Ibiza Travel Guide
Interesting Ibiza travel guide for the island in the Spanish Balearics.
Spanish Travel Guides - Ibiza Balearic Islands
Ibiza Travel Guide - Mention Ibiza to most people and they immediately think of discos, night-clubs, wild parties and late night boozing, but get away from the main resorts and you will find a delightful island which has maintained much of its traditional rural charm and comprises mostly a patchwork of almond, fig and olive groves, green, sheep grazed fields and pine clad hillsides, plus in the south a huge area of salt lakes, Ibiza travel can be a wonderful experience.
Known to the Greeks as Pitiusas (“Pine Islands”), Ibiza along with Formentera and a number of outlying islets were visited and settled by various early civilizations including Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors, the capital Ibiza Town (Eivissa) was founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC and named Ibossim after the Phoenician goddess Bes, Ibiza Town still has some very old remains and became a World Heritage site in 1999. Culture hounds could do little better than to start their visit in this ancient town.
Following the decline of Phoenicia, Ibiza came under the control of Carthage and became a major trading post along the Mediterranean shipping routes, important products at the time were salt, wool, dye and fish sauce (garum).
In 209 BC during the 2nd Punic War (218-201 BC) between Carthage and Rome, Ibiza was attacked by the Roman Scipio brothers, but the island stayed loyal to Carthage and was finally used by the Carthaginian General Mago as he fled from the invading Romans. After the defeat of the Carthaginians, Ibiza negotiated a deal with the Romans to prevent the destruction of the island’s settlements, it was incorporated into the Empire as a quiet imperial outpost. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Ibiza briefly came under the control of first Vandals and then Byzantines before finally succumbing to the Moors, under whose rule it was allied with the port of Denia on the mainland, both of which were administered by the same Taifa.
Ibiza eventually came back under Christian control in 1235, when reclaimed by the forces of Jaime I of Aragon, since then, in several forms, it has had its own self-government, though in 1715 Phillip V abolished the local government’s autonomy, modern day Ibiza is part of the Balearic Autonomous Community, together with Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera.
Ibiza experienced a different type of invasion during the 1960’s when it became a haven for thousands of hippies, attracted by the fine beaches, the friendly people, the terrific climate and the unhurried lifestyle. Travel companies soon saw the potential and the island grew as a holiday destination. Most of the hippies are now gone although there are still several communities on the island such as the one near Balàfia. A legacy of the hippie culture is the famous “hippy market” at Punta Arabi, Es Cana, near to Santa Eulalia in the south-east, there is another one at San Carlos in the north-east of the island.
Apart from Ibiza Town, the island has a number of interesting towns and villages that are worth a visit and these include the second largest town San Antonio, known by the Romans as Portus Magnus and situated on a fine natural harbour, Sant Jordi de Ses Salines with its quirky Saturday market, Sant Josép de sa Talaia, lying at the foot of Ibiza tallest mountain (Sa Talaiassa 1,558ft), and Santa Eulalia with its 16th century fortified church.
Ibiza travel for the sun-seeker - For those seeking a more traditional beach holiday, Ibiza can offer over 50 superb beaches, with some excellent ones in the popular area around Santa Eulalia in the south-east, and some more isolated ones located in picturesque coves along the pine clad west coast, plenty of beautiful spots to enjoy the wonderful Ibiza weather.
It is impossible to write about Ibiza without mentioning the vibrant nightlife scene, mostly centred around Ibiza Town and the main resorts such as San Antonio, the club scene was pioneered by such well known names as Pacha and Amnesia during the 1970’s, and attracted many top DJ’s in the 1980’s and 90’s becoming Europe’s clubbing capital, with music and dancing going on until daylight in many clubs.
Ibiza Links: Ibiza Guide - Ibiza Map - Ibiza Weather - Ibiza Travel Articles
Ibiza Property: Ibiza Apartment
Ibiza Golf: Ibiza Golf - Spanish Golf Courses
Ibiza Hotels: El Pinar Cala Llonga - Hotel Presidente Portinatx
Areas of Ibiza: Ibiza North and East - Ibiza West Coast
Ibiza Places: Cala Llonga - Es Cana - Ibiza Town - Portinatx - San Antonio - Santa Eulalia
Related: Balearic Islands - Mallorca - Menorca - Formentera - Builders
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