profile for years, thanks to its slightly remote location and unassuming look - but step into the water and you’ll find a surprisingly lush underwater world perfect for snorkeling. The surrounding cliffs make it feel like a protected bubble, and the seafood restaurants here are some of the most authentic on the island.