Ibiza
Ibiza tourism and travel information
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Where is Ibiza?
Ibiza is a small island lying 90 km off the East coast of Spain, in the Western Mediterranean. It is part of the Balearic islands.
Ibiza is only a two hour flight from most major European Capitals (London, Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Zurich), and a four hour Ferry ride from Denia or Alicante on the coast of mainland Spain (now only 2 hours with the new super-fast ferries).
What are the Balearics?
The Balearic islands (in Spanish, the ‘Baleares’), are made up of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera (which is a small island lying visibly just off the South coast of Ibiza). They belong to Spain and are a favourite holiday resort in the Mediterranean and Europe, both as a stand alone destination, and as a popular stop over as part of a European tour.
Indeed, Ibiza has to be one of the most beautiful and entertaining holiday resorts in the world, enjoying a wonderful mixture of culture, vegetation, beaches and nightlife.
How Big is Ibiza?
Ibiza is only 45 km long and 25 km wide, and has a year round population of 100.000. This of course increases dramatically during the summer months, when many seasonal workers and tourists descend upon the island. Most of the population is centered in and around the three major towns: the capital Ibiza Town, San Antonio and Santa Eulalia.
Distances:
Ibiza Town – San Antonio: 16 Km
Ibiza Town – Santa Eulalia: 15 Km
San Antonio – Santa Eulalia: 17 Km
The Summer season runs from the 1st of May until the 31st October, although in recent years more hotels are offering all year accommodation.August is the fullest month, when it can get very crowded on both beaches and roads.
How developed is Ibiza?
Ibiza boasts an impressive, modern infrastructure: including an excellent public transport network, extensive mobile and fixed telephone network; running water and electricity in all towns and villages; highspeed internet access; and excellent travel connections to the rest of Europe and mainland Spain, by air and by sea.
Climate and Weather in Ibiza
Summer – May until October
The summer season and the first really warm beach days begin in May, with beautiful clear, sunny days and temperatures in the mid-twenties.
Between the months of June and September, there is very little rain fall. In August and September the temperature rises up to over 30º C. With water temperatures of 25º – 27º C, beach fans are right in their element.
What to Wear
May, June and September – In the evenings, when out and about, you might need a jumper or light jacket. Otherwise shorts, light-trousers and t-shirts will be ok. See the temperature charts above.
July and August – The really hot season starts. You ought to be fine with t-shirts, short sleeve shirts and shorts. Lightweight cotton trousers are popular amongst the locals.
October – pack a jumper and a jacket – best to be sure, as there are occasional rainy and windy days. The temperature in the evening can drop down to under 20º C!
Tip: May and October are really beautiful months to enjoy the island. There is a lots of room on the beaches and the island is very green and fresh.
Winter – November until April
Ibiza has a remarkably mild climate – even in winter the temperature rarely drops under 0º celsius. Snow is a sensation, and the children save snowballs for weeks by putting them in the fridge!
From November to April the average daytime temperature is about 15º celsius – however when the sun comes out this can rapidly climb to 25º C.
Ibiza in Winter is not a beach destination, although on sunny days you’ll find sun-worshippers on the beach, many of whom still swim!
Ibiza in Winter is more a time for lazy beach walks, sport and touring around the island, stocking up on some well-needed Vitamin D (from all the sunshine!).
The winter on Ibiza is actually sunnier and warmer than on Mallorca, which of course makes a winter break here such a good idea. If you fancy visiting Ibiza in winter remember to pack some warm clothes, as not all houses and hotels are centrally-heated. It is often warmer outside than it is inside (at least in our house!).
In return, the winter guests have the island to themselves – beautiful, deserted beaches with no sun beds or sunshades to spoil the view, and the wonderful feeling of peace and tranquility for which Ibiza is so well known.
Ibiza Sightseeing
Hippy Market – Punta Arabi
Es Cana
A visit to the famous Hippy Market on the grounds of the holiday club Punta Arabí in Es Cana, near Santa Eulalia, held every Wednesday (from may to october) from 10.00 – 19.00 hrs., is a must. At the market you have an enormous variety to choose from: the most exotic batik wraps and clothing to tailor-made leather mocassins and an tantalising variety of east-asian silver jewellry and trinkets. If you look around you can still find some of the original hippies, although most of them have grey hair by now! Like a time-warp back to the 1970s. Every Wednesday.
Hippy Market – Las Dalias
San Carlos
In San Carlos in the North-East, set in the grounds of a restaurant, this weekly market continues in Saturdays throughout the year. Many consider it to be a more original and traditional alternative to the larger Wednesday market at Es Caná. Wonderful selection of handmade clothes and jewellery, you can be sure to find that little something for everyone. Open until late in summer, ’til 18.00 in winter, every Saturday.
Las Salinas – Salt Flats
Near the airport
One of Ibiza’s most famous landmarks. On the southern most tip of the island, the salt fields have been in use for over 2000 years. As the water evaporates during the hot summer months, a sparkling layer of pure salt is left on the bottom of the lakes. One of the most beautiful spots for sunset photos.
Ibiza Watersports
Water temperatures range from 18º C in May to 26º in August making the island ideal for all sorts of watersports, including waterskiing, jetskiing, sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, bananaboat or even a relaxing pedalo.
Most of the larger beaches have kiosks where you can rent pedaloes and have a go on a banana boat. There are several sailing schools around the island (Playa d’en Bossa, Las Salinas, San Antonio, Cala Martina, Cala Pada) offering Catamaran hire and occasional windsurf hire (you will probably need a licence). There are also several beaches offering waterskiing and jetskiing (San Antonio Bay, Cala Bassa, Playa d’en Bossa, Santa Eulalia) and parasailing. More information can be found in our beaches section.
Aquarium Cap Blanch
Smuggler’s Cave – San Antonio
Opposite the Hotel Tanit down a small pathway to this ancient Smuggler’s grotto transformed into an aquarium.
Aguamar
Water Slide Park
This amazing water park in Playa d’en Bossa is a fun day for all the family. Many pools to splash around in and some very long, fast and curvy slides. A real alternative to a day at the beach. Behind the disco Space.
Getting Around Ibiza – Car hire, island bus services and taxis
Buses
The island can boast an extensive and regular Bus service. There are half-hour connections between all major resorts, including many of the most popular beaches. Buses run in the Summer months from approximately 7 am until 10 pm. The disco bus then takes over from midnight until 6 am, taking clubbers to and from all the major clubs and resorts.
The buses are air-conditioned and an extremely economical form of transport. Highly recommended. Ask in your accommodation for more details.
Taxis
If there are 3 or 4 of you travelling, taxis are a comfortable and relatively economical way to travel. You can flag a taxi down at any time of night and day if the green light is showing. Taxis are charged on a meter system (similar to the rest of Europe).
The history of Ibiza and Formentera
Recent archaeological diggings prove that the first settlements on Ibiza and Formentera date back to over 3000 years ago. A grave was found on Formentera which dates back to 1600 years B.C. Cave paintings at Ses Fontanelles (north from San Antonio – 800 years B.C.), and bronze axes and discs found near San Juan and San Agustin (700 years B.C.) provide further evidence of these early settlements.
The Carthaginians
In the year 654 B.C. the Carthaginians discovered Ibiza and founded Ibiza Town, making this one of the earliest towns in Europe. The christened the town Ibossim, quite similar to its present day name. Another name for Ibiza which has survived until now comes from the Greeks, who came to Ibiza during the time of the Carthaginians: they called the two islands of Ibiza and Formentera, the Pitiusas – which means the pine-covered island.
The Carthaginian people originated in Phoenicia, and became known as the Carthaginians after the founding of the city of Carthage (geographically located in the Tunisia of today). Whilst the Romans called them in Latin, the Punic folk.
The Carthaginians were merchants and traders, and Ibiza became a very important trading centre. Even in those days, Ibiza boasted a large harbour and strong city walls – (although the walls we can see today were built much, much later). The most important of the goods traded was ‘White Gold’ – Salt. The Salinas which were constructed by the Carthaginians are still used to day to win salt from sea water, by a process of evaporation.
Ibiza also played an important role in the Carthaginian culture as their largest burial grounds. Historians assume that the dead were buried here because there were no wild animals to dig them out again. The burial grounds at Puig des Molins in Ibiza Town is home to the world’s largest collection of punic artefacts – most of which have been discovered in graves. A case of the dead being buried with utensils and objects to help them on the way in the next life.
Amongst the Gods of the Carthaginians, the Goddess Tanit enjoys particular fame. She is the Mother of the Gods, the Goddess of the Earth and of fertility. You can see her image on many of the ceramic pots made on Ibiza today.
The Romans
‘Carthage must be destroyed’. It was this battle cry which accompanied the Romans into the Punic Wars. They succeeded, and eventually, in 123 B.C., conquered the Balearic Islands. Not even Hannibal could prevent this, when he marched across the Alps with his elephants 100 years previously to invade and conquer Rome, (which, as you may know, he didn’t quite manage). This legendary general is supposed to have been born on the island of Conejera just off the coast of San Antonio.
The Romans called Ibiza, Ebusus. The island was not however made part of the Roman Empire. It retained its independence as a confederation town. Evidence of the Roman occupation can still be seen by the gates at the entrance to Dalt Vila (the Old Town), where there are two copies of Roman statues; and in Santa Eulalia, where the old Roman bridge crosses the now dried-up river at the entrance to the town. This bridge has recently been restored.
After the Romans, between the 5th and 9th centuries A.D. there are large gaps in the chronological history of the Pitiusan Islands. Remember that this is the time of the Goths and Visigoths in Europe – a dark ages where there is little historical record. During this time, Ibiza was invaded and conquered by such folk as the Vandals, the Barbarians and the Byzantines. Ibiza enjoyed a certain independence under the Byzantine Empire. Improvements to her irrigation system and the share-cropping system are due to Byzantine influence. One of the few relics of this epoch is the underground Chapel at Santa Ines.
The Arabs
The Arabs came in the 9th century A.D. and stayed for almost 500 years. They called the island Yebisah. The arabic influence can still be felt strongly today in many customs, such as the construction of the houses, traditional costumes and musical instruments, and of course in the island dialect ‘Ibicenco’.
On the hill in Ibiza Town, they built a large mosque (on the ruins of a temple dedicated to the God Mercury) and fortified the city walls. The remains of these walls and some of the watchtowers can still be seen today. Ibiza experienced a period of economic growth under Arab rule. The Salt fields, agriculture and fishing were the main sources of income.
The Catalans
Ibiza was conquered by the Catalans on the 8th August, 1235. Legend says that the the strongly fortified citadel was only eventually captured through treachery: Ibiza Town was considered at that time to be unconquerable due to its city walls and fortuitous geographical location. However, the ruling Sheik and his brother quarrelled over a mistress from his harem, whereupon the brother revealed the secret underground entrance to the Town, to the besieging Catalan forces. You can still see this secret passage in the Calle de San Ciriaco in D’Alt Vila. Unfortunately you can’t crawl through it, as it is fenced off to the public!
The Church
The Catalans tore down the Arab mosque, and built the present day Cathedral on its foundations. The villages of the island were renamed after Christian Saints, and many churches were constructed: the oldest of which are in Santa Eulalia, San Antonio, San Miguel and Sant Jordi. Most of the rest of the island’s churches were built in the 18th century.
The Pirates
The ruling Catalans (from mainland Spain) rather neglected the islands during the following centuries, which were marked by plundering and marauding by pirates. In order to defend themselves, the villagers built the defensive churches with extra fortified walls, where the village would shelter in the event of an attack. These churches often had cannons on their roofs! In the 16th century, the Italian architect Calvi completed the construction of the walls of Ibiza Town – the same walls we see today.
The pirate towers lining the coast were built a bit later. Some of them can still be seen today. Originally, each of these towers was within sight of the next one. In the event of an invasion or sighting of a pirate ship, the tower would light a warning fire, which could be seen by the next tower, which in turn lit its own fire, and so on, until the the entire island was aware of the danger, and was able to seek safety in the churches. A primitive but very effective early warning system.
Ibiza today is perhaps not so different. People from many races and countries descend upon the island each year, take what they want and depart. The locals have been used to this type of behaviour for thousands of years. No wonder that the islanders are famous for their tolerance!