Ibiza Old Town
The old medieval district of Ciudad de Ibiza (Ibiza Town), the
capital of the island, sports narrow cobblestone streets,
picturesque whitewashed houses and Gothic buildings around
courtyards bright with blooming geraniums and bougainvillea.
Ibiza'a Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with architecture
spanning 2,500 years of history. The Old Town, enclosed by historic
walls, is best entered through the Puerta de las Tablas, which sees
visitors passing across a drawbridge flanked by ancient statues;
there is another entrance, Portal Nou, behind the Plaza del Parque,
which is somewhat less dramatic. The district is best explored on
foot, and contains some interesting sights, most noteworthy of
which is the Archaeological Museum. The museum, situated in
Cathedral Square, contains artefacts from prehistoric sites on the
Balearic Islands, dating as far back as the Punic period between
the 5th and 7th centuries BC. Interestingly, the museum is said to
be constructed on a Carthagean burial site of about 4,000 graves.
Also in the Old Town is the cathedral with its 10th-century Gothic
tower and 18th-century Baroque nave. From the battlements by the
cathedral spectacular views can be enjoyed. There are plenty of
gift shops, art galleries, pavement cafes and good restaurants in
the area to keep tourists happy. The Old Town is delightful at
night, and a candlelit dinner at one of the restaurants spilling
out into the narrow cobbled streets is a must.
Ibiza Town
Spanish National Tourist Board
Santa Eulalia del Rio
Santa Eulalia is a pretty, atmospheric little town about nine
miles (14km) north of the island's capital, much favoured by
tourists because of its proximity to some of the best beaches and
for its scenic setting. The town is situated on the estuary of the
only river in the Balearic Islands, overlooked by the Puig de
Missa, a 16th-century fortified church situated on a hilltop. There
are also a number of small museums and the remains of a Roman
necropolis. Another attraction in Santa Eulalia is the Sant Carles
settlement a few kilometres to the north: the last true hippie
commune on Ibiza remaining from the 1960s, when hippie cultists
flocked here. The famous northern beaches of Ibiza, like Aigues
Blanques and Cala Llonga, can be reached by bus or boat from the
town. Santa Eulalia has its own beaches though: the Santa Eulalia
beach has Blue Flag status and is very popular; the Es Calo de
S'Alga beach, which can be reached on foot from the town, is a
gorgeous little beach with calm, shallow water and good facilities;
and the nearby Es Canar beach is perfect for water sports like
jet-skiing.
Puig de Missa
pioggia
Cova de Can Marca
The tourist attraction cave complex of Cova de Can Marca sits a
few miles north of Sant Miquel, a village with an attractive
hilltop church and good tapas bars. The caves have been
commercialised and fitted with some spectacular sound and lighting
effects, providing for an entertaining guided tour. The caves are
situated atop a rocky inlet, with spectacular views over the bay
and of the islands Murada and Feriradura. The cave is said to be
more than 100,000 years old and features underground lakes,
stalactites, and stalagmites. There was once a natural waterfall in
the cave system but the waterfall featured on the tour today is a
replica, as the waterbeds of the cave system are now fossilized.
The caves were once used by smugglers to hide their cargo and it is
still possible to see the marks they made on the walls to guide
them through the cave system. Tours are held in various languages
and take about 40 minutes. The tours are suitable for people of all
ages and fitness levels and are very popular with tourists. It is
not necessary to book in advance.
Opening time: 10.30am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 8pm (May to October);
11am to 5.30pm (November to April).
Cova de Can Marca
simpologist
La Salinas
The salt flats of Las Salinas are some of Ibiza's
most famous landmarks, close to the airport on the southernmost tip
of the island. They've been used for more than 2,000 years since
the Carthaginians traded with the salt left in the pans after the
waters evaporated in summer. The sparkling lakes provide one of the
world's most beautiful sunset photograph opportunities. The
fashionable Las Salinas beach on the southern tip of Ibiza attracts
a glittering crowd of sun worshippers and party animals, including
many celebrities, the wealthy, and the beautiful. There are
numerous beach bars to try out. The salt flats can be found in the
nature reserve that surrounds this gorgeous beach, along with pine
forests, sand dunes, and a general abundance of natural beauty. The
saltpans are also a wonderful destination for bird watchers. It is
possible to just stroll into the woods from the beach, but there
are also many tours to and from various towns on Ibiza.
Ibiza salt flats
photoaf
The Ibiza Express
This mini train departs from Platja d'Es Canar along a variety
of routes around the island. The gentle pace and open sides are
ideal for watching the scenery roll by. The train stops off at
scenic places for the kids to stretch their legs and sunbathe or
swim. The Sant Carlos and Beaches route takes three hours and stops
at some of the more remote beaches on the island. The highlight of
this tour is the village of Sant Carlos with its picturesque
18th-century church. The Santa Eulalia evening tour takes about two
hours and gives passengers the opportunity to see the quaint
village of Santa Eulalia, where visitors can stroll along the
promenade or engage in some souvenir shopping. The three-hour
Environment and Culture tour allows visitors to explore the
spectacular Ibiza landscapes before stopping for snacks at a
17th-century farmhouse. Photo enthusiasts should take the train
along its Prtinatx - Puerto San Miguel - Cala San Vicente route.
Passengers on this route get the opportunity to explore many of
Ibiza's beaches, wonderful shopping opportunities, and the scenic
white churches of Sant Llorenc, Sant Vicente, and San Joan, as well
as the oldest church-fortress on the island, the 13th-century Sant
Miquel.
Train
ibizaholidays
Ibiza is a great destination for children, with plenty of
gorgeous beaches and healthy natural attractions to keep the little
ones occupied. The Aguamar Water Park is great for a family day of
fun. Karting San Antonio has a range of go-karting options to keep
kids of all ages entertained. Another worthwhile excursion is to
catch a boat ride or yacht across to the island of Formentera. If
visiting Ibiza with kids, remember to select your accommodation
carefully: you want to be far away from any nightclubs or
concentrations of nocturnal clubbers.
Ibiza has a typical Mediterranean climate, with long, dry
summers and mild winters. Between May and September the days are
warm, with temperatures usually averaging comfortably between 69°F
(21°C) and 82°F (28°C).
August is the hottest summer month, with lows of 71°F (22°C) and
highs of 86°F (30°C). Ibiza empties out in winter, between December
and February, but the island never gets really cold by European
standards. The coldest month is January, when temperatures average
between 46°F (8°C) and 59°F (15°C).
Ibiza doesn't get much rain and even in the wettest months the
rain is sporadic and not overly disruptive. October is the wettest
month, but rain is possible any time between September and April,
leaving the summer months blessedly dry.
The Ibiza party season begins in late May and ends in September,
making all the months in between extremely popular with young
revellers. The peak summer months, between June and August, are the
peak tourist season and considered by many to be the best time to
visit. However, April, May, and September, just outside of the most
popular season, are also pleasant months to visit Ibiza, especially
for those wanting to avoid the crowds.
Ibiza Airport
Location: The airport is situated about five miles (8km) south of
Ibiza Town.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to
the last Sunday in October).
Getting to the city:
Bus route 10 runs between the airport, Ibiza Town, the ferry
port of Formentera and San Jorge. The bus departs every 15 minutes
in July and August, every 20 minutes from April 2nd to October
31st, and every 30 minutes during the rest of the year and costs
€3.50 for an Ibiza-Airport journey. Additional bus routes run to
San Antonio, Sant Eularia and Cala Nova between May 23rd and
October 15th, costing €4. Taxis and rental cars are also
available.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies represented at the airport include Avis,
Enterprise, Hertz, and Europcar.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available outside the terminal. The minimum charge is
€3.65, and just over €1 is charged per kilometre on weekdays.
Surcharges may apply for extra persons or luggage, and for travel
after hours and on weekends.
Fascilities:
Facilities at Ibiza Airport include duty-free shops,
restaurants, bars, fast food outlets, post boxes, a bureau de
change and ATMs. Disabled facilities are good; those with special
needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking
Parking at Ibiza Airport is available a short walk from the
terminal building.
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Ibiza's nightlife offers one of the best clubbing
experiences in Europe with unrivalled mega-venues, featuring the
world's top DJs and countless cafés, pubs, and bars. The main
venues are clustered around San Antonio on the east coast of the
island and Ibiza Town on the west, linked by a half-hour drive
along a good road. There are very few nightlife venues on the rest
of the island, which is quiet and rural.
An ideal foundation for a big night out is the place
that gave birth to the Ibiza legend in the first place: Café del
Mar in San Antonio. The trademark ambient music and chilled-out
atmosphere is still in place, making this an essential visit.
Innumerable other bars have sprung up around Café del Mar, so there
is no shortage of vantage points to enjoy the justly famous
sunsets.
The top clubs open around midnight, with long queues
forming by 2am. In Ibiza Town one can find Pacha which is the only
super club to stay open all year round, and Space which opens for
afterhours clubbing between dawn and dusk.
Toward the middle of the island, near San Rafael, is
Privilege, which is said to be one of the largest nightclubs in the
world, hosting up to 10,000 revellers and including circus acts,
indoor gardens and a mega swimming pool.
Nearby Amnesia has legendary lasers and theme nights.
Continuing to San Antonio, Es Paradis is a top rated superclub with
nine bars inside its enormous pyramid-shaped structure, while Eden
is famous for its foam parties.
Clubbing in Ibiza is certainly expensive. Entry fees
get hefty and drinks are pricey. Many clubs will only have hot
water available in the bathrooms to prevent you drinking cold water
for free, forcing patrons to pay for bottled water.
Cash-strapped young clubbers will hand out flyers and
promos in the early evening with details of special offers, happy
hours, and discounts. They are earning a commission for getting
people through the door but the information can be very useful if
you want to get maximum value for your night out.
As for getting around, use the disco buses which
transport clubbers along the road linking San Antonio, San Rafael
and Ibiza Town. Additionally, taxis are cheap, especially if there
is a group of you.
The clubbing season runs from late May to September,
although there are big parties around New Year's, Christmas, and
Easter. Dress codes are non-existent. In fact, the more outlandish
and extroverted your appearance, the better your chance of gaining
free admission.
Renting a car is easy and popular on Ibiza, but in the summer
months, between June and August, high demand for rental vehicles
means that it is best to book in advance. Those hiring cars should
note that between the notorious local drivers, drunken tourists,
and poorly signposted roads, driving can be a hair-raising
experience on the island and should only be attempted by confident
drivers. Taxis and buses can be used to travel between towns and
many resorts and tour operators provide transport for their guests.
The towns and resorts of Ibiza are almost always small and best
explored on foot.
There is much more to Ibiza than its famous
nightlife, and plenty to attract those with no interest in dancing
and partying. The most obvious Ibiza attraction is the glorious
coastline, which boasts many truly beautiful beaches, dotted along
over 120 miles (200km) of coastline, also affording abundant scuba
diving opportunities.
Ibiza offers visitors more than 80 beaches to choose
from, the most popular beaches include Cala Jondal, S'Aigua Blanca,
Cala Benirras, Cala Xarraca, Ses Salinas, Playa de Ses Figueretes,
and Playa des Cavallet (Ibiza's official nudist beach). Water
sports on offer apart from scuba diving, include waterskiing,
sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and much more. Many of the beaches
are lined with bars and restaurants and have a festive, party
atmosphere during the summer season.
Away from the beach, Ibiza's Old Town is lined with
picturesque cobbled lanes leading to ancient courtyards with some
buildings dating from the 10th century. Further up the coast is the
charming village of Santa Eulalia with excellent beaches, and the
nearby caves of Can Marca.
Another special natural feature of Ibiza is the salt
flats, La Salinas, which are worth a visit. The Ibiza Express
mini-train, which departs from Platja d´Es Canar along various
routes, is a fun way to explore the island.
Ibiza Town
Spanish National Tourist Board
Puig de Missa
pioggia
Cova de Can Marca
simpologist
Ibiza salt flats
photoaf
Formentera
sanferan
Train
ibizaholidays
