10 Things to Do in Ibiza in Summer

Ibiza in summer is an infinite proposal of plans, although many insist on knowing only the beaches and nightlife of the island.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

11 min read

10 Things to Do in Ibiza in Summer

Ibiza | ©steve p2008

Ibiza is one of the best vacation destinations, thanks to its cultural, gastronomic, scenic and leisure offer. For you to know the island in depth, I have prepared a list of 10 things to see and do in Ibiza in summer, which includes activities for all tastes, from diving baptism to a bike ride around the city.

In addition to all the attractions that Ibiza offers on a regular basis, in summer the island is full of events, parties and festivals. If you dare to visit it, I assure you that you will not get bored at any time.

1. Live the night of San Juan

Fire show| ©lukehasnotenough
Fire show| ©lukehasnotenough

Although the island is famous for the life it shows when the sun sets, perhaps its most famous night is the night of San Juan. This festival is celebrated all over the island between June 23rd and 24th.

Mainly, the night of San Juan takes on special relevance in the municipality of San Juan, where shows are performed and the streets are filled with food stalls.

Of course, you can not miss the bonfires and fireworks shows, which are held in different municipalities of Ibiza. It is an event that brings together all the inhabitants of the island and with which the summer begins.

2. Have fun at the Ibiza Dreams of Freedom Festival

Ibiza Dreams of Freedom Festival| ©Eloisa Ozonas
Ibiza Dreams of Freedom Festival| ©Eloisa Ozonas

Since 2015, the Sueños de Libertad festival has been held in Ibiza. This event highlights the cultural and artistic past of the island, which had its peak in the 70s.

Today, people from all over the world come to this event to listen to great artists, both national and international.

Among the most notorious genres are rock and indie. In addition, Sueños de Libertad not only gives space to the music scene, but it is also a way of vindicating Ibizan gastronomy. As if that were not enough, you will find works of art by authors from all over the world.

Practical information

  • Where: in various areas of Ibiza town, such as the Plaza del Parque, the Baluarte de Sant Pere or the commercial pier.
  • When: usually in early July
  • Price: admission is free

Book a private tour in Ibiza

3. Discover Bloop Festival Ibiza

Street art in Ibiza| ©Camille
Street art in Ibiza| ©Camille

The thing is about festivals and, on this occasion, I recommend the Bloop Festival Ibiza or Proactive Art Festival, which is usually held during the months of July and August.

Within the art scene, it is of great importance, as it is the first festival in the world of proactive art.

In the Bloop Festival Ibiza the public is part of the artistic process and actively collaborates in the realization of the work. These works focus, above all, on street art. Undoubtedly, this is an ideal plan if you are a great art lover.

Practical information

  • Where: in several streets of Ibiza
  • When: between July and August
  • Price: admission is free

4. Enjoy in Festes de la Terra

Entertainment at Festes de la Terra| ©Cintia Coll
Entertainment at Festes de la Terra| ©Cintia Coll

Besides the festivities of San Juan, Festes de la Terra is the most important celebration of Ibiza.

Here you can see in all its splendor the culture of the city, through different parades of traditional dances of the island. It is a perfect event for families, as it includes activities for all ages and audiences. In fact, it is highly recommended if you are looking for what to do in Ibiza with children.

There are sports competitions, cultural workshops and recreational activities. There are also food and drink stalls set up in the streets of Ibiza town center.

In short, Festes de la Terra is the perfect opportunity to get to know the culture of the city and should not be missing in your plans if you visit Ibiza in August.

Practical information

  • Where: all over the city of Ibiza
  • When: first half of August
  • Price: admission is free

5. Make the most of the good weather and discover Formentera

Formentera| ©andreaferracani
Formentera| ©andreaferracani

Do not limit your trip to Ibiza. In the same way that I recommend that you discover each and every one of the facets of the island, I also recommend that you leave its geographical limits.

Formentera is one of the most beautiful islands of the Balearic Islands, being this an opinion quite extended by all those who have visited it. In addition, the access from Ibiza is very simple. You will only have to board a ferry, which takes, at most, an hour to reach its destination.

My advice is to spend a whole day in Formentera. In fact, there are those who, once there, decide to spend the night on the island to enjoy it a little more. Of all its beaches, one of the best is Ses Illetes, which has several awards for 'best beach in Europe'.

Visit the villages of Formentera

Beyond its beaches and coves, Formentera has much to offer. For example, its inland villages, which conserve (despite tourism) the Balearic spirit in their architecture, are particularly interesting.

Of all of them, Sant Francesc is one of the most beautiful, along with Sant Ferrán. In both you will find a multitude of restaurants where you can taste the typical food of the area.

If you are a bit lost and want everything easier, you also have the option of hiring an excursion to Formentera from Ibiza. These include the transfer between the two islands and a boat tour of the best beaches and coves of Formentera. This way, you will not have to worry about anything.

Book an excursion to Formentera from Ibiza

6. Practice water sports

Stand up paddle surfing| ©Adeline Loyer
Stand up paddle surfing| ©Adeline Loyer

There are many ways to enjoy the sea, although the most widespread is watching its movement from a hammock, under the shelter of an umbrella. Take advantage of your trip to Ibiza in summer to bring out your more adventurous side and practice some water sports. The latter is one of the best activities you can do in Ibiza.

The island has many options, from snorkeling to wake boarding to paddle surfing. My personal advice is to practice as many as you can, always under the supervision of a professional and with the necessary safety measures, especially if you are going to be at least 3 days in Ibiza.

There are many beaches that have rental stations for pedal skates or banana ski bus. There are also many companies that offer water bikes, flyboards, seabobs or flyrides. So you have no excuse to get out of your towel and try something new. In addition, you can also book an excursion that combines sunset and water sports.

Book a Sunset Beach Tour with water sports in Ibiza

Scuba diving baptism: best places to practice it

One of the most amazing water activities is the diving baptism. It may provoke some rejection at first, but when you try it you will regret not having done it before.

Among the best places to dive in Ibiza for beginners is Dado Pequeño, a rock located next to the Port of Ibiza. Around it you can see octopus, barracudas, rays and even scorpion fish.

Also a good place for beginners is the Cueva de la Luz, which is located on the north coast of the island. In case you have experience in this world, I recommend you to go to Don Pedro, a wreck located very close to the Port of Ibiza.

It has a depth of 26 meters. When you get there, you can visit what was the control room and the propellers. On the other hand, if diving is too risky for you, you can try your luck with the best snorkeling spots in Ibiza.

Book a kayak and snorkeling tour in Ibiza

7. Get to know its coves and beaches

Sant Vicent Cove| ©Andreas Trojak
Sant Vicent Cove| ©Andreas Trojak

No, I wasn't forgetting the coves and beaches of the island. Undoubtedly, this is one of the quintessential plans of Ibiza in summer. In this sense, its heritage is very rich. In fact, there are those who spend days in Ibiza and do not leave its beaches.

You have already seen that I am not in favor of the latter, but I do recommend that you make the most of this part of the island. Since the options are endless, I am going to recommend you the best beaches and coves or, at least, my favorites.

Las Salinas and Cala Bassa

First of all, you must visit Las Salinas. This is one of the most famous beaches in Ibiza and it is the opposite of the typical wild cove that may be coming to your mind. To give you an idea, Las Salinas is the beach of celebrities, the place that makes it possible for you to find your favorite idol bathed in sunscreen.

It is a very large beach, about 1,000 meters long and 20 meters wide. It is very comfortable due to the wide range of services it offers, such as beach bars, public toilets or street vendors.

If you prefer a deserted beach where tranquility reigns, I recommend Cala Bassa. This is the ideal place to escape from the hustle and bustle that reigns in Ibiza in summer. It is located in the beautiful village of Sant Josep de sa Talaia and is surrounded by hundreds of pine trees. If you prefer another way to get there, this cove is included in some of the boat trips around Ibiza.

In addition, it also has several restaurants for those who want to spend the day enjoying the sun and the sea. Another very quiet cove for those who flee from the masses is Cala Moli.

Book a boat excursion to Cala Conta and Cala Bassa

8. Go to a boat party

Party on a boat| ©Omar Eagle-Clarke
Party on a boat| ©Omar Eagle-Clarke

The covers of the main tabloids, the previews of the heart programs, the social networks of your favorite idols: in all of them you have seen a party on a boat in Ibiza.

This activity is one of the most common for those who go to Ibiza in summer, whether celebrities or tourists like you and me. The truth is that it is a fun and different experience, so I encourage you to try it.

All about boat parties

The boat parties usually leave from San Antonio around 18:00 hours. This time and place of departure is not a whim, although it may seem so. The reality is that it is designed for you to enjoy the sunset during your excursion, while sipping a mojito and listening to the soundtrack of the boat's DJ session.

Most boat parties include snacks, live music, entertainment activities and even the practice of water sports.

Book an all-inclusive boat party in Ibiza

9. Visit a hippie market

Las Dalias flea market| ©David Garcia
Las Dalias flea market| ©David Garcia

During the 60's and 70's, Ibiza was the place of worship of the hippie community. Far from what the island represents today (fame and money), Ibiza was the residence of those young people with long hair who united for peace.

Today, little remains of that Ibiza. However, that revolutionary and rebellious spirit remains in its street markets. Although you may be able to find one if you visit Ibiza in winter, the truth is that there are many more in summer.

There are several hippie markets on the island. One of the most important is in the municipality of San Carlos, which was the main shelter of the movement. Las Dalias is a stimulus for the mind, due to the bold colors that overwhelm the eye as soon as you enter.

In this market you can find a total of 200 stalls where all kinds of products are offered for sale. In this place there is room for all hobbies, even the less conventional ones. They can read your palm, give you a massage or sell you a handmade jewelry with your initials.

Other hippie markets in Ibiza

Another of the best hippie markets to visit in Ibiza in summer is San Jordi. A particularity that makes San Jordi a very special place is that it does not require a license to sell.

For that reason, here you will be able to find objects that exceed the limits of your imagination. If you like to collect strange things, this is an obligatory stop on your trip to Ibiza.

Finally, you can not miss Punta Arabi, the largest flea market on the island and the first to appear. It is made up of a total of 500 stalls of various kinds and concerts and live performances are held on summer evenings.

10. Escape the summer crowds in the cave of Can Marçà

Can Marça Cave| ©Jorge Alpiste
Can Marça Cave| ©Jorge Alpiste

The cave of Can Marçà is one of the best kept treasures of the island. It is located about 20 kilometers from the city, very close to Sant Miquel. Its origin dates back to 100,000 years ago and it has an area of 8,500 square meters. One of the curiosities about Can Marçà has to do with its discovery.

This cave was discovered by a group of smugglers, who used it as a hiding place for their belongings. To locate the entrance and exit of the cave, they painted some marks in red and black colors, which are still there today.

Some time later, in the 70's, Jean Pierre Van Der Abeelle, a Belgian speleologist, showed interest in the cave, trying to locate the entrance and exit of the cave. This is how, since the 1980s, the Can Marçà cave began to be exploited for tourism.

Although the cave is currently dry, in its day it allowed water to enter, which means that the place has stalactites and stalagmites. In addition, one of the aspects that motivates your visit are the cliffs outside the cave, which form a dreamlike landscape.

11. Get excited with a movie sunset

Sunset in Ibiza| ©Marcos Lozada Echenique
Sunset in Ibiza| ©Marcos Lozada Echenique

This point may seem obvious to you, but the truth is that you will never see a sunset like the ones in Ibiza. The island is famous for its sunsets, which seem to be taken from a painting with a high contrast of colors. Therefore, I recommend that you do not fail to enjoy some of the sunsets in Ibiza in summer.

One of the best places to enjoy a unique sunset is Es Vedrà. This name is given to a small islet belonging to the Parc de Cala d'Hort i Es Vedrà.

This islet is located in front of Cala d'Hort and its access is not allowed, since it is private property: it belongs to about thirty families. In addition, due to its natural wealth, the opening of businesses and restaurants is prohibited.

If you are interested in visiting Es Vedrà, I recommend you to read this article about the best things to do in Es Vedrà.

Sunset in Es Vedrà: everything you need to know

Surely, after what I have told you, you are wondering how it is possible to see the sunset from Es Vedrà, if it is not even possible to set foot inside the islet. Well, the activity consists of renting a boat that sails around the mound.

Most of these excursions plan the schedules in such a way that the sunset coincides with the arrival to the waters that bathe Es Vedrà.

Another great place to enjoy a sunset in Ibiza in summer is Cala Conta, one of the most famous beaches of the island. Of course, I have to warn you that this beach is very popular, so it is usually crowded.

However, if you want to escape the crowds, you can book a table at one of the restaurants overlooking the sea, such as the Sunset Ashram.