A Jem of an Island! (Ibiza)

Member Name: Goldilox

Product:	Ibiza
Date:	22/05/02 (297 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots to do, Great Climate, Cheap

Disadvantages: Crowded Beaches

Ibiza is part of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and one of my favourite places to go on holiday. I’ve been many times, whether it’s a relaxing holiday with my family or a crazy two weeks with my mates. I know the Island very well and want you to know the whole side, not just what shocks you on “Ibiza Uncovered”.

Places around the Ibiza:

Playa d’en Bossa - This is my favourite part of Ibiza, mainly because I think this area has the most going on. It’s a lively place if you want it to be or you can just chill out on the long sandy beach, which also happens to be the longest on the island. This place is probably best suited for families where you all want to do something different. There are many beach bars and cafés offering a variety of scenes and the water is fairly shallow in this area so it’s fairly safe and ideal for pedalos, water sports etc… One slightly bad point about this area is that all the planes fly in over it so it can be quite noisy, but you soon block out the noise of aeroplanes. You can also eat out pretty cheaply in this area as there are a large variety of restaurants (very casual). The nightlife is good in this area too. Home to the clubs “Space”, which is next to the water park (which is also excellent) and “Bora-Bora” which is on the beach, pretty much opposite “Space”. A good place for celebrity spotting and is generally best on a Tuesday or Sunday afternoon. Don’t just ignore people handing out fliers, you will often find they give you free entry to these clubs or discount. You will also notice here a “Bungee Rocket” (like a bungee jump, but you’re pinged upwards instead). I actually did this and it was fantastic. I totally recommend to any thrill seekers out there! Overall Playa d’en Bossa is a pretty cheap part of the town, probably best suited to clubbers or singles, however during the day it&#
8217;s a fantastic place for families, who have young children.

Ibiza Town – This is probably the most fascinating part of the island. You can stroll through the winding lanes of the Port area or through the cobbled streets of the Old Town to see the stunning views across the bay and there are many stalls and designer shops here. Ibiza Town is probably one of the more expensive areas to dine in, however you won’t find as many of the cheap, casual restaurants here, so if you want a more formal type of meal, Ibiza Town is probably the best place to find these. In the D’Alt Vila part you can dine within the castle where several restaurants are set, which is also very romantic, especially at night. Not a place to take the kids to eat! You can also catch the ferry to neighbouring island Formentera here, but you may as well stay on Ibiza as all there is, is a beach and a few cafes. The marina is also a spectacular place to visit! What else in Ibiza Town I here you say? “Pacha” and “El Divino” of course. These clubs are definitely worth a visit!

Es Cana – This is very much a family resort, but my least favourite place on the island (due to the fact that some gypsies tried to mug us here…but boy did they have a shock when they realised I can pretty much “kick ass” Buffy style). Anyway…it does have a lovely, long beach here and a small fishing harbour, as well as the ‘Hippy Market’, which takes place every Wednesday (May – October). You can find many bargains here, although from what I saw it appeared to be mainly junk. It pretty much has all the amenities you could want here for a quiet family holiday, there are no large clubs, just a selection of bars and restaurants.

San Antonio – This place offers something for everybody and a very interesting place it is too! July and August are the best months for clubbing and for younger people, whilst the pre-
season months of May and June, and the later months of September and October are very popular with families with young children and couples. There is a new promenade here now, and even though the beach here is artificial, it’s quite nice if not a little small. (Not as nice as the other beaches on the island). Now if you have ever been here you should have noticed as you approach San Antonio, (Sant Antoni) down the avenue of tall trees, the big roundabout at the entrance to the town, with a large egg with a ship in the cutout in the middle. Well this egg is the egg of Christopher Columbus; the ship represents his ship, the Santa Maria. (So what you say!) We could leave it there. But you'll ask 'Why the egg?' and 'What has Christopher Columbus got to do with San Antonio?'. So, let's get this out of the way right now… Firstly, when Columbus was seeking finance for his trip to discover the route to the Far East, he was told it was an impossible task. So, he took an egg, and said something like 'Would you say it was impossible to stand this egg upright?'. Of course, everyone agreed it was impossible. However, cheekily clever Christopher lightly cracked the base, so that the egg could stand upright. 'Nothing is impossible', said he, and thus obtained the confidence of his financial backers. (I was told that story by one of the locals, who apparently said Christopher Columbus was also an Ibicenco)

Now onto San Antonio’s nightlife! You’re probably as sick of programmes like “Ibiza Uncovered” as I am. Why watch? Be there I say! Spearheaded of course by “Manumission”, with many others like “El Paradis” and “Eden”. These are for the more serious clubber. I prefer places like “Kumharas”, “Kanya” and “Bar M” (pre Manumission bar) as well as “Itaca” beforehand though.

Portinax – You must have hear
d of the film “South Pacific”. Well believe it or not, some of the film was actually filmed here. (Err…in the Med not the South Pacific!) I think some of the most stunning scenery is in this part of the island. Lovely cliff walks and pebbly, along with sand beaches. This area is very quiet. Definitely suited to people who want to RELAX, RELAX, RELAX, pretty much in seclusion, but is a very suitable place for quiet family holidays. I also noticed a diving school here, but it’s the part of the island I know least well, so you’d better check up on any specific details you want for here. You will generally find the best entertainment in the hotels, but there is a games centre with bowling and pool tables. There are a fair few restaurants and cafes as well.

Santa Eulalia – which is about the 3rd largest resort, is also another very beautiful area, with a palm-lined promenade along the lovely long, sandy beach. Santa Eulalia has a long-established reputation as the island's gastronomic and cultural centre. Art galleries, the beautiful and exclusive Yacht Marina, some of the island's best restaurants, some very exclusive shopping, ensure that life in Santa Eulalia is led at a rather slower and more relaxing pace. There are some excellent bars here, but none for clubbers or the famous Ibiza nightlife. There are two main streets in which you're bound to see everyone who's anyone at some time or other. Calle San Jaime is the main street. It's the daytime meeting place for the coffee and conversation cliques who meet at the tables of the cafés and bars to watch the world go by. (All those women in navy suits and gold earrings in other words) Backing on to San Jaime is Calle San Vicente, famous as the 'Street of Restaurants'. Closed to traffic in the early evening, it is transformed into a breathing picture of an ideal Mediterranean scene. Chairs and tables on the street, promenaders and diners, light, mu
sic and strolling troubadors appear, giving this picturesque street an intoxicating fiesta atmosphere. It’s a real fun place to people watch in other words!

Cala Llonga – This is a really picturesque resort surrounded by hills and the beach here is lovely. It has shallow waters, an extremely long way out so it’s safer for children and less experienced windsurfers. You’d do best reaching this area by ferry (take in the views along the way!) or by bus or car. Don’t attempt walking! It has a variety of shops, supermarkets, cafés, bars and restaurants, all which appear to look nice, even though I haven’t eaten in them myself.

Figueretas - A small suburb, with a mixture of tourists and locals has a selection of cafés, bars and restaurants throughout the area, which seemed to catering for all tastes. In the main section of the promenade from early evening until late, there are artists, caricaturists and artisans with little market stalls offering all sorts of things & handmade items - something for everybody and some nice souvenirs. I actually had my caricature done in Playa d’en Bossa by a Spanish street artist called Daen. (Nr the Bungee Catapult). Overall it’s a nice place for a quiet night out!

These are the main places you should visit I think when in Ibiza. However there are many more lovely places such as San Rafel (“Amnesia” and “Privilege” are near here), Jesus, San José, and Cala Nova. As well as the “Cova de Culleram” near San Juan.

The public transport in Ibiza is also excellent and very cheap, and buses travel pretty much everywhere on the Island that is worth seeing. Timetables and bus routes are displayed at ticket offices, they also have timetables that you can keep. Timetables change according to high and low season, so ensure you have a current one and buy your ticket before boarding the bus. Bus Stops are sign posted 'P' (f
or Parada = Stop). You'll find that local people love helping visitors. Make sure you know the last bus time before you set off, particularly to the beach as taxis are simply not available in some places and you don’t want a hefty walk! Taxis don't have meters, but every driver (Taxista) has a list of legal tariffs for various journeys. You have a right to see this so in doubt, ask the price of your journey before.

Anyway…I hope what I’ve written has been of help to you. Ibiza is a top place and I can guarantee you will love it there if you go.

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