Eivissa, the heart of the Balearic Island

Eivissa is a town steeped in history, witness to the many movements and invasions that have taken place in the Mediterranean over the centuries. In the year 654 the Carthaginians built the city of Ibosim, a strategic and commercial fortress, as well as an excellent natural port. They then found riches in the island's salt mines, which they began to exploit. The necropolis of Puig des Molins is well preserved from this Punic period.

After the fall of the Carthaginians in 146 BC, Ibiza became a hotbed of piracy before being invaded by the Roman Empire in 70 AD. It was later invaded by Genseric's Vandals, the Byzantines and the Emirate of Córdoba. After having been Muslim for a long time, Ibiza underwent a violent Christian reconquest by James the Conqueror in 1229, and finally came under Catalan rule. Over the centuries, it continued to be a refuge for pirates and corsairs, who undoubtedly left their mark on the city's imaginary. You can even see a monument in his honour in the middle of the port's Passeig Maritim.

If there's one thing you shouldn't do in Ibiza, it's take your car. It is very difficult to get around and park (especially in summer!). We recommend you take the bus. The ticket costs between 2 and 3.50 euros. Timetables available on Ibiza Bus.

The walled city of Dalt Vila, the historic heart of the city

The Old Town of Ibiza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see: the fortified Dalt Vila, with its mighty wall of seven bastions, is a magnificent example of Renaissance military architecture. Today, its approximately two kilometres of walls are among the best preserved in Europe. You can walk along it in less than an hour and enjoy spectacular views of the port and the island of Formentera. The walls are illuminated at dusk for a magical evening stroll.

The Catedral de Santa María La Mayor (open from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm) is the highest point in Dalt Vila and is worth a visit for its Gothic and Baroque architecture, as well as the magnificent view it offers from its outdoor plaza over the citadel and the port of Ibiza.

In Ibiza's old town there are two excellent museums: the Madina Yabisa Interpretation Centre, which, with the help of audiovisual and interactive installations, traces the history of the medieval Arab city and offers enthusiasts a real journey back in time; and the Museum of Contemporary Art, which brings together numerous contemporary works by artists linked to Ibiza in one way or another. In the basement you will have access to archaeological remains from the Phoenician period, history in the heart of modernity!

With its pretty coffee tables and colourful cushions on a stone staircase, the bohemian bar S'Escalinata is the best place to enjoy tapas and fresh fruit cocktails in Dalt Vila. The warm, sunny terrace makes you feel more like you're on holiday than ever.

The Punic necropolis:

Outside the old town, the Punic necropolis of Puig de Molins, the largest known to date, will arouse the curiosity of history lovers. This hill contains a multitude of underground burial chambers accessed through a well. The oldest burials date back to the 7th century BC, but only one of these caves is open to visitors. Objects (amulets, vessels, jewellery, etc.) from these burial chambers are on display in the nearby Puig dels Molins Monographic Museum.

The port area is a hot spot for Iberian nights. Full of lively bars and unusual shops, this picturesque fishing quarter has become the festive heart of Eivissa. The nights are long and the atmosphere is exhilarating. At the foot of the city walls, the picturesque neighbourhood of Sa Penya, popular with the LGBTQA+ community, has bars, restaurants and shops carved into the hillside, along winding streets reminiscent of an Arab medina.

Ibiza's nightclubs all have their own particularities: the emblematic Pacha (3,500 seats), the only nightclub that stays open every weekend of the year (and every day from May to October), located near the casino, next to the marina, or the Lolas Club, the only exclusively gay nightclub on the island.

Six kilometres north of Ibiza Town is the small village of Sant Rafael de Sa Creu, home to two of the world's most famous nightclubs: Amnesia (5,000 seats), famous for its "foam" nights, and Le Privilège, the largest nightclub in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records, with capacity for up to 12,000 people!

The L3 bus line leaves from Ibiza town and Sant Rafael de Sa Creu.

You'll have to pay a minimum of 40 euros for entry to the clubs, depending on the night's events. Drinks are also very expensive.

The party season is quite limited: from the end of May to the end of September. The rest of the year, Ibiza is very quiet. For a bit more peace and quiet, head to Cap d'Es Falco to watch a splendid sunset on the designer terrace of the Es Falco lounge bar restaurant, in a chill-out atmosphere to the sound of Ibiza global radio. The bar is set on a fisherman's boat. Lie back in a hammock or on a wooden deckchair with a white mattress, enjoy the view of the salt marshes and relax.

Let's go to the beach:

The beaches around Eivissa are crowded in high season. We recommend Talamanca beach, accessible on foot three kilometres from the town, a magnificent stretch of fine sand in front of translucent waters. The shallow sea is ideal for children or a quiet swim, and the beach bars are very welcoming.

Ibiza: what to eat?

In Figueretes, not far from the beach, between the Náutico Ebeso and Ibiza Playa hotels, we recommend you go for excellent tapas at Croissant Playa, run by Tina and Olivier, two Frenchmen who have been on the Spanish island for many years. For those nostalgic for good French pastries, go to the Croissant-Show in Eivissa, in the market square, near the drawbridge that marks the entrance to the citadel: the whole of Ibiza goes there 24 hours a day to taste the best croissants on the island! Also in Eivissa, try a local pastry at Pastelería Vadell, carrer d'Annibal 13, and be sure to try hierbas, the local alcohol.