🙂 Beaches. Food. The Vibe. Jockey Club Salinas. Opening Parties. Closing Parties. Space. Bora Bora. DC10
🙁 Drunken Brits abroad
Currency: Euro (Formerly Spanish Peseta)
THREE things we did not know about Ibiza:
- Film director Orson Welles was one of Ibiza’s famous residents; he included footage from the White Isle in his motion picture “F for Fake”.
- DJs travel long distances to visit the island. Sven Väth hitchhiked to the island from Barcelona and spent three months sleeping on its beaches. And when Carl Cox arrived, he had to sleep for two days in a Fiat Panda with his girlfriend and sister.
- Ibiza is the Spanish name of the city which is correctly pronounced as I-bith-a but the Catalan name of the city is Eivissa. Some of the signs write Eivissa instead of Ibiza.
The Flight time to Ibiza is an easy 2hrs30mins with either EasyJet or Ryan Air flying daily from Gatwick/Luton/Stansted at reasonable fares. Fantastic weather, good food, hippy markets, fantastic parties and lovely beaches make this an ideal destination for friends, couples and families – there is something for everyone!
Let’s start with the Old Town.
Age-old monasteries, cathedrals, museums, and battlements tell of its history, all enclosed by a defensive heptagon-shaped wall. In-between historical monuments, you’ll stumble upon contemporary upscale restaurants and quirky handicraft stalls. The cobblestoned UNESCO-listed streets feel worlds away from modern-day Ibiza – it’s an intriguing contrast to those booming megaclubs and seaside resorts
Clubs are a big part of Ibiza’s attraction … but far more so for us are the BEACHES!
Back in the day, the best place to chill out was Salinas – Jockey Club. A beach restaurant with the spirit of a chiringuito (by influence of Catalan). Restaurant, beach service, cocktails and fruit bar, music and fun … and beautiful people!
Cala d’Hort: A strictly protected nature reserve, Cala d’Hort feels like one of Ibiza’s most enticing slices of paradise. This golden southwest-coast strand seduces sun seekers with its knockout views of Es Vedrà, the spectacular mystery-wreathed outcrop looming offshore. Linger over lunch at Es Boldadó – where classic ibicenco recipes include caldereta de llagosta (lobster stew) and bullit de peix – then savour the stunning sunset….
Cala Benirras – Sunday Sunset Drums … such a cool Bohemian vibe! (I understand this no longer happens on a Sunday which is sad as it was SO cool).
Cala Salada: This beach is a beautiful beach located near San Antonio, it is nestled in a cove on the Spanish island of Ibiza. It is a popular destination with its golden sands and turquoise waters. This beach offers various leisure activities for all types of people. Whether you’re an adventurer or on a family day out by the sea, this beach has plenty to offer.
Here are our fav Beach Clubs when we travelled there for end of Season parties in September in the 2000s.
Always a firm favourite! BoraBora…. Bora Bora is the true incarnation of beach partying. Here suntanned bodies dance to electronic music’s summer hits, on the sand or around the pool, with a drink in one hand and waving to the low-flying planes overhead with the other. There is also a more chilled side to Bora Bora, the beach restaurant serves excellent food in the large beach-front seating, and sport is available to watch on the big TVs.
Cafe del Mar … This Bar opened in 1980 to play chilled out music to accompany the stunning sunsets, also serving global food.
Next up favourite all night / all day! party places!
Pacha – Ibiza’s original and most glamorous club, Pacha has been entertaining the island’s beautiful people for over four decades. What started as a low-key fiesta in an old finca in Ibiza town has grown into one of the most prestigious global clubbing brands on the planet and an island institution not to be missed! (Embarrassingly Paul and I were once kicked out for falling asleep – the free pour G&Ts were just too much for us!).
SPACE – was a Superclub on the island of Ibiza, Spain from 1986 to 2016, owned by STANCA. It was awarded “Best Global Club” at the International Dance Music Awards in 2005, 2006, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Space was located in Platja d’en Bossa on the outskirts of Ibiza Town, close to the airport. Many a fun day and night spent here! It closed its doors on 2 October 2016 – pleased to have been part of the history!
DC10 – Where you went to after SPACE. DC10 is a nightclub located in Ibiza on the Carretera of Salinas. It was born during the 90s as a music bar and began with a license for just 80 people, opened by two Spanish brothers, Deogracias lara Moreno and Antonio Lara Moreno and was / is a no-holds-barred, hedonistic, dance your socks off fiesta that was totally off the radar. In contrast to the rest of the clubs, it still does little or no publicity for its parties, meaning those who go are in the know and there for one reason: the music. DC10’s longevity and success are ultimately thanks to its devotion to providing solid, quality underground electronic music. You have not had a true Ibiza experience until you have danced away the afternoon in the venue’s famous garden. Top Tip: Buy a VIP table – more vodka than you can drink and you have somewhere to sit!
WHERE TO STAY: If you do not own a Villa here or know a friend who owns one – then there is only one place to stay:
Pikes. Pikes Ibiza is a 25-room boutique hotel immersed in rock ‘n’ roll history and revamped by the revolutionary Ibiza Rocks brand. The multi-award winning haven features a stunning destination terrace restaurant, famous poolside bar and plenty of individually designed decadent rooms, bespoke suites and playful party spots.
Hippy Markets:
Who doesn’t love a wander around a Hippy market?! Rooted in the hippy movement that fled to Ibiza during the 60s, they are scattered all over the island and cater for every taste.
Las Dalias in San Carlos is probably the best-known hippy market on the island due to its very inviting and picturesque atmosphere.
When: Saturdays – all year round – 10:00 to 20:00 (19:00 during the winter season)
San Jordi’s flea market remains the most authentic and a local’s favourite, getting most crowded during the winter.
When: Saturdays – all year round – 8:00 to 15:00
Opened in 1973, the market in Es Canar is the oldest and biggest hippy market in Ibiza.
When: April to October – every Wednesday
Go Back to: Spain
