Ibiza – It’s More Than Just a Party

Ibiza has the reputation of being the summer party capital of Europe, if not the world. But is there more to the island than just all-night clubbing and endless beach parties? That was the question in our minds as we set off for a weeklong sailing trip on a chartered catamaran.

The Nature Side of Ibiza

The little island of Ibiza, and it’s nearby neighbor Formentera, are the smaller of the Balearic Islands group, which includes Mallorca and Menorca. Settled by the Phoenicians in the 7th Century BCE, it has been under Spanish rule since the 13th Century. It is also a part of Catalunya, making the official language there Catalan and not Spanish.

Like most islands in the Mediterranean, Ibiza is also very rocky and mountainous, with most of the coastline having steep cliffs that fall into the sea. This makes for a lot of dramatic and beautiful coves and bays. We visited many of these spots by boat during our week of sailing around the islands. But we also discovered many more while enjoying the numerous hiking trails around the island.

Because of the rocky coastline, there aren’t a lot of sandy beaches in Ibiza. However, the ones that are there were always packed with people enjoying the sun, sand, water, food and party atmosphere. Everywhere we visited, the sea was clear and warm and was a delight to swim in.

Towns Old and New

The largest town on the island, also called Ibiza, features a classic fortified hilltop that dates back over 500 years. From the ramparts, one gets a sweeping view of the town and port, as well as the island of Formentera, just a few miles to the south.

Scattered throughout the islands are many archaeological sites dating back to the Phoenician era. While many of these are barely recognizable piles of rocks, several now are being rebuilt by the Spanish Government to give people a better idea of how people lived here 2500 years ago. On one stretch of the coast, it was  quite interesting to see how huge stones were carved out of the cliffs to construct their towns.

And Then There’s the Music and Club Scene

Ibiza’s club scene has long attracted the world’s best DJs, many of them taking up months-long residencies during the summer at the biggest clubs. The feeling we had was that music was everywhere. The chill techno beats we associate with Europe was pervasive, from the simplest of beach bars to the mega-clubs that put Ibiza on the map. Every place had a DJ, some aspiring beginners, others world famous. But all were putting on their best performance, whether to catch a lucky break or to stay on top.

The mega clubs that Ibiza is famous for take the clubbing experience to a different level altogether. More than just a DJ spinning tunes, the show we caught at Pacha, called Bedouin Saga, was a multimedia extravaganza, complete with costumed performing artists. The club opened its doors at midnight, with the headline act starting at 3 AM. We stayed until the end, shutting it down at 6AM. The night was capped off with a dinghy ride back to our boat as the sun was rising.

Final Thoughts

In the end, I think both Ann and I were a little bit surprised at how much we liked Ibiza. We went in knowing nothing really about the place or the people, only its reputation as a party place for the young and/or rich.

The overall impression we got was that everyone was there to enjoy the island’s beauty and nightlife and that there was a way to do that to fit every budget. While there are certainly many private beach clubs and night clubs, there were also plenty of  mainstream options as well. We didn’t meet very many locals, but all the people we did encounter were very friendly and welcoming. The overall feeling was very inclusive, and we never were made to feel out of place.

The sailing was great, the sea warm and inviting, and the beaches and restaurants fun. There are lots of options for both outdoor enthusiasts and lounge lizards. But if you do want to party like a European jet-setter, then Ibiza has everything you’re looking for. Just bring a fat wallet.