When’s the best time to rent Ibiza villas?

A great time to grab a cultured city break, enjoy nature, get fit and/or learn a new skill.

January weather in Ibiza as cold as it gets. But if we’re honest, it’s not really that cold. The temperature usually sits around 8-9C and depending on the year, it could be sunny, but it will probably rain quite a bit too. Or maybe a lot. Beware!

February in Ibiza is still pretty chilly and not that much has changed from the month before. Rainy, grey and windy days are common. Most of the island is still in hibernation. The air is maybe just a little less cold than in Jan… The temperature averages around 10C. And although there is some sunshine around, it’s still pretty chilly.

In March things start warming up considerably. Rainbow over San Miguel in the Ibiza spring time

The sunshine arrives, rain makes only the odd appearance and the temperature sits around 13-14C. It’s still not bikini weather, but tee-shirt weather it is.

The sea is still cold and only the bravest souls are out swimming, but It feels deliciously like spring and the island is bursting with wild flowers and bunny rabbits. True!

January and February are the islanders’ main hibernation period. For nature lovers or fans of outdoor pursuits, the early months of the year offer a unique charm. Hiking, climbing, cycling, general fitness, therapies and a dazzling variety of workshops all abound during these winter months.

Quiet
Once the festive frivolities have died down, many Ibiza residents are on a detox and lots of businesses shut up shop and go on holiday for the whole month. Tourist facilities and stuff to do for the kids are limited at this time of year.
It’s quiet, ladies and gents. Which is great, if quiet is your thing. It’s a great time to go walking or hiking.

Towns
The main towns are really the only semi-lively zones in January, with museums, some independent galleries and a fair sprinkling of shops and local bars & restaurants staying open all year round.

Deserted beaches
Resorts are closed, villages remain quiet and out-of-town beaches (along with their bars & restaurants) are pretty deserted. Notable exceptions are the Port of San Miguel & Cala Llonga, where a couple of beach bar restaurants remain open.

March sees quite a bit more action. Businesses are now busily hiring staff and preparing for the season. Shops that have been closed all winter reopen, as do a slew of bars and restaurants.

Markets

Inland, the flea market at San Jordi and the artisan market at San Juan are both open all year round. Both feature either live music or drumming and are lively and vibrant social events.

Both start and finish early. Be there be for 10am latest. Stalls close 1-2pm.

Eco & rural
Casita Verde eco-centre Ibiza

On a healthy, eco tip, Casita Verde is open every Sunday, 2-6pm. All year round. Come what may.

It’s a lovely spot to have a healthy lunch, Meet Ibiza’s resident eco-warrior Chris Dews, tour their eco-buildings and learn about how to live a sustainable lifestyle.

Thought there were no parties in Ibiza during the winter?
Think again!

Clubs

It may not be the best time to come and party day and night, but the weekends see some great parties in Ibiza. It’s at this time you’ll meet many more residents than tourists and that makes for a very cool vibe. Drinks are often cheaper than in the summer too.

Pacha is a case in point and traditionally remains open at weekends all winter. But after the recent change of ownership, the club has been closed this winter for a refurb. Watch this space.

The famously decadent Pikes Hotel (popular with islanders) remains open as a nighttime club venue at weekends and host some brilliant parties through the winter. Veto Social Club, a little known but great little club in Ibiza Town (with free entrance) is also open weekends until 6am too.

Dining

For a more sophisticated and/or romantic night out, the iconic restaurant, Bambuddha Grove, opens its doors during March. It’s the fav of many Ibiza residents (including me). We’re talking WOW. From reception to service to after dinner drinks. Cool DJs in the cocktail lounge, impeccable wine list and the menu is superb. Pricey. But worth it. Go treat yourself.

But the truth is…

Complete relaxation

During this time of the year, most islanders are mainly either snuggled in front of a roaring fire or going for nice strolls in the pine-scented campo. Winter picnics on the beach are a favourite pastime too!

Chilled

As you’ve probably gathered, January & February are quiet times. The quietest times in fact, for the island and its residents. Facilities for tourists are minimal to say the least.

It’s for lovers of the simple life.

Healthy

You’ll find many Ibiza residents now on the annual January detox and it’s a great time to get fit.

TIP: Many teachers and therapists are mobile & will visit your villa if you prefer. Ask your travel rep or villa owner.

Great time to visit if your priorities are…

• Natural, rural / eco Ibiza
• Culture & history
• Well-being
• Self-improvement
• Outdoor pursuits

Advantages

• Villa rental prices (& car hire) are as cheap as they get at this time of year
• British Airways fly direct from the UK all winter.

Disadvantages

• Many Ibiza villas are not available to rent from Nov-April.
• Cheap airlines do not usually fly from Mid-Oct through to April (although Ryanair and Easyjet fly in March from some UK airports)
• Outside of major towns, public transport on the island is almost non-existent.

A great time to grab a cultured city break, enjoy nature, get fit and/or learn a new skill.

The weather in Ibiza during this period is nothing short of divine. In April, the temperature averages 15-16C, rising to 19-20C in May and 22-23C during June.

Although it still might rain on the odd day, the sunshine has now arrived and by April, the first bikinis are seen on the beach. The sea is still very cool but there are more and more folk taking the plunge.

It’s often quite a windy time, creating ideal conditions for wind-based sports such as wind-surfing, kite-surfing and sailing.

Spring brings with it fields full of poppies, forget-me-nots and buttercups. It’s almost too beautiful for words.

April is when the island really starts to wake up. Winter has faded and spring well and truly arrives. Seasonal workers start to appear and there’s a tangible excitement in the air.

Pool parties

Most of the towns and resorts are getting livelier and some bigger, popular beach bars such as Sa Trinxa (love!) are now open. Ushuaia start to have daytime, pre-opening pool parties. Ocean Beach Club opens in San Antonio.

Quiet sunny beaches

Resorts are open from April, although villages remain quiet and out-of-town beaches (along with their bars & restaurants) are starting to see some sunbathers. Sunbed concessions on the smaller beaches often don’t rock up until May though, so take your towel and umbrella anytime before that.

The daytime party season begins

May sees the season start with a vengeance and the first massive opening parties kick in. Superstar DJs arrive in droves for the annual Ibiza International Music Summit (IMS). Beach clubs & boat parties both rev into action. High-street businesses are now fully open as are the bars & restaurants on San Antonio’s sunset strip.

On a more hippie tip, the first Sunday of May sees Ibiza Spirit Festival bring love and peace to Santa Eulalia’s luxury spa resort, Atzaro.

Boat parties

June sees the summer properly arrive. Each day is filled to the brim with party options. Hotels such as Pikes, Ushuaia and Hard Rock Hotel host some fabulous daytime events and you can take your pick of maybe 20 different boat parties. Beautiful People, Cirque de la Nuit, Oceanbeat and Float Your Boat are some of the most popular.

Families

From May onwards, options for families are now much improved and there’s plenty of stuff for the kids to do. Perfect for spring family breaks. The water parks in San Antonio & Playa d’en Bossa are now open & the huge hippie market at Es Canar opens every Wednesday & Sunday from 10am all day. Ibiza Town in particular buzzes with activity during May as the annual Medieval Festival comes to town.

See Chapter 2 for more useful links to family activities.

Nature

Last but not least, this period from April-June is a wonderful time to be out in the countryside. Ibiza is in full spring bloom and it’s still not too hot for middle-of-the-day exertion!

Clubs

All of the big Ibiza nightclubs open during the later part of this period, May-June. Think Amnesia, Privilege, DC10, Hi Ibiza, Sankeys, Eden, Underground and Es Paradis. Check out this video of Amnesia’s 2017 opening party.

All the big parties start to open too. We’re talking Cocoon, Cream, Glitterbox, SuperMartXe, F**k me I’m Famous (David Guetta), La Troya, Enter, Elrow, Music On, Solomun & friends, Circo Loco… check out this 2017 video of F**k Me I’m Famous for a taste of the hedonism:

Live gigs & beach bars

From June, Pikes Hotel begins its full-time summer schedule of daytime pool parties and more decadent nighttime events.

Hard Rock Hotel begin their summer evening schedule of massive live rock gigs and Ushuaia hosts some cool evening events on the rooftop tower (amazing views over the island). Last year Melon Bomb played a pre-opening gig there. Blinding. Check out this video of them almost blowing the decks off at Tanit Beach Club (same owners as Ushuaia) last year.

Bars & restaurants

For a more sophisticated and/or romantic early evening out, take your pick. From May, most high-end Ibiza beach bars and restaurants are open for business. KM5, Amante, Sa Capella, Lio, Babylon Beach, Cala Bassa Beach Club, Cotton Club, Blue Marlin, Experimental Beach… the list goes on.

Vibes

Spring is truly a great time of year in Ibiza. Energy and enthusiasm is everywhere. The island is starting to get busy but not TOO busy. For the islanders, we’re still only in 3rd gear and vibe is still gorgeously relaxed.

Mature crowd

It’s a time that’s marked by a noticeably more mature, 30+ crowd. With the exception of the May spring break, there are not many families nor college/uni age tourists around during this period due to school holiday constraints.

Sunbathing & beach

It’s now warm, sunbathing weather and the beaches are divine! Sunbed concessions are out and the beaches are still wonderfully chilled. The huge crowds of high season have yet to arrive…

Great if your priorities are:

• Natural, rural / eco Ibiza
• Culture & history
• Outdoor pursuits
• Beaches
• Clubbing / nightlife
• Things to do for the family
• Mixed priorities
• Bohemian, hippie Ibiza

Advantages:

 

• Cheap European flights are now available from a range of operators: Ryanair, Easyjet, Jet2 and Thomson all fly cheaply from the UK – Ibiza. There are still some great deals available from British Airways too.

• Villa rental prices are at their most competitive until around the end of May, when prices start to climb. Before June the best time to find a cheap villa rental in Ibiza.

 

• The weather is beautifully warm & sunny. By June it’s getting hot (but still not too hot).
• Public transport improves greatly from May onwards, when summer schedules kick in. Check out the official Ibiza Bus timetable for routes and schedules.

Disadvantages:

• Difficult time for students & families to visit (except during May holidays)

Hot sunshine 99% guaranteed, party season is in full throttle and the entire island is buzzing with action, day and night. Hello summer!

It’s hot, hot, HOT!

From July through to September, official reports say the average temperature in Ibiza is 26C.

But I’ve lived in Ibiza for 16 years and I can tell you unequivocally that’s not true! I regularly see the temperature reach 34C during July August & sometimes higher. It’s as hot as it gets, ladies and gents & heatwaves are common. Check out this report in The Sun last year, when up to 42C was expected throughout the Balearic Islands. September is only slightly cooler (thanks to the odd isolated (& refreshing) storm – pretty common in September). The sea is warm throughout this period so swimming, paddle-surfing and snorkeling are a joy.

It’s a great time for watersports as the sea is fantastically refreshing (sunblock essential!). But it’s now a bit too hot for most to enjoy more vigorous land-based pursuits during the middle of the day.

During this period, there is literally endless choice of daytime activities for absolutely everyone. The only thing tricky to find can be quiet roads, easy parking in towns and space on beaches!

Everything! The whole of Ibiza and everything it has to offer is at your disposal.

Clubs
During July & August, every single party & club on the island is open. Take your pick of a massive selection of world class DJs blowing the roof off and some of the most massive, frenzied crowds you’ve ever seen! Until September.

Closing parties
The first closing parties begin. The individual club nights are the first to close and there are some epic events to wallow in. But the big closings, that’s the big clubs, are not until October. Rock on!
For the low-down on all the clubs, parties and dates, the go-to bible is Ibiza Spotlight’s clubbing guide. It’s by far the best and comprehensive Ibiza clubbing guide out there.

Dining
There are restaurants and bars galore and the Port of Ibiza Town is particularly good fun at night for pre-club drinks, with lots of flamboyant party parades passing by. Often with discount wristbands – heads up.

Here are a few top Ibiza restaurants for amazing night time vibes:
El Portalon (Ibiza Town)
Boutique Hostal Salinas (Las Salinas nature reserve)
Babylon Beach (Santa Eulalia)
Villa Mercedes (San Antonio)
Kumharas (San Antonio Bay)

Exciting

It’s all very exciting and it’s extremely busy. Perfect if you love partying to mega DJs with huge crowds of euphoric ravers from all corners of the globe, day or night.

Young crowds & families

A lot families visit at this time (school summer holidays) as do the younger crowd and students. During August, a huge amount of Spanish and Italian visitors arrive too which makes for a cool, cosmopolitan vibe. Especially around Ibiza Town and Playa d’en Bossa.

The west end of San Antonio and Playa d’en Bossa can be pretty boisterous during July and August. Head there if that’s your thing.
If not, then the bay of San Antonio, Santa Eulalia and any of the smaller resorts, beaches & villages offer a much more chilled experience.

Rural

The countryside is very hot and dry at this time of the year. Although it still can be a lovely time to go for a walk or do sports, its best to exert yourself early mornings or evenings when it’s not too hot and sticky.

Great time to visit if your priorities are:

• Culture & history
• Beaches
• Clubbing / nightlife
• Things to do for the family
• Mixed priorities

Advantages:

• An unbelievable choice of world class DJs, events, parties & dining
• Public transport is as good as it gets in Ibiza
• Hot sunshine 99% guaranteed

Disadvantages:

• Prices for flights, car-hire and accommodation rental are at their highest
• Taxis can be difficult to get
• It can get uncomfortably hot for young babies and the elderly
• Roads are congested, beaches are packed and parking in towns can be tricky.

This is the time of year when there are pro thieves are around. Whilst Ibiza is in general very safe, It’s important to be aware when risks are higher than usual.

Targeted

Thieves are on the lookout for drunken tourists who are not paying attention to their valuables. And there are plenty to choose from.

Don’t be one of them.

Leave valuables at home

If you’re going out to party, only take the cash you need for the night & the most essential items. Leave your slick new phone, wallet, cards and certainly your passport at your accommodation in a very safe place (like a safe) unless you know you’re going to be 100% sober. Then lock all doors, windows and gates before leaving your villa.

Yes, even the small windows!

 Don’t leave valuables in hire vehicles

The same goes for cars. Never leave valuables in your hire car. Even if they’re tucked away out of sight. There are devices these days that can clone your car alarm signal and disable the locks as soon as your back is turned.

A cautionary tale

It happened to a dear friend, a professional photographer, only last year.

He left his (very expensive) camera & lenses, passport and wallet in the boot of his hire car, in a car park and in broad daylight. We locked the car, went for breakfast and got back an hour or so later.
Car unlocked. Camera, passport and cash from wallet all gone.
Guess what? We never leave valuables in the car anymore.

The legendary Ibiza closing parties, Halloween, Christmas, new year & glorious nature. Autumn in Ibiza is very special.

Still mainly warm & sunny

From September / October the first storms and rains of autumn begin to arrive. During October, it’s just the odd day here and there. The temperature remains warm and mainly sunny, averaging around 19C in October, to 16C in November.

More rain

But by November – December, the chance of rain increases and the temperature drops to an average of 13C during December. Although you can still walk around in a tee-shirt on sunny days, you’ll definitely need a warm jacket at night.

Great for outdoor pursuits

The rains bring with them a revival of Ibiza’s lush forests and mountains. The heavy, parched heat of summer subsides and the stunning island flora comes alive again. It’s ideal weather for sporting and outdoor pursuits.

Closing parties

October is when the main clubs hold their annual, legendary closing parties. Amnesia, Privilege, Hi Ibiza, Sankeys, Eden, Es Paradis and DC10 all say bye bye for another year. Here’s Luciano playing at the 2017 Circo Loco closing party at DC10 on the outdoor stage:

It’s big. It’s messy. And it’s emotional.

It’s almost impossible to not get caught up in the sense of unbridled euphoria, as residents hang up their work clothes, apply glitter and finally get to go out & party!

It’s not just the residents who are elated. The DJs themselves are in full party mode, at the end of a non-stop summer season. I’ve seen Sven Vath, for example, play a 5-hour set at the Cocoon after party!

Nothing I can write here can explain how massive and amazing the Ibiza closing parties are.

The best thing I can do is show you. Have a look at this!

Halloween

By November all the major closing parties are over but there’s still quite a bit going on. Pacha, Underground, Veto Social Club and Pikes are all still open at weekends. Bars and restaurants are still a plenty in the towns, which remain bustling in the run up to Christmas.

The last big night until new year now is really Halloween, with Bambuddha, Hard Rock Hotel, Pikes and Boutique Hostal Salinas all holding fabulous parties. The whole island dresses up and it could well be the islander’s most decadent night of the year! A really brilliant time to be in Ibiza ?

New years eve

New years eve is the next big party night, with Pacha, Amnesia & DC10 all normally throwing  huge parties.
Ibiza Town is full of families out on the port to see the spectacular firework display at midnight. The bars are full of folk attempting (with various degrees of success & hilarity) to eat the traditional 12 grapes – one on each stroke of midnight – as the old year ends.
It’s not as easy as it sounds, try it!

Mature crowd

Closing parties aside, It’s a wonderfully chilled time with cooler weather but still lots of sunny skies. Young people are back in uni/college/work and once again, a more mature crowd tends to dominate.

Nature

The closing of the clubs brings visitors who enjoy the quiet side of Ibiza. Nature lovers are blown away by the lush countryside, profusion of wild herbs and flowers & perfect climate for healthy outdoor activities.

Great if your priorities are:

• Natural, rural / eco Ibiza
• Culture & history
• Well-being
• Self-improvement
• Outdoor pursuits

Advantages:

• Villa rental & car-hire are as cheap as they get at this time of year
• If you book in advance you can get good deals on flights until the end of October with Ryanair. After that, British Airways fly all winter direct from the UK.

Disadvantages:

• Many Ibiza rental villas are not available to rent during November & December.
• Cheap airlines do not usually fly from Mid-Oct through to April
• After October, public transport outside of the main towns is very minimal.