Ibiza’s Most Photographed Party Locations (and How They Got Famous)

Ibiza is home to some of the most famous clubs in the world, but many of its most photographed and iconic party settings exist outside the walls of the superclubs. From ruins in the hills to hippie gardens and seaside sunsets, the island has always thrived on unusual backdrops. These are the places that became legendary not just for the music but because they looked spectacular in photographs. Here are some of our favorites.

The Abandoned Festival Club: Ibiza’s Lost Superclub

In the hills near Sant Josep lies a ruin that has fascinated generations of ravers and photographers alike: Festival Club. When it opened in 1972, this sprawling amphitheater was billed as Ibiza’s first “superclub,” complete with restaurants, terraces, and mock bullfighting shows. For a brief moment, it was the future of nightlife.

But the oil crisis in 1973 devastated tourism, and within two years Festival Club was abandoned. Nature crept back, graffiti artists took over, and rave crews in the ’80s and ’90s used it for secret parties.

What makes Festival Club endure is its atmosphere. The crumbling arches daubed in neon spray paint, pine trees reclaiming the terraces, and the open sky above create a dramatic, post-apocalyptic backdrop. DJs like Maceo Plex have recorded atmospheric sets here, and countless photo shoots have turned the ruins into an unlikely cultural monument. In Ibiza’s visual story, Festival Club represents both the optimism of its early party industry and the rebelliousness of the underground.

Benimussa Park: From Zoo to Tribal Playground

Benimussa Park is perhaps Ibiza’s most surreal venue. Originally launched in the 1970s as Gala Night, a part-zoo and part-park, it was once fabled to keep seals and monkeys to entertain tourists. By the 1980s, it pivoted to outdoor events, but its defining moment came in 2007, when The Zoo Project took root.

The organizers decided to lean into the zoo theme: DJs performed inside the old seal pit, performers roamed in body paint and animal costumes, and the crowd became part of the spectacle. Photographs of ravers painted like tigers, dancing in the sun, quickly spread worldwide.

The venue’s layout added to the magic: the terraced arena, a leafy Mandala Garden for healing spaces, and hidden corners decorated with surreal art installations. It blurred the line between festival and club night, creating an atmosphere that felt tribal, immersive, and distinctly photogenic. Over more than 15 summers, The Zoo Project turned Benimussa Park into one of Ibiza’s most unforgettable and visually unique party locations.

Now, you’ll know the venue as 528 Ibiza, where some of the most talked about events of 2025 are taking place.

Pikes Hotel: Rock ’n’ Roll Mythology

Few places embody the decadent mythology of Ibiza like Pikes Hotel. Founded in 1978 by Tony Pike, the finca-style hotel became a refuge for rock stars and celebrities during the island’s freewheeling 1980s. Its aquamarine pool achieved instant fame when Wham! filmed their “Club Tropicana” video there in 1983, sealing the location in pop culture history.

Then came Freddie Mercury’s 41st birthday in 1987 - a party so excessive it still defines Ibiza’s legend of indulgence. Stories of dwarfs carrying cakes, champagne flowing endlessly, and a guest list of icons became the stuff of folklore. Photographs of George Michael by the pool or Freddie’s entourage celebrating at Pikes helped spread its reputation far beyond the island.

Today, Pikes carefully preserves this rock ’n’ roll heritage. Freddie’s old suite is now a nightclub called “Freddie’s,” where the spirit of its golden era still flickers. Its kitschy interiors, mural-covered walls, and infamous poolside remain among the island’s most photographed spots (even though today it has a no-filming policy).

Dalt Vila: Dancing on Ancient Walls

Ibiza’s Old Town, Dalt Vila, is a UNESCO World Heritage site of cobblestone streets and fortress walls. For most of the year, it’s a place for quiet evening strolls and history tours. But during the International Music Summit (IMS) Finale, it transforms into one of the most breathtaking party venues in the world.

Since 2008, DJs like Pete Tong and Fatboy Slim have played against a backdrop of medieval ramparts, with panoramic views of the marina and cathedral lit up at night. The juxtaposition of cutting-edge electronic music against 16th-century stone is dramatic, and every photograph captures that sense of contrast.

Part of the magic lies in its rarity: as a protected site, Dalt Vila hosts only a handful of events each year. That exclusivity makes the IMS Finale feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and images of crowds dancing under the stars within ancient walls are some of Ibiza’s most powerful cultural exports.

The Sunset Strip: Café del Mar and Café Mambo

If Ibiza has a daily ritual, it’s the sunset at San Antonio’s Sunset Strip. Since Café del Mar opened in 1980, visitors have gathered to watch the sun melt into the Mediterranean while ambient music provides the soundtrack. When José Padilla began his sunset DJ sets in the early ’90s, it gave rise to the Café del Mar compilation albums, which sold millions and spread the Balearic sound worldwide.

In 1994, Café Mambo added a new dimension: pre-parties with international DJs and a more upbeat soundtrack. In 1995, BBC Radio 1 began broadcasting live from Mambo’s terrace, turning it into a global stage. Suddenly, images of superstar DJs framed against glowing skies and cheering crowds were beamed across the world.

The Sunset Strip’s visual power lies in its simplicity: the natural beauty of Ibiza’s west coast fused with music and community. Thousands of tourists still gather each evening to clap the sun below the horizon, keeping this ritual alive and endlessly photographed.

Las Dalias: The Heart of Ibiza’s Hippie Spirit

Las Dalias is a living piece of Ibiza’s countercultural soul. Founded as a bar in the 1950s and transformed into a hippie market in the 1980s, it quickly became a hub for creativity and free-spirited living.

By night, Las Dalias takes on an entirely different energy. The Namaste party, running since 1998, has become a weekly celebration of life, spirituality, and music. Its gardens are draped in neon fabrics and lanterns, while tribal drummers, fire performers, and live musicians turn the space into a psychedelic wonderland.

Photographs of Namaste capture a different side of Ibiza: less about glamour, more about color, joy, and authenticity. In a world where the island’s luxury side often dominates, Las Dalias continues to be the most enduring symbol of its hippie roots - one that remains irresistibly photogenic.

Cova Santa: The Party in a Cave

Hidden in the hills near Sant Josep is one of Ibiza’s most unusual venues: Cova Santa, built around a 25-meter-deep natural cave. Once a tourist attraction, it was reinvented by Amnesia into a restaurant and open-air nightclub.

Its modern fame comes from artistic parties like WooMooN, which transformed the venue with lanterns, immersive performances, and a mystical festival atmosphere. Multi-level terraces overlook the countryside, while the cave itself glows with colored lights, often hosting intimate DJ sets.

Images from Cova Santa showcase its magical duality: the natural wonder of the cave combined with avant-garde party culture. It has become a place where Ibiza’s mythology, history, and nightlife converge into one unforgettable, photogenic setting.

Ibiza’s Photo Album

From ruins and fortresses to zoos and caves, Ibiza’s most iconic party venues are defined by their visual power. Each one tells a story not just of music but of creativity and reinvention. They remind us that in Ibiza, the venue itself can be the star - etched forever in photographs that capture the island’s ever-evolving legend.