How to have the perfect 24 hours in Ibiza

Not just the stuff of urban legend, Ibiza cave raves do actually exist. The whole experience is rather similar to the 90s rave scene back home in the UK. Word gets around that there’s a party happening at some remote spot, usually in the north of the island. A mad early morning drive follows, with lots of frantic phone calls made to lock down the exact position of the site. Then when you get there, still not knowing entirely what to expect, you’ll be led away from the makeshift car park to some subterraneous cave via torch light. Most of the parties are organised by local DJs, although more well-known spots like The Kave sometimes attract the odd international headliner.

Despite all the pre-holiday bravado, few clubbing tourists ever make the pilgrimage to Atlantis. Why? Well, firstly it’s not on the bus route, meaning you need to hire a car to get there. Secondly, clambering down a huge vertical slope after a debauched night out at Amnesia never sounds quite as appealing the following morning. But if you are serious about hiking down to Atlantis, which is located within a mile or so of Es Vedra, try to stay sober the night before, otherwise you’ll turn an unforgettable adventure into a hellish nightmare. Take water and plenty of snacks to boost morale. And don’t make the descent in the middle of the day when the sun is blazing.

Ibiza’s famous hippie hub is best explored in the early morning, before the rest of the island wakes up and starts converging on San Carlos. Stop for a massage or some reflexology, eat at one of the many produce stalls, buy tie-dye clothing, handmade jewellery, musical instruments, old vinyl, paintings, books, incense, oil burners and all manner of weird antiques. The market takes place every Saturday and also opens on Monday and Tuesday nights during the summer. However, if shopping for hippie paraphernalia isn’t your thing, don’t give up on Las Dalias just yet. Check out the island’s most eclectic club night, Wax Da Jam, which serves up quality dub, disco, reggae, hip-hop, funk and soul on selected Thursdays throughout the season.