Ibiza,experience the Mediterranean

Es Vedrà

5 Ibiza,the island that captivates

6 Unique cultural heritage

10 Mythical beaches

14 Salt marshes and posidonia: natural jewels

18 Ibiza from the sea: landscapes of the imagination

20 Ibiza: meeting point

22 Geographical map of Ibiza and tourist information

Ibiza,experience theMediterranean

heritage

5

Where could one find a land that is ancientand futuristic at the same time? A place thatsynthesizes the avant-garde, leisure, fashion,entertainment, colour and life; but at thesame times conserves secular tranquillity,immobility and nature. It may seemimpossible, but it does exist. It is Ibiza,Eivissa in the Catalan version of its name.

Ever since the 1960s, Ibiza has been in theheadlines constantly. The island marked outtendencies in the hippy years, when ad-libfashion was created along with all the imageryof magical landscapes, places with soul, partiesand a kind of paganism that was moreaesthetical than real. Ibiza represented an idealfor living. The peasant cottages, undulatinghills and essential and picturesque traditionalarchitecture, the sea, the beaches… They allsymbolized freedom, creativity.

Ibiza is an island that captivates. It has a multi-faceted, fascinating personality that you nevermanage to discover in its entirety. It can besophisticated or rural, silent or full of music. In

ancient times people believed that this regionwarded off snakes. And sailors would carry alittle bag of its earth around their necks, byway of a talisman.

In one way, this was a premonition of whattakes 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 andmembers of the jet-set. Later it would give riseto a whole musical culture, to tendencies thatincluded events held in big discotheques like"trance", "ambient house" or "chill-out". And, atthe other end of the spectrum, its naturaltreasure attracts ornithologists and ecologyenthusiasts from all over the world.

Perhaps the secret of that charm lies in thecombination of two very powerful elements.Culture, tradition, and on the other hand awealth of nature that reveals itself in all itssplendour. This explains why it was declared aWorld Heritage Site in 1999 by UNESCO, as aresult of its biological diversity, the posidoniameadows on the sea bed around the island; theremains of the Phoenician-Punic past, such asthe village of Sa Caleta and the Puig des Molinsnecropolis; and also because of the impressiveensemble of Dalt Vila, the old town with itswalls. Universal recognition of its magic.

Dalt Vila

Ibiza, theisland thatcaptivates

Ibiza is one of the most interesting islandsin the Mediterranean. Around 2,700 yearsago Punic traders from Carthageestablished themselves here. They were apractical people, great lovers of luxury,consisting of expert merchants. They choseBes as their protective deity, a goddess ofAfrican origin who represented laughterand good fortune. The “Island of Bes” stillbears her name today.

Ibiza became a production centre and acommercial enclave. It received items fromEgypt, Greece, Sicily, North Africa... And inturn, Ibizan ceramics or figurines weredistributed all over the ancient world. Thatera of thriving prosperity, which lasted until

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Uniquecultural heritage

Archaeological Museum “Sa Caleta” Phoenician village

Ibiza, which signed a treaty with the victorsafter the last Punic War, no destructionwhatsoever took place.

The Roman era has also left manyarchaeological testimonies, whereas there arebarely any traces at all of the Muslim centuries.But throughout the ages, Ibiza always had onemain source of wealth: its salt flats.

When the Christian and Islamic worldsclashed in the 16th century, Ibiza was on thefront line. This was when the spectacularwalled enclosure that is now one of its mostvaluable heritage items was erected. We cansee defences from the Renaissance era,completed over the centuries, with gateways,

the guardrooms, bastions and machicolations.The most spectacular element is the Portal deles Taules gateway, with a large coat of armsof Felipe II presiding over the olddrawbridge. Above, by way of a tutelarypresence, the Cathedral dominates the wholeof the old town.

After passing through the gateway, the towninside the walls, known as Dalt Vila,conserves its ancient atmosphere. Itslabyrinthine streets, the geography of palaces,towers and shadows. At all times the sea ispresent like a backcloth between the Muslim,Gothic and Renaissance stones.

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culture

the Roman conquest of 123 BC, left apowerful cultural stratum in its wake.

The Phoenician village of Sa Caleta was oneof the first Phoenician settlements on theisland, before the colony moved to thecurrent capital. And Puig des Molins is anarchaeological treasure. This is where thePunic traders were buried in hypogea carvedout of the rock, alongside their valuables andtheir offerings. Around 3,000 tombs havebeen found, and there may still be moreawaiting discovery. This gives us an idea ofthe wealth of that Punic-Ebusitan society.This legacy cannot be matched by anywhereelse in the Mediterranean, where the Punicworld was wiped off the map by Rome. In

BalàfiaParade ground, Dalt Vila

Modernity brought different cultural patternswith it, without losing the old ones, however.Ibiza was inevitably a site for modernarchitecture, which sometimes drewinspiration from traditional constructions.

Fashion, on the other hand, has conservedthe aroma of the hippy days. Attractive,gauzy, romantic. The ad-lib phenomenon isunimaginable anywhere but Ibiza. It is basedon the little shops in the Marina, the island’sscenery, the atmosphere of its nights, a senseof the generous, slightly reckless life.

One great treasure of Ibiza is its traditionalarchitecture, in particular the ruralchurches. They all follow the same pattern:cubic, simple shapes and defensive, too. Abell tower and a simple porch where theparishioners sought shelter from the rigoursof the age. They are authentic works of art -Santa Eulària des Riu, Sant Jordi de sesSalines, Sant Mateu d'Albarca, SantaGertrudis de Fruitera, Jesús... So white, soessential, that they remind us thatsometimes an economy of means andsimplicity are not at odds with inspirationand richness of spirit.

Ethnology is another of Ibiza’s treasures. Thepeasant world here is totally unlike the rest ofthe Balearic Islands, and indeed seems closerto North Africa. Popular attire with the rich"emprendada" of jewels worn by the women,the dances, the music. Everything isimpregnated with a profound tellurism. It is aliving legacy, which has by no means died out.The Ethnological Museum of Santa Eulària desRiu enables one to discover it in-depth.

The same is true of the island’s gastronomy,with singular products such as "borrida derajada" (made using skate), "sofrit pagès","flaó" (a cake made of curd cheese and mint),the “ensaimada”, “sobrasada” or herb liqueur.

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Ibizan jewells Church of Sant Antoni de Portmany

spirituality

As well as the hippy universe, Ibiza was apioneer of the “new age” and back-to-the-land movements. Many “neo-rurals” settledin its country cottages in the 1970s, seeking areturn to harmony, the simple life, thecommunion with nature. In this same decadethe island was also ahead of its time in theintroduction of Oriental religions. The firstBuddhist centre in the whole country wasoperational here. Currently, Ibiza is a goodplace in which to search for peace, throughdifferent yoga centres that have picked up onthat inheritance of an island with an intensespiritual side to it.

Ibiza’s latest discovery is the “sunsetculture”. Every evening, crowds of people

gather on the terraces facing west – under theinfluence of “chill out” music – or even onthe beaches. They contemplate the solar disc,red as an incandescent shield, as it dips intothe waters as though in an opera finale. Theeuphoria it produces is so great that peopleeven applaud.

Today Ibiza is a totally modern town. It has aContemporary Art Museum, with musical andartistic events, art galleries… A prodigy hastaken place whereby that archaic strength fromthe past has been capitalized on, creating amodern value. A passport to the future.

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Sunset in Benirràs

Ibiza is the very placeto find peace

An island with as much personality as Ibizasimply had to have mythical beaches. Thesettings for thousands of reports, filmsposters, record sleeves. Because theyrepresent an important part of its magic.

The dimensions of the island of Ibiza - 572square kilometres - means all the beaches arewithin easy reach. The closest ones to Vila, asthe capital is known on the island, areTalamanca, Figueretes and Platja d'en Bossa.Family beaches, with services and close tobars, restaurants and hotels.Heading south, the island ends in two large

stretches of sand, Platja des Cavallet to theeast and Platja de ses Salines to the west.

Both are within the area of Ses Salines,which one has to cross to get to them. Foryears now they have been fashionablebeaches and they alone symbolize that imageof the Ibiza of an intense sun, transparentwaters, beautiful people and yachtsanchoring in the background.

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Mythicalbeaches

Cala de Sant Vicent

sun and beach

You cannot visit Ibiza without stopping off atCala d'Hort, on the south-western coast. Thisis where one can comprehend the mysteryand the magnetic force of the island. Bymerely contemplating the gigantic silhouetteof the islet of Es Vedrà, like a Sinai emergingfrom the sea, one feels the call of the islandforever. The beach, with several restaurantsand the omnipresent silhouette of the marinemountain, looks like the setting for anadventure novel.

In the municipality of Sant Josep de sa Talaia,the Platges de Comte are the paradigm of

Ibizan beaches. Part rock and part sand, withgreen waters, a small kiosk and a mixed bag ofpeople, a tranquil, carefree atmosphere. In thebackground, the islet of Illa des Bosc and theodd boat heading towards Denia.

Sant Antoni de Portmany represents the townof the west. It occupies the island’s best naturalbay, called “Portus Magnus” or “Big Port” inRoman times as a result. The whole area is fullof spectacular beaches. Around Sant Antonithere are several very pleasant coves forbathing, which are also extremely easy toreach, such as Caló del Moro or Cala Gració.

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Beaches of Comte

Continuing northwards, a few kilometresfrom Sant Antoni there is some spectacularscenery. The cliffs of Punta Galera, withstone platforms and terraces, look like theywere designed exclusively for bathing.Although we are not so far from the hotelsand tourist zones, the sensation one gets hereis of a totally Robinson Crusoe-like scene. Alittle further on, Cala Salada and CalaSaladeta make up a small bay withtransparent waters, lined with sand and arow of boathouses.

The next beaches can be found in the north ofthe island. At Port de Sant Miquel, anenclosed refuge in the middle of the island’snorthern coast, and above all at the famousbeach of Benirràs. An essential, picturesquelandscape, centred by the imposing island ofCavall Bernat which looks like the column ofan invisible temple.

In the municipality of Sant Joan de Labritja,Cala Xarraca and Cala Portinatx are quiet,medium-sized, family beaches. And in thesame municipal district lies the beautifulCala Xuclar. From Sant Joan one has to go toCala de Sant Vicent to find another broadbeach, facing east.

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Cala Saladeta

tranquillity

The beaches in the east of Ibiza are open,with the islet of Tagomago in the background.In the municipality of Santa Eulària del Riuwe can find the beaches of Es Figueral andAigües Blanques, whose name, meaning“white waters”, says it all. Santa Eulària has agood stretch of sand in the town itself. And alittle further south lies the enclosed CalaLlonga, at the back of a small inlet.

The beaches of Ibiza stand out above all forthe great contrast between the green of thepine trees and the blue of the sea. Not in vaindid the Greeks call Ibiza and Formentera"Pitiusas", or "islands of the pines". They areaccessible beaches, full of charm. But we canalso opt for the more rugged, secret nooks and

crannies. For example, the abandonedquarries of Sa Pedrera, near Cala d'Hort,which the hippies called "Atlantis", wherethere are still inscriptions and rudimentarysculptures, as though here you really were ina continent lost to the rest of the world.

In Ibiza, bathing has elements of an ancientritual, a recovery of the senses.

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Tagomago island

Watch the contrast betweenthe green of the pinesand the blue of the sea

The first thing to strike visitors is the fact thatIbiza is an undulating island. There is no oneelevation that stands out above the rest. Thehighest point is Sa Talaia de Sant Josep, withan altitude of 475 metres. This means thewhole geography of the island is harmonious,and in proportion.

Valleys and gullies form between the hills, withfields that sometimes have reddish hues. Landownership in Ibiza is based on small farms. So akind of mosaic is repeated to infinity, made up ofthe houses with their simple shapes, the so-called "casaments", surrounded by fields ofcrops, almond trees, carob trees, pasturelandwith sheep, springs. It looks like an idyllic worldanchored in antiquity.

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Salt marshes andposidonia: natural jewels

Pla de CoronaBicycle touring

Alongside that more humanized landscape,Ibiza also has large tracts of still-unspoiltterritory. The Es Amunts area, in the north,conserves all its natural wealth. The same asthe mountainous parts that surround thesalt marshes. Therefore Ibiza is a perfectisland for sports such as hiking, bicycletouring or mountain bike routes. There arenumerous rural tracks that enable one todiscover this eternal island, with itsdazzling scenery, that seems to live outsideof the passage of time.

One of the most interesting natural areas ofIbiza is without doubt Ses Salines. This is asystem of wetlands that occupies a large partof the island’s southern vertex. Its totalsurface area, protected as a Natural Park since2001, amounts to 400 hectares. Aside from thescenic element, fauna is also extremelyimportant. These pools are a compulsorystopover on the migratory routes of manybirds. Around 200 species have been counted,the most spectacular of which is withoutdoubt the flamingo. It is quite a spectacle towatch them in the lagoons, with their longlegs and bright colours, reflected by thehundred in the mirror of the waters.

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The villages did not appear until the 18th

century. Formerly, only the church, theshop/bar and a few houses occupied thecore of each municipality. The populationwas dispersed, and only gathered forreligious services and fiestas. One curiouscustom are the dances and “sonades" ormusic sessions by the wells - for centuriesthe most frequent place through which avery isolated population passed. Althougheverything changed after tourism arrived,that early character of a dispersedpopulation is still perceptible.

landscape

Ses Salines Posidonia meadows

sunset

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The area of Ses Salines takes on a veryspecial quality in the evening, when therange of colours in the sky is reflected in themarshes, acquiring extremely beautiful blueand nearly pastel tones. Another picturesqueimage is the tiny church of Sant Francesc des'Estany, surrounded by the expanses of waterat its back.The sea water enters by a duct located in thenearby pebbly beach of Platja des Codolar.From here it passes first to the evaporationpools, after which it is channelled to thecrystallization pools, near Platja des Cavallet.In some of them, the product acquirespinkish hues. As a result the defence towerlocated nearby is called "de la sal rossa", or“pink salt” tower.

The mythical regatta of Ruta de la Salreminds one of the importance of Ibiza’s saltmarshes. It evokes the voyage of several boatsfrom Barcelona to Ibiza to obtain salt. Theyear was 1846 and the capital of Cataloniawas under siege by the Carlists. Anentrepreneur offered to reward the firstperson to bring back the highly-prized “whitegold” from the island. This explains why theregatta ends in Ibiza.

Another fundamental episode of the nature ofthe ‘Pitiusa’ islands is posidonia. This plantforms thick meadows on the sea bed. Theyare distinguished as dark, nearly blackpatches in the midst of the blue extension ofthe sea. Posidonia is a complete plant, not analgae. This means it has roots and leaves andeven flowers.

Posidonia is extremely important for severalreasons. Its dense forests are inhabited bynumerous animal species which ensure thebiodiversity of the marine medium. They aretheir habitat, hiding place and foragingground. Which is why they are authenticreserves of life. At the same time, its rootsbecome fixed in the ground and prevent thesand from being swept away during storms.The mythical clarity of these waters is duelargely to their posidonia meadows.

The posidonia leaves make up those dark-coloured masses that sometimes cover thebeaches. The fruits look something like anolive, and the filaments of the roots roll overand over in the waves and form a kind of“ball” that is commonly found on the sand.

The posidonia meadows on the sea beds ofIbiza, above all in the south-eastern area,form part of the nature reserve of Ses Salinesd'Eivissa i Formentera, and have beendeclared World Heritage.

Ses Salines

The sea forms part of the experience of Ibiza –for everyone, from the navigators of antiquityto the numerous sports yacht owners whochoose its waters every summer. The islandhas yacht clubs in Ibiza, Sant Antoni dePortmany and Santa Eulària des Riu. Aroundthe nautical activity an extensive range ofcomplementary services has grown up –diving, sailing schools, vessel hire, canoeing...The island has 210 km. of coastline and a mildclimate all year long. It is an ideal place forsailing and a venue for events such as theDiving Week or Kayak Meetings.

Sailing around Ibiza involves enjoying trulyunique places. Nearly all sailors, for example,set off on the route to Formentera.

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Ibiza from the sea:landscapes of the imagination

Es Portitxol

tradition

Margalides islands appear with Cap d'Albarcain the background. An imposing, ruggedpromontory, reminiscent of a terrae finis.

And the character of the coast of Es Amuntsremains so until reaching the Port of SantMiquel. Two lighthouses guard the stretch ofcoast between Portinatx and Cala de SantVicent, the second unused for years now.

This brings us to the east coast of Ibiza,marked by the islet of Tagomago. The coasthere is pleasant, with inlets, hills, inhabitedtowns. From the sea one can understand thecharacter of Puig de Missa of Santa Eulària.A church crowning a hilltop, strong, white,like a castle. It tells of fear and troubles. Of

fighting and resistance. And from here, theapproach to Ibiza is another fantastic vision.The town rises up, enveloped over itself,baring its walls to the sea as though it wereshowing its toughest face to frighten offenemies. Whilst on the port side, it opens upwith hundreds of houses, windows,welcoming faces. Entering the port of Ibizafrom the sea is highly theatrical. It gives one akind of secret tranquillity. As though youwere returning home at last.

No wonder Ibiza fascinates from the sea,too. Its landscapes look like an invention ofthe imagination.

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The south coast offers majestic scenery suchas Es Vedrà. No vision can be more magicalthan that of sailing around the islet by boat,contemplating its deserted geography,trodden by wild goats alone. And the islets ofthe bay of Portmany are also the destinationof many sailors, who can then enjoy thespectacle of the sunset from the bay.

The northern region of the island, known asEs Amunts, is only accessible by land incertain places. Which is why contemplating itfrom the sea is like discovering an unknownterritory. From the humpbacked Cap Nunó,lying in the north of the bay of Portmany, onetravels through a stretch of woodland, cliffsand just a few isolated houses. The

Puig de Missa in Santa Eulària

With all this to offer, the range of options fortourists in Ibiza is varied indeed. Fromsailing, hiking and beaches to history andculture. But Ibiza is also an emerging venuefor congresses, meetings and businessgatherings. Recently the first phase of theIbiza Conference Centre was inaugurated.This auditorium for over 400 people islocated in Santa Eulària del Riu. Its structureis a reflection of the traditional architectureof the island, and it stands beside the sea.

Another contribution to this range of smallconventions and incentive trips is the constantmodernization of the island’s hotels. New five-star establishments have opened their doors,whilst the existing hotels have adapted to

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Ibiza,meeting point

Conference centre

meetings

these new uses. The island of Ibiza, with itsstrong personality, offers a “different” sceneryfor these events.

Moreover, the Recinto Ferial, or trade fair park,located in the town of Ibiza itself, is a hugeopen-plan building with a surface area of 3,400m2, equipped with modern lighting and soundsystems. It is especially designed to house over1,600 people, for holding all kinds of events,trade fairs, congresses, exhibitions and othersocio-economic and cultural displays, as wellas concerts and festivals.Another sector that is gaining strength withevery day that passes is golf. The Ibiza GolfClub lies a short distance from the town, in asmall valley with very Ibizan profiles. It is the

only one in the Balearics with a single 27-hole route, comprised of an old course and amore recently-constructed one.

In this way Ibiza serves as a bridge betweenthe wealth of the past, natural andmonumental heritage, and the possibilities ofthe future. By being a meeting place, a placeof leisure, of knowledge, of contact with thescenery. A centre of relaxation and even ofself-knowledge.

An island capable of bewitching us all.

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Ibiza GolfFlaóShopping

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CASTLE

INFORMATION

MUSEUM

CHAPEL AND SANCTUARY

LIGHTHOUSE

DEFENCE TOWER

CAVES

GOLF COURSE

AIRPORT

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

HOSPITAL

NATURAL AREA

NAUTICAL ACTIVITIES

Vara de ReyPasseig Vara de Rey, 1. 07800 IbizaTel. +34 971 301 900

PortAntoni Riquer, 2. 07800 IbizaTel. +34 971 191 951

AirportTel. +34 971 809 118

La CúriaPlaça Catedral, s/n. 07800 IbizaTel. +34 971 399 232

FigueretesPasseig de les Pitiüses, s/n. 07800 Ibiza

Parc de la PauIsidor Macabich, s/n. 07800 Ibiza

Sant AntoniPasseig de ses Fonts, s/n. 07820 Sant Antoni de PortmanyTel. +34 971 343 363

Santa Eulària des RiuMarià Riquer Wallis, 4. 07840 Santa Eulària des RiuTel. +34 971 330 728

Santa Eulària des RiuPasseig de s’Alamera. 07840 Santa Eulària des Riu

Cala LlongaPlaya Cala Llonga

Es CanarPlaya Es Canar

Published by:ATB, Agència de Turisme de les Illes Balears (Balearic Tourism Agency),Conselleria de Turisme i Treball (Regional Tourism and Labour Minister), Govern de lesIlles Balears (Government of the Balearic Islands)

Coordinated by:ATB publicity department

Contributors: Fundación para la promoción turística de Ibiza

Concept, design and layout: dcp3.es

Photos:© Mateu Bennàssar, Jaume Capellà, Antonio Garrido, Manu San Félix,Klaus Siepmann, Aurelio Martinelli, Vicent Marí y Alberto Rodrigáñez, ATB photoarchive, Fundación para la Promoción Turística de Ibiza.

Cover photo: Cala Vadella

Texts:© Carlos Garrido

Printing:Gráficas Planisi

Legal deposit: PM - 0000 - 2010

Edition: September 2010

printed on Creator Star paper.

Help us to improve our next edititon of this brochure by sending your recommendationsto: publi@ibatur.caib.es. Thank you.Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera

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