Guide to Ibiza

Ibiza belongs to the Balearic Islands and is also known as the 'white island' due to the predominance of its white houses. It is a cosmopolitan island and its atmosphere, the climate, the entertainment on offer and its attractive natural envirnonment attract a high number of tourists all year round.

The official language is Catalán, but of course Spanish is spoken everywhere and due to the importance of tourism to the island's economy many Ibizans speak other languages too.

Ibiza became world famous during the sixties due its popularity with hippies. Nowadays there just a few hippy comunes left on the island. Although tourists still visit the island just for its beautiful beaches and scenery the clubbing movement has made it a popular destination for the younger crowd. There are over 40 large clubs on the island aswell as a large number of trendy bars.





 


 


Ibiza covers 575 Km2 and has a population of 111,107. There is only one river, the Santa Eularia, on the whole island. The northern part of the island, known as Els Amunts, is made up of fertile land, small forests and almond and olive groves. The coast is spectacular with pretty coves and dramatic cliffs. The excellent sandy beaches are well equipped for tourists. The main toursitic beaches are Portinatx, Port de Sant Miquel and Sant Vicenç




Ibiza is very well connected to the Spanish mainland with flights from Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Alicante. You can also go by ferry from Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante. The best way to get around the island is to hire a car.

The History of Ibiza

Ibiza was founded by the Phoenicians in 654 B.C. Later it was invaded and occupied by a number of cultures among them the Romans and the Moors. In 1235 it was conquered by the Christians and placed under the rule of Jaime I, the king of Aragon.

Ibiza Capital

Located at the foot of a hill. Higher up you can find the old part or the 'Dalt Vila' as it is known by the locals. The city is best known for its bars and shops and its laid back atmosphere. 'La calle Barcelona' (Barcelona street) is the central point of the city's nightlife based around the Port. In Ibiza everybody can do as they please, where what they want...

Apart from its atmosphere and nightlife the city has a number of interesting historical mounments:

• Dalt Vila: The higher part of the city - this is the old part which is walled and is where you can find remains of Ibiza's past. The wall was built by Felipe II in the 16th century to protect the island from pirates and the Otomans. In 1999 UNESCO declared it a world heritage site..


• Portal de Ses Taules: the is the main entrance to the Dalt Vila (the walled old part).


• Almudaina Castle: the Almudaina was a walled military enclave dating back to the Moorish period in the 12th and 13th centuries. The castle was built under the orders of Felipe II along with the wall (16th century). In the 18th century the Almudaina and the castle were joined when part of the wall was destroyed.


• The Virgen de las Nieves Cathedral: Built upon an ancient Mosque in the 13th century in Gothic-Cataln style. It was remodelled in the 17th century and contains some renaissance works of art in its interior. It is located in the Dalt Vila.


• Puig de Molins Monographic Museum: (Via Romana, opening hours 10.00 to 19.00): It is the best museum of Punic art in Europe.


• The Puig de Molins Necropolis: Situated below the museum, built by the Phoenicians in the 7th century B.C.


• The Archeological Museum: Located in the Dalt Vila (opening hours 10.00 to13.00) it contains a collection of works of art found on the island dating from prehistoric times to the 15th century.


• The Townhall: (Plaza de España, 1). Located within an ancient Dominican convent - baroque style the building dates back to the 15th century.


• The Episcopal Palace
  
• La Penya and la Bomba neighbourhood: This area is located just below the Dalt Vila and has a lot of atmosphere both day and night.


• Santo Domingo Church: 16th century, baroque style


• The Contemporary Art Museum: located in the 'el Portal de Ses Taules' it contains works of art by Tapiès, Millares and others artists both Spanish and foreign linked to the Island.
  
  

Beaches in Ibiza

• In the Southern part of the Island: Cala d'Hort, Cala Tarida and Playa d'en Bossa in Sant Josep de Talaià (water sports, good facilities).

• In the Northern part of the Island: Cala Talamaca, Es Viver, Figueretes, Cala Llonga… in Sant Joan : Cala Sant Vicenç, Cala Portinaitx and Cala Xarraca. ; Sant Eulalia : Santa Eulalia beach , Cala Mariners, Cala de S'Alga.
  
  

 

Where to stay in Ibiza

For detailed information based on user reviews and visits click on the following links:

• Best hotels en Ibiza

• Cheap hotels in Ibiza
  
  

Arts and Crafts in Ibiza

There are a lot of things to choose from as Ibiza attracts a great number of artists. You can buy jewellery, clothes, paintings and much more...

Places to visit on the island of Ibiza:

Santa Eulalia del Río: a tranquil touristic city focused more on family tourism. The main street is la calle San Jaime, which is full of bars and cafés and divides the city in two. There is a very pretty port which attracts the jet set. The well equipped beaches have fine sand and crystal clear water.Santa Eulalia beach has been awarded the blue flag, There are also other beaches nearby such as Cala Mariners, Cala de S'Alga...
You can catch a ferry to Formentera from the port. You can also hire a boat. The only golf course on the Island is located here: Campo de Golf de Ibiza: 18 hole - par 72.

San Antonio Abad de Portmany: A fishing village located in a bay oposite Sa Conillera island, well known for its nightlife. By day its a quiet city but at night there are a lot of people out on the streets looking for nightlife, many of them foreigners. Just outside the city in the surrounding areas you can find some of the best clubs on the island.It has very good beaches such as: Cala Gració and Cala Blanch opposite Margarida island. San Antonio has a church which dates back to the 14th century. An ancient Paleochristian temple which is now known as Santa Agnès chapel is located on the outskirts of the city on the Northern road.

Jesús: A village located 3 kms from Ibiza capital. It has an interesting 16th century church built upon an ancient renaissance monastery.

Poblat Fenici de Sa Caleta: Sa Caleta is a fishing village located in the Southwest of the island. Opposite its port it has a peninsula called Mola de Sa Caleta which is joined to the mainland by a thin stretch of land. In the 1980s remains of a Phoenician settlement were discovered and in 1990 it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Ses Salinas Nature Reserve: This covers a large area in the Southwest of the island. It is a marshy area which has its own ecosystem. There are a large number of marine birds in particular herons and flamingos. There are also important salt mines in the area.

San Miguel: Good beaches. It has a typical white Ibizan church which in summer offers concerts and recitals.

San José: It has a very pretty church. Good beaches such as: Cala d'Or, Cala Bassa, Cala Tarida and Es Vedrà. This is where the highest mountain on the island, Sa Talaisa 475 metres high, can be found.

San Juan: The Cuieram cave which has a temple dating back to the period when the Cartagens occupied the island is located here. You can reach some pretty coves from here such as: Cala Sant Vicent, Cala Portinaitx and Cala Xarraca.

 

Travelling to Ibiza? The following links may also be useful
Guides provinces bordering with Ibiza and beautiful places in Spain nearby
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