Quickly becoming the party capitals of Europe and particularly the party capitals of Spain Marbella and Ibiza have attracted thousands of holiday makers from big groups to couples.

Puerto Banus on the island of Malaga and Playa D’en Bossa and San Antonio in Ibiza are the places to be in Europe for the ultimate party.

After experiencing both we are going to break down the best location for your holiday and help you decide between Marbella or Ibiza for partying and other adventures.  

Both are islands located off of the Spanish mainland. Both offer exceptional beaches with the options to take part in boat trips to explore. Situated not far from one another but with many differences depending on your interests. 

Marbella

Partying

Known as the original home of Ocean Beach Club, this ultimate luxury party destination has something for everyone. Day parties are all the rage here and clubs such as Ocean Beach, Sisu Boutique, Nikki Beach and La Sala by the sea are the main hot spots to spend your day. 

Most groups book beds for the day and prices start at around 200 euros ranging all the way up to 3000 euros. Luxurious dinner spots can be found such as La Sala, Nobu and a little further afield Olivia’s where Essex meets Ibiza, as well as grabbing dinner down by the harbour in full sight of all of the luxury yachts that grace the harbour. 

Dance the night away at many of the nightclubs staying open until around 7am. A full strip is on offer in Puerto Banus where the clubs feature R&B music to dance the night away. 

Beaches

Puerto Banus is based on a luxurious harbour filled with yachts and smaller boats also. Beaches can also be found around the island which get busy with both youngsters and families alike.

Shopping

The main area Puerto Banus is something of a luxury name with designer shops and brands gracing the streets. A large luxury mall with designer shops and departments stores is in the middle of the city. Whilst a traditional Spanish market can be seen selling traditional Spanish clothing at much cheaper prices. 

Restaurants

The restaurants in Puerto Banus range from luxury brands such as Nobu and La Sala where you can dine in luxury followed by music and drinks afterwards. A little further afield Olivia’s can be found which brings Essex luxury to Marbella.

Marbella also offers an old town with traditional Spanish restaurants, boutique shops and a busy beach area offering sun loungers and water sports. Tapas and seafood dishes are all the rage in the small restaurants by the beach.

Excursions in Marbella

Costa Del Sol Tours

Hop aboard a boat or coach and set off towards the Costa Del Sol. Explore the tradiotnal Spanish villages and marvel at the way of life, small Spanish shops and amazing tapas dishes.

Boat hire and trips

Due to the harbour there are many places in Puerto Banus to take a boat trip to hire yourself a boat and a skipper. Enjoy the luxury life as you cruise the shores of Marbella.

Segway tours

Hop onto a Segway for a quick and easy way to explore Marbella. Take the paths to explore the city in full and have fun whilst you explore with this unique way of moving.

Ibiza

Partying

Traditionally the home of techno and electronic music for decades, Ibiza is not short of world class DJ’s gracing their clubs and day parties every single day of the week.

With some of the busiest and biggest clubs in the world which have scored world class names for themselves such as Amnesia, Pacha and Privilege. Dance the night away until the morning with some of the best sound systems in the world.

Days are generally spent more chilled in Ibiza with the beaches in both Playa Den Bossa and San Antonio filled with holiday makers recovering from the previous night or sharing a few drinks as they prepare for the new night.

Day parties can also be found in Ocean Beach Ibiza, Ushuaia and Zoo Project. More chilled out day parties can be found at Jet Apartments and Bora Bora Apartments on Sundays.

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Beaches

Playa D’en Bossa and San Antonio Bay offer the busiest beaches on the island. Party goers can be seen drinking on the beach and relaxing on the sand.

There are quieter parts of the island that are within easy reach that suit loved up couples and families alike as you explore beaches such as Cala Salada, Cala D’hort and Cala Tarida.

Some beaches offer crystal clear waters and are well worth exploring such as Cala Jondal, Cala D’hort and Talamanca. Boats can be rented without a licence to get your spot in the bay to watch the sun go down outside Cafe Mambos.Extra special places to catch a sunset can be found at Es Vedra, Cala Conta and N Xamena Cliffs.

Shopping

Smaller shops are found in Ibiza compared to Marbella. Tradiotnal Spanish clothing is sold alongside hippie and party clothing in the. more party focused areas.

Head to the Punta Arabi for the hippie market to catch a true feeling of the old Ibiza days. Shop, dine, drink and listen to bands play for a really authentic experience.

Restaurants

Smaller restaurants can be found in Playa Den Bossa with lots of beach front restaurants serving barbecued meats and fish. Whilst San Antonio offers excellent restaurants on the waters edge and these are the perfect place to watch the sun go down. Cafe Mambo’s and Cafe Del Mar are the favourites for this with resident and world class DJ’s taking the stage.

More tradiotnal meals can be found in Ibiza Town down the smaller ally ways and on the harbour with an amazing view.

 

 

 

Excursions in Ibiza

Boat trips to Formentura

You can take either a boat or even the public fast ferry which takes only 35 minutes to get from Ibiza to Formentura. Formentura is Ibiza’s much smaller neighbour and also the smallest of Spain’s Balearic Islands. You will be graced by a small quiet island with crystal clear waters that will make you feel like you are in the Caribbean rather than the Mediterranean.

Water park

Located in Playa D’en Bossa the water park is a draw for families and thrill seekers alike as you take on all of the pools, slides and rivers to wake up the adventure seeker in you and make a splash.

Zip lining

Acrobosc Ibiza gives you the opportunity to explore acrobatic equipment including zip lining. Enjoy the thrill of zip lining through the trees and taking on the views of Ibiza.

Jeep safari’s

Explore some of Ibiza’s best mountains and cliff tops as you take off on a jeep safari. The views from the tops of the mountains are amazing and well worth the trip up there all the while gathering the thrill of the fast jeeps and kicking up the dust.

Sunset trips

Take a boat trip or rent your own boat licence free and head to some of Ibiza’s sunset hotspot. Lots of boats gather in the water at San Antonio Bay by the sunset strip and also Es Vedra for a quieter more spiritual experience.

 

Overview

Best for partying

Both offer Day Parties but for the ultimate day parties head to Marbella. The day clubs in Marbella are world class, but they show this in their price tags. 

Both offer nightclubs, but for the ultimate night time clubbing and world class clubs and DJ’s head to Ibiza. The clubs are some of the largest in the world and the party is on everyday of the week. 

Answer: Ibiza

Best for couples

Marbella offers luxury restaurants on the harbour and smaller tapas bars depending on your budget. Drinks can also be sipped on the harbour in view of the boats and sun setting.

Ibiza offers ocean front restaurants to watch the sunset in San Antonio Bay alongside quieter beaches and bays with good priced restaurants offering excellent seafood and grill dishes.

Ibiza has many options to watch the sunset from drinks at Cafe Mambo’s to a spiritual experience at Es Vedra.

Answer: Ibiza

Best for families

Marbella offers exceptional restaurants for family dining and busy beaches in the old town for paddling and playing in the water. The partying in Marbella is quieter during the week and Marbella turns more family orientated during the week and the streets are filled with families going about their holiday.

Puerto Banus’s main market square offers children’s amusements to keep the children busy.

Ibiza offers several quieter beaches for family vacancies as well as a variety of excursions to places such as the water park to keep the children busy, however in certain parts of the island Ibiza does not sleep and children could be kept up late with noise and music.

Answer: Marbella

Overview

Dining in Puerto Banus can be expensive, but luxurious. For cheaper meals head to Ibiza.For big brand shopping head to MarbellaFor traditional Spanish pieces head to IbizaBoth have amazing beaches.

Our verdict – We will always prefer Ibiza. The laid back attitude and atmosphere throughout the whole island is something we love. Whilst Spanish foods, great beaches and world class nightlife are added bonus’s which for us make Ibiza the ultimate party island. With so many places to take in the awesome views of sunset from the restaurants to the Es Vedra rocks we think this island is beautiful.

 

Let us know your favourite in the comments.