Ibiza is two islands in one. From roughly May to October it is the world's party capital, with superclubs, beach clubs and boat trips at full tilt. In the other months it is a quiet Mediterranean island with a UNESCO-listed old town, wild coves, pine hills and a surprisingly strong local life. This guide is written for November, so it says plainly what is open and what is not, and it still gives you a full, rewarding trip.
What is closed, and what is not
Clubs, beach clubs and most boat trips run roughly from May to October. Café del Mar in Sant Antoni showed as closed when we checked in November, and the sunset bars along the strip largely follow the same calendar. Boat trips to Formentera, Es Vedrà cruises and sea kayaking have limited availability and weather cancellations in winter, so check dates and use the free cancellation they offer. If your heart is set on the clubs, come between May and October. What stays open is the old town, the museums, the beaches themselves, the viewpoints, the Las Dalias market on weekends, the jeep tours, and hotels and restaurants that trade all year.
Book ahead, or don't
Very little needs booking in winter. If you want a boat, kayak or jeep day, book a date with free cancellation, because those operators decide on weather at short notice. A rental car for a day or two is worth reserving, as it unlocks the west coast. Everything else, from Dalt Vila to the viewpoint at Es Vedrà, is free and turn-up.
How many days
Three days is enough for a first visit. Spend a day in Ibiza Town for Dalt Vila and the Puig des Molins museum, a day on the west coast for Cala Comte, Cala Bassa, the Es Vedrà viewpoint and a sunset at San Antonio, and a day on a flexible plan: Las Dalias market on a weekend, a jeep safari, or a boat or kayak trip if the season and weather allow. With a fourth day, add more time on the northeast coast and Santa Eulalia.
Getting around
Ibiza Town is walkable, and the harbour, Vara de Rey and Dalt Vila are close together. For the rest of the island, a rental car is the most practical choice. Buses connect the main towns but run less often in winter, and the summer beach services stop. Taxis are plentiful in town but get expensive across the island, so use them for evenings out. A private jeep tour or small group tour is a good way to cover the west coast if you do not want to drive.
Where the headline sights fit
Start with Dalt Vila in the morning and the Puig des Molins museum before lunch. Save the west coast for the afternoon so that you reach Cala Comte or the Es Vedrà viewpoint an hour before sunset; sunset falls close to six in the evening in early November and earlier later in the month. Spend one weekend morning at Las Dalias, which runs through the winter on shorter hours. Check each sight's hours before you go, because winter schedules are shorter.
What to pack and expect
November days can be bright and mild, but evenings are cool and the sea is cold, so bring layers, a windproof jacket and shoes with grip for the old town's polished stone and the viewpoint's rough path. Many restaurants and shops in resort areas close for the season, so choose your base in Ibiza Town or Sant Antoni, where more stays open. Winter prices are lower, and the island feels like itself.
