Ibiza Travel Guide
Ibiza is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea, 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, a chain which includes over fifty islands, many of which are uninhabited. The island of Ibiza has a rich archaeological, historical, artistic and ethnological heritage, stretching back from prehistoric times to the Punic world, continuing through to the Islamic medieval age and the traditional rural world, evidence of which is visible all over the island. Well known for it night activities, Ibiza is also a wonderful island, offering over fifty beaches with emerald seas, an eternally blue sky, as well as more than 300 days of sunshine per year.
Although Ibiza isnt simply a destination for young clubbers, as the island and the Spanish Tourist Office have been working in order to promote more family–oriented tourism, it is well known for its summer club parties which attract large numbers of tourists.
Music
Ibiza is considered a popular tourist destination, primarily due to its legendary nightlife centred around two areas: Ibiza Town, the island's capital on the southern shore and Sant Antonio to the West. During the summer, the top producers and DJs in dance come to the island and play at the various clubs, in between touring to other international destinations. Some of the most famous DJs run their own weekly nights around the island. Many of these DJs use Ibiza as an outlet for presenting new songs within the house, trance and techno genres of electronic dance music.
Since 2005 live music event Ibiza Rocks has helped to redefine the Ibiza party landscape. Bands such as Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, The Prodigy, WasteMan Tobola and the Kaiser Chiefs have played in the courtyard of the Ibiza Rocks Hotel. For the last 3 years the UK's BBC Radio 1 has focused its Ibiza Weekend broadcast from the venue and as a result the island is now seen as a more diverse place.
The season traditionally begins at the start of June with Space and DC10's opening parties and finishes on the first weekend of October with the Closing Parties.
Tourism
The island's government is also trying to encourage a more cultured and quieter tourism scene in order to cater for a more international mixture of tourists, and has been passing rules in respect to the nightclubs, as well as requiring all new hotels to be 5–star.
Beaches
Throughout the 18 kilometres of natural sandy beaches, fringed by crystal clear waters, Ibiza offers a huge range of possibilities to cater for all types of preferences. On the majority of our beaches, there is the chance to do all kinds of water and outdoor sports. For those who enjoy hill walking or rambling, the Ibizan coast is a paradisiacal place to spend time. Moreover, many of these beaches are not only of great natural beauty but also have a historical worth in that there are many remains of past civilisations, old defence towers and other signs of our past history that are of great interest.
Culture
Although in recent years the island has been best known for its party scene, apart from this, Ibiza is steeped in history which will fascinate visitors to the island whose idea is to explore Ibizas heritage. Large portions of the island are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and thus protected from the development and commercialization of the main cities. Ibizas most famous historical monument is found with the Dalt Vila Renaissance walls in the city of Eivissa, which were given World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 1999. A notable example includes "God's Finger" in the Benirrs Bay as well as some of the more traditional Ibicenco cultural sites. Because of its rustic beauty, companies and artists alike frequently use the island for photographic and film shoots. A monument ("The Egg") erected in honour of Christopher Columbus can be found in Sant Antoni: Ibiza is one of several places purporting to be his birthplace.
Things to see and do
- Es Vedra, the mystical island rock off Ibiza's west coast.
- Atlantis, a hidden cove, but only if you can find a local who'll tell you its secret location.
- Passeig de ses Fonts in San Antonio.
- The old part of Ibiza Town.
- Visit nearby Formentera by boat.
- Explore the many beaches all along the coast.
- The famous Es Canar Hippy Market (held only on Wednesdays) on the east coast of the island and Las Dalias Hippie Market in San Carlos on Saturdays.
- Visit Bar Anita in San Carlos, the historical venue where the artists and writers of the 50s, 60s and 70s used to collect their cheques and stop for a drink.
- Visit Cova de Can Mar in Puerto de San Miguel, the biggest natural caves in Ibiza. A must in Ibiza.
