The island of Ibiza, always the subject of great interest from holidaymakers, invites visitors to discover a plethora of delights that make up the much sought-after destination of the Pityusic islands. Small in size but with a huge range of tourist attractions, you’ll need to plan your stay carefully so that you don’t miss out on anything important. Some of Ibiza’s must-do activities include walking through the historic centre of Ibiza Town, losing yourself in its labyrinth of alleyways and sitting on the terrace of one of its many bars that look out across the peaceful Mediterranean. Every bit as desirable as the capital are its villages, whose whitewashed abodes tell us about the island’s past and of its rural society; of authentic lives that are far-detached from tourism.
- Explore Ibiza to discover its essence
- Las Dalias hippie market
- Enjoy Ibiza’s beaches and coves
- Discover Ibizan wine
- Rent a boat in Ibiza
- Plans in the Barceló hotels
The island of Ibiza, always the subject of great interest from holidaymakers, invites visitors to discover a plethora of delights that make up the much sought-after destination of the Pityusic islands. Small in size but with a huge range of tourist attractions, you’ll need to plan your stay carefully so that you don’t miss out on anything important. Some of Ibiza’s must-do activities include walking through the historic centre of Ibiza Town, losing yourself in its labyrinth of alleyways and sitting on the terrace of one of its many bars that look out across the peaceful Mediterranean. Every bit as desirable as the capital are its villages, whose whitewashed abodes tell us about the island’s past and of its rural society; of authentic lives that are far-detached from tourism.
Explore Ibiza to discover its essence
The first thing you need to do when you get to Ibiza is rent a car to explore the island. Although the island may seem small at first, you’ll soon realise that your trip also requires some planning. For example, do you know what to visit in Ibiza? In the following sections you’ll find detailed information about the various natural, recreational and wine tourism activities that you can enjoy during your time in Ibiza. Now, let’s focus on some towns and villages that stand out for their culture, architecture and unique features.
Begin your visit in the island’s capital by walking through its historic centre, known as Dalt Vila. Be sure to wear some comfortable shoes to walk around its fortified old town wall (with as many as seven bastions!), stop to admire its palatial houses and check out its churches. You will also find beautiful terraces overlooking the port and dozens of boutiques selling garments in the island’s typical Adlib style.
The island is also dotted with a large number of charming villages. On your trip, make sure you find time to visit Sant Joan de Labritja, where you can soak up its tranquil atmosphere and admire its beautiful 18th-century church. Sant Antoni de Portmany is somewhat livelier, offering a wide range of services and home to the famous Café del Mar, while Santa Gertrudis de Fruiteria is a must-visit for its range of small, traditional shops and distinct cosmopolitan atmosphere. If you also manage to visit Sant Josep de Sa Talaia and Santa Eulària des Riu, you’ll have ticked off the most important places.
Las Dalias hippie market
You’ve probably heard a fair bit about Ibiza’s multiple hippy markets, and you might not have time to visit them all during your stay. If you’ve only got time for one, make sure it’s the Las Dalias market on Carretera de San Carlos, km 12. Las Dalias may be described, on occasions, as a typical street market with a selection of stalls selling all kinds of handicrafts, clothes, candles, ornaments, costume jewellery and decorative objects, among other things. However, that would be doing it an injustice, as is is held amidst a uniquely relaxed and carefree atmosphere. People don’t just go there to buy original items. Rather, they take their time to talk face-to-face with the artisans, enjoy a drink and a bite to eat on one of its multiple charming terraces and to listen to some live music… This isn’t a quick 30-minute shopping trip. Instead, you’ll need to set aside a whole morning in order to enjoy everything that Las Dalias has to offer (be sure to check the events calendar). It is open on weekend mornings and afternoons all year-round, as well as late afternoons and evenings on Monday and Tuesday during the summer season.
Enjoy Ibiza’s beaches and coves
Lose yourself in one of its charming coves, watch the sun slowly rise from the top of a cliff or take a refreshing dip in its shimmering transparent waters. There are dozens of reasons to explore Ibiza’s beaches – both with and without your bathing costume! Some of Ibiza’s must-visit coves include Cala Comte, where pleasure boats seem to float in mid-air, such is the clarity of its waters; Cala Tarida, with a selection of excellent beachfront chiringuito restaurants; and the small Cala Vadella, which is the ideal place to spend a day at the beach with young children. Cala d’Hort, Cala Benirrás, Cala Atlantis and Cala Salada are also well worth a visit.
And, of course, you can’t leave Ibiza without taking in a magnificent sunset above the small rocky island of Es Vedrà. This place, bursting with energy and shrouded in legend, offers one of the most spectacular sunsets, as the golden sun sinks behind the rocks and the silhouettes of the cliffs are projected over the sea.
Discover Ibizan wine
Despite the quality of Ibiza’s wines, not many visitors include wine-related activities as part of their travel plan. One of the island’s most authentic wineries is the Bodega Can Rich, which produces a range of organic and sparkling wines as well as rich herbal liqueurs. The guided tour usually includes aperitifs of different cheeses, sobrassada, fig jam and payés bread, etc. If you like olive oil, be sure to take a bottle home with you – it is truly magnificent! Another option could be the family-ran Bodega Can Maymó, which is based in the town of Sant Mateu. They grow native grape varieties such as Monastrell and Malvasia, but also Muscatel, Merlot, Syrah and Tempranillo. And if that doesn’t quench your thirst, pay a visit to Bodegas Ibizkus in Santa Eulalia, which first opened in 2007 under the name Totem Wines. It offers guided tours with the tasting of five wines.
Rent a boat in Ibiza
You’ll realise two things during your time on the island: that the beauty of the Mediterranean can leave you speechless, and that its blue and turquoise tones are better appreciated from the sea. During your holiday, be sure to spend at least one day out at sea. Renting a boat in Ibiza is easy and inexpensive. You can hire one with or without a skipper, depending on your experience at the helm.
Sailing from cove-to-cove around the Ibizan coastline and stopping off to go swimming or snorkelling, before watching the sun go down from the Mediterranean, is a fantastic way to spend a day on the island.
Plans in the Barceló hotels
A destination as spectacular as Ibiza requires a hotel of the same standing which covers all of your needs, offering comfortable rooms, swimming pools, à la carte restaurants and a range of day trip options. We recommend two hotels that more than meet the expectations of even the most demanding of guests. The first is the Occidental Ibiza, a four-star hotel with modern facilities that is just a stone’s throw from the Port des Torrent beach and a 10-minute drive from Cala Comte, Cala Tarifa and Cala Bassa. The hotel boasts a wide range of sporting proposals and also offers a massage service. It is also an ideal option if you’re coming to stay with your family. What more could you ask for?
Our second proposal is the Barceló Portinatx, a four-star Adults Only hotel set just 20 metres from the Playa de Portinatx and very close to Sant Joan de Labritja. Guests at the hotel have a wide range of sailing, hiking and cycling opportunities at their fingertips. If you feel like getting a sweat on, this could be the perfect base for your next trip to the island. Alternatively, if you’re looking to relax, the hotel also has a large wellness area and a lively beach club.
