3. Ibiza,
5 Ibiza, 18 Ibiza from the sea: landscapes
the island that captivates of the imagination
6 Unique cultural heritage 20 Ibiza: meeting point
experience the 10 Mythical beaches
14 Salt marshes and posidonia:
22 Geographical map of Ibiza and
tourist information
Mediterranean
natural jewels
4.
5. heritage
Ibiza, the ancient times people believed that this region
warded off snakes. And sailors would carry a
island that
little bag of its earth around their necks, by
way of a talisman.
captivates
In one way, this was a premonition of what
takes place now. Ibiza acts through charms.
The region seems to have some kind of power.
First it attracted the hippies and the artists.
Then it drew the attention of celebrities and
members of the jet-set. Later it would give rise
Where could one find a land that is ancient to a whole musical culture, to tendencies that
and futuristic at the same time? A place that included events held in big discotheques like
synthesizes the avant-garde, leisure, fashion, "trance", "ambient house" or "chill-out". And, at
entertainment, colour and life; but at the the other end of the spectrum, its natural
same times conserves secular tranquillity, treasure attracts ornithologists and ecology
immobility and nature. It may seem enthusiasts from all over the world.
impossible, but it does exist. It is Ibiza,
Eivissa in the Catalan version of its name. Perhaps the secret of that charm lies in the
combination of two very powerful elements.
Ever since the 1960s, Ibiza has been in the Culture, tradition, and on the other hand a
headlines constantly. The island marked out wealth of nature that reveals itself in all its
tendencies in the hippy years, when ad-lib splendour. This explains why it was declared a
fashion was created along with all the imagery World Heritage Site in 1999 by UNESCO, as a
of magical landscapes, places with soul, parties result of its biological diversity, the posidonia
and a kind of paganism that was more meadows on the sea bed around the island; the
aesthetical than real. Ibiza represented an ideal remains of the Phoenician-Punic past, such as
for living. The peasant cottages, undulating the village of Sa Caleta and the Puig des Molins
hills and essential and picturesque traditional necropolis; and also because of the impressive
architecture, the sea, the beaches… They all ensemble of Dalt Vila, the old town with its
symbolized freedom, creativity. walls. Universal recognition of its magic.
Ibiza is an island that captivates. It has a multi-
faceted, fascinating personality that you never
manage to discover in its entirety. It can be
Dalt Vila sophisticated or rural, silent or full of music. In
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6. Archaeological Museum “Sa Caleta” Phoenician village
Unique Ibiza is one of the most interesting islands
in the Mediterranean. Around 2,700 years
ago Punic traders from Carthage
cultural heritage
established themselves here. They were a
practical people, great lovers of luxury,
consisting of expert merchants. They chose
Bes as their protective deity, a goddess of
African origin who represented laughter
and good fortune. The “Island of Bes” still
bears her name today.
Ibiza became a production centre and a
commercial enclave. It received items from
Egypt, Greece, Sicily, North Africa... And in
turn, Ibizan ceramics or figurines were
distributed all over the ancient world. That
era of thriving prosperity, which lasted until
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7. culture
Parade ground, Dalt Vila Balàfia
the Roman conquest of 123 BC, left a Ibiza, which signed a treaty with the victors the guardrooms, bastions and machicolations.
powerful cultural stratum in its wake. after the last Punic War, no destruction The most spectacular element is the Portal de
whatsoever took place. les Taules gateway, with a large coat of arms
The Phoenician village of Sa Caleta was one of Felipe II presiding over the old
of the first Phoenician settlements on the The Roman era has also left many drawbridge. Above, by way of a tutelary
island, before the colony moved to the archaeological testimonies, whereas there are presence, the Cathedral dominates the whole
current capital. And Puig des Molins is an barely any traces at all of the Muslim centuries. of the old town.
archaeological treasure. This is where the But throughout the ages, Ibiza always had one
Punic traders were buried in hypogea carved main source of wealth: its salt flats. After passing through the gateway, the town
out of the rock, alongside their valuables and inside the walls, known as Dalt Vila,
their offerings. Around 3,000 tombs have When the Christian and Islamic worlds conserves its ancient atmosphere. Its
been found, and there may still be more clashed in the 16th century, Ibiza was on the labyrinthine streets, the geography of palaces,
awaiting discovery. This gives us an idea of front line. This was when the spectacular towers and shadows. At all times the sea is
the wealth of that Punic-Ebusitan society. walled enclosure that is now one of its most present like a backcloth between the Muslim,
This legacy cannot be matched by anywhere valuable heritage items was erected. We can Gothic and Renaissance stones.
else in the Mediterranean, where the Punic see defences from the Renaissance era,
world was wiped off the map by Rome. In completed over the centuries, with gateways,
7
8. Ibizan jewells Church of Sant Antoni de Portmany
One great treasure of Ibiza is its traditional Ethnology is another of Ibiza’s treasures. The Modernity brought different cultural patterns
architecture, in particular the rural peasant world here is totally unlike the rest of with it, without losing the old ones, however.
churches. They all follow the same pattern: the Balearic Islands, and indeed seems closer Ibiza was inevitably a site for modern
cubic, simple shapes and defensive, too. A to North Africa. Popular attire with the rich architecture, which sometimes drew
bell tower and a simple porch where the "emprendada" of jewels worn by the women, inspiration from traditional constructions.
parishioners sought shelter from the rigours the dances, the music. Everything is
of the age. They are authentic works of art - impregnated with a profound tellurism. It is a Fashion, on the other hand, has conserved
Santa Eulària des Riu, Sant Jordi de ses living legacy, which has by no means died out. the aroma of the hippy days. Attractive,
Salines, Sant Mateu d'Albarca, Santa The Ethnological Museum of Santa Eulària des gauzy, romantic. The ad-lib phenomenon is
Gertrudis de Fruitera, Jesús... So white, so Riu enables one to discover it in-depth. unimaginable anywhere but Ibiza. It is based
essential, that they remind us that on the little shops in the Marina, the island’s
sometimes an economy of means and The same is true of the island’s gastronomy, scenery, the atmosphere of its nights, a sense
simplicity are not at odds with inspiration with singular products such as "borrida de of the generous, slightly reckless life.
and richness of spirit. rajada" (made using skate), "sofrit pagès",
"flaó" (a cake made of curd cheese and mint),
the “ensaimada”, “sobrasada” or herb liqueur.
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9. spirituality
Sunset in Benirràs
As well as the hippy universe, Ibiza was a gather on the terraces facing west – under the
pioneer of the “new age” and back-to-the- influence of “chill out” music – or even on
land movements. Many “neo-rurals” settled the beaches. They contemplate the solar disc,
in its country cottages in the 1970s, seeking a red as an incandescent shield, as it dips into
return to harmony, the simple life, the the waters as though in an opera finale. The
communion with nature. In this same decade euphoria it produces is so great that people
the island was also ahead of its time in the even applaud.
Ibiza is the very place introduction of Oriental religions. The first
to find peace Buddhist centre in the whole country was Today Ibiza is a totally modern town. It has a
operational here. Currently, Ibiza is a good Contemporary Art Museum, with musical and
place in which to search for peace, through artistic events, art galleries… A prodigy has
different yoga centres that have picked up on taken place whereby that archaic strength from
that inheritance of an island with an intense the past has been capitalized on, creating a
spiritual side to it. modern value. A passport to the future.
Ibiza’s latest discovery is the “sunset
culture”. Every evening, crowds of people
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10. Cala de Sant Vicent
Mythical An island with as much personality as Ibiza
simply had to have mythical beaches. The
settings for thousands of reports, films
stretches of sand, Platja des Cavallet to the
east and Platja de ses Salines to the west.
beaches
posters, record sleeves. Because they Both are within the area of Ses Salines,
represent an important part of its magic. which one has to cross to get to them. For
years now they have been fashionable
The dimensions of the island of Ibiza - 572 beaches and they alone symbolize that image
square kilometres - means all the beaches are of the Ibiza of an intense sun, transparent
within easy reach. The closest ones to Vila, as waters, beautiful people and yachts
the capital is known on the island, are anchoring in the background.
Talamanca, Figueretes and Platja d'en Bossa.
Family beaches, with services and close to
bars, restaurants and hotels.
Heading south, the island ends in two large
10
11. sun and beach
Beaches of Comte
You cannot visit Ibiza without stopping off at Ibizan beaches. Part rock and part sand, with
Cala d'Hort, on the south-western coast. This green waters, a small kiosk and a mixed bag of
is where one can comprehend the mystery people, a tranquil, carefree atmosphere. In the
and the magnetic force of the island. By background, the islet of Illa des Bosc and the
merely contemplating the gigantic silhouette odd boat heading towards Denia.
of the islet of Es Vedrà, like a Sinai emerging
from the sea, one feels the call of the island Sant Antoni de Portmany represents the town
forever. The beach, with several restaurants of the west. It occupies the island’s best natural
and the omnipresent silhouette of the marine bay, called “Portus Magnus” or “Big Port” in
mountain, looks like the setting for an Roman times as a result. The whole area is full
adventure novel. of spectacular beaches. Around Sant Antoni
there are several very pleasant coves for
In the municipality of Sant Josep de sa Talaia, bathing, which are also extremely easy to
the Platges de Comte are the paradigm of reach, such as Caló del Moro or Cala Gració.
11
12. Cala Saladeta
Continuing northwards, a few kilometres The next beaches can be found in the north of
from Sant Antoni there is some spectacular the island. At Port de Sant Miquel, an
scenery. The cliffs of Punta Galera, with enclosed refuge in the middle of the island’s
stone platforms and terraces, look like they northern coast, and above all at the famous
were designed exclusively for bathing. beach of Benirràs. An essential, picturesque
Although we are not so far from the hotels landscape, centred by the imposing island of
and tourist zones, the sensation one gets here Cavall Bernat which looks like the column of
is of a totally Robinson Crusoe-like scene. A an invisible temple.
little further on, Cala Salada and Cala
Saladeta make up a small bay with In the municipality of Sant Joan de Labritja,
transparent waters, lined with sand and a Cala Xarraca and Cala Portinatx are quiet,
row of boathouses. medium-sized, family beaches. And in the
same municipal district lies the beautiful
Cala Xuclar. From Sant Joan one has to go to
Cala de Sant Vicent to find another broad
beach, facing east.
12
13. tranquillity
Tagomago island
The beaches in the east of Ibiza are open, crannies. For example, the abandoned
with the islet of Tagomago in the background. quarries of Sa Pedrera, near Cala d'Hort,
In the municipality of Santa Eulària del Riu which the hippies called "Atlantis", where
we can find the beaches of Es Figueral and there are still inscriptions and rudimentary
Aigües Blanques, whose name, meaning sculptures, as though here you really were in
“white waters”, says it all. Santa Eulària has a a continent lost to the rest of the world.
good stretch of sand in the town itself. And a
Watch the contrast between little further south lies the enclosed Cala In Ibiza, bathing has elements of an ancient
the green of the pines Llonga, at the back of a small inlet. ritual, a recovery of the senses.
and the blue of the sea
The beaches of Ibiza stand out above all for
the great contrast between the green of the
pine trees and the blue of the sea. Not in vain
did the Greeks call Ibiza and Formentera
"Pitiusas", or "islands of the pines". They are
accessible beaches, full of charm. But we can
also opt for the more rugged, secret nooks and
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14. Bicycle touring Pla de Corona
Salt marshes and The first thing to strike visitors is the fact that
Ibiza is an undulating island. There is no one
elevation that stands out above the rest. The
posidonia: natural jewels
highest point is Sa Talaia de Sant Josep, with
an altitude of 475 metres. This means the
whole geography of the island is harmonious,
and in proportion.
Valleys and gullies form between the hills, with
fields that sometimes have reddish hues. Land
ownership in Ibiza is based on small farms. So a
kind of mosaic is repeated to infinity, made up of
the houses with their simple shapes, the so-
called "casaments", surrounded by fields of
crops, almond trees, carob trees, pastureland
with sheep, springs. It looks like an idyllic world
anchored in antiquity.
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15. landscape
Ses Salines Posidonia meadows
The villages did not appear until the 18th Alongside that more humanized landscape, One of the most interesting natural areas of
century. Formerly, only the church, the Ibiza also has large tracts of still-unspoilt Ibiza is without doubt Ses Salines. This is a
shop/bar and a few houses occupied the territory. The Es Amunts area, in the north, system of wetlands that occupies a large part
core of each municipality. The population conserves all its natural wealth. The same as of the island’s southern vertex. Its total
was dispersed, and only gathered for the mountainous parts that surround the surface area, protected as a Natural Park since
religious services and fiestas. One curious salt marshes. Therefore Ibiza is a perfect 2001, amounts to 400 hectares. Aside from the
custom are the dances and “sonades" or island for sports such as hiking, bicycle scenic element, fauna is also extremely
music sessions by the wells - for centuries touring or mountain bike routes. There are important. These pools are a compulsory
the most frequent place through which a numerous rural tracks that enable one to stopover on the migratory routes of many
very isolated population passed. Although discover this eternal island, with its birds. Around 200 species have been counted,
everything changed after tourism arrived, dazzling scenery, that seems to live outside the most spectacular of which is without
that early character of a dispersed of the passage of time. doubt the flamingo. It is quite a spectacle to
population is still perceptible. watch them in the lagoons, with their long
legs and bright colours, reflected by the
hundred in the mirror of the waters.
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16.
17. sunset The area of Ses Salines takes on a very Posidonia is extremely important for several
special quality in the evening, when the reasons. Its dense forests are inhabited by
range of colours in the sky is reflected in the numerous animal species which ensure the
marshes, acquiring extremely beautiful blue biodiversity of the marine medium. They are
and nearly pastel tones. Another picturesque their habitat, hiding place and foraging
image is the tiny church of Sant Francesc de ground. Which is why they are authentic
s'Estany, surrounded by the expanses of water reserves of life. At the same time, its roots
at its back. become fixed in the ground and prevent the
The sea water enters by a duct located in the sand from being swept away during storms.
nearby pebbly beach of Platja des Codolar. The mythical clarity of these waters is due
From here it passes first to the evaporation largely to their posidonia meadows.
pools, after which it is channelled to the
crystallization pools, near Platja des Cavallet. The posidonia leaves make up those dark-
In some of them, the product acquires coloured masses that sometimes cover the
pinkish hues. As a result the defence tower beaches. The fruits look something like an
located nearby is called "de la sal rossa", or olive, and the filaments of the roots roll over
“pink salt” tower. and over in the waves and form a kind of
“ball” that is commonly found on the sand.
The mythical regatta of Ruta de la Sal
reminds one of the importance of Ibiza’s salt The posidonia meadows on the sea beds of
marshes. It evokes the voyage of several boats Ibiza, above all in the south-eastern area,
from Barcelona to Ibiza to obtain salt. The form part of the nature reserve of Ses Salines
year was 1846 and the capital of Catalonia d'Eivissa i Formentera, and have been
was under siege by the Carlists. An declared World Heritage.
entrepreneur offered to reward the first
person to bring back the highly-prized “white
gold” from the island. This explains why the
regatta ends in Ibiza.
Another fundamental episode of the nature of
the ‘Pitiusa’ islands is posidonia. This plant
forms thick meadows on the sea bed. They
are distinguished as dark, nearly black
patches in the midst of the blue extension of
the sea. Posidonia is a complete plant, not an
algae. This means it has roots and leaves and
even flowers.
Ses Salines
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18. Es Portitxol
Ibiza from the sea: The sea forms part of the experience of Ibiza –
for everyone, from the navigators of antiquity
landscapes of the imagination
to the numerous sports yacht owners who
choose its waters every summer. The island
has yacht clubs in Ibiza, Sant Antoni de
Portmany and Santa Eulària des Riu. Around
the nautical activity an extensive range of
complementary services has grown up –
diving, sailing schools, vessel hire, canoeing...
The island has 210 km. of coastline and a mild
climate all year long. It is an ideal place for
sailing and a venue for events such as the
Diving Week or Kayak Meetings.
Sailing around Ibiza involves enjoying truly
unique places. Nearly all sailors, for example,
set off on the route to Formentera.
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19. tradition
Puig de Missa in Santa Eulària
The south coast offers majestic scenery such Margalides islands appear with Cap d'Albarca fighting and resistance. And from here, the
as Es Vedrà. No vision can be more magical in the background. An imposing, rugged approach to Ibiza is another fantastic vision.
than that of sailing around the islet by boat, promontory, reminiscent of a terrae finis. The town rises up, enveloped over itself,
contemplating its deserted geography, baring its walls to the sea as though it were
trodden by wild goats alone. And the islets of And the character of the coast of Es Amunts showing its toughest face to frighten off
the bay of Portmany are also the destination remains so until reaching the Port of Sant enemies. Whilst on the port side, it opens up
of many sailors, who can then enjoy the Miquel. Two lighthouses guard the stretch of with hundreds of houses, windows,
spectacle of the sunset from the bay. coast between Portinatx and Cala de Sant welcoming faces. Entering the port of Ibiza
Vicent, the second unused for years now. from the sea is highly theatrical. It gives one a
The northern region of the island, known as kind of secret tranquillity. As though you
Es Amunts, is only accessible by land in This brings us to the east coast of Ibiza, were returning home at last.
certain places. Which is why contemplating it marked by the islet of Tagomago. The coast
from the sea is like discovering an unknown here is pleasant, with inlets, hills, inhabited No wonder Ibiza fascinates from the sea,
territory. From the humpbacked Cap Nunó, towns. From the sea one can understand the too. Its landscapes look like an invention of
lying in the north of the bay of Portmany, one character of Puig de Missa of Santa Eulària. the imagination.
travels through a stretch of woodland, cliffs A church crowning a hilltop, strong, white,
and just a few isolated houses. The like a castle. It tells of fear and troubles. Of
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20. Conference centre
Ibiza, With all this to offer, the range of options for
tourists in Ibiza is varied indeed. From
sailing, hiking and beaches to history and
meeting point
culture. But Ibiza is also an emerging venue
for congresses, meetings and business
gatherings. Recently the first phase of the
Ibiza Conference Centre was inaugurated.
This auditorium for over 400 people is
located in Santa Eulària del Riu. Its structure
is a reflection of the traditional architecture
of the island, and it stands beside the sea.
Another contribution to this range of small
conventions and incentive trips is the constant
modernization of the island’s hotels. New five-
star establishments have opened their doors,
whilst the existing hotels have adapted to
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21. meetings
Shopping Flaó Ibiza Golf
these new uses. The island of Ibiza, with its only one in the Balearics with a single 27-
strong personality, offers a “different” scenery hole route, comprised of an old course and a
for these events. more recently-constructed one.
Moreover, the Recinto Ferial, or trade fair park, In this way Ibiza serves as a bridge between
located in the town of Ibiza itself, is a huge the wealth of the past, natural and
open-plan building with a surface area of 3,400 monumental heritage, and the possibilities of
m2, equipped with modern lighting and sound the future. By being a meeting place, a place
systems. It is especially designed to house over of leisure, of knowledge, of contact with the
1,600 people, for holding all kinds of events, scenery. A centre of relaxation and even of
trade fairs, congresses, exhibitions and other self-knowledge.
socio-economic and cultural displays, as well
as concerts and festivals. An island capable of bewitching us all.
Another sector that is gaining strength with
every day that passes is golf. The Ibiza Golf
Club lies a short distance from the town, in a
small valley with very Ibizan profiles. It is the
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22. HOSPITAL
NATURAL AREA
CASTLE
INFORMATION
MUSEUM
CHAPEL AND SANCTUARY
LIGHTHOUSE
DEFENCE TOWER
CAVES
GOLF COURSE
AIRPORT
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
NAUTICAL ACTIVITIES
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