Tours

Dalt Villa—The Walled City

One of the most interesting routes you can take on Ibiza is, without a doubt, the one that leads to the Catedral, in the heart of the walled city, and which takes in a whole host of attractions, recently declared a Unesco Heritage Site. We'll start our stroll at the Portal de ses Taules, located right across from the Mercado Viejo (Old Market), in the Marina quarter; it's easy to find, right in the Port of Ibiza.

Walk down the hill that takes you into the walled area. The entrance looks like a Medieval castle doorway, flanked by two decapitated Roman centurion statues (don't contemplate for too long; they're replicas. The originals are in the Museo Arqueológico, which we'll come to later). Once inside, you'll be in the Plaza de la Constitución, which has several cafes and restaurants. We'll continue on our walk, taking the stone path off to the left. A few meters on, if you look to the left, you'll see the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (Contemporary Art Museum), which houses a selection of art made on the island over the last 30 years. It has some really great works, so you really shouldn't miss it.

We'll carry on, walking up towards the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), which you can see about 200 meters ahead. Beside this building, (which has been used as a convent, a school and a prison) you can take advantage of one of the best lookout points on the island, which affords an amazing panoramic view of the port and the city. Take the road that goes off to the left of the Consistorio and walk up the steep hill, leaving behind the odd Colegio de Arquitectos (Architectural School) on the left and the old seminary on the right. When you get to the end of the road, you'll see a white building with recessed windows just ahead of you. Of course you can't see in, it's the enclosed Convent of the Santo Domingo, where the nuns still live.

Continue on the road that goes off to the right, which is even steeper than the previous ones. Don't worry, though; you're almost there. Just a few more minutes until you reach the Plaza de la Catedral, where this amazing Romanesque and Gothic building stands. Some of the island's best sacred art can be found inside. The square holds other places of interest as well, such as the Museo Arqueológico (Archaeology Museum), which houses the remains of the many civilizations that have lived on Ibiza. Across from the museum is a charming little palace, which is permanently closed; this is the house of the Bishop, the highest Christian authority on the island. You must also spend a few minutes at the lookout point here, one of the city's highest points. Nothing could be better to round off your tour than to have a quick rest and a refreshment in the cafe by the Catedral.

Ibiza Towns

Ibiza is made up of five municipalities, which have important differences between them. Visiting the island without straying from the capital would be a huge mistake, so we'll offer you here a few clues about picturesque places to visit.

We'll start off in San Jose, and to get there you'll have to get off the road that goes to the airport at the roundabout where McDonald's is. This is about 20 km, but should take only half an hour from the capital. Here you can see the iglesia (church), built in the purest of "ibicenco" (Ibizan) styles, with thick white walls surrounded by the vía crucis (way of the cross), which is the path that saints are taken on during Patron Saint holidays. The center of San Jose is tiny, given that most inhabitants have moved out to the country, seduced by the natural beauty of the island.

San Antonio is 15 km from San Jose and is Ibiza's most touristy town. To get here, take the road that leaves San Jose's main street and head towards Cala de Bou; don't worry, it's very well signposted. You'll know you've reached San Antonio when you get to a roundabout with a big boat on top of it; it's not modern art, but rather a controversial homage to Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus). Some historians maintain he was born here. On the boardwalk, which is adorned with several fountains, there are endless opportunities for an exciting evening out, too.

To get to Santa Eulalia take the road that goes from Ibiza to San Juan, which starts at the roundabout where the Puerto Deportivo Ibiza Nueva (Marina) is, close to the famous club Pachá. In about 20 minutes you'll get to the bridge that crosses over the Santa Eulalia river, the only river in the Baleares although since the start of the 20th Century the water has almost entirely disappeared from its course. Aside from the Paseo Marítimo (boardwalk), the best thing to see are the tiny nearby towns such as San Carlos and Santa Gertrudis, which seem like vestiges from the past, conserving traditions and a more simple, old-fashioned way of life.

Finally, San Juan, the island's smallest town, is one that has yet to succumb to the pressures of tourism. Most of Ibiza's forest lands are here, and the beaches, some of which are really hidden away, are surely the cleanest you will find. The center is very small and only the iglesia (church) and the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) remind you that this is, indeed, the capital of one municipality.