Ibiza, in the balearic islands off the south coast of Spain has long been a mecca for the club 18 - 30's crowd and clubbing holidays continue to dominate the Ibiza tourist industry. However scratch the surface and this tiny island in the Mediterranean has lots more to offer than just the clubs and the best way to experience the real Ibiza is with a stay in one of the many Ibiza villas available for rent during the holiday season.

Although you can find a great range of hotels in Ibiza many at bargain basement prices, for an authentic Mediterranean experience rent a villa in the outskirts of the main tourist resorts and get a taste of ibizas rural, rustic charm. Most holiday villas available for rent in Ibiza come with private pools and modern conveniences but the buildings themselves are typically converted farm houses, built on spacious agricultural plots. Ibiza villas are built with thick, hard stone and slate, the best type of air conditioning, you'll find your villa beautifully cool even during the hottest Ibiza nights in August and July.

Car hire essential

When you rent a villa in Ibiza most holiday companies or villa owners will tell you car hire is essential. Because most of the largest, original villas around Ibiza can be found in rural locations access by public transport or on foot can be tricky. Don't let the relative isolation of an Ibiza villa holiday put you off though, Ibiza exists on a different scale to most holiday destinations with the largest resorts of San Antonio and Ibiza town only measuring a couple of kilometers each. No location in Ibiza is ever further than a short drive from anywhere else so while you may feel like you're completely isolated in your villa, in relality you're probably only a 5 minute drive from shops, restaurants, bars or nightclubs.

The other benefit of renting a car for your Ibiza holiday is it will allow you to really explore the best of the island at your own pace, not relying on tourist transport, which is limited. All the major international car rental firms operate out of Ibiza airport or select a local Ibiza car hire firm for the best rates.

Activity checklist for Ibiza holidays
 

Explore beautiful beaches

The best beaches in Ibiza can be found on the northern coast which is easily accessed by car from the resorts of San Juan or Portineux. To really get away from it all head to Cala Xuclar Beach, just a short drive from San Juan.

Alternatively visit Cala Jondal beach near San Jose in the south west- a great spot for both families and people watching!

Hippy Market

Modern Ibizan culture has it's roots in the hippy movement of the 60's and there's still plenty of fully fledged hippies living on the island today (although you don't see them strolling around San Antonio harbour or clubbing at Pacha!). The hippy market is on every Wednesday of the summer at Punta Arabí, Es Cana on the east coast of the island. Well worth a visit wether just to stroll through and soak up the atmosphere or to shop for handmade treasures at the countless arts and crafts stalls which line the street.

Visit Formentera

Just a short ferry trip away departing twice an hour from the port in Ibiza town- Formentera is a quieter Ibiza with an equally rich cultural history and the same great beaches as Ibiza. With it's landscape as yet unspolied by mass tourism a day trip or overnight stay on Formentera is the perfect way to relax and get away from the hussle of San Antonio or Ibiza Town.

Watch the sunset over Calo des Moro, San Antonio

The best spot on the island to watch the sun go down over the mediteranean ocean. Arrive early to get a table at one of the sunset cafes like Cafe del Mar or Mambo or take your own wine and sit on the rocks and soak up the excitable vibe created by the dawning of another long Ibiza night.

The best of Ibiza nightlife

Even if you're not visiting Ibiza for a clubbing holiday, an Ibiza holiday without checking out at least one superclub is like going to Egypt and not seeing the pyramids! While Ibiza clubs are loud, busy places and can be intimidating at first there is none of the attitude which makes UK clubs no-fly zones for anyone who falls outside the 18-30's brackets.

Amnesia is probably ibiza's most famous and popular club (see it featured in the 2000 Kevin and Perry Go Large movie with harry Enfield). It's open every night with different music on each. Thursdays host Cream which is the biggest, busiest night with the hardest dance music.

Pacha on Friday nights has perhaps the busiest dancefloor you'll find on the island as locals and tourists alike pack in. This club has more sanctuary though with a number of bars, back rooms and a roof terrace to escape the madness. It's also the swankiest venue in town due to the young hip Spanish crowd.

Eat in Ibiza's 'old town'

For a quieter evening take a stroll through Ibiza's old town, the fortified city which sits above the Ibiza Town of new. As well as the ancient architecture the old town boosts some of the best views over Ibiza and the best authentic Spanish cuisine you'll find on Ibiza.

With more cheap flights departing from UK airports to Ibiza than ever before and a great choice of accomodation on offer from luxury villas to high rise apartments- we hope you'll come and enjoy the magic of Ibiza this summer

10 May 2010