Ibiza Town Guide
| fast facts |
population
42,000
getting there
nearest airport: Ibiza (approx 7km)
getting around
it's a small town - take a walk
tourist office
Port of Eivissa (Ibiza)
Antoni Riquer, 2
07800 Eivissa (Ibiza)
tel: (0034) 977 25 07 95
email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
main public holidays
Easter Semana Santa
23 April Sant Jordi (St Georges day) patron saint of Catalunya
11 September Catalan national day
1 November All saints day
25 December Christmas day
31 Decmber & 1 January New Year
Overview
Despite its name appearing on every other dance music cd there's a little gem of a city hidden behind the party islands justly deserved reputation as the summer clubbing capital of Europe if not the world. There are three main areas to Ibiza Town, D'Alt Vila the old town or 'upper' town the harbour area including Sa Penya and the new town.
The town was first settled in the 7th century BC, making it one of the oldest in Europe, and D'Alt Vila is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 16th century city walls have their main entrance via a drawbridge through the dramatic El Portal de Ses Taules (Gateway of the Inscriptions) and inside you'll find beautifully preserved buildings and narrow, cobbled streets with superb views over the town and harbour.
Below D'Alt Vila is the the Sa Penya district, which though not as historic as the old town is still pretty with Moorish architecture and cobbled streets, and the harbour from which you'll be able to see the Marina, the location for two of the islands clubs, Pacha and El Divino along with the Casino. If you're going clubbing then Sa Penya is where you start with hundreds of bars and nightly circus style club promotions moving along the streets.
The remainder of the town is what's referred to as the new town and is mainly hotels and apartments with bars and restaurants, though without the atmosphere of the older parts.
Highlights
The Cathedral
The 13th century Gothic Catedral de Santa Marνa is in D'Alt Vila and also the location of the Cathedral museum.
D'Alt Vila walls
The walls are wonderfully preserved with the main access point to the old town at El Portal de Ses Taules.
Las Salinas (Ses Salines) The Salt Flats
Located near the airport and constructed by the Carthaginians who settled here around 600BC they are still used today to harvest sea salt and are also a great place to watch the sun go down over the sea towards Formentera.
Eating & Drinking
general areas
Sa Penya very lively bars which are ideal to watch the nightly parades that pull in punters for the big clubs.
D'Alt Vila - restaurants
Marina restaurants
restaurants
Can den Parra Spanish/Catalan - C/San Rafael 3 tel: 971 391 114
S'Ametler Modern Ibizan C/Pere Francθs 12 tel: 971 311 780
La Brasa Seafood C/Pere Sala tel: 971 301 202
Sa Caldera Seafood Obispe Padre Huix 19 tel 971 306 416
La Scala Seafood - C/Sa Carossa 7 971 300 383
El Pomelo Spanish/Catalan - C/de la Verge 53 - 971 31 31 22
Nightlife
It's difficult to know where to start with nightlife in Ibiza Town. In short it's pretty much everywhere but to get the best flavour and to make the difficult decision of where to head for the night start in the bars around Sa Penya and let the club promoters come to you. Some of the most popular are Base Bar, Mao Rooms and Zoo Bar. The two main clubs in the town itself, located about 15 minutes walk from Sa Penya in the Marina area are the famous and long established Pasha and the glamorous El Divino. For more on the clubbing scene across the island take a look at Ibiza Island in the regional section.
Shopping
Ibiza along with the other Balearic Islands is famous for leather and pearls and you'll be able to find these products along with designer clothes boutiques and other shops stocking regional produce including the local Ibizan herbal liqueur Herbes, in D'Alt Vila and Sa Penya.
Beaches
The city beaches are Ses Figueretes and Platja den Bossa but they can get as crowded as the clubs in season so if you're looking for a bit more space head out of town.
Festivals
February - Carnival
A massive event for Ibiza to say goodbye to winter with processions in Mardi Gras costumes and a great party atmosphere.
May (2nd weekend) - Medieval Festival
Ever since D'Alt Vila was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999 the town has celebrated that fact with the Medieval carnival. The old town is transformed into a fabulous medieval market with everyone dressed for the occasion.
5-8 August The Earth Festival
A combination of traditional and modern celebrations for the patron saints of Ibiza Sant Mary, Sant Salvador and Sant Ciriac with feasts, concerts, exhibitions and fireworks.
tips
If you need a complete rest from the mania of clubbing or just fancy a bit of tranquillity take the 30 minute hydrofoil from the port to Formentera, hire a moped and explore for the day...or longer.
