Eivissa Forever! 14 Reasons The White Isle Was The Place To Be 2014 - What's New In Ibiza?

So, your man from Buzzfeed got invited to a bunch of parties in Ibiza this summer. Perfect chance to get back out there! Returning for the first time in about ten-years, this was a chance to see how the island has changed, what's new and what makes the place so special.

1. Ibiza Rocks House!

Ibiza Rocks House / Via ibizarocks.com

This incredibly atmospheric hotel (used to be Pikes!) now hosts a series of incredible intimate parties.

In fact, it’s always been famous (infamous!) for some of the world’s greatest parties. In the reception there’s many pictures of icons of rock, pop and cinema – from Grace Jones to Bon Jovi and even Tony Curtis.

But forget about what’s been and gone. This year’s hot ticket at Ibiza Rocks House was the Wallace 7 party, hosted by Idris Elba. The man from Forest Gate who combines Hollywood hits with a true love for house music.

Genuinely the vibe of a house-party, it’s the place to be for those in the know. As sun-sets on Ibiza, the party crowd makes their way into the many (many!) rooms, courtyards and party beds – a beautiful crowd, a beautiful setting and the music takes some beating too. Ibiza past and present comes alive.

2. Corona Sunsets

Corona Sunsets / Via Ibiza Spotlight

Always at the cutting edge of electronic music, this year Ibiza was treated to something extra special. The end of a global sunset tour from Corona, set up as a mini-touring festival the setting was stunning – all against the backdrop of Marina Botafoch, with the sun setting behind Ibiza Town in the middle distance.

Flags flying, brilliant dancers and a fire-breathing stage set-up that wouldn’t look out of place at Burning Man or Glabstonbury. Featuring sets from Rob Da Bank, Maya Jane Coles & the Bondax crew – the musical highlight was a brilliant closing performance LIVE from Disclosure. New horizons in music.

3. Ibiza Rocks House @ Pacha

Via residentadviser.net

Obviously busy people at Ibiza Rocks (!) they’re now programming Monday nights at Pacha. Fusing the forward-thinking programming of Ibiza Rocks Hotel with the unadulterated glamour of Pacha, they’ve hosted nights with Detroit legend Kevin Saunderson, Basement Jaxx, 2manydjs, The 2 Bears among a stellar summer of top talent. We saw Tiga take the roof off, this is a four-to-the-floor night of dancing, debauchery and proper clubbing fun.

4. Bora Bora

own pic / Via own pic

Free parties are right at the heart of a proper Ibiza trip – and Bora Bora is still the king of somewhere to go for a free dance. The buzz of dancing under the sand as planes come to land at the airport is something that keeps those who like to party-hard returning to the island year after year. The best.

5. Cafe Mambo

Ibiza Spotlight / Via Ibiza Spotlight

No trip to Ibiza is complete without a sunset or two at Café Mambo. This summer, the sunset strip institution was celebrating 20-years – but remained the place to worship the world’s most beautiful sunsets. Iconic.

6. Kumharas

Ibiza Spotlight / Via Ibiza Spotlight

Protecting the hippy Goan-style spirit of Ibiza sunset bars, Kumharas was our pick of the sunset bars. Bizarrely hidden down a side road off the San Antonio Bay strip, Kumharas offers the best cooking in the neighbourhood, knowledgable service – but it’s the views that kept us coming back here. Spirited.

7. Hire a bike!

Via bicihippyibiza.com

One of the best decisions we made was to hire some wheels. And there’s no better way to explore Ibiza than to hire bikes. We went with A Turbo, great value and convenient too.

8. Sa Trinxa

Via TripAdvisor.co.uk

If you've got wheels and want to continue the party spirit, it’s worth venturing down to this special spot on Las Salinas beach. You're in Ibiza, may as well party on the beach right?

9. Ibiza Rocks

Via Skiddle.co.uk

At the beating heart of a young, work-hard, play-hard San Antonio scene - Ibiza Rock is the place to go for your live music fix. It’s a venue with its finger on the pulse of a new-wave of sounds. We saw Clean Bandit & Ella Eyre, an amazing gig for those watching and for the band themselves. Clearly one of the big appeals of seeing amazing bands having the time of their lives in an unforgettable setting – all watched over by fans around on balconies around the pool. It does rock!

10. Los Arcos

own pic

Of course when you’ve got bikes, you’re free to go exploring for great food. A big discovery was Los Arcos – unexpectedly hidden away inbetween San Antonio Bay and Port d’es Torrent. It serves up hearty, fresh and delicious seafood in an informal and friendly setting. Great value too!

11. Magon

Via tripadvisor.co.uk

A little further afield is Magon, just south of Port d’es Torrent. A beautiful patio, flowers and a magical atmosphere. Romance uncovered.

12. Bar 1805

Via white-ibiza.com

Of course, some of the best Ibiza venues are right under your nose. Absinthe-specialist Bar 1805 serves up some of the best cocktails in Ibiza town, and the food is highly recommended too. Boho.

13. Atzaro

Via atzaro.com

Of course, after all this good eating and drinking you might be thinking its time for a bit of a detox? There’s nowhere better than Atzaro Spa. Natural luxury.

14. Cotton Club

Via cottonbeachclub.com

Putting the white in The White Isle, Cotton Club was one of our highlights of Ibiza 2014. Whether you're winding up or winding down, this is one of the most luxurious places to enjoy a drink, a cocktail and some beautiful Balearic tunes. Bliss.