As far as restaurants are concerned, you must understand that traditional "Ibicenca" food and international cuisine live side by side in perfect harmony. The tourist boom in the 60s brought pizzerias, hamburger joints and so on, and this has all mushroomed since then. In Ibiza you can now try food from many different countries in the world, including Argentinian cuisine at La Vaca Argentina and Mexican at Tijuana. But, even if its just once, you must try an island specialty while here, such as "sofrit pagès" which is a sautee dish, or "bullit de peix", a delicious fish specialty, or the "borrida de rajada"; and don't forget dessert: "flaó" (cream tart with fresh chees, eggs, and mint) and "graixonera".Gastronomy is an important part of entertainment in Spain.

There is a wide choice of tapas bars, like Scenicus or Sa Fonda.

There is an amazing choice of restaurants and you can always find one within your price range. Some of the islands best offers are a bit far from the tourist hubs, but its worth it to hop in a taxi and try whats on offer.

Entertainment in Ibiza
Ibiza's charm comes from its beautiful beaches, hidden coves and mild climate, right? Well, that depends on your point of view; many would claim it is the entertainment in Spain, often extreme and hugely diverse, that draws them to the island. In fact, the main reason Ibiza has become a place of pilgrimage for thousands of people each year is its amazing nightlife. Summer after summer, in the islands three most important discos (Privilege, Amnesia and Space) musical tendencies that will later be exported to the rest of the world are created. Now, electronic is just another industry here. Every season, dozens of CDs are brought out, claiming to be "Ibiza sounds" and that can easily be found in any music shop in the world with a decent techno selection.

Every summer night, these temples of modernity fill with clubbers, anxious to have a great time dancing the night away, and then spending several days recovering. Some parties are more intense and extreme than others, such as "Manumission", which takes place every Monday in summertime, at Privilige. Charter flights arrive from the UK, bringing 50 people straight to this club. Once the partys over, the plane returns whats left of the shattered party-goers home. Spending a few days on the island without at least going in to one of these clubs would be a sin.

Even if you're not into clubbing, though, its hard to be bored here. Without a doubt, one of the islands other fortés is sport. Body worship is the order of the day, if its a gorgeous summers day and most of your skin is exposed. Ibiza and San Antonio, in particular, have a whole range of modern gyms, totally equipped with weight rooms, saunas, jacuzzis and whatever else their customers might wish for. The Gimnasio Fraile chain is representative of this, with its body-builders and professional trainers. Water sports are another obvious choice. The islands three yacht and boating clubs (in Ibiza, San Antonio and Santa Eulalia) offer several classes and activities designed to familiarize you with sailing. There are even classes for kids (clase Optimist, Europa) and, of course, multiple other options (pleasure cruises, regatta, boat races...). There are many places to rent boats, too, if thats what you prefer.

Residents and tourists alike are keen on tennis, as well. The Ibiza Club de Campo for example offers a range of clay courts, and their membership fees are quite reasonable. This club, and the islands others, also have swimming pool, bar and restaurant to make your stay even more enjoyable.

One of the most élite sports, which seems to have more converts each day, is golf. Golf Ibiza, located in Roca Llisa, on the eastern part of the island, is the only course, but its 18 holes are quite difficult and challenging for even excellent players. They also have a 9-hole course where you can practice.

Ibizas sporting capacity includes facilities such as the Es Raspallar swimming pool, the Blancadona sports center and the Pista de Atletismo Can Misses (track). With the exception of track and field, Ibizans are not known to be great sportspeople. Lack of university facilities and other opportunities are one obvious reason. As for football, the king of sports in the whole country, there are only two national division teams. CE Eivissa and Peña Deportiva, are kicking it out in the third division.

The islands cinemas are nothing to sneeze at, though. Feature films, without fail, come to one of the five cinemas, and there are also late night sessions, shorts festivals and there are often repertory programs, too. You might try, for instance, the Multicines Eivissa, with five screens boasting the latest sound systems.

Theatre, on the other hand, is not widely available, not through lack of interest but through lack of means (representaciones, salas...) pero sí por la falta de medios. Theatres themselves are both of recent construction, and few and far between. The Sala Europa, in Ibiza town center, is the only playhouse to be in somewhat regular use since its opening, in October 99. Can Ventosa also puts on some nationally-known shows that occassionally come to town.



Recommended Tours
DALT VILA, The Walled City

One of the most interesting routes you can take on Ibiza is, without a doubt, the one that leads to the Catedral, in the heart of the walled city, and which takes in a whole host of attractions, recently declared a Unesco Heritage Site. We'll start our stroll at the Portal de ses Taules, located right across from the Mercado Viejo (Old Market), in the Marina quarter; its easy to find, right in the Port of Ibiza.

Walk down the hill that takes you into the walled area. The entrance looks like a Medieval castle doorway, flanked by two decapitated Roman centurion statues (don't contemplate for too long; they're replicas. The originals are in the Museo Arqueológico, which we'll come to later). Once inside, you'll be in the Plaza de la Constitución, which has several cafés and restaurants. We'll continue on our walk, taking the stone path off to the left. A few meters on, if you look to the left, you'll see the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (Contemporary Art Museum), which houses a selection of art made on the island over the last 30 years. It has some really great works, so you really shouldn't miss it.

We'll carry on, walking up towards the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), which you can see about 200 meters ahead. Beside this building, (which has been used as a convent, a school and a prison) you can take advantage of one of the best lookout points on the island, which affords an amazing panoramic view of the port and the city. Take the road that goes off to the left of the Consistorio and walk up the steep hill, leaving behind the odd Colegio de Arquitectos (Architectural School) on the left and the old seminary on the right. When you get to the end of the road, you'll see a white building with recessed windows just ahead of you. Of course you can't see in, its the enclosed Convent of the Santo Domingo, where the nuns still live.

Continue on the road that goes off to the right, which is even steeper than the previous ones. Don't worry, though; you're almost there. Just a few more minutes until you reach the Plaza de la Catedral, where this amazing Romanesque and Gothic building stands. Some of the islands best sacred art can be found inside. The square holds other places of interest as well, such as the Museo Arqueológico (Archaeology Museum), which houses the remains of the many civilizations that have lived on Ibiza. Across from the museum is a charming little palace, which is permanently closed; this is the house of the Bishop, the highest Christian authority on the island. You must also spend a few minutes at the lookout point here, one of the citys highest points. Nothing could be better to round off your tour than to have a quick rest and a refreshment in the café by the Catedral.

IBIZA TOWNS

Ibiza is made up of five municipalities, which have important differences between them. Visiting the island without straying from the capital would be a huge mistake, so we'll offer you here a few clues about picturesque places to visit.

We'll start off in San José, and to get there you'll have to get off the road that goes to the airport at the roundabout where McDonalds is. This is about 20 km, but should take only half an hour from the capital. Here you can see the iglesia (church), built in the purest of "ibicenco" (Ibizan) styles, with thick white walls surrounded by the vía crucis (way of the cross), which is the path that saints are taken on during Patron Saint holidays. The center of San José is tiny, given that most inhabitants have moved out to the country, seduced by the natural beauty of the island.

San Antonio is 15 km from San José and is Ibizas most touristy town. To get here, take the road that leaves San Josés main street and head towards Cala de Bou; don't worry, its very well signposted. You'll know you've reached San Antonio when you get to a roundabout with a big boat on top of it; its not modern art, but rather a controversial homage to Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus). Some historians maintain he was born here. On the boardwalk, which is adorned with several fountains, there are endless opportunities for an exciting evening out, too.

To get to Santa Eulalia take the road that goes from Ibiza to San Juan, which starts at the roundabout where the Puerto Deportivo Ibiza Nueva (Marina) is, close to the famous club Pachá. In about 20 minutes you'll get to the bridge that crosses over the Santa Eulalia river, the only river in the Baleares although since the start of the 20th Century the water has almost entirely disappeared from its course. Aside from the Paseo Marítimo (boardwalk), the best thing to see are the tiny nearby towns such as San Carlos and Santa Gertrudis, which seem like vestiges from the past, conserving traditions and a more simple, old-fashioned way of life.

Finally, San Juan, the islands smallest town, is one that has yet to succumb to the pressures of tourism. Most of Ibizas forest lands are here, and the beaches, some of which are really hidden away, are surely the cleanest you will find. The center is very small and only the iglesia (church) and the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) remind you that this is, indeed, the capital of one municipality.