Ibiza is famous around the world for its beaches, nightlife and electronic music scene, but a new feature from international publication Quartz is highlighting a very different side of the island.

Updated on September 16, 2026, the Quartz travel feature, titled “The 10 best things to do in Ibiza, ranked,” looks beyond the traditional party image and places Ibiza's history, nature, food, villages and contemporary culture alongside its famous clubs.

The publication's list is based on 10 experiences that also appear in Lonely Planet, covering everything from Dalt Vila and Formentera to hiking, traditional cuisine and Ibiza's nightlife.

Dalt Vila Takes the Top Spot

Quartz places Dalt Vila at number one, highlighting Ibiza Town's fortified historic quarter and its layers of Phoenician, Moorish, Catalan and modern history.

Dalt Vila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, while its Renaissance fortifications remain one of the defining landmarks of Ibiza Town. The historic area includes the cathedral, castle, narrow streets, viewpoints and archaeological sites.

The official Ibiza tourism website similarly places Dalt Vila among the island's essential cultural experiences.

Formentera Comes In at Number Two

Quartz ranks a day trip to Formentera second, focusing on its beaches, turquoise waters, salt flats and quieter character.

The neighbouring island can be reached by ferry from Ibiza and is particularly well known for its beaches and natural landscapes.

Formentera's official tourism website promotes its beaches, green routes and protected landscapes as central parts of the island experience.

Ses Salines Makes the Top Three

Third on Quartz's list is the Ses Salines Natural Park, which stretches across the southern part of Ibiza and extends environmentally into the waters between Ibiza and Formentera.

The area combines salt flats, beaches, pine forests and Posidonia seagrass meadows. It includes popular coastal areas such as Ses Salines and Es Cavallet.

Ibiza's official tourism information also identifies Ses Salines Natural Park as one of the island's key places to experience beaches alongside protected natural landscapes.

Es Vedrà Takes Fourth Place

At number four, Quartz highlights Es Vedrà, the striking rocky islet off Ibiza's southwest coast.

The feature focuses on the landmark's dramatic appearance and the mythology surrounding it, while recommending the Cala d'Hort area as a place from which to admire the rock.

Quartz also connects an Es Vedrà visit with the nearby Phoenician settlement of Sa Caleta, creating a combination of natural scenery and archaeological heritage.

Hiking Comes Before the Clubs

Quartz places Ibiza's hiking trails at number five, pointing visitors towards the island's interior, northern coastline and protected areas.

The feature highlights Sa Talaia, Ibiza's highest point, as well as trails around the northern coast and less accessible coves.

This reflects the broader tourism strategy of presenting Ibiza as an island for active tourism and nature as well as nightlife. The official Ibiza tourism website currently promotes hiking, nature, sport and countryside experiences alongside its beaches and cultural attractions.

The Superclubs Still Make the List

Despite its focus on Ibiza beyond the party scene, Quartz does not leave nightlife out.

The island's superclubs are ranked sixth, with the feature looking at the historical influence of venues including Pacha and the development of Ibiza's international electronic music culture.

Quartz notes that the club scene remains an important part of the island, alongside other experiences that attract visitors throughout the year.

Traditional Ibicencan Food at Number Seven

Food takes seventh place, with Quartz highlighting Ibiza's traditional fish and rice dishes.

Bullit de peix receives particular attention. The traditional dish combines cooked fish with a rice course prepared using the flavourful cooking broth.

The feature also mentions long-established restaurants such as El Bigotes, Chiringuito Pou de Lleó and Restaurante Sa Caleta when discussing traditional island dining.

The North Coast Comes Eighth

Quartz's eighth-ranked experience is exploring Ibiza's northern coastline, particularly its quieter coves and walking routes.

The article points to locations including Port de Ses Caletes, Es Portitxol, Cala d'Aubarca and Cala d'en Serra.

The north is presented as a contrast to Ibiza's busier southern and eastern tourist areas, with pine-covered landscapes, rocky coastline and coves that can require a walk to reach.

Ibiza's Villages Take Ninth Place

At number nine, Quartz recommends exploring Ibiza's inland villages.

Santa Gertrudis, Sant Joan de Labritja, Sant Carles de Peralta and Santa Agnès de Corona are among the places highlighted.

The feature also points to Ibiza's long-running market culture, including Las Dalias and the market at Punta Arabí, as part of the island's alternative cultural identity.

The official Spanish tourism service also identifies Ibiza's markets as an important part of the island's cultural and shopping experience, with Las Dalias among the best-known examples.

MACE Completes the Top 10

Quartz puts the Museu d'Art Contemporani d'Eivissa, better known as MACE, in tenth place.

Located in Dalt Vila, the museum connects Ibiza's contemporary art history with the island's much older archaeological heritage.

The feature highlights the museum's links to the Grupo Ibiza 59 artistic movement and its collection of works connected to Ibiza's cultural history.

A Different Picture of Ibiza

The significance of Quartz's list is less about declaring one experience objectively better than another and more about the range of experiences it identifies.

The final ranking covers historic architecture, neighbouring islands, protected landscapes, geological landmarks, hiking, nightlife, traditional food, remote coves, rural villages and contemporary art.

That broad picture is increasingly reflected in Ibiza's own tourism messaging. The island's official tourism website now presents Ibiza through categories including culture and heritage, gastronomy, wellness, family travel, active tourism and nature, alongside leisure and nightlife.

For visitors who associate Ibiza primarily with clubs and beach parties, Quartz's latest feature offers a reminder that the island's identity is considerably broader.

The clubs may still be part of the story, but Dalt Vila, the countryside, the salt flats, traditional villages, local food and the surrounding islands tell another side of Ibiza that has been here for far longer.