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Ibiza

Sights in Ibiza

  1. A

    D'Alt Vila

    D'Alt Vila is the old walled town; a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1999. The Romans were the first to fortify this hilltop, but the walls you see were raised by Felipe II in the 16th century to protect against invasion by French and Turkish forces. A ramp leads from Plaça de sa Font in Sa Penya up to the Portal de ses Taules gateway, the main entrance.

    Above the entrance hangs a commemorative plaque bearing Felipe II's coat of arms and an inscription recording the 1585 completion date of the fortification - seven artillery bastions joined by thick protective walls up to 22m (72ft) in height.

    Immediately inside spreads Plaça de la Vila, with its upmarket restaurants,…

    reviewed

  2. B

    Necròpolis del Puig des Molins

    The earliest tombs within this ancient burial ground date from the 7th century BC and Phoenician times. Follow the path around and peer into the burial caverns, oriented north to south, cut deep into the hill. You can descend into one interlocking series of these hypogea (burial caverns).

    The site museum displays finds such as amulets and terracotta figurines discovered within the more than 3000 tombs that honeycomb the hillside. Both museum and site were closed for restoration works at the time of writing.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Sa Penya

    There's always something always going on portside. People-watchers will be right at home - this pocket must have one of the highest concentrations of exhibitionists and weirdos in Spain.

    Sa Penya is crammed with dozens of funky and trashy clothing boutiques and the intense competition between the locally made gear and the imports keeps a lid on prices.

    The so-called hippy markets, street stalls along Carrer d'Enmig and the adjoining streets, sell everything under the sun.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Cova de Can Marçà

    A turn-off to the right just before Port de Sant Miquel takes you around a headland to the Cova de Can Marçà, underground caverns spectacularly lit by coloured lights. Tours in various languages take around 40 minutes. After resurfacing, pause for a drink on its terrace and savour the panorama of sheer cliffs and deep blue water.

    reviewed

  5. Church

    Sant Miquel is overlooked by its shimmering white, boxlike 14th-century church. The restored early-17th-century frescoes in the Capella de Benirràs are a swirl of flowers and twisting vines. Each Thursday from June to September, there’s traditional island dancing on the pretty patio at 6.15pm.

    reviewed

  6. E

    Museu d'Art Contemporani

    Its normal home is within an 18th-century powder store and armoury. While it undergoes lengthy refurbishing, elements of the collection are on show in the Casa Consistorial (Town Hall) on Plaça d'Espanya.

    reviewed

  7. F

    Museu Arqueològic

    Contains an important collection of artefacts from the Phoenician and Carthaginian periods, plus a few pieces from Roman and Islamic times.

    reviewed

  8. G
  9. H
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  11. I

    Ramparts

    A ramp leads from Plaça de Sa Font in Sa Penya up to the Portal de ses Taules gateway, the main entrance. Above it hangs a commemorative plaque bearing Felipe II's coat of arms and an inscription recording the 1585 completion date of the fortification – seven artillery bastions joined by thick protective walls up to 22m in height. You can walk the entire perimeter of these impressive Renaissance-era walls, designed to withstand heavy artillery, and enjoy great views along the way.

    reviewed

  12. J

    Museu Puget

    A historic mansion with typical late-Gothic courtyard and stairs to the upper floor houses 130 paintings by Ibizan artist Narcís Puget Viñas (1874–1960) and his son, Narcís Puget Riquer (1916–83).

    reviewed

  13. Museu Diocesà

    Museu Diocesà contains centuries of religious art.

    reviewed

  14. Centre d'Interpretació Madina Yasiba

    The Centre d'InterpretacióMadina Yasiba is a modern display taking us into the medieval Muslim city of Madina Yasiba (Ibiza City), prior to the island's fall to Catalan forces in 1235. Artefacts, audiovisuals and maps help transport us to those times. The centre is housed in what was, from the 16th century, the Casa de la Cúria (courts), parts of whose walls were the original Islamic-era defensive walls. Much of the display was inspired by excavations done along Carrer de Santa Maria in the early 2000s.

    reviewed

  15. K

    Centre d'Interpretació Madina Yasiba

    This small display replicates the medieval Muslim city of Madina Yabisa (Ibiza City) prior to the island’s fall to Christian forces in 1235. Artefacts, audiovisuals and maps help transport you to those times. The centre is housed in what was, from the 16th century, the Casa de la Cúria (law courts), parts of whose walls were the original Islamic-era defensive walls. Much of the display was inspired by excavations done along Carrer de Santa Maria in the early 2000s.

    reviewed

  16. L

    Catedral

    Ibiza's cathedral elegantly combines several styles: the original 14th-century structure is Catalan Gothic but the sacristy was added in 1592 and a major baroque renovation took place in the 18th century. Inside, the Museu Diocesà contains centuries of religious art.

    reviewed

  17. Bastions

    In the Baluard de Sant Jaume, an exhibition of military paraphernalia includes soldiers’ cuirasses that you can try for size (and weight!) and cannonballs to heave. An exhibition within the Baluard de Sant Pere, the next bastion northwards, demonstrates the tricks of artillery warfare and how to mount a cannon and has an AV illustration of how the city walls were constructed.

    reviewed