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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 Catalan,
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: Where to eat in Ibiza For information
on the restaurants in Ibiza recommended by us, food guides and our users, click
on: What to eat in Ibiza: Typical Ibizan
dishes are based on traditional mediterranean produce such as fish and seafood,
rice dishes, grilled meat and vegetables, salsa
alioli (garlic sauce) and stews. A lot of dishes contain picada
de almendras (chopped almonds) which gives them a special flavour, something
which is very typical in traditional Catalan cuisine.
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.
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Travelling
to Ibiza? The following
links may also be useful
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Other
useful links
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