Ibiza

AH, Ibiza. Those heady days of raving until dawn, no kids, and a lot of cocktails.

Take. Me. Back.

Well actually, two kids, slightly less dancing and a few less Espresso Martinis later, Tui might just have done it.

We’d tried once before, when our daughters were three and six, with less success, but with Lyla and Martha now 10 and 12, could we have finally hit the sweet spot?

Tui’s Holiday Village Seaview Ibiza is designed for kids, there’s no doubt about it.

With the busiest entertainment, sports and club programme I’ve ever come across, there’s literally about one hour in the day (after breakfast, before 10am) that they’re not catered for.

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Along with an onsite water park, three pools, snooker tables, an aerial walk, table tennis, arcades, paddle boarding and kayaking, there are also kids’ clubs, and stage, swimming and football academies.

There’s plenty of daytime fun and free games around the resort, too.

And all that is before an entire evening of child-friendly entertainment that begins as the pools close at 6pm.

In fact, it’s so busy, there’s a whole app devoted to the hotel, where you can book slots in advance for anything and everything your children could want to do on holiday.

As you squinted in the sunshine from your sunlounger (which, happily, the resort doesn’t let you reserve with your towel until after 8am) it was almost like watching a group of excitable Oompa Loompas rushing around Willy Wonka’s factory.

But instead of chocolate, they were squealing about the variety of fun they could have.

Although, it’s worth pointing out that as part of the all-inclusive, you can help yourself to free ice creams and afternoon cakes — so it pretty much is like Wonka’s factory.

Children zoomed around the resort, which is like a mini city — and because it felt so safe, my girls could dash between pools and the snack bar unaccompanied, while my husband David and I watched from the loungers.

We had to accompany the girls to the waterpark until we decided that as they were such good swimmers, and there were almost as many lifeguards as kids, we didn’t need to.

‘But what about the adults?’ I selfishly asked myself as we arrived, and I saw what the girls had in store.

Well, that’s exactly where Tui has played its trump card.

Favourite nights ever

Research conducted last year found that 60 per cent of parents miss their child-free clubbing days (like me) and regularly relive them with family kitchen discos (yes I do).

Inspired by this, Holiday Villages called on the youngest ever DJ duo — the brilliantly named Half Punk — to grace the island and give families enjoying their first summer holiday weekend a night to remember.

When I heard that the pair were 12 and 10, I wondered if they were actually going to DJ or just play at it.

But lo and behold. To mark 25 years since their namesakes Daft Punk released One More Time, the two properly mixed.

I’m not sure the hordes of children standing staring at the front fully embraced the old-school house music blaring out by the two helmeted youngsters — but the parents certainly did.

Eyes shut in ecstasy and arms were held aloft as confetti cannons blasted, glow sticks shimmered and the bass speakers reverberated around the resort.

You could instantly spot the old ravers who had allowed themselves to be taken back to those carefree days of thumping tunes and dancing like no one was watching.

And then after, a silent disco got all the youngsters involved again — wide-eyed at the adults belting out chart-toppers and throwing shapes like loons.

I’m not sure there’s anything better than properly dancing with your children on a dancefloor — and as we finally sank into our beds, we all decided it had been one of our favourite nights abroad ever.

And don’t think the fun stopped there. We also managed to get up the energy for a Neon Nights disco and an Ibiza Sunset dance while we were there.

The resort is right next to the beautiful sandy Port Des Torrent beach — with ­pedalos for hire and tavernas to relax in while watching the fabulous Ibiza sunsets.

We were lucky enough to get invited on a Meet The Sea boat trip, which aims to educate kids about the oceans.

Having sailed out to just off an uninhabited island, you snorkel with a marine specialist, who teaches you why the sea is nothing to be scared of.

He’ll even pick up sea anemones and cucumbers from the sea bed and let you hold them, while back on board the chef cooks paella. It’s a truly magical experience.

Plus, you’re just across the bay from San Antonio, so if you do feel the urge for nightclubs, you’re literally a bus ride away.

The hotel’s buffet restaurant was also ­perfect for the pickiest of eaters, with every kind of food a child could possibly ask for, and theme nights as well, so it didn’t get too samey.

You also get two free meals per week at the speciality restaurants, with Italian, American and grill options.

And as for the reps, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone more smiley and enthusiastic, even as they did the dance routine to Bruno Mars’ APT for the 19th time that day.

Like Butlins on steroids, I knew Tui had hit its mark when our eldest daughter, without any word of a lie, turned to me and said: “This is better than the Maldives.”

The beach resort recently gave local clubs permits to open 24-hours a day along the shore, turning the area into a serious clubbing zone and a cheaper competitor to the party island of Ibiza

If you’re looking for chilled days on the beach followed by all-nighters at the club, then Ibiza might be your go-to destination. But the Balearic Islands aren’t the cheapest option, and certainly not the only place where you can party all night long.

One beach resort is emerging as a serious contender for those who want to enjoy the party vibes, but can’t stretch their budget to a week in Ibiza. Set on the picturesque Pag Island just off the coast of Croatia, Zrce Beach is becoming a major destination for fans of night – and day-clubbing.

Zrce Beach is about an hour and 20 minutes from Zadar airport, which has Ryanair flights from Birmingham, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London-Stansted, Manchester, and Newcastle upon Tyne, making it easy to access from the UK. Flights start at just £21 one-way with the budget airline and take about 2.5 hours.

The beach itself has smooth pebbles and turquoise seas, and its position in a sheltered bay means there are shallow, clear waters for swimming. Along the beach, you’ll find a variety of beach clubs renting out loungers and Bali beds, or you can grab a spot next to a palm tree.

Outside of festival time, the daytimes here tend to be relaxed, with people sipping cocktails in beach clubs and enjoying chill music and the occasional dips in the sea. Some clubs have their own pool areas where you can enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

As the sun starts to set, the parties begin, and the great thing about Zrce Beach is that it has so many bars and clubs in a relatively short, walkable area, so you can simply wander around and find the best party. Noa Beach Club is one of the most unique clubs in the area, with a huge pier where you can dance and party surrounded by the sparkling blue seas.

At the other end of the beach is Kalypso, where the party often spills out onto the seafront. DJ sets last until the small hours in this paradise-themed club, and there’s an outdoor chillout area right next to the sea. There’s also Euphoria Club, famous for its giant cocktails and outdoor parties that often go on long after the sun comes up.

But it’s the summer festivals that really bring in the crowds, with stages set up right on the beach, boat parties, and international DJ sets that last all night. Zrce Spring Break Croatia takes place over two weekends in 2026, on May 22 to 25 and June 4 to 7, and is set to include Spring break games, water sports, and of course, plenty of late nights.

One of the summer’s biggest events is the Balkan Wave festival, with acts from July 9 to 11. Regular tickets cost €89.99 (about £77) for all three days, or you can book accommodation packages from €229.99 (just under £200) which include four-nights accommodation in a basic apartment nearby plus access to the festival.

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Many visitors stay in nearby Novalja, which during peak season has regular shuttle buses to and from Zrce Beach. Hotel Kaneo is popular with guests who want to enjoy the lively nightlife and is on a long stretch of sandy beach with rooms from £54 a night. For those on a budget, there’s the Casa La Cha – Hostel & Bar, which is also on the beach and has apartments that sleep up to eight people, making it ideal for groups.

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The club has become an Ibiza icon in recent years, and many celeb social media feeds have included pictures of the resort’s huge pool parties. This includes Katie Price who was seen posing on a sunbed last summer

Summer may seem like a long way off, but many of us are already making plans to visit warmer, more exciting destinations in the coming months.

One spot that Brits seem to return to year after year is Ibiza. While the party island has many iconic venues, one resort often hits the headlines during the summer season thanks to its decadent parties beloved by celebs. And you can already book a spot at its annual opening party.

O Beach Ibiza is owned by Wayne Lineker, who often posts poolside photos on his Instagram, and the resort can often be seen on social media feeds during the summer. From celebs to famous sports stars and influencers, it’s safe to say that you’re bound to see someone you recognise when you visit.

Last year, Katie Price enjoyed a well-documented trip to Ibiza, which included partying at O Beach in a tiny pink bikini. She reportedly danced with UFC-fighter Conor McGregor and posed for selfies with other celebrity pals.

The most famous part of O Beach is its day club, which opens at 1PM and generally closes by 11PM: perfect timing for those heading out to enjoy Ibiza’s nightlife. The official opening party for 2026 is on May 1, and the club opens nearly every day until mid-October, meaning visitors can make the most of the sunny Ibiza weather.

Guests can book a range of sofas, tables, or day beds to stake out their spot, and can either lie back and enjoy the sunshine while ordering cocktails and champagne, or join in the party. One option is to hire a daybed in the Sunset Garden area, which overlooks the pool and enjoys great views. This area also has its own bar for quicker service. Depending on when you visit, you can enjoy DJ sets, live music, or other poolside entertainment throughout the resort.

O Beach also has a restaurant where you can enjoy al fresco Mediterranean dining in the shade, or you can order poolside food to enjoy at your daybed.

While O Beach used to be just a day venue, last year it launched Bonito Ibiza by O Beach, taking over a hotel just across the road. This means guests are just steps from the party and can easily get back to their rooms in the evenings. The Bonito Ibiza has its own pool with more chilled vibes, and a stylish, neutral décor that’s Insta-perfect.

Staying in the area means you’re just steps from Playa de Sant Antoni, a sandy beach in a shallow bay with clear waters. It’s also just a short walk from San Antonio’s popular clubs, including Eden and Es Paradís, where the party can continue until the sun comes up.

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The port town of San Antonio is also famous for its Sunset Strip, where you can watch the sun go down while enjoying its al fresco bars, which play chill music to create the perfect atmosphere. From the port, you can also hop onto a boat trip, whether it’s one exploring the coast or a party boat combining sightseeing with cocktails and unforgettable views.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com