A long weekend in Ibiza might sound like a mad idea, and it might well turn into a mad weekend. But some people fly in for barely 24 hours. Land on Friday, and by Sunday night you’ve walked the historic Dalt Vila, had a proper beach day, watched the sunset in Sant Antoni, danced at a superclub and even nipped across to neighbouring Formentera? It can be done. The island is small (you can drive across it in an hour) and everything that matters sits close together, you just need to plan it cleverly.There was a time when we were flying out to Ibiza almost every month, so we’ve put together a three-day itinerary for you, day by day, with timings, transport and prices in euros (with rough pounds alongside). We won’t drown you in every last sight or tell you which club is in this season; instead these are ideas and tips for squeezing the most out of a short weekend without spending more than you have to.
Length: the sweet spot is a long weekend in Ibiza, Friday–Sunday (2 nights); Thursday–Sunday (3 nights) is more relaxed.
When to go: the party season runs roughly May–September; July and August are busiest (and dearest).
Getting there: direct flights from the UK take around 2.5 hours; on the island it’s buses, taxis or a hire car.
Budget: from around €350 (≈ £300) per person for a sensible, no-frills weekend, and easily over €500 with one big club night.
Book ahead: flights, your first night’s accommodation, club tickets (dearer on the door) and the Formentera ferry.
When to Visit for a Weekend in Ibiza
Ibiza comes alive from May to October. The clubs throw their big opening parties around the middle of May, the season peaks in July and August, and it winds down through September and into early October with the closing parties. Outside this window the island is beautiful and calm, but most of the big clubs are shut, so if you’re coming mainly for the nightlife, stick to the season.Our tip for the best compromise: early June or the second half of September. The sea is pleasantly warm, the weather is good and the clubs are in full swing, yet flights and accommodation cost noticeably less than at the August peak, and the beaches and streets are far more bearable. We break down temperatures, rainfall and sea conditions month by month in our separate guide to the weather on Ibiza.
💡 Tip: Aim for a weekend outside August. In August, flights and hotels hit their yearly peak, and the difference against June or September can easily be £100 or more per person, money you could put towards one extra party instead.
Getting to Ibiza and Around the Island
If Ibiza is calling, flights are surprisingly easy to come by. Keep an eye out and stay a little flexible, and you can pick up returns from the UK for well under £150.
Flights from the UK
In summer, direct flights connect several UK airports (London, Manchester, Bristol and more) with Ibiza (airport code IBZ) in around 2.5 hours. Fares vary a lot with the dates and how far ahead you book. As a rough guide, reckon on returns from about £120 upwards, and commonly £150–250 in peak season. The earlier you book, and the more you dodge August and weekend peaks, the better. When direct flights don’t add up on price, connecting routes via Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca or the big European hubs are often cheaper.Compare flights to Ibiza →
Getting Around the Island
The airport sits just a few kilometres from Ibiza Town (Eivissa). Your options:
Buses — the trunk routes link Ibiza Town, Sant Antoni, Santa Eulària and the beaches; a ticket costs roughly 2–4 € (about £2–3.50). In season the night Discobus runs between the clubs and resorts, which is a lifesaver for a clubbing weekend.
Taxis — comfortable, but thin on the ground in season, and at night you’ll queue for one; a short hop runs to 10–20 € (about £9–17).
Hire car or scooter — the most freedom, especially if you want to reach the more out-of-the-way beaches (though if you’re planning to drink a lot, someone still has to drive, so think it through). In high season, cars vanish fast and parking near the popular beaches is a nightmare, so book ahead.
💡 Tip: For a pure clubbing-and-beach weekend you usually don’t need a car, and you’ll save on parking and on the drink-driving headache. A mix of bus, night Discobus and the odd taxi is plenty.
Where to Stay for a Weekend in Ibiza
Where you rest your head shapes the whole feel of your weekend:
Ibiza Town (Eivissa) — the best base if you want the old town, the harbour, restaurants and the Pacha club close at hand. Nearest the airport, with good bus links.
Sant Antoni (San Antonio) — the mecca for sunsets and cheaper nightlife; this is where the younger crowd and budget travellers head.
Playa d’en Bossa — a long beach right by the big clubs (Ushuaïa, Hï); here the party spills straight off the sand into the night.
Santa Eulària — quieter and more family-friendly, good if you want one big night out and easy days for the rest.
Room rates are steep in season: a three-star hotel with a double room runs roughly 120–180 € (≈ £100–155) at the height of summer, and noticeably less outside August. Hostels are the budget saviour, with a dorm bed from around 35–45 € (≈ £30–40) in high season (well worth it, since you’ll barely be in the room anyway).Find accommodation in Ibiza Town →
A Weekend in Ibiza: 3-Day Itinerary
The plan below assumes you land on Friday morning and fly home on Sunday evening (2 nights). If you’ve got the Thursday night as well, you’ll simply spread it all out more comfortably. We’ve plotted the route so you’re not criss-crossing the island for no reason.
Day 1 (Friday): Ibiza Town, Dalt Vila and Your First Party
Once you’ve landed and checked in, head straight for Ibiza Town. The afternoon belongs to the old quarter of Dalt Vila, the fortified old town on the hill above the harbour, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Wandering the lanes and walking the ramparts is free; climb up to the cathedral and the fortress for views over the port and the sea.As evening comes, have dinner down in the harbour or in the lanes beneath the walls and gather your strength. The night is for your first party, and from Ibiza Town it’s a short hop to the legendary Pacha. If you’d rather have an open-air beach party, jump on the Discobus to Playa d’en Bossa for Ushuaïa, or to Amnesia out on the Sant Antoni road. Entry varies by club and headliner, roughly from 40 € to 80 € and up; buy your ticket online in advance, as the door price can easily be 20 € more. Which club is right for what, the resident nights and how not to overpay for a drink, we cover it all in our guide to parties and clubs on Ibiza.Tickets and experiences in Ibiza →
💡 Tip: Alcohol in the clubs is notoriously pricey (even water can top 10 € a bottle). Have a drink before you go in and stay on top of hydration, because Ibiza is hot and the dance nights are long.
Day 2 (Saturday): Beach and Sunset in Sant Antoni
A slower start, because after a club night there’s no other way. Late morning or around midday, head for the beach. Close and easy to reach is Playa d’en Bossa (a long strip with beach bars); for prettier water, aim for Ses Salines in the nature reserve down south, or Cala Comte on the west coast, famous for the colour of its sea. Take water, sun cream and some cash for the beach bar.In the afternoon, move over to Sant Antoni (San Antonio) on the west coast, the island’s number-one address for the sunset. On the famous “Sunset Strip” you’ll find bars like Café del Mar and Café Mambo, where crowds watch the sun melt into the sea to a chilled-out soundtrack. Get there a good hour and a half early, as the best spots go fast. After sundown you can stay on in Sant Antoni for a cheaper party, or hop back on the Discobus.
💡 Tip: Grabbing a table right inside Café Mambo or Café del Mar means paying for a drink (and often a minimum spend). If you want the sunset for free, simply perch on the rocks and the jetty right next door. The view is identical, you just hear the music from a little further off.
Day 3 (Sunday): Day Trip to Formentera and Flying Home
Give your last day to Formentera, the little neighbouring island with Caribbean-turquoise water, about a 30-minute ferry from Ibiza Town. A return ticket is roughly 35–50 € (≈ £30–43), and boats run frequently in season. Set off first thing so you’ve got the whole morning on the island.On Formentera, hire a scooter or a bike and make for Playa de Ses Illetes, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. The water is shallow and crystal clear, perfect for a final swim. Keep an eye on your return ferry time so you comfortably make airport check-in, and leave yourself a buffer for the transfer from the port to the airport.Book ferries and trips to Formentera →
💡 Tip: If your flight isn’t until the evening, you could instead spend the last day on a relaxed loop of Ibiza, taking in the Las Dalias market, the Es Vedrà rock or a hidden cala. But for a single short weekend, Formentera is the standout experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Not Up for Formentera? Beautiful Spots on Ibiza Itself
Formentera is a treat, but it means an early start, a ferry and a full day on your feet. If two evenings have worn you out, you don’t have to go anywhere by boat, because the loveliest coves and viewpoints are right here on Ibiza, a few dozen minutes away by car or scooter.
Cala Comte (Cala Conta) — probably the island’s most photogenic beach, with turquoise water and views over little islets. It’s at its most beautiful at sunset.
Cala d’Hort and Es Vedrà — a small beach looking out at the mysterious rocky islet of Es Vedrà. Ideal for a quiet afternoon and a sunset without the Café del Mar crowds.
Ses Salines — a long beach in the salt-flats nature reserve, pines right down to the water and beach bars. On the way you’ll pass the pink lakes, where flamingos sometimes stop off.
Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta — two neighbouring coves just outside Sant Antoni, with pine forest and crystal-clear water; a brilliant escape when the centre is heaving.
Benirràs — a northern cove famous for its Sunday drumming sunsets, when the hippie community gathers and the drums beat until the sun goes down.
One more turn around Dalt Vila — if you’d rather stay in town, take another wander through the old-town lanes and head up to the walls for the harbour view.
💡 Tip: For beaches like Cala Comte or Cala Salada, go in the morning or towards evening, as midday tends to be packed and the car parks jammed. A scooter or a small car will get you almost anywhere on the island in 30–40 minutes.
How Ibiza Parties Work (Prices, Party Buses and What to Watch For)
Clubbing Ibiza is an experience, but also a serious hit to the wallet. So that nothing catches you out, here’s the reality of a night in a superclub like Pacha, Amnesia, Hï or Ushuaïa, and how to survive it without emptying your bank account.
Entry: typically 40–80 € (about £35–70), and 80–100 €+ for the top events. It almost always pays to buy online in advance, as the door is dearer and sold-out nights are otherwise off-limits.
Drinks are expensive: reckon on 15–25 € for a single drink (about £13–21), and even a small water can be 5–13 €. Pre-drinks at your accommodation or a bar in Ibiza Town or Sant Antoni can save you half your evening budget.
Party buses (Discobus): in season they run all night between Ibiza Town, Sant Antoni, Playa d’en Bossa and the clubs. A single ride is roughly 3–4.50 € and it’s the cheapest and safest way to get “home” at night, because taxis outside the clubs are pricey at peak times and the queues are long.
💡 What to watch for: only buy tickets from the clubs’ official websites or verified sellers (fake tickets are a real thing), and be wary of street promoters promising “free VIP”. In the crowd, keep an eye on your things, never leave your glass unattended, and agree with your group in advance when and from where you’ll head back.
How Much Does a Weekend in Ibiza Cost?
Ibiza is one of the pricier Mediterranean destinations, and in-season prices can catch you out. A lot depends on whether you sleep in a hostel or a hotel and how many parties you cram into the weekend. A rough budget per person for a long weekend (2 nights):
Item
Roughly per person / weekend
Return flight (in season, outside August)
£120–250 (≈ 140–290 €)
Accommodation, 2 nights (hostel–3★ hotel, pp)
70–180 € (≈ £60–155)
Food and drink (2–3 days)
60–120 € (≈ £50–105)
Getting around the island (bus, taxi, Discobus)
20–50 € (≈ £17–43)
One party (entry + drinks)
60–120 € (≈ £50–105)
Formentera day trip (ferry + scooter)
50–80 € (≈ £43–70)
Total
approx. 400–830 € (≈ £340–705)
You’ll stay at the lower end with a hostel, one party, buses and your own breakfast; the upper end is hotels, more parties and taxis. You’ll save the most with a flight booked well ahead and outside August, a hostel or an apartment shared between several people, club tickets bought online, and drinking outside the club. For more detailed tips on a longer stay and budget, see our guide to a holiday on Ibiza.
Hippie Markets: Las Dalias and Punta Arabí
Ibiza wouldn’t be Ibiza without its hippie markets, selling handmade jewellery, clothes, leather sandals, music and street food. On a weekend they make a great slower morning between the beaches and the parties. Entry is usually free, so you only pay for what you buy, and a bit of haggling is expected.
Las Dalias (Sant Carles)
The island’s best-known market has been running since 1985 and now has more than 300 stalls in a site by the village of Sant Carles (San Carlos) in the northeast. The main day is Saturday (roughly 10:00 to 22:00 in high season), so it slots perfectly into a Friday-to-Sunday weekend. In summer there’s also a night market on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with music and food stalls, a pleasant alternative to another club night.
Punta Arabí (Es Canar)
Ibiza’s oldest and largest hippie market has been held since 1973 in the resort of Es Canar. It has over 500 stalls, but only once a week: on Wednesday (April to October, roughly 10:00 to 18:00, later in summer). So it won’t fit a classic Friday-to-Sunday weekend; count on it only if you fly in earlier or stay through the week.
💡 Tip: Get to the markets in the morning, before the crowds gather and the heat really kicks in. The car parks fill up, but you can reach both Las Dalias and Es Canar by bus too. Bring cash, as plenty of stallholders don’t take cards.
What to Eat on Ibiza
Ibiza isn’t all parties and beach bars; the local cooking is well worth a try, and in the inland villages you’ll eat far more cheaply than down at the harbour. A few safe bets to reach for:
Bullit de peix — the island’s flagship fish dish: stewed fish and potatoes in a saffron-and-garlic sauce, often served in two courses with rice. Think of it as lunch, and happily enough for two.
Ensalada payesa — a fresh country salad of roasted peppers, potatoes, onion, egg and dried fish (peix sec), ideal on a hot day, roughly 8 to 12 €.
Arroz or paella — seafood rice dishes are a seaside staple, usually ordered for two.
Flaó — the traditional Ibizan cheesecake made with fresh cheese, mint and aniseed, a sweet full stop to lunch at around 4 to 6 €.
💡 Tip: You’ll eat most cheaply at midday with the “menú del día”, a multi-course set lunch with a drink included, roughly 14 to 20 €. For more authentic, calmer cooking, drive out to inland villages like Santa Gertrudis, where both the prices and the atmosphere beat the Ibiza Town waterfront.
Prices and ratings are approximate (source: GetYourGuide); you’ll see the latest once you click through.
Is it worth going to Ibiza just for a weekend?
Yes, as long as you’re ready for a packed few days. The island is small and everything that matters (the old town, the beaches, the clubs, the sunset, even a trip to Formentera) can be squeezed into three days. Direct flights from the UK take only around 2.5 hours, so a long weekend makes real sense; just plan your route in advance so you’re not criss-crossing the island for nothing.How much does a weekend in Ibiza cost?
As a rough guide, from around 400 € (≈ £340) per person for a long weekend with a hostel, one party and buses, and up from there. With a hotel, more parties and taxis you can easily pass 800 € (≈ £680). The biggest items are the flight, the accommodation, and club entry with drinks.When is the best time for a weekend in Ibiza?
The club season runs roughly from the middle of May to early October, peaking in July and August. The best value for the experience comes in early June and the second half of September, when the clubs are open and the weather is reliable, but prices and crowds are lower than in August.How many days should you ideally spend in Ibiza?
For a taster, a long weekend is enough (2 nights, Friday–Sunday). Three to four nights is more comfortable and lets you fit in more beaches and parties without rushing. For a proper, laid-back holiday, reckon on a week, and there’s more on that in our guide to a holiday on Ibiza.Do I need a car for a weekend in Ibiza?
For a pure clubbing-and-beach weekend, usually not. Buses, the night Discobus between the clubs and the odd taxi will see you through. A car or scooter is only worth it if you want to reach the more remote beaches and hidden coves, in which case book ahead, as they vanish fast in season and parking can be a problem.Where is the best sunset on Ibiza?
The classic is the “Sunset Strip” in Sant Antoni, with the Café del Mar and Café Mambo bars. Get there a good hour and a half early, as the best spots go fast. If you’d rather not pay for a drink, perch on the rocks and jetty right next door, where the view is the same.Is a day trip from Ibiza to Formentera worth it?
Definitely. From Ibiza Town, Formentera is about a 30-minute ferry, with a return ticket roughly 35–50 €. Waiting for you is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean (Ses Illetes), with turquoise water. Set off first thing and keep an eye on your return ferry time because of your flight.How much is club entry on Ibiza?
Roughly from 40 € for an ordinary night or a smaller club, up to 100 € and more for a big name at Ushuaïa or Hï. Buy tickets online in advance, as on the door they can easily be 20 € dearer. Add in the pricey drinks (even water can top 10 €), so the real cost of a single party easily passes 100 €.Which hippie markets can I catch on a weekend in Ibiza?
For a Friday-to-Sunday weekend, Las Dalias near Sant Carles is your best bet: the main market is on Saturday (roughly 10:00 to 22:00 in high season) and in summer there’s a night market on Sunday too. The largest market, Punta Arabí in Es Canar, only runs on Wednesday, so it usually won’t fit a classic weekend. Entry is normally free, so bring some cash.What local dishes should I try on Ibiza?
Try bullit de peix, stewed fish and potatoes in a saffron sauce, the fresh country salad ensalada payesa, and for dessert the Ibizan cheesecake flaó with mint and aniseed. You’ll eat most cheaply at midday with the “menú del día”, and for more authentic cooking, drive out to inland villages like Santa Gertrudis.
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As evening comes, have dinner down in the harbour or in the lanes beneath the walls and gather your strength. The night is for your first party, and from Ibiza Town it’s a short hop to the legendary Pacha. If you’d rather have an open-air beach party, jump on the Discobus to Playa d’en Bossa for Ushuaïa, or to Amnesia out on the Sant Antoni road. Entry varies by club and headliner, roughly from 40 € to 80 € and up; buy your ticket online in advance, as the door price can easily be 20 € more. Which club is right for what, the resident nights and how not to overpay for a drink, we cover it all in our guide to parties and clubs on Ibiza.Tickets and experiences in Ibiza →
