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.

1. Ride A Horse

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.

Ibiza Horse Valley, Sant Joan de Labritja, Ibiza, Spain

Es Vedrà | © Jose Ramon/Flickr

2. Take A Boat Trip

Market

Take A Boat Trip

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).

Ibiza Boat Cruises, Av. de Ses Païsses, Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears, Spain, +34 971 34 60 47

Ibiza Hippy Market | Courtesy of Giorsch

3. 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

4. Go Cliff Jumping

Go Cliff Jumping

If an adrenaline-fuelled heart-pumping jaunt is what you are after, then the outdoor adventure organization of Rockid Ibiza might 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.

Rockid Ibiza, Avd. Pere Matutes Noguera 65, Platja D’en Bossa, Ibiza, Spain, +34 638 78 08 85

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.