Last Updated on July 17, 2023 by Editor G
I went to Ibiza every year, for 7 years in a row (until covid hit), and have explored most parts of the island by car. Driving around Ibiza will allow you to find hidden gems; beaches with nobody on that you have to hike down to, tiny family-run restaurants in the middle of nowhere, and amazing viewpoints.
Ibiza is well known as one of the world’s best party destinations, attracting some of the top global DJs – though Vegas has been stealing them over the last few years!
What isn’t usually mentioned is the sheer beauty of the rest of the island. Despite the arid climate, it has a green mountainous interior where many pine trees thrive. It is easy to find yourself in a lemon grove or sitting in a small restaurant, looking at the azure waters and eating some of the most delicious food in the world.
Getting lost in Ibiza and finding a little place for lunch
How to Explore Ibiza by Car
The best way to explore Ibiza is by hiring a car and driving around the island; I wouldn’t recommend moped hire if you are looking to get off the beaten track, some of the roads are very rugged.
Once you are out of the cities like Ibiza Town and Sanan, driving around is very chilled out – in fact, it’s a pleasure. Sometimes the signposts are lacking though; we spent hours trying to find Atzaro hotel in the dark once.
The island is small (21 miles long/12 miles wide) and can be driven around in a couple of hours, but I recommend exploring the island in sections: North, South, East and West each day. You can easily spend a day just driving south of San Antonio and heading to the amazing Calla Bassa, then onto Playa Comte and have a cocktail at Ashrams – possibly the Worlds best bar and walking over to S’Illa Des Bosc for some seafood.
Santa Eulalia is a pretty town that attracts its fair share of families in the northeast of the island. The jewel in the Eulalia crown is the beautiful marina. Here you will find a dazzling selection of yachts, super yachts or even a fishing boat or two.
The marina is surrounded by bars and restaurants. Take a wander up one of the streets leading from the promenade and there are some great shops to discover. Parking is plentiful and driving around this area is uncomplicated.
Driving to Santa Gertrudis for lunch
From Santa Eulalia, it is a scenic drive to the village of Santa Gertrudis de Fruta. This is a village in the centre of the island, and well worth visiting for lunch. There are a handful of restaurants that offer genuine Spanish food and all are very good. The town is very pleasant to walk around with a lovely church and independent shops. The square is typically Ibizan and can provide you with some of the best people-watching spots in Ibiza.
After lunch in Santa Eulalia, leap into your car and drive to one of the local beaches like Cala Martina or Playa de S’Argamassa.
The south of the Island is nice to drive around as you cross over the salt flats of Salinas (Las Salinas national park); this takes you to Salinas Beach, which is very nice but a bit expensive if you want to eat out.
If you want to head off the beaten track for a drive, try Es Vedra Nature Reserve is also a nice drive to be done at night to watch the sun going down over the Es Vedra rock. You might come across a few hippies meditating here. You head up a small road in Sant Josep de sa Talaia which takes you into the national park – very hard to miss and probably still not signposted. We just drove up there to have a look at houses and ended up driving into the national park.
Map of Ibiza Island
Ibiza Car Hire
Most people pre-order cars at the airport and drive to their hotels on arrival. The other option is to pick one up in one of the major towns once you have got settled – this is what we tend to do…as we like a drink on the plane going out!
Every town in Ibiza has lots of car hire places, your hotel will also be able to arrange one to be delivered to you, by far the easiest option. You’ll find a range of cars to rent from cheap puntos to luxury cars and jeeps. I have never hired a jeep but it would be great for going off the beaten track.
When you rent a car in Ibiza, it is generally very relaxed. I once was told to leave my hired car at the airport when I left, in any place I wanted with the keys in the ignition!!
Ibiza Driving FAQs
Is driving in Ibiza hard?
Driving in Ibiza is very laid back, especially once you are out of the towns and cities. Ibiza Town and San Antonio can get annoying with their one-way systems but you get this cracked during your stay.
What side of the road do you drive in Ibiza?
You drive on the right-hand side like the rest of Europe.
What do I need to drive in Ibiza?
Any international driving license will be fine to hire a car.
Is parking free in Ibiza?
You should easily find free places to park, but saying that I have received a ticket for parking outside my hotel before.
Can I drive in Ibiza on a UK license?
Yes, that will be fine for hiring a car.
Do you need a car in Ibiza?
If you really want to explore the island, a car is recommended. Roads get very bumpy if you head off the beaten track and not ideal on a moped.
What are the speed limits in Ibiza?
Ibiza has the same speed limits as mainland Spain, which introduced new limits in 2021.
-20 km/h on single lanes with one-way traffic
-30 km/h on single lanes
-50 km/h on roads with multiple lanes
How do petrol stations work in Ibiza?
Most stations are self-service, but you have to pre-pay for the fuel before your fill, unlike in the UK.
Can you drink and drive in Ibiza?
The limit on alcohol in Ibiza is 0.8 mg per millilitre of blood.
Jane Freeman is a travel blogger and digital marketer based in the UK. Jane splits her time between London during the Spring/Summer and Asia in the winter.