Page 119 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA  117

IBIZA

Despite its reputation as a party island, Ibiza has maintained much of its
rural charm. Fields of almonds and figs, olive groves, the relentless munching
of the flocks of sheep – all are part of modern-day Ibiza. However, there is no
denying that the island is a magnet for clubbers, who flock here every summer
attracted by the loud music, lovely beaches, high-energy nightlife and extra-
ordinarily tolerant attitude of the locals.

The closest of the Balearic Islands to rapid hold on the economy, and during
mainland Spain, Ibiza is intersected the 1990s Ibiza gained entry into the
by a modest range of mountains Guinness Book of Records as the enter-
and surrounded by scores of islets and tainment island of the world. Famous
protruding rocks. Its 200-km- (125-mile-) for its nightlife, thousands of visitors
long coastline is extremely varied, with fill the resorts, and big-name nightclubs
small coves hiding beautiful beaches offer a wealth of DJs and dancing.
and mysterious caves. Away from the bustling clubs, the
Together with Formentera and a north of the island is a rural patch-
number of outlying islets, Ibiza belongs work of almond, olive and fig groves.
to the group of islands dubbed by the The most distinctive features of the
Greeks as the Pitiusas, or “pine tree southern region are the expansive
islands”. Besides the Greeks, Ibiza’s salt lakes where sea salt is extracted
visitors included the Phoenicians, to this very day.
the Carthaginians and the Romans. Dalt Vila, the old part of Eivissa, is
The last big invasion took place in the one of the best-preserved medieval
1960s, when the island was “discovered” towns in Europe, despite its influx of
by hippies, and subsequently began to pleasure seekers. For many locals
appear in all the European holiday time still moves at a gentle pace
brochures. Tourism took a firm and on the island.

An alley in Sa Penya, in the old district of Eivissa
A sunny morning on Calle de Santa Cruz

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