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Background and purpose Information received by IBD patients about their disease is of particular importance. The objective of the study was to determine the information resources these patients used, together with their perceived information gaps and expected preferences. Patients and methods A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study conducted on IBD patients attending 13 Spanish hospitals during 2008. Patients completed a semi-structured 52-question survey. Results Survey was adequately completed by 379 of 385 patients (98%), of whom 57% had Crohn's disease and 43% ulcerative colitis. Mean patient age was 37.9 years (range, 16–76 years). Gastroenterologists were the most commonly used resource (98%), followed by the Internet (60%), and general practitioners (50%). More than 90% reported good to excellent satisfaction with gastroenterologists, nurses, and patients’ associations. Only 56% considered their information needs to be covered. The Internet was mostly used by young patients and those with a high education level. In the future, 85% of the patients would like to receive information from the gastroenterologists, and 92% by face-to-face interviews. Patients mainly want additional information on treatment (medical and surgical), clinical manifestations, cancer, and mortality risks. They also think that they are poorly informed about their social and work rights, risks of cancer and death, and research trials. Conclusions Patients with IBD use and prefer gastroenterologists as the main source of information, but only half of them consider their information needs to be covered.