Horses Hippies And Pine-Clad Peaks: Ibiza Unearthed

Popularized by Pacha, Privilege and Es Paradís, the ‘White Island’ of Ibiza, just off the eastern coast of Spain, is typically known for its round-the-clock nightclubs, its spectacular sunsets, and its techno house music. But this party capital of the world, in the Balearic archipelago, is also a UNESCO declared cultural paradise, home to a rich and diverse ecosystem. Here are five experiences not to be missed.

Ride A Horse

Hidden away in the rural village of Sant Joan de Labritja, far from the pulsating Balearic beats of the south, the local trekking center of Ibiza Horse Valley will provide you with the means to permeate the peripheries of the wilder bohemian north. Traversing the stony track, fringed with junipers, pines, and hyacinth-carpeted meadows, and perambulating the bio-diverse mountain ranges, the white sandy beaches and the turquoise waters below will be clearly visible from the vantage point of a horse.

Take A Boat Trip

Market

Situated just off the southwest coast of Ibiza, in the municipality of Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Es Vedrà is a small and uninhibited island that makes up a part of the Cala d’Hort Nature Reserve. Starting in the port of San Antonio, a glass-bottomed boat will sail you along the western coast of Ibiza, providing a spectacular aquatic performance through the underwater viewing gallery. Then, along the way, you will be given the opportunity to dive into and snorkel the clear-blue depths above a lush-green bed of Posidonia Oceanica (Neptune Grass).

Meander Through The Market

Market, Street Food, Spanish

Established in the 1970s, Ibiza’s Punta Arabi Hippy Market — situated just outside the beach resort of Es Cana, on the east coast of Ibiza — is a world-renowned bohemian bazaar that takes place every Wednesday. With over 500 stalls offering an array of hippy-inspired clothing, jewelry, and art, as well as an infinite selection of handmade goods, international products, and natural cosmetics, the market also features local Spanish bands who play live throughout the day. The market’s foodie recommendations include their homemade paella, pizzas, and salads.

Beach It Like The Locals

Situated on the southwest coast of Ibiza, Cala d’Hort is a relatively small and scraggy cove in the municipality of Sant Josep de sa Talaia. Overlooking the Homeric island of Es Vedrà, this pebbled sandy beach, tucked neatly against the cliffs, is a local favorite. Poles apart from the commercialized main beach of S’Arenal de San Antonio, Cala d’Hort, instead, offers the perfect coastal backdrop for a more native experience. Despite its remoteness, the celebrated seafood restaurant of Es Boldado is not far away.

Cala d’Hort, Illes Balears, Spain

Restaurante Es Boldado, Camí de Cala d’Hort, s/n, Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Illes Balears, Spain, +34 626 49 45 37

Go Cliff Jumping

If an adrenaline-fuelled heart-pumping jaunt is what you are after, then the outdoor adventure organization of Rockid Ibizamight just be able to help. Taking you off the beaten track, through the old caminos (roads), and equipped with a Go Pro camera, a fully trained team of adventure professionals will introduce you to the extreme art of cliff diving. Challenging you to ‘face your fears,’ the experienced specialists aim to embolden you to launch yourself off the rock-face and into the briny deep.

About the author

Gemma Roxanne Lake

Gemma Roxanne Lake is a CELTA teacher and Master of Arts in English Literature with a hunger for travel. Along with the Culture Trip, she's written for the Bath Chronicle, and loves to trail-run and ride horses in her spare time.