- Driving in Ibiza is relatively pain-free, but parking on the island is another kettle of fish entirely. Locals occasionally leave their vehicles parked willy-nilly, but unless you fancy a steep fine, stick with the designated spots. The system can be a little hard to navigate for the unfamiliar: essentially, blue painted lines mean you need to pay and yellow means you can't park there. Parking is often free during the siesta period between 2pm and 4pm, and late at night. Outside of these times, traffic wardens are out in force.
- Nowhere in Ibiza does the language barrier provide as much scope for disaster than at Ibiza’s petrol stations. Gasolina indicates that the pump is for petrol. Gasóleo or gazole, however, means it is diesel.
- The police in Ibiza are sticklers when it comes to the rules. Speeding and other offences will land you an on-the-spot fine. At 0.5mg, the drink-driving limit here is even lower than in the UK. Having just one large beer will push you over the limit, and with random tests commonly taking place all over the island, the risk is simply too high.
Search for the best car hire deals in Ibiza
If you want to escape the crowds of the busy resorts and explore a lesser-known side of the island, get behind the wheel.
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Ibiza car hire
Rent a car in Ibiza and laze on hidden coves only accessible by four wheels, stop in at off-the-beaten-path one-church hamlets and pull over for clifftop selfies as the sun descends into the sea. Zip back to your accommodation for a quick siesta before you hit the town.
For the ultimate freedom and flexibility during your trip to Ibiza, car hire is the way to go.
Collect at the airport
If, like most of the visitors who will arrive in Ibiza in 2016 and 2017, your entry point is Ibiza Airport (IBZ), rent a car direct from here. Car rental in Ibiza means big name companies, such as Europcar, Hertz and Centaura.
You can also collect your wheels at island offices, such as those at Ibiza Port in Ibiza Town or in the major resort centres of Playa d'en Bossa and San Antonio.
It might seem like obvious advice, but be sure to rent a car for Ibiza in advance. Leaving your arrangements until the last minute or, even worse, waiting until you arrive to book car hire at Ibiza Airport, means you’ll fork out more than you should. Instead, compare Ibiza car rental prices online and find the best car hire deal before you go.
Unlock the best beaches
The White Isle has 80 or so beaches, but you’ll need to sort car hire in Ibiza to get to the best of them.
Swing by locals' favourite Atlantis, a difficult-to-find rocky cove on the south-west coast of the island, or whizz over to join the trendy clientele at the atmospheric beach bars of Cala Jondal.
Cruise along the coastal road between Aguas Blancas and Cala San Vicente and admire scenic sea views before motoring on to the sparsely populated north of the island where you can chill out in deserted turquoise-tinged coves and quiet pine-shaded villages.
Head to the hilltop hamlet of San Miguel on Thursday evenings to scour the stalls of the craft market and fill up the boot with souvenirs.
It might be 2016, but Ibiza’s rural roads are not all up to 21st-century standards. Driving on them has its hazards: potholes, the odd stray animal and some frankly dodgy drivers are the norm. As long as you take it slow, and – perhaps most importantly – remember to drive on the right, taking a spin in Ibiza can be a joy.
Find out more about other forms of island transport on our getting around Ibiza page.