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Latest update: 20 July 2023
I maneuver my quad through the back roads of Ibiza in search of the best lookout points. I would have preferred to write ‘I skillfully maneuver my quad,’ but it takes some practice to control an ATV on bumpy roads. Let’s go explore Ibiza on a quad tour!
Discover the inland of Ibiza with a quad
A quad, or ATV (all-terrain vehicle), is a four-wheeled motor vehicle. A very large, sturdy scooter, so to speak. As Ibiza is an island full of hills, country roads, and forest trails, a quad is ideal for exploring the area off-road: it’s fast and also narrow enough for the smaller roads. So, with two friends, I choose a Sunset tour at Emove Ibiza. The reviews on TripAdvisor are super positive, and the website looks professional.
Book your quad tour in Ibiza here.
Helmet on. Sunglasses on. Start the quad tour!
When I check-in at the Emove desk, the employees immediately recognize my name, and we are warmly welcomed. We are offered nuts and sweets from all sides, the atmosphere is amicable. We sign the necessary papers and get our helmets fitted. It’s mandatory, even if it’s not fashionable. The advice is to keep our sunglasses on to keep the dust out of our eyes. Do it! Even in light rain, we managed to get literally everything covered in dust during our Ibiza quad tour, from nasal cavities to knees, and from socks to t-shirts.
Drive a quad bike in Ibiza
Just before we leave, we learn how to drive the quad. That actually turns out not to be that difficult. I share my quad with a friend, and he drives the first part so I can see how it’s done and enjoy the environment. We drive through rural Ibiza. Small fincas with red-colored pieces of land, densely vegetated hills, and beautiful views. The two guides ensure that the group of 9 quads stays close to each other and follows the correct route.
I get to drive the quad halfway. It’s awkward first: I push the gas a little bit, and we shoot forward. I also have to figure out how stable we are on the road, but we have a very sturdy Kawasaki quad, and that feels very safe.
Tip! Looking for more activities on Ibiza? Check the complete list of Ibiza tips.
Quad riding Ibiza: Touring rather than renting
Owner Juan tells me that Emove Ibiza has been around since 2012. Juan and his team provide quad tours, buggy tours, and Vespa tours in the northwest of the island throughout the season. Emove used to rent out the quads too, but they stopped. Juan believes that people ultimately enjoy a tour the most: one with beautiful, remote places you don’t usually go to and enthusiastic guidance. I agree. If I would simply rent a quad, I would find it difficult to determine a scenic route. And with guides, it also feels a bit safer.
Ouch!
Although safer… I sit on the back of the ATV when my friend Paul drives the last few kilometers. We already drove two hours, and the road is a bit slippery from the rain; Paul takes a turn just a little too casually, and we end up with a front wheel in the roadside. The quad turns on its axis, and we fall/fly off. Luckily, there is no oncoming traffic, and we are quickly back on our feet. Except for a few bruises, everything is fine. The fear hits us hard, though. So dear people, that helmet is really not a luxury. The quad survived, too, although the handlebars bend a little bit to the right. Fortunately, it turns out to be only a minor defect, which the gentlemen of Emove can quickly repair.
Well organized quad tour in Ibiza
I think the quad tour of Emove is enjoyable. I visit places I’ve never been to (and I’ve been to the island six times already), and the guides are very attentive and considerate. They keep a close eye on the group, treat us to a drink halfway through, and at the end of the tour, snacks and a cup of tea are waiting for us. Tea? Well, sometimes it rains in Ibiza, and then a cup of tea is really lovely! We get a piece of Flao, the Ibizan version of a cheesecake with mint. It tastes darn good. A great ending to a fantastic quad tour.
Do you also want to do a quad tour in Ibiza?
The men of Emove are ready for you almost all year round (they only close when winter hits Ibiza hard). For all tours, you must have a driver’s license. You can book your tour online or just drop by the office in San Antonio. Say hello from Kim!
Ride along with our quad tour:
More Ibiza inspiration?
Useful links for your upcoming Ibiza trip
- Accommodation. All-time favorite: Booking.com. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. WithLocals also has good options. And Freetour.com and GuruWalk offer ‘free’ walking tours. Try Baja Bikes for bike tours.
- Boat. Get to Ibiza by boat from Barcelona or other places from the Spanish mainland. Book your boat trip at Balearia. Balearia also sails between the Balearic islands: Formentera, Menorca, and Mallorca. Please check if there are other options at Direct Ferries.
- Car rental. My go-to car rental companies are EasyTerra and Sunny Cars as they have all-inclusive / worry-free offers. Discover Cars has a good comparison tool.
- Clubbing. Buy your club tickets here.
- Flights. Be sure to check out Transavia and Vueling, but do compare all your options! Be sure to check your options at Momondo, Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Guidebooks. Although I love the practical guidebooks from Lonely Planet, for my Ibiza holiday I choose inspirational books. Bol.com has many on offer. But be sure to check out Amazon too.
- Money. Your debit and credit cards may not get accepted everywhere. You could opt for a Revolut card as an additional card when you travel.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? The Dutchies among us can try ANWB vakanties or Tui, but also check out Vakantie Discounter, D-reizen, Sunweb and Corendon.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel gear. Buy your gear at Bever or Decathlon, or simply at Bol.com.
- Yoga retreat. Or, treat yourself to a lovely yoga retreat in Ibiza.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I might receive a small commission.
Note: Emove gave me a discount on my tour so that I would write about it. Emove hasn’t had any influence on what I wrote.
First published: September 2018. The article has been updated since.
