Ibiza is the most popular of the Balearic Islands, a recognized center of club "party" tourism. Golden youth from all over Europe come here to rest and have fun. It is here that the largest nightclub in the world is located, it is here that famous DJs perform. But if we ignore the beaches and discos, it turns out that there are ancient necropolises, medieval castles, Gothic cathedrals, museums of modern art, children's centers, and ecological trails in Ibiza - everything for a wide variety of recreation for every taste.
Top 10 attractions in Ibiza
Necropolis of Puig de Molins
An ancient necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a historical and archaeological site. The first burials here date back to the 6th century BC. NS. There were cave crypts in which carved stone sarcophagi were placed. There are Phoenician burials, and there are later Carthaginian burials. The last graves date back to the times when Ibiza became part of the Roman Empire.
Now in the open area you can see the remains of about 350 burials, but in reality there are several thousand of them. During the excavations, many items were found that were laid next to the deceased: jewelry, weapons, coins, ceramics. Nearby there is a museum with a closed exposition, where you can see them. One of the main finds, which has become a symbol of the island, is the image of the Carthaginian goddess Tanit, the goddess of war and the wife of the god Baal. In total, the museum's exposition occupies 5 rooms and is dedicated to the evolution of the funeral rite from the Phoenicians to the Romans.
Hippie market in Punta Arabi
The most distinctive, old and famous of the many markets in Ibiza, open every Wednesday during the season. This is not even so much a market as a kind of cultural center, where street musicians perform, artists sit surrounded by their paintings, while baubles are woven with you and a variety of jewelry is made from leather, beads, bones, stones and shells. In the afternoons, performances are usually held by musical groups, usually in the folk style. You can get a temporary tattoo, get a massage, have a snack in a cafe, of which there are many. There is a large playground nearby, the market itself is on a boulevard surrounded by trees, so it is not too hot here. This is the best place to buy original souvenirs and handicrafts.
Ses Salines Natural Park
The Ses Salines Nature Reserve, which is under the protection of UNESCO, occupies the southern part of Ibiza and the northern part of the neighboring island of Formentera, along it there are ecological routes with observation platforms for observing birds that nest on the coast. Here you can see 210 species of birds, and, first of all, these are large flamingos, storks and petrels.
There are bike paths, camping sites. In addition, it is in these places in Ibiza that sea salt has been mined for a long time, since Roman times. Salt ponds still operate here, in which seawater is evaporated and the resulting brine is filtered.
Here, next to the sand dunes, is one of the best beaches on the island, and on the shore you can see a preserved watchtower designed to protect the coast from enemies. Since the protected area includes not only the coast, but also the section of the seabed between the two islands, this is one of the recognized diving centers on the island: there is something to see in the coastal waters.
Cap Blanc Aquarium
The most amazing aquarium in the world because it is located in a real cave. Its size is 370 sq. meters: there are several natural pools, which are equipped so that they can contain large fish and marine animals, such as turtles. The ceilings here are low, the corridors are winding, and in general the very appearance of the room is quite cave.
Here you can see a whole collection of marine invertebrates: sponges, anemones, sea stars. But the Cap Blanc Oceanarium shows, first of all, the Mediterranean species of fish and animals - there is no exotic here. But there are many different fish, they are large, you can feed them, so this place is usually very popular with children. The pools are directly connected to the sea - at high tide the track can be flooded with sea water.
There is a fish restaurant nearby; it is part of the same complex. It offers beautiful views of the coast: the cave is located in the rock, and the restaurant is on it, higher.
Fortress of Ibiza
The oldest building on the island is the 12th century castle, which was rebuilt in the 15th century. Now it is a fortress with 12 towers and thick walls, which rises above the sea and the old city, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. A rather steep ascent leads to the fortress. A beautiful view opens up from its observation decks. Inside there is the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza, many restaurants and souvenir shops and several narrow streets that are completely medieval in appearance.
In the evening, the whole complex is very beautifully illuminated. The archaeological museum displays finds from the earliest period in the history of the island, from the 7th century BC. not only from Ibiza, but from all the Balearic Islands. In addition, in the fortress in an old building of the 15th century, there is another museum - a museum of two artists named Pouge, father and son, local natives who dedicated their work to Ibiza. The museum is free, and also holds temporary exhibitions of other contemporary artists, so it will be of interest to all art lovers.
Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of the Snow
The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of the Snow is the oldest temple in the city. It appeared in 1235, when King James I of Aragon conquered Ibiza from the Arabs - then an old mosque was adapted for Christian needs. It was consecrated in honor of the Virgin Mary of the Snow - this is a very revered image of the Virgin, there are many such churches from Rome to India.
Since then, the temple has been rebuilt several times: a new wing, a bell tower, several new chapels have been added to it, and overhauled in the 16th and 18th centuries. The rebuilding of the 18th century was carried out under the leadership of architects Jaime Espinoza and Pere Ferro, it is to them that we owe the modern look of the cathedral, which combines Gothic and Baroque elements. There is a small sacristy museum at the temple, where precious church utensils from the XIV century are collected. The passage there, in contrast to the cathedral itself, is paid.
Modern Art Museum
The museum was created in 1969, just as Ibiza was gaining popularity among tourists, and all famous European artists came here in search of inspiration. The exposition occupies an old building in the old town - this is an arsenal of the 17th century, although significantly rebuilt and reconstructed. One of the parts of his exposition is items of the Carthaginian period, which were found in the old city in the immediate vicinity of the arsenal building.
But still, the most important thing is the work of artists of the XIX-XX centuries: the impressionist Francisco Miralles, the founder of "Tachism" Michel Talle, lesser-known artists of the Balearic Islands, as well as ultra-modern creators who organize performances, exhibitions and other art events here. Regular biennials of contemporary art are held under the auspices of the museum.
Pacha nightclub
Ibiza is a city of entertainment, vibrant nightlife, dance floors and parties until the morning. Pacha is the most famous and expensive nightclub in Ibiza, it has been operating since 1973, so it is already an attraction in itself, so many famous and interesting people have visited it. At the moment, this is a club network that has spread all over the world, but being in Ibiza, of course, it is worth going to the very first one.
The club has a recognizable symbol - two cherries, but the prices in it are far from the most democratic, but world celebrities often perform on its stage. There are several dance floors with balconies, a spacious gallery with sofas where you can take a break from dancing. The club has a famous restaurant, but the club itself serves only drinks. It is open every day in summer until six in the morning, and in winter on Fridays and Saturdays.
Children's amusement park Gran Piruleto Park
Despite the fact that Ibiza, with its nudist beaches and nightclubs, is more youth-oriented, there is something to do for families with children. In the heart of Playa d'en Bossa, the most popular beach resort, there is a children's amusement park. It is unique in that it has no age restrictions, but, on the contrary, provides a separate recreation area for the youngest children under three years old, restaurants with a children's menu, and not just the usual fast food.
The park organizers say there are 3,000 attractions and entertainment facilities on their territory. It has its own mini-water park with a pool and slides, trampoline centers, traditional playgrounds, children's discos and foam parties are held, you can celebrate a birthday.
The Cova de Can Marca cave
Not the only, but the most famous cave in Ibiza, formed over 100 thousand years ago. In it you can see picturesque stalagmites, stalactites, phosphorescent underground lakes, waterfalls. At the beginning of the 20th century, smugglers hid here, and now the cave has been turned into a tourist site: it is equipped with a staircase that leads down to the grottoes, wooden walkways, ventilation and, most importantly, amazingly beautiful multi-colored lighting that emphasizes the quirkiness of its walls and corridors.
The tour takes about 40 minutes and includes a colorful light and water show at the cave waterfall. The waterfall, however, is more of a reminder of what the cave used to be like, now it is simply turned on and off by the guides. The cave itself is located high above the sea on the cliffs, and there are wonderful views from the entrance to it.
