What to Wear in Ibiza

Ibiza summers are long, hot and dry, and from June to September you will live in swimwear, cotton and linen. Spring and autumn are warm by day with cooler evenings, and winter is mild but often windy and damp, so a jacket and a jumper earn their place from November to March (our best time to visit guide covers the seasons). The island style grew out of the hippy years and the white Adlib fashion of the 1970s: loose whites, cheesecloth, sandals, a straw hat. Nobody expects polish. What catches visitors out is the ground under their feet and the line between beach and town.

Beach and boat days

• Two swimsuits, so one can dry while you wear the other
• A cover-up or kaftan for the walk from the cove to the bar
• Water shoes or sturdy sandals: many coves are rock and pebble rather than sand, and sea urchins live on the ledges
• A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen; shade is scarce on the smaller coves
• A light long-sleeved shirt for boat trips, when the sun reflects off the water for hours
• A dry bag for phone and keys on boats and kayaks

Leave swimwear at the beach. Sant Antoni's civic ordinance bans walking around the town centre in a bikini or bare-chested, with fines for repeat cases, and Ibiza Town expects the same courtesy in shops and restaurants. Beaches, promenades and the paths down to the sea are exempt.

Evenings, clubs and the old town

• Flat shoes or trainers with real grip for Dalt Vila, whose steep lanes and polished cobbles turn slippery, especially after a hot day or a rare shower
• Light trousers or a midi dress that covers shoulders and knees for the cathedral and village churches such as Sant Miquel and Santa Eulària's Puig de Missa
• A thin scarf or shirt to throw over a vest top before going into a church
• Comfortable shoes for clubs: you will stand and dance for hours, and the big venues are casual rather than dressy
• A light jacket or knit for sunset spots and open-air dinners in May, June and October
• A small cross-body bag, easier to keep hold of in crowds than a tote

Heels are a poor match for the island. The old town is all slopes and steps, village squares are often uneven, and the paths down to coves such as Cala d'Hort or Benirràs are dusty and loose. Choose sandals with a back strap for evenings and keep the smart shoes for a restaurant you reach by taxi. Our beaches guide notes which coves need a scramble.