Getting there
Soltide is on the Verano Headland at the south end of Isla Meridiana. There is no bridge and there is no airport on the island, which is most of why the weekend feels the way it does. Everybody arrives by boat.
Five ways in
(5)The way almost everyone comes.
Six sailings a day through July, two hours ten each way, and two extra crossings on the Friday at 06:00 and 23:30. Foot passengers €18 return. Bicycles travel free. Vehicle places must be booked by 1 June and usually go in the first fortnight.
If you are already on the island.
Thirty-four kilometres south from the north harbour at Cala Roja, about an hour. The last six kilometres are single track with passing places and a 30 km/h limit — there is no faster way and trying to find one is how the wall gets hit.
Free with any pass.
A loop between the ferry ramp, the town gate and the tent field, every twenty minutes from 09:00 to 03:00, all three days. Two of the seven buggies are wheelchair-accessible and run to the same timetable — ask at the ramp, not on the day.
The best arrival on the island.
The old coast path runs the whole way from Cala Roja, unsurfaced but flat until the last climb into town. Two hundred racks at the town gate, watched around the clock. Bikes cross on the packet free, in any quantity, which is not true of cars.
Twelve minutes, and worth walking.
From the town gate it is four minutes to the Terraces, six to the Steps and twelve to the main stage on the Headland. The path is lit all night, stewarded until the last set, and level except for the Tower — for which there is no level route at all.
Arriving
(8)At the gate
(8)Four olive terraces above the town gate, walk-in only, pitches unmarked and first-come. It is included with the Artist Proof tier and cannot be bought separately — there are two hundred pitches and nine thousand of you, and a queue for them would be the worst thing on the headland all weekend.
Or call the box office on +44 1632 960 118, Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00.