Ibiza: Travel With Class to Spain’s Top Nightlife Island
- Story by Kristina Kulyabina
Ibiza is a dreamy Balearic island located about 150 km off the Valencian coast of sunny Spain. Although it’s widely known for its crazy parties, many first-timers will be surprised by the island’s idyllic combination of enticing nightlife and entertainment, with a fine touch of relaxation and luxury. While summer tends to be the most lively season, which means big crowds and long waits, the off season also has its benefits like lower-priced accommodations and mild temperatures. Ultimately, Ibiza attracts travelers all year round, providing endless options to play, dine, and stay near the Mediterranean Sea.
Play
Even if electronic music is not your scene, Amnesia deserves a spot on your itinerary for a true taste of Ibiza nightlife. This world-renowned club consists of two major dance floors; the Terrace covered by a glass roof which delivers a second wind to the party when the sunrise shines through, and the darker vibed Main Room. Some of the best international DJs have hit the stages, like Diplo and Paul Van Dyk — Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent have also made an appearance over the years. Not only is the music intense, but the light shows and visual graphics behind the DJ set will carry you out of this world, dancing into the hours of dawn. To avoid the long lines, buy your tickets online well in advance, as big shows sell out quickly.
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Situated in the Marina Botafoch area of Ibiza Town, Pacha is another iconic mega-club that accurately represents the upscale clubbing lifestyle. This venue provides five different musical environments, a little bit of something for everyone, all flowing through an incredible sound system. Another plus is that while most major clubs are closed during the island’s low season, Pacha stays open all year round. One of its most popular events is David Guetta’s F*** Me I’m Famous party, where Guetta puts on some of his best performances. Like many other Ibiza nightclubs, Pacha opens at midnight, so make sure to schedule pregaming activities accordingly (to avoid getting too drunk and passing out before the party even begins).
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Dine
Sublimotion, the most expensive restaurant in the world, features one of the rarest dining experiences: a multisensory 20-course meal. Run by Michelin 2-star chef Paco Roncero, the kitchen implements molecular gastronomy while the dining area features a virtual light show within a Sci-Fi like ambiance. An operator controls the setting, keeping an eye on diners and changing the lighting or scene to coordinate with each new plate, and enhancing the senses of a customer’s first bite. Sometimes a VR headset maybe even be incorporated. Only 12 diners per night are privileged to taste the innovative menu that costs 1,500€ per person, or approximately $2,000.
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Connected to the five-star Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila, which is surrounded by picturesque stone walls and streets, the Es Mirador restaurant serves contemporary Mediterranean cuisine within its nine-course tasting menu. The interior is bathed in pure elegance, lined with oil paintings, a detailed fresco-painted ceiling, and tabletops decorated with crisp white table linens and calla lily flowers. Menu items also boast their own beauty via dishes such as smoked rice with butifarrón (Catalan sausage) and octopus, and delicious king prawn tartare. The average à la carte price based on a two-course meal (excluding drinks) is around 70€, or about $80.
Stay
The Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel provides guests with the ultimate high-end party experience while staying in a five-star adult-only accommodation. Attached to one of the hottest outdoor nightclubs in Ibiza, Ushuaïa, this creative establishment is located at Playa d’en Bossa, the longest stretch of beach on the island. The hotel features 415 luxury rooms and suites including blackout curtains, a maxi-bar, and an aromatherapy menu. Guests can stay at The Ushuaïa Tower or The Ushuaïa Club, featuring rooms with terraces offering direct access to the club. Also — the restaurant options are endless, meaning you can eat, drink, and sleep all in one place while partying your face off, which always makes life easier for the hella hungover ones. Make sure to check out The Oyster & Caviar Bar for six different varieties of oysters and fresh seafood.
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If you’re looking to relax after a crazy party weekend, consider Hacienda Xamena as the perfect accommodation to unwind, especially in its suspended waterfalls spa. The cascades suspendidas offer quite the impressive outdoor thalassotherapy, with eight interconnected saltwater lagoons hanging on the cliffside, overlooking the majestic Mediterranean Sea. The property is located on the north coast surrounded by pine forests and within a natural protected area that isn’t overpopulated by hotels, creating a peaceful environment for its guests. Nearly all of the rooms and suites come with dramatic views of the deep turquoise waters, which can be admired from a mini-pool or from your personal Jacuzzi behind the floor to ceiling windows.