For many people, Ibiza is synonymous with hippies, sun, beach and partying from dusk till dawn. Indeed, you’ll be able to find all these attractions, but we still encourage you to explore the tranquil and more traditional side of Ibiza.
Don’t forget to visit the walled enclosure of Ibiza city, better known as Dalt Vila, and have dinner at some of its small restaurants, or wander through the renowned Ibizan markets, and by all means, enjoy yourself at some of the wonderful beaches of the island.
Ibiza offers quite a few alternatives for visitors. You can go to Ibiza to enjoy the music of the best Djs in the world or to discover a different island with amazing landscapes, paradisiacal beaches and spectacular sunsets.
Book your hotel in Ibiza.
Do not miss!
Necrópolis Púnica del Puig des Molins
The Puig des Molins necropolis was the cemetery of the city of Ibiza during the antiquity, starting with the foundation of the city by the Phoenicians at the end of the 7th century B.C. The necropolis underwent a spectacular growth during the Punic time, due to the growth of the city. It is located right in the centre of the city and when visiting this place you can learn about the different funeral rites of this civilisation as well as several burial methods: cremations, hypogeums, sarcophagus and graves. In 1999, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Opening hours: march to october, from tuesday to saturday: 10:00 – 20:00
October to march, from tuesday to saturday: 09:00 – 15:00
Price: free entrance
Dalt Vila, a walled city
The walled enclosure of Ibiza, commonly called Dalt Vila, has five entrance doors; among them, the most popular is known as the Ses Taules door, found just in front of the marine district of La Marina. The Renaissance walls were constructed in the 16th century, under the mandate of King Felipe II, and are of an irregular heptagonal shape with a bastion in each projecting angle, from which a wonderful view over the city can be enjoyed.
The walled area is a population nucleus formed by several neighbourhoods, and it shows how important urban development was between the 8th century and 10th century. It was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.
Cathedral of Ibiza
The original cathedral of Ibiza is of a Gothic style. It was constructed during the 14th century where the Yebisah mosque previously stood, after the Catalan troops conquered Ibiza. In the 17th century it was refurbished, and it underwent a transformation to become a predominantly Baroque cathedral.
The cathedral of Ibiza has a sober appearance, with simple lines and strong buttresses. The cult is dedicated to Santa Maria la Mayor or Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (Our Lady of Snow).
Where: Plaça de la Catedral, Eivissa
Ses Salines Nature Reserve
The Ses Salines Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful spots in Ibiza. It covers a sea area that joins the south of Ibiza with the north of Formentera. It was classified as a Nature Reserve in 1995 and as a Natural Park in 2001. A sound biodiversity, together with impressive scenery are found here, turning it into a rich ecosystem with 178 species of plants and 210 species of birds that are hosted in a beautiful coastline location.
Within the park, traces from different civilisations that inhabited the islands can be seen, such as the Phoenician town of Sa Caleta (found between Es Codolar and Puig des Jondal), which was declared as a Human Heritage site in 1999, or the 16th century Sal Rossa watchtower, as well as the small Sant Fracesc de s’Estany Church, Sa Revista Church and the Ses Portes Defence Tower (all of them from the 18th century).
Where: Calle Murcia, 6, 07800 Eivissa (information offices)
Tel: (+34) 971 301 460
Ses Figueretes Beach
This beach is made up of a succession of little coves and it is the closest beach to the urban city centre. Normally it is a very quiet beach, which makes it suitable for catching some rays of sun and having a swim before going to visit the city.
Can Marçà Cave
This cave dates back more than 100,000 years and its formation is due to the displacement of telluric faults. It has undergone changes ranging from glacial periods to tropical heats, and at present it mostly remains in a fossil state, except for the deepest galleries where drips still continue to form stalactites. Smugglers discovered the cave, and employed it to hide their merchandise. It is located between ten and forty meters above sea level and at the highest point is where the visit begins. Numerous geologists and speleologists have contributed with their work to reproduce how the cave was in its origins, and waterfalls and watercourses that existed in the past have artificially been recovered.
Where: Port de Sant Miguel, 07815 Eivissa
Tel: (+34) 971 334 776
Further information:: www.covadecanmarsa.com
Discover Ibiza on a scooter. Cooltra
Ibiza is a perfect island to be explored on a motorbike since the distances are not very big and the temperature is quite pleasant. If you want to rent a scooter, Cooltra is one of the main companies; they also offer guided tours and they program several events for motorbike lovers only. Their motto is “rent a scooter to move like a local in the city”. They provide highly professional and customised service at very good prices.
Playa den Bossa Cooltra Motos
Where: Avenida Pedro Matutes Noguera, 109. Edificio Bossa Beach, Local 2, 07800 Eivissa
Tel: (+34) 971 305 730 / Mobile: (+34) 638 191 014
Opening hours: monday to sunday: 9:30 – 20:00
E-mail: ibiza@cooltra.com
San Antonio Cooltra Motos
Where: Calle del General Balanzat, 28, 07820 San Antonio
Tel: (+34) 971 305 730 / Mobile: (+34) 638 191 014
E-mail: sanantonio@cooltra.com
Eating out
Cas Pagès Restaurant
This is one of the best restaurants located in Santa Eulalia area to taste the authentic local cuisine. It has a very cosy environment with a fireplace lit during winter, and a garden with native vineyards and trees that is used in summer. Don’t miss out on trying their delicious meats cooked over hot coals and the Ibizan salad.
Where: Carretera de San Carles, Km. 10
Tel: (+34) 971 319 029
Kumharas Restaurant
Kumharas Restaurant is ideal for those who are looking for a different atmosphere to spend an evening. It is set in a picturesque building, with an original structure (built by sculptor and decorator Ciro Intoccia), where you dine by candlelight laying back in great Hindu-style armchairs. They mainly serve signature cuisine mixed with traditional elements of the Mediterranean cuisine with Asian and international touches.
Where: Calle Lugo, 2, 07830 San José
Tel: (+34) 971 805 740
Further information:: www.kumharas.org
Cas Mallorquí Restaurant
If you want to try fresh fish just caught in the Mediterranean, then Cas Mallorquí Restaurant is one of the most recommendable options in Ibiza. The best is to enjoy good food in the terrace next to the sea.
Where: Cala Portinatx, Eivissa
Tel: (+34) 971 320 505
La Oliva Restaurant
La Oliva Restaurant in Ibiza is superbly located right in the first square that is found when crossing the walls of the city and entering the Dalt Vila area. The restaurant offers mainly Provencal cuisine, although their chef Rene has been able to combine local recipes with French Provence recipes that manage to satisfy even the most demanding palate.
Where: Calle Santa Cruz, 2, 07800 Eivissa
Tel: (+34) 971 305 752
Further information:: www.laolivaibiza.com
Es Tancó Restaurant
Here you will be able to try Mediterranean cuisine dishes with a modern and sophisticated touch. Their specialty is fish, although they also offer excellent meat dishes including Ibizan lamb recipes. The best of it all is the price: this place is affordable whatever your budget may be!
Where: Avenida Isidoro Macabich, s/n, Sant Rafel – Eivissa
Tel: (+34) 971 198 599
Can Pujolet Restaurant
Can Pujolet Restaurant is found on the way to Cala Bassa, one of the most charming coves in Ibiza. It has an ample terrace with views to the countryside and to the sea, and is a perfect place to enjoy the natural surroundings at noon as well as at dawn. Can Pujolet offers a Mediterranean cuisine of fresh fish, paellas and rice in a traditional Ibizan style.
Where: Carretera Cala Conta, s/n, San Agustín
Tel: (+34) 971 345 179
Out shopping
Markets
* Las Dalias Market
This is a very popular market that is held every Saturday in Sant Carles de Peralta. All types of products are sold here, such as “adlib” clothing, which is the typical fashionable style of the island, or musical instruments, footwear, etc.
Where: Carretera San Carlos, Km. 10, Sant Carles de Peralta
When: Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
* Sant Miquel de Balançat Market
In the small town of Ibiza called Sant Miquel de Balançat, every Thursday a typical local handicrafts market takes place, which is less frequented than the Dalias market, and is still very interesting.
When: every Thursday
* Es Canar Market
This market dates back to the seventies and since then has been held every Wednesday over the summer months.
Where: Avenida Punta Arabí, s/n, Santa Eulària des Riu
When: April – October: Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
* La Marina District, Ibiza
The La Marina district in Ibiza gets filled with a multitude of stalls every evening, where among other things, typical clothing, jewellery and leather handicrafts are sold.
* The old town of Ibiza
In the old town of Ibiza you’ll find the most original clothing stores, distributed in small narrow streets. You’ll find a multitude of stores where you can purchase a great variety of ”adlib” clothes and all types of handmade products:
Nightlife
To speak of Ibiza is also to speak of the wide offer of nightlife known at an international level. Pure partying and the latest in musical trends are assured. Without a doubt, going out for the night on the town in Ibiza is to enjoy a rare show that you can’t miss out on seeing at least once in your life.
Space Ibiza
This mythic beach club in Playa d’en Bossa opened its doors in 1988, and for some years it was one of the most well-known after party nightclubs over the whole of Europe. Due to new regulations, it had to adjust its opening times but that hasn’t led to a decline in popularity.
The celebrations continue to include the latest musical trends and incomparable visual performances. In their six environments they have room for different strands of electronic music, always played by the most outstanding Djs and producers at a national and international level. Their Opening and Closing celebrations mark the start and finish of summer in Ibiza.
Where: Playa d’en Bossa s/n, 07817 Sant Josep de Sa Talaia
Tel: (+34) 971 396 793
Further information: : www.spaceaibiza.com
Port of Ibiza
Around the port of Ibiza is the greatest concentration of nightclubs that open at midnight. In these nightclubs, Djs with international reputations perform and there is a great variety of performances. In the majority of these nightclubs, you have to pay an entrance fee.
Old quarters
The Ibizan nightlife starts out in the side streets of the old quarters, where you can start out the evening in the different bars and terraces and even have a stroll through the handicraft market stalls. Around here is where you’ll find public relations people from the fashionable nightclubs that animate the evening using all their tricks to try and attract you to continue the evening where the big nightclubs are found.
Sant Antoni de Portmany
The Bay of San Antonio has become the ideal place to enjoy some wonderful sunsets surrounded by a relaxed and attractive atmosphere in any one the premises.
The most well known establishment is called Café del Mar, which has been operating since 1980 and year after year attracts thousands of visitors who arrive to enjoy the dusks and chill out music.
Events
Ibiza Rocks
This festival, dedicated mainly to indie-rock music, offers the ideal alternative for those who look for a rocking summer of live music… and it always presents an attractive list with the most popular indie-rock bands.
This year, the concerts will be held on Wednesdays in San Antonio. There are 17 programmed concerts that will take place throughout all the summer.
When: June 1 – September 21, 2011
Sant Bartomeu, Roman and Carthaginian Festival
On the first Saturday of September, a reenactment of the famous battle between the Romans of Sant Agustí and the Carthaginians of Sant Antoni takes place on Es Pouet beach, in Sant Antoni de Portmany. The reenactment is carried out with a multitude of locals dressed in typical soldiers clothing of those times who use weapons made out of cardboard.
When: the first Saturday of September
Festes de la Terra
During the first week of August, Ibiza city celebrates the Festes de la Terra, in honour to its patron saint Santa Maria de les Neus and to Sant Ciriac. Over the whole week, there is multitude of activities: contests, exhibitions, street parades, etc. In addition, traditional religious acts are celebrated: the 5th of August is the Day of the Virgin and the eighth is the Day of Sant Ciriac (when the conquest of Ibiza by the Catalan troops in 1235 is commemorated).
When: first week of August
Ibiza IFF, Ibiza International Film Festival
The Ibiza International Film Festival converts the islands of Ibiza and Formentera into the world-wide capital of the cinema over a few days. It started out with the aim of being a festival of independent cinema where, besides multitude of films, diverse parallel activities take place, such as round tables and debates. The winners receive the emblematic Falco d’Or that represents an Eleonora’s falcon, a cliff species of Ibiza and Formentera that symbolises three aspects of the festival: ‘affection for the classics, interest for nature and the defense of creative freedom’.
When: pending dates to be confirmed for 2012
Further information:: http://ibizaiff.org.
Tourist Information Offices
Get further information from the tourist offices in Ibiza
O.I.T. Ciudad Eivissa (Ibiza) – Eivissa – IBIZA
Where: Passeig Vara de Rey, 1 – 07800 Eivissa
Tel : + 34 971 301 900
Fax: + 34 971 301 740
Email: info@ibiza.travel
Oficina de turismo Mahón Centro Ciudad
Where: Antoni Riquer, 2 – 07800 – Ibiza
Tel: 971 301 900
Fax: 971 301 562
Email: oitport@cief.es
Oficina de turismo Ibiza
Where: Vara del Rey, 13 Bajo. 07800 Ibiza
Tel: +34 971 30 19 00
Fax: +34 971 30 15 62
Terminal de llegada del Aeropuerto
Where: Sant Josep de sa Talai
Tel: +34 971 809 118
Fax: + 34 971 809 132
Email: oitaeroport@conselldeivissa.es
Oficina de turismo de Santa Eulalia (Ibiza)
Where: Marià Riquer Wallis s/n – 07840
Santa Eulalia del Riu
Tel: +34 971 330 728
Fax: +34 971 332 959
Oficina de turismo de San Antonio
Passeig de Ses Fonts, s/n – 07820
San Antonio de Portmany
Tel: +34 971 343 363
Fax: +34 971 344 175
Spanish Facts
Language: Spanish | Money: Euro | Electricity: 230 volts at 50Hz | Time: GMT -1 | Country code: +34 Documentation: Passport or valid identity card required from EU residents. For citizens of other countries, a visa (exception: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zeland, Panama, Paraguay, Korea, San Marino, Vatican City, Singapur, Uruguay and Venezuela. The maximum time to stay as a tourist is 90 days
Thursday 2 June 2011 13:07 | Published by Hotelopiauk | Categoriy: Travel News
