11 Ways Ibiza's Much More Than Party Party Party

When we say ‘holiday in Ibiza’ what comes to mind?

Ok, yes, Ibiza has a crazy party scene during the summer months. From June until August, the island is invaded by tourists who want nothing but to dress up/undress and go to boozy pool parties and dance till dawn. BUT we’re here to tell you that Ibiza is more than its superclubs.

MTV’s stayed in San Antonio, which has a BIT of a party rep… but we learnt that really experiencing Ibiza is just as much about delicious food restaurants, cultural landmarks and stunning views as it is about getting draaank. Here are 11 ways to make the most out of your stay...

1. Ocean Beach Ibiza parties

Ok, ok, we know we said that Ibiza is more than just party party, but you HAVE to go to the opening/closing/any party at the Ocean Beach Ibiza.

The club has a huge swimming area complete with pool bars to top up on cocktails while you chill in the water, as well as live performances, parades and air-borne acrobatic displays … it will NOT disappoint.

Plus, everything is so picture perfect (including the other partyers there… so much strong beachwear game) that it will give you a good week’s worth of Insta posts (#rudenotto).

2. Make sure you've got glitter on

To compete against all the beautiful people, you’re gonna need that extra edge somehow…  so why not try Kiss My Fairy. They will glitter you up like you’ve never been glittered before - in subtle shades of golds, pinks and blues that will make you shimmer like an ACTUAL mermaid.

Everyone looks better glittery. That’s just a fact of life.

3. Experience the Cotton Beach Club

The Cotton Beach Club is one of the classiest places to kick back and drink cocktails. During our scenic lunch there we ate delicious food while listening to a delightful combo of a DJ playing chilled hits and a live saxophone player keeping it Kygo.

Just a heads up: if you see any girls parading through the tables in a different flowy garment every ten minutes or so, they’re models showing off the Cotton Beach Club’s merchandise. It’s like your own private fashion show.

4. Eat well

Is healthy food your thing? Need to detox after a heavy night? Then you CANNOT miss trying the food at Skinny Kitchen in Sant Anthoni De Portmany - it will make you feel cleansed and classy af with beautiful juices and shakes, delicious mains and even healthy deserts that taste just as good as unhealthy ones (ikr).

P.S. You need to try those pancakes.

5. Witness some local culture

With so many British tourists around, it's easy to forget you're actually on a Spanish island, but why not get involved in the local culture and REALLY get to know Ibiza. For example, during our stay, we went to the Adlib fashion show where we saw all the latest work by local fashion designers. The show was outside so we also got to see the beautiful old Ibiza Town not far away. Experiencing some of the local culture is a refreshing change from dropping it like it's hot with a bunch of Liverpudlian lads in the superclub.

Not that that's not fun.

6. Take to the high seas

Sure, sleeping all day may help you forget your hangover, but why not cure it altogether? Get some fresh sea air out on the ocean and you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll forget about that thumping headache and those regrettable jagerbomb-infused conversations from last night. 

The western coast of Ibiza is BEAUTIFUL - the water is aqua-clear, the sand is white and the island looks more majestic than ever from the ocean. You can do some cheeky cliff jumping, visit some of the island’s most beautiful beaches, and receive a spiritual awakening visiting Es Vedrà - the famously mysterious island that’s the third most magnetic spot in the world.

So goddamn spiritual.

7. Stay somewhere classy

Although a bit of atmosphere is great, when you want to go to bed you should be able to go to bed. During our trip we stayed at the THB Naeco Hotel - a brand new hotel off San Antonio Bay that belongs to the same company as the Ocean Beach Club and it isn’t too far away from the party. Its pool is surrounded by rib-like shower complexes and the whole design and layout makes you feel like you’ve burst in on a Kylie Jenner photoshoot.

We just let the soothing jazz playing out of speakers wash over us as we reclined on loungers by the pool. So very zen.

8. Do some karaoke at the Pikes Hotel

Located up in the hills, the Pikes Hotel hosts some of the island’s craziest after-parties. Ask for a tour and you’ll hear all about the owner Tony, who built each room for a different one of his sex buds, and all about the hotel’s history of hosting some of the biggest names in showbiz. The parties are held in the complex where Queen’s Freddie Mercury used to stay frequently, for example, and a very special kind of karaoke happens in his old bathtub every night…

Though Pikes Hotel is known to host the stars (MK was staying when we visited), it has a cosy community vibe during the day and the restaurant serves some FAB roasts. Each room is totally arty and unique (with definite sexual vibes), so you’ll never know what you’ll get if you stay there. The crazy stories are worth hearing!

9. Walk the San Antonio sunset strip

There are a couple of bars along the sunset strip of San Antonio that are super popular with all the party goers because it’s the ideal place to watch the sunset.

Visit Mambo, Savannah Beach Club or one of the other bars along the strip for some great pre-club vibes, or just go for a walk along it - the sea views are beaut at that time of the day.

10. Party while you eat

STK might be a steak restaurant, but in Ibiza it turns into a raucous party before you’ve even finished your mains. There are dancers hired to get the party started but, what with the club-like atmosphere and top disco tunes blaring out the speakers, it’s not long before the guests end up joining in dancing on the stage, doing the congo and cheering on breakdancing bouncers… yes, we may have joined in.

So if you're the kind of person who would enjoy eating while clubbing then you’ll probably love the STK in Ibiza.

11. Do some yoga

Why not combine exercise with meditation and mindfulness by doing some yoga in the sunshine? We did yoga with Workout Club Ibiza and it was definitely a feel-good spiritual sesh. If yoga isn't your thing though there are plenty of other exercise classes to try - and you can do them on the beach. It's the perfect way to exercise off all those vodka shots.

So there you have it - 11 ways to make sure to make the most out of  Ibiza. Who knew there was so much more to the experience than dancing to Jason Derulo? Ibiza is a beaut island, so make sure you see that unique other side to it while you’re there!

MTV travelled with... Ocean Beach Ibiza https://www.oceanbeachibiza.com/. For bed bookings and events calendar over the summer please visit https://www.oceanbeachibiza.com/events-calendar/  or call 029 2143 0053.