There's a magic to Ibiza in late March that most people never see. The summer crowds are still weeks away, the air smells of wild rosemary and sea salt, and the island feels like it belongs to those of us who love it year-round. This weekend — Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March — is one of my favourite times to be here. Let me show you how to make the most of it.
Friday Evening: Pre-Season Ibiza Town
Friday evening is the perfect time to rediscover Ibiza Town without the summer madness. Wander up through Dalt Vila — the UNESCO-listed old town — as the light turns golden. The ramparts offer views across the harbour and out to Formentera that honestly never get old. In late March, the cafés on Plaça de la Vila are quiet enough to actually snag a table, and the pintxos bars along Vara de Rey come alive with locals having their end-of-week drinks.
For dinner, the harbourfront restaurants along Sa Penya are starting to reopen after the invierno. Try one of the terrace tables facing the marina — the pre-season prix-fixe menus are often exceptional value, as chefs flex their skills before the season properly begins. Take your time. In July this walk takes 20 minutes and costs you a sweaty elbow-battle through tourists. Tonight it's all yours.
Saturday Morning: Sant Jordi Flea Market (from 08:00)
If you want to see the real Ibiza — not the one they sell on postcards — set your alarm and head to the Sant Jordi Hippodrome, about 3km south of Ibiza Town, first thing Saturday morning. The Mercadillo de Sant Jordi is Ibiza's beloved weekly flea market, running every Saturday from 8am to 3pm at the old racetrack, and in late March it's at its most authentic.
Around 400 cars back up to the entrance waiting to pop their boots and turn the hippodrome into a sprawling treasure hunt. You'll find vintage clothing, vinyl records, antiques, handmade jewellery, furniture, local produce, plants — and some complete junk, which is half the fun. Unlike the tourist-polished markets, anyone can rock up with a blanket and a box of belongings. The result is the most genuinely Ibizan shopping experience on the island.
Around midday, drummers set up in the old grandstand with bongos and cajóns, and a spontaneous jam session erupts that echoes the island's deep hippy roots. Grab a coffee from the bar inside and soak it all in. Bring cash — not every seller has a card terminal.
📍 Hippodrome de Sant Jordi, Ctra. Ibiza–Aeropuerto, Sant Jordi | Open: Saturdays 08:00–15:00
Saturday Afternoon: Las Dalias Hippy Market (from 10:00)
After Sant Jordi, head north to Sant Carles de Peralta for the island's most iconic market: Las Dalias. This place has been part of Ibiza's soul since 1985, and the 300+ stalls tucked within its flower-draped garden are a genuine feast for the senses. Incense drifts through the air, Tibetan flags flutter overhead, and you'll find everything from hand-stitched Ibizan tunics to Rajasthani silverwork to oil paintings by local artists.
A word of advice from someone who's been coming here for years: avoid arriving between 11:30 and 14:00 on Saturdays. The road to Sant Carles grinds to a halt and the market reaches capacity fast. Aim for around 15:00 when it settles — you'll have a completely different, more relaxed experience. In March the market stays open until around 18:00.
Don't skip the food. There's a Moroccan tea tent, a fresh juice bar and a wood-fired pizza stall — or pull up a stool at the bar for a cold caña and watch the world drift past. In March you can still hear yourself think in here. Come the summer it'll be packed shoulder-to-shoulder — glorious, but a different animal entirely.
The market also opens on Sundays from 11:00, and on Sunday afternoons a DJ plays in the outside bar, turning the garden into an impromptu dance floor. If you've got a lazy Sunday in you, this is where to spend it.
📍 Carretera San Carlos, Km 12, Sant Carles de Peralta | Saturdays from 10:00 · Sundays from 11:00
Sunday: Trails, Coves & Clear Water
Late March weather in Ibiza typically sits between 17–21°C with long stretches of sunshine — almost perfect hiking and cycling weather. Sunday is when I'd head out to one of the island's quieter corners.
The coastal path around Cala d'Hort in the southwest is one of the most dramatic walks on the island, with the ancient rock of Es Vedrà rising out of the sea the entire way. It's about 90 minutes return and the only other people you're likely to meet are a few dog walkers and the odd photographer chasing golden hour. Bring water, sensible shoes, and your phone — the views are genuinely unreal.
More of a beach person? Cala Salada and its smaller sister Cala Saladeta in the northwest are accessible year-round and beautiful in the off-season — calm crystalline water, no sun-lounger mafia, and the pine trees come right down to the shore. Bring a picnic, a good book, and absolutely nothing else you need to do.
Looking Ahead: What's Coming Fast
It's worth knowing that Ibiza is about to shift gears dramatically in the next few weeks. If you're planning to extend your stay or thinking about coming back:
- IMS Ibiza (International Music Summit) takes over the island on 22–24 April, bringing the global electronic music industry together for talks, showcases and parties across the island.
- Opening Weekend follows almost immediately, with Ushuaïa and the hotly-anticipated [UNVRS] hyperclub both launching on Sunday 26 April. UNVRS has confirmed an insane opening lineup: Black Coffee, Camelphat, Carl Cox, Miss Monique and Paco Osuna — all on one night.
- Amnesia celebrates its 50th anniversary of dancing from 9 May, with Seth Troxler, Amelie Lens and Joseph Capriati among the opening acts.
- Solomun, KETTAMA and Swedish House Mafia all have residencies confirmed for the season ahead.
Right now though? The island is yours. The spring light is extraordinary, the restaurants are hungry for your business, and the beaches look exactly as good as they do in summer — just without 50,000 other people on them. Enjoy the quiet while it lasts.
Your Weekend at a Glance
- Friday evening: Dalt Vila stroll → dinner on the Sa Penya harbourfront
- Saturday morning: Sant Jordi Flea Market (from 08:00, finish by 13:00)
- Saturday afternoon: Las Dalias Hippy Market (arrive ~15:00 to beat the rush)
- Sunday morning: Hike around Cala d'Hort with Es Vedrà views
- Sunday afternoon: Las Dalias again (opens 11:00, DJ in the garden from mid-afternoon)
Have a great weekend, wherever you end up on the island. Drop us a message on Instagram if you spot something we should add to the calendar — that's how ibiza-calendar.com stays ahead of the curve. ¡Hasta pronto!