addicted to ibiza

ibiza for beginners

If it's your first time, the amount of choice in Ibiza can be daunting. With so many parties to go to and so many places to dance, how do you cram it all into just one week? Here's a rough itinerary for a week long trip especially designed with Ibiza newbies in mind. Going back to work the following day is not recommended.

MONDAY

When you get off the plane, jump straight in at the deep end and head to the world's biggest nightclub to see the world's biggest Trance DJ. Privilege hosts Tiesto and up to 10,000 partygoers every Monday night. You don’t even need to worry about checking in at your hotel first. As we discovered last year, the coat check at the gift shop will look after your suitcase. The icing on the cake? The DJ booth is surrounded by a swimming pool.

TUESDAY

Live rock music in Ibiza? Really? Isn’t this island supposed to be the spiritual home of dance music? Founded on the premise that dance kids like to rock and rock kids like to dance, Ibiza Rocks is the unexpected success story of the last few years. Every Tuesday this year Ibiza Rocks plays host to the Ting Tings, the Klaxons and MGMT, just to name a few. Moreover, they now own their own hotel so you can host after parties worthy of rock stars.

WEDNESDAY

You’ve been on the island for two days now, so it’s probably time for a bit of a rest. Ibiza is famous for sunsets and the best place to watch is Café Mambo on the sunset strip in San Antonio. Not only will you have the thrill of watching the crowd cheer as night begins and the sun goes down, but often you can catch big name DJs warming up for their sets later that night – for free.

THURSDAY

Tonight, it’s time to check out the most famous club in the world: Pacha. The name is synonymous with celebrity, hedonism and glamour; and David Guetta’s Thursday night ‘F*** me I’m Famous’ party is Pacha at its finest. With the VIP, VVIP and VVVIP areas (yes, really) taking up well over two-thirds of dancefloor, some question whether mere mortals are actually able to let their hair down and party. But experiencing Pacha’s unique vibe is a vital Ibiza experience and one you will come to love. The clincher? Destiny’s Child Kelly Rowland is their resident PA this summer.

FRIDAY

It’s Friday, you’ve now been in Ibiza for five days and you’ve still not found time to dance on the beach! Make amends and head down to Bora Bora Beach Bar in Playa d’en Bossa for some cheeky afternoon sangria. Once you’re all danced out, it’s time to experience the more civilised side of Ibiza. Get in a cab to KM5 - one of Ibiza’s many laidback countryside restaurants. Many people say the best thing about Ibiza is the balance between crazy nights out and beautiful places to chill. KM5 and their outdoor cocktail lounge does that job nicely.

SATURDAY

You know you're in Ibiza when it's four o’clock on a Saturday afternoon and you're dancing in an abandoned zoo surrounded by people in fancy dress. The club on everyone’s lips this summer is The Zoo Project, taking over from the much missed DC-10. Their Saturday day time sessions are the talk of the island and attract top underground DJ talent. You’ll definitely leave with stories to tell everyone back home.

SUNDAY

Dancing on the terrace at Space on a Sunday afternoon defines Ibiza clubbing. The former 22 hour We Love Space marathon now restricts itself to a mere 14 hours due to changes in club licensing laws, but that’s not held back the stream of massive international DJs that make the line up every week. Literally, nothing compares to this. Just make sure your sunglasses are suitably oversized and overpriced.

That only leaves one more decision. Once the sun comes up and the music turns down at 6am, will you be running to catch your flight? Or will you be running to the nearest internet café to change your flight home? (It’s just across the road, in case the latter takes your fancy.)

new in ibiza for 2009

Like all places that stay exciting and fresh, Ibiza constantly changes and 2009 is no exception. A new bunch of venues have arrived on the scene and Addicted bring you our pick of the places you should be looking out for - soon they will be on everyone's lips.

Gala Night

Strictly speaking, Gala Night isn't a new venue. It's been around for years and was previously known as the 'abandoned zoo' (even although it never actually was a zoo - work that one out). However, now it has finally got a name, it has quickly become the venue of choice for the island's underground clubbing scene. With daytime, outdoor dress-up dance parties hosted every Saturday from 4pm until midnight by The Zoo Project, word on the street is that Gala Night is the new DC-10. The Zoo Project also host Wednesday under the Channel Zoo moniker, while As One host Monday evenings bringing some of London's big clubbing names to the island. This is the place everyone is talking about this summer - go before it's massive.

Amante

Ibiza's places to chill are even better than Ibiza's places to party, and Addicted loves venues such as the Blue Marlin and KM5. Opened a few months ago, Amante joins Ibiza's distingushed collection of laid-back beachside restaurant/bars. Situated in a secluded bay near Cala Llonga just north of Ibiza Town, Amante looks set to find a niche as one of the most romantic places on the island. Come here to kick back in style on a beach bed. Anyone fancy brunch by the sea?

Boho

When Ibiza Rocks opened a hotel in San Antonio a couple of years ago, the tide started to turn for Ibiza's less sophisticated town, previously more famous for English breakfasts than world-class nightspots. That trend continues with the opening of Boho, a new club in San Antonio town that has already become a regular on the celebrity pages of British newspapers.  A million miles away from the sleazy 'free shots with your lager' San Antonio of yore, Boho was launched a month ago by the team behind Hotel Es Vive and Base Bar and this year hosts Ibiza institutions Superfreq and Miss Moneypennys. With big names and lashings of style, this is one to watch.

top five places to chill

Partying in Ibiza can be hard work and after two nights of crazy clubbing it is perfectly respectable to want to take things down a notch. You're supposed to be on holiday after all. Thankfully, Ibiza's chill-out scene is just as famous as its party scene. After all, everyone has at least a couple of Ibiza chill-out compilations knocking about their CD rack. Here are Addicted's favourite ways to kick back on island.

5. Portal de las Tablas
More usually known as 'The Gate' to Dalt Villa (The Old Town) in Ibiza Town, the historic square in front of the Portal de las Tablas on Calle de Antoni Palau is home to sleepy pavement cafés and a small food market. Spend a lazy afternoon in this quiet square sipping a café con leche and watching the world go by. You'll feel like you are in a quiet continental town a million miles from the crazy club of the night before.

4. KM5
Set in the countryside five kilometres out of Ibiza Town on the road towards San Josep, KM5 is an Ibiza institution. Divided into a restaurant and cocktail lounge, both outdoor spaces were made for balmy summer evenings. The modern Spanish menu is gastronomic heaven, especially if you've spent the rest of your trip eating in Playa d'en Bossa or San Antonio. After dinner you can walk a few meters to their cocktail lounge and kick back on sofas underneath the moonlight, listening to chilled out beats while acrobatic dancers provide the entertainment. Reservations for dinner are recommended.

3. Your villa terrace
There are many reasons for getting a villa rather than staying in a hotel, but top of the list is being able to chill out on your private terrace by your pool. Villas give you privacy and quiet that you just can't find in any busy Ibiza hotel. Don't forget to pack some chill-out compilations in your suitcase to set the mood.

2. Benirras beach
Also known as the 'hippie beach', Benirras is situated in the north of the island and is popular with locals. It is a considerable drive if you are staying in San Antonio or Playa d'en Bossa, but well worth the trip. Undeveloped and unspolit, be sure to take essentials such as water and suncream with you. Try to get there before sunset to watch the sun go down to the sound of bongo drums. Don't forget a road map!

1. Blue Marlin
Imagine lounging on a bed outside by the sea, eating great food and drinking even better cocktails, while a fine water mist keeps you cool in the sun. And we haven't even mentioned the models paid to walk around and make the place look fabulous. The Blue Marlin is Ibiza at its sophisticated best.