The capital of the island of Ibiza is Ibiza Town which is also known as Eivissa. It is a charming destination with a vibrant old quarter overlooking a busy harbour. Ibiza Town offers visitors some of the island’s best nightlife and certainly the best selection of restaurants and cafés. It tends to attract more cosmopolitan travellers than the coastal resorts and there’s quite a considerable gay scene in the town.
Sa Penya District
When visiting Ibiza Town you will first be drawn to the Sa Penya and Sa Marina districts near the port. These areas overlooking the harbour are full of smart restaurants and trendy boutiques, its unique shops making it one of the most popular shopping areas on the island. Sa Penya and La Marina are definitely where you want to be if you’re keen on doing some shopping. The New Town and Vara de Ray boulevard do boast some good shops but are quieter areas with much less on offer. You’ll find a fine selection of leather goods on offer at shops such as Heltor (c/Madrid 12) which sells bags, shoes and belts made from the finest Spanish leather. If you find yourself in the Plaza del Parque look for Natura, a store specializing in handmade gifts. The streets around Carrer d’Enmig are where you’ll find the well known ‘hippy markets’ where many stalls sell all kinds of art and craft products.
Dalt Vila Old Town
Anyone who enjoys some culture during their Ibiza holidays should climb from Sa Penya to the old walled town known as Dalt Vila. This town-within-a-town is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage City and is Ibiza Town’s oldest area. Dalt Vila is on top of a hill and after you have wandered up you’ll be confronted by a breathtaking view of the harbour. At the summit head to the Museu Arqueologic d’Eivissa i Formentera, a free museum that will give you a great deal of insight into the history of the island. Keep an eye out for the castle at the top of the hill as well as the cathedral of Santa Maria de les Neus which dates back to the 14th century. For stylish restaurants in this old quarter head for Placa de la Vila.
Ibiza Airport Car Hire
Ibiza Town Nightlife
In terms of nightlife, Ibiza Town offers a great deal of entertainment after dark and though you won’t find the extraordinarily raucous celebrations that are so common in nearby San Antonio you’ll still find plenty to keep you entertained until the early hours. The evening for most visitors starts in the Sa Penya district, around Carrer de Barcelona, where countless bars open from early evening to around 3am, when clients head off to the nightclubs. The doors of the famous El Divino Club don’t open until midnight and if you’re in Ibiza Town you shouldn’t miss the chance to party at one of the most beautiful discos around. Pacha is the original Ibiza Town nightclub which still attracts a fairly cosmopolitan clientele.
For a rowdier, big crowd scene get on the Discobus and head out to the Privilege nightclub, a club that regularly attracts 5,000 revellers. Privilege is one of the best clubs around where you can dance the night away or just explore the bars and sprawling, semi-private patios. Don’t forget your wallets though as clubbing in Ibiza Town’s hot spots does get pricey. See Ibiza Clubs for a listing of all the top venues. Besides the big name nightclubs remember to keep an eye out for the smaller, weirder clubs that dot the street. They can be just as wild and are usually much more affordable.
Ibiza Town Beaches
By day many visitors to Ibiza town head out to the nearby beaches to sleep off the previous night’s excesses. Playa de Talamanca and Figueretas are the nearest beaches which can be reached in 20 minutes on foot. Better still is the lively resort of Playa d’en Bossa which has the island’s longest beach and is a popular and lively destination in its own right. The beaches around Ses Salines are easily reached by bus and are the finest ones around.
Ibiza Town is tiny, occupying just 1km², so a popular trend these days is to stay just a bus ride away at one of the resorts on the coast. Playa d’en Bossa has become particularly popular as it allows holidaymakers to stay in a lively resort whilst offering easy access to the nightlife of Ibiza Town whenever you want it.