Fun things to do in Ibiza

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This Necropolis (city of the dead in greek) was located just 5’ away from our hotel so we visited the site one morning.

It houses 3000 (!) underground tombs that go back to 7th century BC when the Carthaginians came to Ibiza island and built a small settlement.

Unfortunately it was closed to visitors during our visit, we could only take pictures from the street level (pic 1). There’s also a museum (pic 2) next to the site that houses several items that were found in the tombs (old figurines etc) but it was also closed :(

According to a sign on the door there’s no entrance fee and it’s open Tuesday to Sunday 10.00-14.00, 18.00-20.00

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Although we spend of our time in Ibiza Town walking around the Old Town one evening we decided to walk a bit into the modern part of the city. Pic 1 is taken up from D’alt Vila and you can see how the modern city spreads from the other side of the port.

Most visitors will bother to walk there as most sites, attractions and clubs are located in the Old Town and the marina area. Some others do walk in new town only if they need to catch a bus from the central bus station which located near Parque de la Pau.

It’s a nice small park where families take their children because there is a small playground (pic 2). We also checked the fountain (pic 3-4) and the walked away.

Just 2 blocks away is Iglesia de Santa Creu (pic 5) but it was closed. It was time to check some stores before we return back to Old Town.

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This was the last site we visited before we exit the Old Town. A beautiful baroque church that was built in 1592 (but construction continued until the end of 17th century).

It is the only building that remains from a former monastery (Santo Domingo monastery). It has a single 31 meters long nave and 5 chapels on each side. We noticed many nice frescoes but I’ve read that most of the original frescoes were destroyed after several fires through out history.

We took some extra pictures of the chapels and we were ready to return back to the city life. According to a sign on the front wall the church houses since 1928 the Parroquia de San Pedro Apostol.

Highily on my visit list because I knew it is just opposite the cathedral I got disappointed when I saw that Museu Arqueològic d'Eivissa i Formentera was closed during our visit because the building was under renovation. The museum is housed at the buildings of the Old University and the Ancient Salvador chapel.

According to my guide book it houses items/remains from Ibiza and Formentera islands that date from the ancient era (Phoenicians, romans etc) and goes through the next centuries until the catalan conquest in 13th century after the arab era.

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It’s a religious museum located inside the cathedral.

The entrance fee is 1euro so I gave it a try, obviously if you’re not into this theme you may skip it unless you are interested to see items that are related with churches in Ibiza and Formentera.
The museum opened in 2006 (although there was a smaller one since 1964) with many paintings, sculptures, gravestones, jewelry and other items. I checked the rooms in fast way I can say, I took some pictures but I got bored and left.

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Santa Maria d’Eivissa catedral was the only place of Dalt Vila that was busy in the morning, an organized group of 40 people were there with their cameras on and made so much noise like they were teenagers! We waited for some minutes until they got into Diocesa museum and then we enjoyed the cathedral. Although it is under renovation we enjoyed looking at several statues and the altar. The cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria la Mayor.

It was built in 14th century when the Catalonian troops made a promise that if they were managed to conquer the island they will build a church. It was built on the site of an old mosque with different architectural styles used on it, from early gothic catalan style to baroque addition during 18th century. It is located on the top of the hill, that’s why you can see it from many parts of Ibiza town.
It’s open daily (except Sundays) 10.00-14.00, 16.00-19.00

There’s no entrance fee

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If you think Ibiza is just nightclubs and beaches you should visit Dalt Vila (upper town ).

It is the old walled town located on the hill over the port. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1999 and we spend there some hours one morning. There are 3 different Gates to get inside, the main gate is Portal de ses Taules that was built in 16th century when the walls were added too by King Felipe II. But the Romans were the first the built the fortress many centuries before.

We had a nice map that we took from the local Info Center so we didn’t get lost among the maze of small alleys. Once inside we saw Placa de la Vila where many stores and restaurants are located. You can just stop here or can go up to Sant Bernat Bastion and enjoy the view over the sea, I also loved the gun turrets, some of them seemed that are ready to shoot all the sinners of the town :) Check also Museu d’Art Contemporani, the Archeological museum (closed during our visit), the cathedral and Dioceca museum), San Domingo church etc But most of all just walk around and enjoy the Old Town, there are some nice old houses, don’t forget people still live here among all these quaint narrow streets, life hasn’t change much here except the expensive boutiques of course.

Most of the area was quiet early in the morning but our second visit in the evening was different, we walked a bit in the alleys (they are lit) and noticed that most of the café, bars and restaurants were packed with people.

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San Telmo church(iglesia Sant Elm ) is a church that we passed by many times through out the day going to Old Town but we never managed to get inside! It’s a pity because it’s supposed to be open most of the day.

The church was built in 15th century as a chapel for the sailors community. Otoman invasion brought decadence because the turks sucked everything at the end of 16th century while many centuries later it was destroyed during the Spanish civil war (1936-39). It was rebuilt in 1947, it is has a central nave with 4 side chapels but as I said I only have pictures of the exterior as I couldnt check the interior too.