Ibiza – A Little Peace Of Heaven By The Beach

Ibiza (Eivissa in Catalan) is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean 79 km east of the Iberian Peninsula, and 140 km southeast of the island of Mallorca. You can reach the island either by plane or ship. It has its own international airport and numerous international airlines offer direct flights from all main European airports. Idyllic beaches, endless nights, unlimited fun, an anything-goes atmosphere which is famous all over the world; Ibiza has everything you need to guarantee you have the best holiday ever. It has a mild climate the whole year around, enjoying more than 300 days of sunshine.

A Phoenician-Punic settlement during ancient times, Ibiza contains within its Renaissance walls an interesting legacy from all the different cultures that populated it. This artistic wealth is found in the monumental area of Dalt Vila, in the necropolis of Es Puig des Molins and in the archaeological site of Sa Caleta. The beauty of the island capital is enhanced by the sands and coves at Figueretes, Es Viver and Talamanca, as well as by its the diverse marine ecosystem. The two most noteworthy aspects of Ibiza, its biodiversity and its culture, have made it worthy of being declared a UNESCO World Heritage City.

IBIZA BY DAY – Ibiza offers daytime venues in the form of its Beach clubs which have become quite the vogue. Located along select stretches of coastline, they offer great food, brilliant music and cater to a select clientele. The beaches and coves of Ibiza, such as Figueretes, Es Viver or Talamanca have golden sand and seabeds that will delight scuba-diving fans, as they house a large number of native Mediterranean species and also a wealth of sea life.

In Ibiza, you will find various tourist areas surrounded by the most beautiful scenery. You can visit the Archaeological Museum, a witness to the city’s rich past, thanks to a valuable collection of objects that cover 2000 years of history. The best way to enjoy the popular architecture of Ibiza is to wander around the narrow streets of the historic quarter until you reach the port, having crossed the central Vara de Rey walkway, and walk around the port area to the splendid lighthouse known as Botafoc.

In addition to the fishing neighbourhood in the lower part of town, another worthwhile visit is the necropolis of Es Puig des Molins, also declared World Heritage, along with the Phoenician settlement of Sa Caleta. Over 3500 Punic and Phoenician graves have been found here. The statues of the goddess Tanit and the god Bes are two of its main pieces.

The island of Ibiza can be visited starting out from the capital. Several kilometres to the northeast is the municipality of Santa Eularia des Riu, with the church located on the Puig de Missa. Further on is the Portinatx, a tourist centre with beautiful coves and a seaside feel. There are numerous terraces and restaurants on the seashore where the visitor can discover the best of Ibiza cuisine.

IBIZA’S MARKETS – You’ll have a great time discovering Ibiza’s popular hippy markets, where you can still today find a real 70s feel. The largest and oldest market on the island is on Wednesdays: it has 400 stalls and is known as the Es Canar market in Punta Arabi. On Saturdays there is another emblematic market, Las Dalias, in Sant Carles, which in winter becomes an alternative Christmas market.

The island also has markets selling typical crafts (baskets, table linen, ceramics, leather articles…), where you can even watch as they are being made. Be sure to visit markets such as Santa Eularia, Ses Figueretes, San Antoni and the Patio de Armas square at Dalt Vila to experience these crafts.

IBIZA BY NIGHT – Ibiza offers a multitude of leisure and nightlife options for every taste and predilection. Besides its fashionable bars and night clubs, there is also a host of other activities that get underway: street markets, outdoor terraces, cultural activities in the open-air, concerts and music performances.

Island protocol wisely decrees that nightlife starts at sundown. The western shore is, of course, ideal for this pursuit. Sant Antoni is legendary for its ‘sunset strip’ (a.k.a. Ses Variades) where several de rigueur bars and cafes combine great sky shows with top DJ sets. In the southwest, the pirate tower, Torre d’es Savinar (a.k.a. Torre del Pirata), perched on a cliff high above the Sant Josep coast, provides a superb sunset in an all-natural setting. Nearby, Sa Pedrera, the old quarry popularly known as Atlantis, furnishes the same spectacular vistas, while many would agree that the sunset experience par excellence belongs to Platges de Compte in the city.

After the sunset ritual has concluded, there ensues an interval in which people dress for the evening and dine at one of Ibiza’s world-class restaurants. They then proceed to Act Two, centred on pubs, cocktail bars and garden terraces across the island. The main haunts for the pre-party scene are La Marina and Calle de la Virgen (predominately gay) in Ibiza Town, the full-on West End in Sant Antoni and the laid-back marina in Santa Eularia.

The real action starts after midnight when the big clubs open and partiers let it all hang out. All-night dancing, world-famous DJs and high glamour combine here. Be too sure to visit famous discos such as Space, Amnesia and Pacha that guarantee a great time. A mention should also be made in regard to Ibiza’s casino. A subdued atmosphere of serious gaming makes for an elegant venue that you absolutely must visit.