Sightseeing in Ibiza

1 Dalt Vila...Rising up above the rest of Ibiza Town, the historic Dalt Vila with its high Renaissance walls and narrow winding streets is a fascinating place to visit. Now declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, you'll discover a whole host of historic buildings including the Archaeological Museum (former University building), the Museum of Contemporary Art, the fortress Catalan cathedral, the town hall, the convent church and the craggy Moorish castle. The Ibiza Cathedral has a special history as it is the site of the first parish of Santa Maria, established in the 1200's. Climbing to the 100 metre summit is recommended for spectacular views over Ibiza Town, it’s harbour and out towards the island of Formentera.

2 Phoenician-Punic necropolis...of Puig des Molins. Situated next to the Puig des Molins Monographic Museum, in the centre of Ibiza Town, the cemetery is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site and dates back to the Punic era. Occupying 50,000 square metres with 3000 underground vaults, it is one of the biggest and best preserved ancient cemeteries in the world and provides exceptional evidence of urbanisation and social life of the Phoenician colonies in the Mediterranean area.

3 Phoenician Settlement...of Sa Caleta. The remains date back to the 8th century BC and are found in a small peninsula in the south east of the island. The settlement was positioned close to the sea to facilitate trade but was abandoned when the inhabitants moved to the more strategic area of Ibiza Town.

4 Monumento General Vara de Rey...This statue is one of the most popular on the island showing the General Vara de Rey with his sword held high and two angels at his feet. The statue of the General, who was born in Ibiza and died in the Cuban War, stands on the main street which bears the General's name running through the centre of Ibiza Town. The monument was built by King Alfonso XIII in 1904, designed by the Catalan architect August Font and made by the sculptor Eduard B. Alentorn.

5 Contemporary Art Museum...Ibiza's contemporary art museum can be found in the historic arms room in the San Juan bastion within the Dalt Vila, above the main gate (la Puerta de Taules). The museum exhibits a number of collections throughout the year, by local contemporary artists, as well as exhibitions run by other organisations. The museum organises the long-running biennial international art exhibition, which includes works from all over the world. Art works owned exclusively by the museum include pieces by Barry Flanagan, Hans Hinterreiter, Erwin Broner and Will Faber.

6 Gallery Van der Voort...The best art gallery in Ibiza and a must-see for all art-lovers. Located in the Plaza de Vila, in the heart of the Dalt Vila, the gallery was opened by Carl Van der Voort and is presently run by Cati Verdera. As well as exhibiting the work of famous artists from outside the island (both painters and photographers), the gallery also promotes the most promising young artists from Ibiza and Formentera. Every year the gallery attends Arco, the international contemporary art fair in Madrid, to exhibit its latest collections.

7 C’an Marca Cave...Set within the cliffs of Port de Saint Miquel in the north of Ibiza, C'an Marca Cave is a beautiful spot to visit, with coloured lighting highlighting the geological forms and water courses inside the cave and stunning surrounding landscape views to be enjoyed from the outside.

8 Es Vedre...Rising high up from the sea, Es Vedra is the most emblematic images on the island and one of the most stunning natural sights in the Mediterranean.  The rock is best viewed from the Torre des Savinar, 'the pirate's tower' set on the cliff within the Nature Reserve of Cala d'Hort just off the road bewteen Es Cubells and Cala d’Hort in the south west of the island.

9 Atlantis...An ancient shoreside quarry in the north of Ibiza created over 1,000 years ago when the rock was quarried to build the fortress walls of Ibiza town. Atlantis is a sacred site for Ibizan hippies and an important part of the island’s rich mystical history. Over the centuries, stonemasons and artists have created there own sculptures including dragons and people emerging from the rocks. This artificial outdoor gallery located by the sea is a magical escape and well worth a visit. There are no official signs, but if you head to the south west of the island and find the watch tower, Torre des Savinar looking out to the beautiful Es Vedre, and look down to the left, you should see the platform beneath you. To reach Atlantis, follow the track to the left and take one of the trails leading down towards the water.

10 The Watchtower of San Josep...The highest point on the island (1,558 feet) provides visitors with a spectacular panoramic view of the southern part of the island and, on a clear day, the Spanish mainland. A strenuous two-hour hike takes you to the peak where you can enjoy cooler temperatures and breathtaking views of the island and the surrounding green vegetation. For the less adventurous, a visit to the picturesque church, galleries or restaurants of Sant Josép is a pleasant alternative.