Managed by the State Ports Authority, Ibiza Town’s marina is one of the trendiest in the Mediterranean. It is known as Marina Ibiza, and combines an exclusive entertainment and restaurant offer with the functional elegance of its facilities. It lies at the foot of Dalt Vila, and its proximity to Ibiza Town’s historic quarter lends an added vibrancy to the buzzing atmosphere. It is also a very pleasant place for a stroll on any break to this Pityusic island.
Marina Ibiza offers a wide range of leisure options, including its quays, where visitors can see up to 1,400 yachts and leisure craft. By day, this is a dynamic port for luxury vessels, with impressive floating palaces; in the evening, it becomes a chill-out area, where people can enjoy the glorious sunsets, whilst at night it takes on a cool ambience with its trendy restaurants.
- Botafoc Ibiza (formerly Marina Botafoch), the shopping and restaurant area
- Dinner and an evening out in the Port of Ibiza
- Berths for sale or to rent
- Services at Ibiza Town’s Leisure Marina
Botafoc Ibiza (antigua Marina Botafoch), la zona de compras y restaurantes
Within Ibiza Town’s Leisure Marina, the Botafoc Ibiza area (formerly Marina Botafoch) has the highest concentration of the most select and sophisticated restaurants, clubs (internal link) and party venues to be found on the island of Ibiza. The area affords views of the walled town of Dalt Vila, and has its own iconic buildings, such as that designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, as well as pleasant terraces where you can watch the superb sunsets over the silhouette of Dalt Vila. Of course, there is a huge selection of leisure activities, restaurants and bars, which caters for residents and tourists alike. Botafoc Ibiza also offers great shopping opportunities, as you can find here the most prestigious names in the world of clothing and accessories.
Along the Paseo de Botafoc Ibiza, and specifically in its landscaped gardens, a series of exercise machines and gadgets has been installed to help people to keep fit. This is also an ideal place to go skating or running. Moreover, just a few minutes away lies Talamanca beach, where visitors can soak up the sun, go for a dip, and enjoy a drink at one of the area’s many terraces or a meal at one of its restaurants.
Dinner and an evening out in the Port of Ibiza
Some of the most outstanding places to have dinner or a drink in Ibiza Town’s leisure marina are: The Pachá Group’s Lío Restaurante Club Cabaret, where you can have dinner while enjoying an exclusive show, or Blue Marlin Ibiza Marina, which offers a very special cuisine accompanied by fabulous views and music played by some of the coolest DJs. Then there’s Heart, a club that combines good food, live music, and a show staged in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil.
Two other extremely popular establishments in Marina Ibiza are Calma Bistró, a place with an informal atmosphere serving Mediterranean cuisine in an incredibly beautiful setting; and Cappuccino Grand Café, especially good if you want to enjoy typical Ibizan cuisine (internal link), either during the daytime or in the evening.
Berths for sale or to rent
Within the leisure marina itself, there are berths available to buy or rent for vessels measuring up to 60 metres, although there is also space to accommodate larger yachts. In the most recent remodelling of this area, materials of the highest quality have been used, and wooden ‘fingers’ have been added to facilitate access for boats. Supplies of fuel are available at the berths for larger vessels as well as secure parking 24 hours a day. There is also generous provision of green spaces, lending the jetties and the approach along the Boulevard de Entrada the appearance of oases.
The port’s Northern Dock is reserved for small and medium vessels and is Marina Ibiza’s most sheltered area. Along here, you’ll find the Marina Seca [dry dock], where boats are overwintered and repaired. The Southern Dock is the port’s smartest and most exclusive area, as this is where the super yachts tie up. Between these two docks is the Boulevard de Entrada, which provides access to most of the port’s social and retail facilities, along with offices and the Harbour Master’s building.
Services at Ibiza Town’s Leisure Marina
All berths are supplied with drinking water, electricity, bilge suction and sewage disposal, as well as fuel, telephone services, internet access, and satellite TV. A cleaning and gardening service is also available to ensure the conservation and maintenance of both the berths and the green areas.
Marina Ibiza’s efforts to keep the waters of the Mediterranean clean have earned it a ‘blue flag’, a prestigious distinction which also recognises its environmental awareness-raising campaigns aimed at promoting good practice among its users.
History of the port of Ibiza: From the Carthaginians to the present day
The history of the port of Ibiza dates right back to the Carthaginians, when Ibiza Town made it into an important naval base. The port was later used by the Romans as a significant centre for trade.
A lot has changed since then, but back in the seventeenth century, as now, there were port administration buildings here, and a quay at Arrabal. The port’s present infrastructure dates from the early twentieth century, when a breakwater was constructed to protect its southern area. It was not until 1980, however, that the port acquired the modern infrastructure that serves it today.
Passenger boats owned by companies such as Balearia and Trasmediterránea depart from the port, sailing for destinations such as Barcelona, Denia, Formentera, Palma de Mallorca and Valencia.
