Experience Ibiza Island

What brings visitors to Ibiza?

First and foremost, people come to Ibiza (one of Spain's Balearic Islands) for fun in the sun. This could mean participating in water sports at one of the island's many beaches, getting some Vitamin D on the sand, or partying at one of the beach clubs that combine beachy amenities like cabanas with top-tier electronic music. Speaking of electronic music, that's another reason why people go to Ibiza, for the DJs and parties. Electronic and house music are king here, and the world's top nightclub DJs routinely perform in residence at various nightclubs around the island. Pacha is the oldest modern nightclub in Ibiza, but Ushuaia, Eden, and others are going strong alongside Ibiza's first superclub. Before the rise of the superclub, Ibiza was a popular hippie destination, and was a pioneering locale in hippie culture, alongside the island of Formentera which sits directly to Ibiza's south. To this day many hippie markets still exist in Ibiza, with the largest located at Punta Arabí. Finally, we cannot ignore Ibiza's long history, dating back to the Carthaginians, which is on display at such important landmarks as the necropolis Puig des Molins, or the hillside Castell d`Eivissa (Castle of Ibiza).

What are the outdoor activities to do in Ibiza?

Ibiza is known for many sports and activities. Snorkeling and scuba diving are perhaps the two most popular water sports, considering the waters of the Mediterranean are warm for most of the year. If you want to learn how to scuba dive while you are in Ibiza, the Active Dive school teaches people to become SCUBA certified. (www.active-dive.com) For those who love surfing, the best places for that on the island are at Platja d`en Bossa in Ibiza Town, the Platjas de Comte in Sant Antoni de Portmany, and Cala Martina in Santa Eulària des Riu. Sailing is also an option for those who want to be out on the water, and you can find places to rent equipment at Platja d`en Bossa, nearby Ses Salines, and in Sant Antoni de Portmany.

For those who like walking and exploring, an activity that we recommend for all ages is visiting the underground Cuevas de Can Marça, open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the summer and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter. The Cuevas de Can Marça are located west of Portinatx on the northern part of the island.

If you want to play golf, Ibiza is home to the Club de Golf Ibiza, a 27-hole course located in Santa Eulària des Riu. Tennis lovers can play at the top-rated Amàre Beach Hotel Ibiza (in Sant Antoni de Portmany), Club de Campo (near Ses Salines), or Club Can Jordi (behind the Estadi Can Misses in Ibiza Town's Eixample).

What are the beaches like in Ibiza?

The beaches in Ibiza are some of the most famous in the world. Ibiza`s coastline is made up mostly of small calas (coves) with only a few long beaches such as Ses Salines, Es Cavallet or Platja d`en Bossa. You will find varying types of beaches in Ibiza from fine sand to pebbles or rock like the mythic Punta Galera. Some beaches are developed for tourism where as other are completely virgin and wild. Most Ibiza beaches are perfect for snorkeling where the Mediterranean marine life is easily observed through goggles. Another great features of many beaches in Ibiza are the `chiringuitos` or beach bars, where you can buy cool drink or eat `bocadillos` which are perfect for a lunch time snack. These chiringuitos will often play chilled music which is great while lying and enjoying the sun.

After the party (and before), you need to know where to go and chill out during the day; remember to bring your sunglasses, although nowadays they`re more `de rigueur` on the club terrace at sunrise, than on the beach at midday. Ibiza has some truly beautiful beaches and they are also among the cleanest in the Mediterranean, with the Balearics usually picking up prestigious Blue Flags from the EU Commission for the Environment.

Tips for enjoying the beaches in Ibiza:

- The sun is at its hottest at 2 p.m. and for many a good time to find some shade or eat lunch.
- If you see that no one is swimming when you arrive to a beach, ask if there are jellyfish (Medusas in Spanish) as over the past few years there has been a lot, especially in smaller coves where they get trapped. The jellyfish or `medusas` wield a nasty sting which you will remember for a few days.
- If you are not already a bronzed god like creature, take sunscreen and put it on. This will avoid people mistaking you for a lobster when returning from a day at the beach.
- If you do explore the island and find a secluded corner of the island, you`ll probably find that there is nowhere to leave your rubbish, so please take it away with you.

What are the nightlife offerings in Ibiza?

If you are coming to Ibiza, you already have some sort of idea about the nightlife scene, namely that it is very popular and vibrant. Let us tell you more:

Ibiza`s nightlife is one of the most exciting and diverse in Europe. Every summer Ibiza is mobbed by the young and beautiful international party-set, all searching for the ultimate in hedonistic fun-in-the-sun. The innovative music scene in Ibiza has been so influential that its trademark genre of chilled-out dance music has come to be known as `Balearic House`, and the place has made superstars out of previously anonymous DJs who have now been catapulted to celebrity status.

What began as small bars and underground clubs have spawned whole empires with international club nights such as Manumission and Pacha now global brand names. These superclubs get bigger and better every year as they viciously compete for the best international DJ`s and the most clientele. The clubbing scene in Ibiza is now a huge business – some of the venues are among the largest, most flamboyantly impressive clubs in the world and every summer they attract top celebs and the best DJ`s on the planet. Massive multinational super clubs such as Pacha and Ushuaia rule the roost, but there are plenty of smaller venues, which play more experimental music to a varied but consistently energetic and enthusiastic crowd.

Bars

After a meal, one of the most common places to start the ball rolling is in one of Ibiza`s many bars. You will come across more than you can count while strolling through the Port of Ibiza Town in the summer months. From the gay corners of Dome (Carrer d'Alfons XII, Ibiza Town) down to the famous Rock Bar (Carrer de Cipriano Garijo 14, Ibiza Town) or in local hang-outs like Paradise Lost (Carrer del Passadis 14, Ibiza Town), there is something for everyone.

The Ibiza Port is the venue where all the major clubs parade and promote their night`s parties. Most of the nights you`ll see the club`s dancers along with some very "interesting characters".

San Antonio comes with a reputation that proceeds but it also has many great places to start out your night. To watch the sunset at Kumharas (Carrer de Lugo 2, Sant Josep de sa Talaia) is probably a less commercial option to its Cafe del Mar and Mambo counterparts and probably will prove more memorable. Kumharas also has a nightly market, restaurant and performance shows combined with local and international DJs.

Nightclubs/"Superclubs"

Ibiza`s clubbing scene is home to such legendary clubs as Pacha, Octan, Ushuaia, Hi Ibiza, and Lolas in the Town, and Amnesia, Eden, DC10, Privilege, and more venues scattered across the island. With the era of the superclub, sometimes the real spirit of partying has been lost to overcrowded dance floors and hefty door prices. If you don`t follow the crowd you can find some more alternative venues which in some cases will outperform the bigger venues with their music and energy.

Another definite place to check is Bambuddha Grove (Carretera de, C. de Sant Joan, Km 8.5, Santa Eulària des Riu) which is a favorite for visitors and locals alike with an excellent restaurant and music late into the night. More central is The Underground which often has excellent music and crowds from all over the world.

Keeper Pub Ibiza (Passeig Joan Carles I) won`t go without a mention either as its close proximity to Pacha and being on the way from the port is a great place for Pacha pre-drinks. There is always a special blend of locals with the tourist crowd in summer where you can dance to music from a selection of some of the best DJs in Ibiza.

What can I do with kids in Ibiza?

With all you've read about partying and nightlife, you might assume Ibiza is not a good place to take your children. That couldn't be farther from the truth.

Now, granted, not every area of the island is geared toward children, but many are. The most popular areas for families to vacation in Ibiza are along the eastern coast, from Santa Eulària des Riu up to Cala Llenya, and on the northern coast, in the towns of Portinatx and Port de Sant Miquel. The Cuevas de Can Marça, previously mentioned as a fun activity for children, is located right outside Port de Sant Miquel, which is just a short drive from Portinatx. There are two water parks on the island, one of which is geared toward children. That one is called Aqualandia and it is located adjacent to Platja de Talamanca just east of Ibiza Town's Dalt Vila. This is another great option for parents who want to take their kids out for a day of fun. The water park perhaps could be combined with a walking tour of Dalt Vila and the formidable Castell d`Eivissa (Castle of Ibiza).

What are some of the alternative attractions to enjoy such as museums, theaters, etc.?

Ibiza Town is home to the largest collection of museums on the island. For art, we recommend visiting the Museu d'Art Contemporani d'Eivissa, which is located just inside Dalt Vila, turning right as you enter through the Portal de Ses Taules. Dalt Vila was the original walled city of Ibiza, protected by the hilltop Castell d`Eivissa (Castle of Ibiza). Also in Dalt Vila, you can find the UNESCO World Heritage Site Puig des Molins, an open-air archaeological site that was once a Punic burial ground. There is an adjoining museum as well, that is paired in research with the nearby Museu Arqueologic d`Eivissa i Formentera. This museum tells the history of Ibiza and nearby Formentera island through artifacts that date from tens of thousands of years ago through the time of the Castilian conquest in 1235 CE. Next door to the archaeological museum, you will find the Centre d`interpretacio Madina Yabisa, which focuses on archaeological finds relating to the Moorish era of Ibiza (902-1235 CE).

Ibiza's theatres and performing arts centers are the Espai Cultural Can Ventosa, located between Carrer de Carles III and Carrer de Felip II near Ibiza Town's harbor, and the Centre Cultural de Jesús, located a couple of miles north of Talamanca. Both put on various plays, musicals, and orchestral performances throughout the year. Ibiza is also home to a casino, the Casino de Ibiza located inside the Ibiza Gran Hotel near the Ibiza Town harbor. It is open daily from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.

What is the culture and lifestyle (traditions, festivals) like in Ibiza?

The culture of Ibiza is very easygoing. In addition to being a popular party destination, it was one of the pioneering locales in the 1960s and 1970s "hippie culture", and 50 years later, that alternative spirit still thrives on this beautiful Balearic island. In the Balearic Islands, people speak Catalan as a first language over Castilian Spanish, although nearly everyone on the island is fluent in Spanish as well.

As is the case for mainland Spain, Ibiza is majority Catholic, and many fiestas are held in the towns and cities to celebrate their various patron saints. The fiesta day for Ibiza Town is held on August 5, while in Sant Antoni de Portmany it is held on January 17 and in Santa Eulària des Riu it is on February 12. Expect hotel rates to be a little higher around those dates in those cities and towns, as the celebrations are anticipated not just by locals but also by tourists. Also tying into Catholicism is the Carnival season, which ramps up in February across the island in the lead-up to Lent.

Other popular cultural events include the Fiestas de San Bartolomé in Sant Antoni (August 24), with live fireworks shows; the day of St. Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen (July 16); and Ibiza Town's Medieval Festival (second weekend in May).