I love visiting Ibiza! Here’s an ultimate 3-day itinerary from my last visit to one of the most famous Balearic Islands in Spain.

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Perfect 3-day Itinerary for Ibiza

Where is Ibiza

Ibiza is one of the most famous Spanish islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies about 150 kilometers (93 miles) east of the Spanish mainland, near the city of Valencia. Ibiza is known worldwide for its vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches. It is the third-largest island in Spain’s Balearic archipelago, which also includes Mallorca, Menorca, and Formentera.

How many days do you need in Ibiza?

Most travelers visit the island of Ibiza for 3 to 5 days, although the length of stay largely depends on what you’re looking for. Those seeking a beach vacation can easily stay for a week. In my case, this 3-day Ibiza itinerary was my second visit to the island, and I wanted to explore its key attractions, as I hadn’t rented a car during my first trip and spent most of my time around Dalt Vila, the capital, for a few days.

Dalt Villa, Ibiza, Spain
Dalt Vila in Ibiza

Is Ibiza worth visiting?

Ibiza is worth visiting for any type of traveler. Many people think of it only as the ultimate clubbing destination, where you “party all day and all night,” but the truth is that outside of those rave-filled summer months, Ibiza is a natural paradise year-round. When I visited in spring, the peak season still felt far away, yet the weather was pleasant – though a bit chilly for the beach, which wasn’t my focus anyway. I truly enjoyed exploring the island without the crowds. While Ibiza may not feature any of Spain’s iconic landmarks, its unique attractions are full of local charm, and the coastline and sunsets alone make it worth planning a trip to the island.

How to get to Ibiza

To get to Ibiza, the most convenient way is by air to Ibiza Airport (IBZ), located just a few kilometers from Ibiza Town. You can catch a direct flight to Ibiza from major cities in Spain, such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia, as well as from various European destinations, particularly during the summer months (including Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Italy, Austria, France, Belgium, and Portugal). Alternatively, you can reach Ibiza by ferry from the mainland, with regular services from ports like Denia and Valencia (and from Barcelona during the summer). Ferries are less reliable in the off-season, when weather conditions may cause schedule changes, as I experienced when visiting the nearby island of Formentera in November. Once on the island, you can easily get around by renting a car, taking a taxi, or using public transport (although I would recommend renting a car).

Beautiful pink sunset with a siluet
The most beautiful sunsets around the world

Best time to visit Ibiza

Summer in Ibiza is definitely the peak season for nightlife, restaurants, beaches, and pretty much everything else the island has to offer its visitors. So, if you’re looking for a social vacation, July and August are the best months to visit. For me, May or September (sometimes even October) are the moments for an Ibiza vacation. The weather is still very summer-like, but the crowds are either gone or haven’t arrived yet.

Where to stay in Ibiza

For this 3-day Ibiza itinerary, we stayed at the wonderful local farm stay, Agroturismo Can Cosmi Prats. However, on the map below, you can check out other popular places to stay on the island of Ibiza.

Your Perfect 3-day Ibiza Itinerary

Day 1: Santa Eularia des Riu, Las Dalias, and Portinatx Beaches

We started our first day in Ibiza with a delicious breakfast at Brunchit Ibiza, known for its tasty dishes and generous portions. After fueling up, we explored the small town of Santa Eulària des Riu, famous for its peaceful atmosphere, whitewashed houses, and scenic promenade. After a pleasant walk, we headed to Las Dalias, a famous hippy market I had wanted to visit for quite a while. It’s known for its picture-perfect stalls filled with handcrafted jewelry, clothes, and local artwork. Ibiza has a strong artistic heritage that dates back to the 60s, when artisans and designers flocked to the island in search of freedom of expression. The two main hippy markets on the island are Punta Arabi in Es Cana (on Wednesdays) and Las Dalias (with varying hours depending on the season). While Las Dalias is quite touristy (even in the off-season), it is polished and can be overpriced, so don’t expect great shopping deals. However, I still enjoyed its hippy-boho vibe.

After the market, we made a quick stop at Cala Llenya, a quieter beach with golden sands and clear waters, which would be a perfect spot for a refreshing dip during the summer months. For lunch, we headed to one of the island’s most authentic foodie spots, El Bigotes (recommended by our host). This small coastal restaurant is famous for its traditional dish, bullit de peix, a flavorful fish stew. El Bigotes is located in a secluded cove, and everything is so compact that I was curious how they managed to organize the kitchen. The food felt homemade, and both my husband and I loved it.

In the afternoon, we first headed to a historic lighthouse offering sweeping views of the coastline, but we didn’t end up hiking to the lighthouse as I wasn’t dressed appropriately. To reach the lighthouse, there’s a narrow trail along 125-meter-high cliffs, and it’s better to wear hiking shoes. Nearby, you’ll also find Cala d’en Serra, one of Ibiza’s lesser-known beaches, which I’d definitely recommend visiting during the summer months. There’s another lighthouse nearby, Punta Moscarter, which is the tallest of the Balearic Islands, but it also involves a small hike to reach it. You can easily check out one of these lighthouses on this 3-day Ibiza itinerary, just make sure to wear proper hiking gear. Instead hiking, we spent the afternoon enjoying the stunning beaches of Portinatx, another quiet coastal town in Ibiza. Its Playa S’Arenal Petit and Platja de Cala Xarraca, are known for their crystal-clear waters.

Ibiza Vacation hippie market 3 days
Las Dalias, a famous hippy market of Ibiza
ibiza best spanish islands things to do
El Bigotes, one of the island’s most authentic foodie spots

Day 2: Dalt Vila, Ses Salines, and Es Vedra

On our second day in Ibiza, we planned to explore the island’s capital, with its historic Dalt Vila, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s perfect for wandering through the ancient fortress walls and visiting the Cathedral of Ibiza. While it wasn’t my first time on the island, I always make sure to visit Dalt Vila, as it’s great for shopping food souvenirs, and discovering new cafes and restaurants. This time, we checked out Croissant Show. In the area, you can also explore the Ruines Bateries Antiaérees El Calvari, which offers fascinating insight into Ibiza’s military history, and stroll through the central square Plaça de la Reina Sofia.

Afterwards, we drove to one of the most unique landscapes on the island, Ses Salines. The local salt flats have been in use for over 2,000 years, and it’s a fantastic photo location, especially to capture the stunning reflections of clouds on the water. We also walked to the nearby Torre de ses Portes, an ancient tower, before heading to Platja de ses Salines, one of Ibiza’s most famous beaches with soft sands and lively beach clubs in summer.

For lunch, we made our way to Sa Caleta, a cute restaurant by the beach. History lovers might want to check out the nearest Phoenician settlement, which dates back to the 8th century BC. After lunch, we drove towards Torre des Savinar, known as the Pirate Tower of Ibiza. Here we found a spot to leave the car and simply walked along the cost waiting for the sunset. This location is a must-see for breathtaking views of the legendary islet Es Vedrá, which still ranks as one of the most beautiful sunset spots in the world.

After the sunset, we had initially planned to visit Pacha, Ibiza’s world-renowned nightclub, to experience the island’s vibrant nightlife, but we decided at the last minute to head back to our farm stay and relax before enjoying our final day on the island.

Ibiza Vacation Salt mines
Ses Salines – one of the most unique Spanish landscapes
Ibiza perfect vacation es vedra
Es Vedrá Sunset
Ibiza Vacation best beaches
The magical coast of Ibiza

3. Day 3 Beaches, Aquarium, and Cafe del Mar

On our last day, the main plan was to visit a few remaining beautiful beaches and enjoy another sunset at one of Ibiza’s iconic spots—Café del Mar. After having breakfast at Bar Es Cruce, a casual local bar popular for its Ibicenco tapas dishes, we made a quick stop at BIBO PARK Ibiza Botánico Biotecnológico, a unique botanical garden that showcases Ibiza’s diverse plant life and innovative sustainability projects. Since my love for plants and gardens in Spain is well-known, I couldn’t miss it. It’s an interesting place to visit, though I wouldn’t consider it a must-see on a 3-day Ibiza itinerary.

Afterwards, we headed to explore two of Ibiza’s popular coves – Cala Comte and Cala Bassa. For lunch, we really enjoyed Grill Sant Antoni, a restaurant known for its focus on local grilled meats and seafood. After lunch, we visited Aquarium Cap Blanc, which, while not as impressive as Mallorca’s aquarium, is unique because it’s housed in a natural cave, showcasing marine life native to the Mediterranean.

At this point, we initially planned to visit Cala Salada and Torres d’en Lluc nearby, but we were concerned about missing the sunset at Café del Mar in San Antonio, where the best tables are said to fill up quickly. To ensure we got a good spot, we arrived early. Visiting during the off-season meant we had no trouble getting seated, though the area around the café was still lively at sunset. I can imagine it being packed in the summer. Café del Mar was the perfect place to relax with a cocktail as the sun dipped below the horizon (they also have food, but I picked another spot since theirs reviews were not very good). For our final dinner on the island, we headed to Es Nàutic, a restaurant located at the marina in San Antonio, known for its fresh seafood and elegant dining atmosphere.

ibiza vacation 3 days travel plan
Exploring the best beaches of Ibiza
Cafe del Mar Ibiza spain
Cafe del Mar
Sunset with a cocktail from Cafe Del Mar Ibiza
Sunset at Cafe del Mar

Map of top Ibiza locations

You can view this itinerary on Google Maps here. Additionally, you may find this map of the best Spanish beaches helpful, as it also includes Ibiza.

Ibiza or Mallorca

I often get asked whether I prefer Ibiza or Mallorca, and I’d say both islands offer something for every type of traveler. However, Mallorca is a larger island with more to do, and it’s one of the best family-friendly destinations in Spain. If you’re looking for a beach vacation only, I would choose Ibiza, but if you’re traveling with kids, I’d recommend Mallorca because it has more attractions and activities for children. That said, don’t get me wrong – Ibiza is also a fantastic destination for families (despite its famous nightlife, that scene doesn’t dominate the entire island). For a romantic or couples’ getaway, I’d suggest Formentera, as it’s even more secluded and peaceful.

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Things to do in Ibiza in 3 days

For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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