Ibiza is no longer simply about hedonism, beach parties and toasting yourself in the sun; although of course, you can still accomplish all this and more by heading to San Antonio or Eivissa Town for your Ibiza holidays.
The island’s natural beauty has opened up many other avenues in recent years and eco-tourism, yoga breaks and outdoor ventures have become just as popular here. However unlikely a green holiday in the Mediterranean party capital may sound, here are a few tips on how to do it.
Holistic holidays
Green holidays can mean different things to different people and are not limited to holistic activities or ethical shopping trips. If this is exactly what you’re after, many Ibiza tour operators around places like San Agustin organise everything from meditation sessions to responsible snorkelling so it’s perfectly possible to be an eco-tourist here. With ecological centre Cassita Verde open every Sunday all year, you can dip in and out of herb-tasting sessions, try island-grown beauty products or sample the vegetarian cuisine, just a short drive away from San Antonio.
Nature parks
Prefer to make your own way? There’s plenty of nature to explore for yourself here, with Ibiza’s two national parks offering a blend of rugged coastal scenery and forested inland hills between them. Ses Salinas in the south combines an area both on and off-shore, made up of wide salt flats and tiny islands, which dot the cobalt sea. You might also spot fishing eagles and falcons as you walk the coast and gaze over towards neighbouring Formentera.
The south-west
The south-west of the island includes the Es Vedra nature reserve and the town of Sant Josep de sa Talaia, notable for the sweeping green vistas you’ll experience from Ibiza’s highest point: Sant Josep mountain. There’s much more to see around some of the best hiking terrain on the island, as you stumble upon solitary white-washed cottages and UNESCO-listed sites like Sa Caleta village. The grotto cave of Cova Santa makes a trip to the beach here more unusual and you might even witness an authentic folk dance while you’re passing through the region.
Closer to the ‘real’ Ibiza
As you might expect, the further inland and off the tourist paths you stray, the closer you’ll come to the ‘real’ Ibiza, the island of farming plots, olive groves, Spanish cooking and ancient coastline. Plenty of the more popular attractions like the hippy markets of Es Cana and San Carlos pay homage to Ibiza’s artisan roots and you can rent bicycles to explore around the bigger resorts like Santa Eularia and Eivissa town. The only difficulty in creating your own environmentally-sound adventures here is deciding where to start.