The best things to see and do in Ibiza city (Balearic Islands): Dalt Vila

Until now I had only traveled to the city once. Island of Ibiza, but then I had not had the opportunity to visit its capital, the City of Ibiza (Eivissa).

In the last decades Ibiza has become one of the most visited destinations in Spain by international tourism, especially attracted by its coves with crystal-clear waters and the festive atmosphere that exists on the island.

But this corner of the Balearics has another facet that well justifies visiting the capital of the island during your vacation stay, or even making a cultural getaway from the peninsula.

Did you know Ibiza is on the list of World Heritage declared by the Unesco?

Indeed, in addition to its walled historic center from the 17th century known as dalt vila that houses the City of Ibiza, the island has other places considered Heritage.

Also in the city, the Punic Phoenician necropolis of Puig des Molins, and just 10 kilometers south of it, near the airport, the populated place of Caleta dating back to the 8th century BC

And a fourth reason for Ibiza be part of the prestigious list of the Unesco are the meadows of posidonia Oceanica that cover the seabed in a wide area between this island and Formentera.

The work of filtering the water that this ocean plant, since it is not an algae, it is the reason why these islands known by classical authors as Pitiusas They enjoy such crystal-clear waters, which has given them such fame that they have become a highly desired destination for European tourists.

The recent visit we made to Ibiza with our own car after having traveled to it from Formentera on board modern and fast Baleària ferries, has allowed us to get to know the city.

What to see in Ibiza city

Precisely because we arrived by boat our first vision of the City of Ibiza It was the upper area of ​​the aforementioned walled enclosure of Dalt Vila, With the Cathedral of Santa María rising above the wall.

But it is as you enter through the mouth of the port that you have the most beautiful panoramic views of Ibiza city.

In the foreground, the neighborhood of the Marina with its white houses on the seashore; on them, the image of the robust fortification of dalt vila built in the Renaissance era, and above, another perspective of the aforementioned cathedral.

Walled enclosure of Dalt Vila

Precisely the first objective of your visit to the city should be its walled historic center.

If you arrive by boat, as was our case, when you head towards the walled area you will pass through the beautiful streets that surround the port.

And perhaps also for the Vara del Rey square which not long ago had a major urban remodeling.

This large rectangular square located in the expansion that the city carried out at the end of the 19th century, is now completely pedestrian and is becoming a meeting point to enjoy terraces or attend popular events.

The origins of human settlement in dalt vila dates back Phoenician settlement in Puig de Vila, and it already had a great commercial boom in the Punic era.

Known as Madina Yabisah, in the 1235th century it was under the occupation of the Muslims until XNUMX when the troops of James I reconquered it, becoming part of the Crown of Aragon.

It was in the 16th century when, after successive attacks by the Turkish navy, due to its demonstrated weakness in the face of the appearance of modern weapons of war, the old medieval wall was replaced by the current Renaissance fortification.

When construction began in 1555, six bastions were first built, although the wall was later expanded.

What to see in Dalt Vila

For access Dalt Vila you have several doors.

On our visit we entered through the door of the Baluarte de Sant Pere, West of dalt vila, a corner that is worth knowing because it shows you the enormous robustness of the wall, which was an impregnable fortification.

But the main door is between the bastions of Sant Joan and Santa Lucía, and is known as Ses Taules Gate.

If you enter through it you will first have to climb a wide ramp that leads you to the entrance arch flanked by two Roman statures.

At interior of Dalt Vila, historic center of Ibiza, you must get lost going up and down narrow streets with white houses, and you must also climb the wall to see panoramic views of the area.

A good place to do it is the great bastion of Saint Lucia which is located on the shores of the sea, and at its feet, the aforementioned fishing neighborhood.

But without a doubt the best panoramic views from Dalt Vila you will have them from viewpoint of the Cathedral Square, at the top of the Ibiza Old Town.

La Ibiza cathedral It dates back to the 1712th century, although the building you will now visit is the result of numerous modifications, the most important of which was carried out in XNUMX.

In front of the cathedral you have a headquarters of the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera, and next to it, the aforementioned viewpoint.

dalt vila It is one of those historic centers that have great charm since they well justify a trip to see it.

Necropolis of Puig des Molins

But in the same city, very close and west of dalt vila, you can visit another declared corner Heritage.

This is the Punic necropolis of Puig des Molins, which is considered the most extensive and best preserved from that period that you can find anywhere in the world.

The cemetery was originally established by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC and the land was later used for terraced agriculture on the hillside.

Now when you arrive at the necropolis, to visit it you will enter through the headquarters building of the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera, where the characteristics of the enclave are explained and objects found there are shown.

You can also go inside one of the hypogeous, and as a curiosity I will tell you that there are more than 3.000 tombs from the Punic era.

What to see near Ibiza town

Near the capital of the island you have other interesting places to see.

From a cultural point of view, you can get to know the other enclave Heritage from Ibiza, for which you will have to leave the city and just 10 kilometers to the south you will find the site of the ancient populated place of Caleta.

The Phoenicians settled there in the 8th century BC and in that place you can see the typology of the Phoenician houses, as well as objects recovered in the archaeological site.

In the opposite direction, 10 kilometers to the north inland you can go to Santa Gertrudis, a small town in whose center the charm of typical Mediterranean towns is maintained.

And if to complete your day in Ibiza you want to go to a place to enjoy a beautiful sunset, the most famous site is Café del Mar found in San Antonio.

It is a very popular place for tourists where as the sun goes down you can listen to the music chill-out.

Although our advice would be to get lost on the road that leads you in front of the Es Vedra island, and after traveling a small stretch of dirt track, enjoy the sunrise on top of a cliff looking at said island.

That's how we did it...and I'll tell you that we weren't alone at all.