The airport at Ibiza has nothing spectacular about it, but on arrival there is an unforgettable wall of hot air that greets you as you exit the aeroplane. The airport itself is fairly sophisticated, coping as it does with dozens of international flights every hour during the high season. Ibiza airport is served by many major international airlines, although it is the cheaper no-frills airlines that are taking over its landing strip, with thousands of European short-haul tourists descending on the island every summer.

The airport is situated just south of Ibiza Town (Eivissa) and west of Platja d'en Bossa, in the vicinity of the salt plains at Ses Salines. Naturally for one of the most frequented sites on such a notorious island, Ibiza's airport has itself gained a certain star appeal, with its enormous 'eivissa-ibiza' sign featuring on a number of ads, promotional videos and TV shows.

For all its uninspiring décor, the airport is large and well equipped. It is not rare for any flights to be delayed, but there are enough cafés and souvenir shops in the departure lounge to keep you occupied for an hour or so. Many of the shops cater for the nostalgic tourist who can think of no better use for his last remaining euros than to buy a couple of club CDs, a club t-shirt and a paella-shaped magnet as mementoes. If that doesn't remind you of your holiday, the airport provides an excellent last opportunity to stock up on the delicious local liqueur, Hierbas Ibicencas.

If you haven't got your hotel transfer sorted, there is generally no problem hailing a taxi outside of the airport, although the queue may be a bit longer in July and August. There are also regular buses departing for Ibiza Town.

Alternatively, you could always hire your own car. All the major European and international car rental companies operate from Ibiza airport. It is advisable to book a rental car in advance. Even then, the queues can be long and slow-moving, but since the rental booths are in the baggage hall, a good trick is to send someone to sort out the car while you wait for the baggage. The car hire car park is large and is efficiently run by the various rental agencies.

For arrival at Ibiza airport, all visitors - including those from the EU - must have valid passports or national identity cards with photos. Customs regulations allow you to have 800 cigarettes or one kilogram of tobacco, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of wine, and 110 litres of beer, all for private consumption. Ibiza is a liberal island, but you will be prosecuted for possession of any sort of illegal drug, and it is absolutely inadvisable to attempt to bring any onto the island.