The essentials before your trip to Ibiza and Formentera!
A blog post for savvy travellers: avoid the tourist traps and plan the perfect stay!
Dreaming of Ibiza but dreading sky-high prices, packed beaches and planning headaches? Good news: with the right advice (and I am here to give it to you!), a stay in Ibiza and Formentera can become an affordable paradise! No more last-minute disappointments, blown budgets or “if only I had known…”.
After several stays on the island and a few beginner’s mistakes (which I will spare you!), I have put together the 10 things to do before you leave that make all the difference for a magical, successful trip to Ibiza and Formentera.
Number 1
Check your ID and travel documents
Passport rules for Ibiza from the UK
Since Brexit, UK travellers need a passport for Ibiza and Formentera. It must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the EU. Check both dates before booking: airlines refuse boarding when the passport does not meet the rules.
Good to know:
Since October 2025, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) records non-EU travellers at the border: your fingerprints and photo are taken on your first entry, so allow a little more time at passport control. The ETIAS travel authorisation is due to follow: check the official EU website before travelling.
Visa-free stays are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. If you hold an EU passport, a valid national ID card is enough.
Check your insurance
On the insurance side, take your free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC, from the NHS website) for state healthcare in Spain. It is not a substitute for travel insurance: if you are the adventurous type, check that yours covers water sports and vehicle hire.
A globetrotter’s tip: photograph all your documents and email them to yourself. If they are lost or stolen, you will always have a copy to hand.
Number 2
Book your flight to Ibiza: airlines, luggage, transfers…
Ibiza airport (IBZ) is very well served, but not all flights are equal! To find the best deals, start searching at least 2 to 3 months ahead. Prices can soar in high season: I have seen fares to Ibiza go from €150 to €600 in a few weeks!
Airlines: easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2…
From the UK you are spoilt for choice in summer: easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 fly from most regional airports (Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh…), British Airways and Vueling from London, and TUI on holiday packages. Your choice will largely depend on your departure airport. Compare dates and airlines on a flight comparison site before you book: midweek flights are often much cheaper.
Choosing your luggage (cabin or hold?)
Think carefully about what you need!
| Cabin bag | Hold luggage |
|---|---|
| Handy for short stays in Ibiza If you are going to Ibiza for 3 or 4 days, a cabin bag is often enough. It is the simplest and cheapest option: no extra fee, no waiting on arrival, and you travel light. Perfect for a sunny weekend. Check the permitted dimensions, as they vary slightly from one airline to another. | More comfortable for a longer stay, but more expensive For a longer stay, or if you are planning several outfits (beach, evenings, walks…) or gear (snorkel masks, sun cream and so on), a suitcase in the hold can be more comfortable. You can take more, including liquids and items not allowed in the cabin. |
My advice
In summer, for a stay of less than a week, a cabin bag is plenty if you plan your outfits well. For more comfort or a longer stay, the hold can be worth it if you budget for the fees. That is what we do: one hold bag for two, with a backpack each.
Where is Ibiza airport?
Ibiza airport is in the south of the island, about 7 kilometres from Ibiza Town (Eivissa), in the municipality of Sant Jordi de ses Salines, between Ibiza Town and Sant Josep. It is a “small” but very well organised airport, especially in high season, when it handles many direct flights from the UK and the rest of Europe. Personally, I find its location really practical. Whether you are staying in town, near the beaches or in a quiet little village, you are rarely more than 30 to 40 minutes from the airport.
Journey times by area
- From Es Canar or Portinatx: 35 to 45 minutes
- From Ibiza Town (Eivissa): 10 to 15 minutes by car
- From Playa d’en Bossa: 5 to 10 minutes
- From Sant Antoni: 25 to 30 minutes
- From Santa Eulalia: 25 minutes
Plan your airport transfer
Once you land at Ibiza airport, you have several options to reach your accommodation.
- AERO buses: since April 2026 the airport lines are called AERO. AERO2 and AERO3 run to Ibiza Town for €3.50, AERO3 also stops at the port for Formentera, and other AERO lines serve Sant Antoni, Santa Eulalia and the main resorts.
- Taxis are very easy to find and prices are fairly reasonable.
- Car hire: to be truly free to get around, especially if you are heading north, I recommend hiring a car at the airport. Note that you cannot take a hire car on the ferry to Formentera.
How do you get to Formentera from the airport?
The crossing from Ibiza port takes about 30 minutes on the fast ferry. Several companies run the route: Baleària, Trasmapi, Formentera Lines, plus the slower Aquabus. Check the timetables, as they vary with the season. And a friendly tip: take an open return ticket for more flexibility on the way back.
Number 3
Find your accommodation (early, especially for high season)
Ibiza has several faces depending on the season, and your choice of dates can completely change your experience. From June to September, it is in full swing: the clubs are open, the atmosphere is electric, prices are higher and it is busy. Having been many times, the “worst” month is August. Early July is still really “OK” compared with many busy European beaches. May and October are an excellent compromise: pleasant weather, warm sea, gentler prices and fewer people. In winter, the island becomes a haven of peace, perfect for recharging, but many places and restaurants close.
The first golden rule for a successful trip to Ibiza and Formentera is to book your accommodation as early as possible, so you have plenty of choice for your interests and budget. Whether you dream of a sea-view room, a boutique hotel in San Antonio or a hostel in the centre of Ibiza Town, do not leave it until the last minute. In Formentera, where supply is limited, the cheapest places go first: see our selection to find a cheap hotel in Formentera.
My personal advice: if it is your first stay, choose accommodation near Ibiza Town (Eivissa). You will be at the heart of the action and can easily explore the island.
For a more relaxed stay, head to the north-east of the island or to neighbouring Formentera.
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Number 4
Plan your budget
Ibiza is not a budget destination, but it is not out of reach either. The island has premium prices, especially in high season, depending on the place (beach clubs, clubs, upmarket hotels). My money-saving tips:
- alternate between “trendier” restaurants and small local places
- buy your drinks in supermarkets for beach days
- explore beach clubs during the day, when they are free, before they start charging in the evening
- do group activities (hire a boat with friends and so on)
- make the most of the discounts some hotels offer their guests
Number 5
Plan how you will get around (car or scooter hire, transport…)
Ibiza is best explored freely. You have several options to get around the island, and some hire bookings are better made in advance:
Scooter, bike or e-bike hire: perfect for exploring one area at your own pace.
Car or scooter hire is almost essential to discover the hidden coves and authentic villages. Book online before you leave for better rates and to guarantee your vehicle.
Local buses: a practical, cheap way to travel between towns and beaches. The network is well developed and covers most tourist areas. A useful app to have on the island: CheckMyBus.
Number 6
Find out about the best beaches and coves
Ibiza has more than 50 beaches, each with its own personality! Cala d’Hort to admire the mysterious islet of Es Vedrà, Ses Salines to see and be seen, Cala Tarida for its crystal-clear water, Cala Xarraca for its peace and quiet… I have prepared 2 dedicated pages on all the beaches.
Download apps such as Maps.me or turn on Google Maps offline mode to get around the islands easily and save your favourite spots.
Number 7
Know the top 10 must-sees
Here are 10 unmissable experiences in Ibiza and Formentera:
IBIZA
- Dalt Vila (Ibiza Town): get lost in Ibiza’s fortified old town, a Unesco World Heritage site, with its cobbled lanes and panoramic sunset views. To the right of Ibiza harbour.
- Las Dalias market: browse an unmissable hippie market such as Las Dalias or Punta Arabí, buzzing with local crafts, jewellery and an authentic bohemian atmosphere.
Find out more about Ibiza’s hippie markets and Formentera’s hippie and craft markets - Cala d’Hort: swim facing the mystical islet of Es Vedrà, then enjoy grilled fish at a beach restaurant right next door. My favourite beach!
- San Antonio sunset: watch the legendary sunset at Café del Mar or Café Mambo, an unmissable island ritual, in the north-west. On 12 August 2026, this same west coast had a front-row seat for the total solar eclipse.
- Benirràs and the drum ritual: watch the drum ritual every Sunday at sunset, a unique Ibiza hippie tradition where many musicians gather on the beach.
FORMENTERA
- Lunch at El Mirador: enjoy a paella or fresh fish at this legendary Formentera restaurant with an INCREDIBLE view over the island!
Address: PM-820, Km 14, 300, 07872 Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain - Lazing at Ses Illetes: enjoy the heavenly turquoise beaches of Illetes, considered among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Read my article.
- Bike ride: explore the island by bike on the green routes, the best way to discover secret coves and wild landscapes.
- Boat trip to s’Espalmador and the unspoilt islets. Incredible scenery, beaches and swimming: you could be in the Caribbean! Discover the available boat trips
- La Mola lighthouse: take in the dizzying view at the very end of the island.
Number 8
Book your activities
The islands have some unusual activities, and they are often fully booked. I recommend booking as soon as you arrive if you are staying at least a week, or a few days before you leave, especially in high season.
Number 9
Pack a first-aid kit and sun protection
The Mediterranean sun is no joke! Factor 50 sun cream is essential, even if you tan easily. Also pack a lip balm with SPF, sunglasses and a hat.
In your first-aid kit: mosquito repellent (they can be persistent in the evening), blister plasters (Ibiza Town’s cobbles!), painkillers and, why not, arnica for the tougher mornings after…
Number 10
Download useful apps
A few apps that will save the day in Ibiza:
- Google Maps offline with the islands’ maps downloaded: without a connection you can still find your way, very useful for getting around!
- Mapstr to find all the places you saved before you left!
- WhatsApp to stay in touch (free Wi-Fi in many places; for a proper working day, see our coworking spaces in Ibiza)
So, ready for the adventure?
¡Vamos a Ibiza!
Ibiza & Formentera FAQ
Where are the Balearic Islands?
The Balearic Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the Mediterranean, off the east coast of Spain. The archipelago has four main islands, Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, plus several smaller islets. They lie about 200 kilometres from the Valencian and Catalan coasts.
Where is Formentera?
Formentera is the smallest of the four main Balearic islands and the southernmost in the archipelago. It lies south of Ibiza, separated from it by a channel just 2 nautical miles wide (about 3.5 km). The island is only 19 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide at its narrowest point.
How to get to Formentera?
Formentera has no airport, so you have to take a ferry or boat from Ibiza.
How do you get around Formentera?
Formentera is a small island of 83 km², with several ways to get around. Bikes and scooters are the most popular and practical. A car is possible but less necessary given the island’s size. There is a public bus network serving the main areas; it is limited but cheap. Taxis are also easy to find but are the most expensive option.
The island has no traffic lights at all, which makes driving much easier!
Scooter hire in Formentera: how much does it cost?
Prices vary with the season, the type of scooter and the length of hire. There are many hire shops at La Savina port as you arrive, and you will easily find them in every village on the island. The lowest price is around €10 a day, but on average allow about €20. Rates go down for longer hires.
If you are bringing your own car, read up on the daily vehicle limit in Ibiza before booking.
