Let's Go Europe 2011: The Student Travel Guide
Page 202
PLATJA DE SES SALINES
10min. drive from Ibiza Town in the Salines Nature Reserve
BEACH
There’s a reason Platja de Ses Salines is one of Ibiza’s most popular beaches. Here in the Salines Nature Reserve, you’ll find clean, soft sands, and warm, clear waters. With barely any waves, you’ll see tourists and locals wading out into the sea to test their skills at paddleball or just floating around on an inflatable tube. While Ses Salines is the perfect place to relax and work on that summer tan, it’s also going to provide you with some of the biggest, most-established beach restaurants on the island. The Jockey Club and Malibu will serve cocktails right to your lounge chair, spray you with their mist machines, and have their DJs spinning hot tunes all day long.
Take Bus #11 from Ibiza City to Salines. First aid available. Lounge chair and umbrella rentals €6-10. Lifeguard on duty daily noon-7pm.
CALA BASSA
Near Sant Antoni
BEACH
If you say its name fast, “Cala Bassa” may remind you a touch of the The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ “cowabunga!” While you can definitely enjoy pizza and sea creatures (and a life free of bad guys) while relaxing at this small cove getaway, there’s way more to the Cala Bassa than any ’80s cartoon can provide. Whether you want to leap off the rocky cliffs into the warm waters below, play some paddle ball right on the waveless shore, or enjoy the multi-tiered sand levels under the shade of the trees, you’ll reap the benefits of smooth sand and clear waters. Cala Bassa is also perfect to test your wits at some water sports—Ski Pormany ( 11am-7pm, summers only) offers waterskiing (€20), banana-boating (€10), and tubing (€15), and Pheonix Dive Center (971 806 374 www.pheonixdive.de 10am-6pm, summers only) offers snorkling (from €15) and SCUBA (€34) adventures. Both companies work best with walk-ins, so just show up and hop in the water!
Take the #7 bus from Sant Antoni. Showers and bathrooms available. No camping. Chairrentals €4. Lifeguard on duty daily July-Sept 11am-7pm; Oct 1-15 noon-6pm; June 15-30 noon-6pm.
PLATJA D’ES CAVALLET
A short walk from Salines to the coast
BEACH
Platja d’es Cavallet’s free-spirited vibe stems from a few factors: groups of locals frequently make the switch from swimsuits to birthday suits, masseuses perform aggressive and artistic massages right on the sand, the few restaurants sprinkled along the beach (like the huge Chiringay) play mellower tunes than the average Ibizan beach-bar, and any tourists who arrive via public transit have just made the 30min. walk through the stunning Salines Nature Reserve to arrive at this peaceful paradise. Along the coast you’ll find tons of rocky coves being settled by savvy locals looking for some private tanning and even pass by the 15th-century Torre de ses Portes.
Take bus #11 from Ibiza City to Salines and then walk on the coast to D’es Cavallet. First aid available. Nudity permitted. Lifeguards on duty daily 11am-7pm.
PLATJA D’EN BOSSA
BEACH
Lounging around Platja d’en Bossa you’ll hear bottles popping, lighters clicking, and the repeated “Amigo, wanna come to (insert disco here) tonight?” of promoters offering free and discounted club tickets. While you may not get the pristine cleanliness of removed nature reserve beaches, you’ll get lines of huge hotels, tall palm trees, and Ibiza’s biggest seaside parties. Major beach bars like Bora Bora serve drinks and food all day before turning into raging discos after dark. If you go up one block from beach, you’ll find tons of bars, pubs, supermarkets, internet cafes, gyms, and restaurants, making Platja d’en Bossa a tourist hub of total convenience.
Take bus #14, summer bus #10B, or the discobus to Platja d’en Bossa. First aid, showers, and lockers available. Jet-ski and banana boat rentals. On-beach massages. Lockers €3 per 10hr. Lounge chairs €7.
FOOD
BAR 43 TAPAS
Avenida de Espana, 43
INTERNATIONAL, OPEN LATE
971 300 992 www.ibiza-43.com
Some numbers hog all the attention: lucky (or unlucky) 13, fab 4, and sweet 16. But what ever happened to good old 43? Luckily, Bar 43 Tapas is here to boost this poor, neglected number’s self-esteem by serving 43 varieties of international tapas to an equally international clientele. You can test your knowledge of international flags or chat with the owners about the decorations on the walls, all of which have been collected over the course of their world travels. These tapas are the perfect size for sharing, so grab a group to try some Spanish albondigas in mustard sauce (€5), a Mexican quesadilla (€4.50), a Greek salad (€4.80), and some Indian chicken curry (€6.50). You can add to the party by tasting one of their refreshing cocktails, like the fruity, tropical “Ibiza 43” that mixes rum, apricot brandy, various juices, and blackberry liqueur (€7).
Near the bus stop on Avenida de Espana. Tapas €4-6.50. Open Tu-Sa 1-5pm and 8pm-1am.
BON PROFIT
Plaza del Parque 5
TRADITIONAL
If we learned anything from David and Goliath, Stuart Little, or The Princess and the Pea, it’s that even the little guy can have a huge impact—and Bon Profit fits right in with those small-but-strong competitors. Located right on the Plaza del Parque, this classic Spanish restaurant may only cover a small space, but it serves up huge portions at shockingly low prices. You can enjoy a full plate of steaming paella (€3.80) for lunch any day of the week, or the selection of local fish like the specialty dorada (€9.50). Even any selection off the lengthy wine list will only cost you €1.90 per glass. The friendly staff will serve you with a smile in this old-time establishment, where the plaster has been artistically removed from parts of the walls to uncover the warm brick below.
On the Plaza del Parque, on the side closest to d’Alt Vila. No smoking. Entrees €3.80-10. 90. Desserts €1.20-€2.70. Open daily 1-3pm and 8-10pm.
BAR SAN JUAN
C. de Montgri, 8
TRADITIONAL
971 311 603
This Ibiza classic is a family establishment, passed down through three generations over the past 60 years. Just don’t think that Bar San Juan is stuck in some outdated ways. You’ll find a lengthy list of daily options every time you walk in to this small restaurant packed with chatty locals. It may not look too exciting from the outside, but the moment you walk in and see the massive portions passing under your nose, you’ll understand why you’re lost in the sound of bustling conversation and clinking glasses. On a menu that’s all about choices, you’ll find a slew of fresh options like dorada, salmon, sepia (€5-10.80), 6 different types of tortillas (€3.50-5), and a hefty mixed paella (€4.80).
From Passeig Vara de Rei, take either of the side streets to C. de Montgri. Smoking and non-smoking areas available. Appetizers €4.50-8. Salads €3-6.50. Fish and meat €4-12. Desserts €1.80-2.50. Wine €1-1.70. Open M-Sa 1-3:30pm and 8:30-11:30pm.
NIGHTLIFE
Nightlife is Ibiza’s pride and joy. Whether you’re an Ibiza virgin or a proud veteran, the enormous, packed discotecas will never cease to shock and impress. While you need to be prepared for big covers and pricey drinks, you can find discounts from the street promoters in all the city centers and along the beaches as well as at many hostel receptions. The major clubs are generally located outside the cities, splashed all over the island, including Eden and Es Paradis in Sant Antoni, Pacha at the Ibiza port, and Privilege and Amnesia near San Rafael. But don’t fret, as Ibiza has made club transport particularly convenient with the discobus (€3) which runs lines from midnight to 6:30am, dropping you right at the doors to the major clubs. There are also options for some less expensive partying. The Sunset Cafes and smaller clubs along Calle Santa Anges in Sant Antoni are some favorite spots, and there are also late night bars all over Ibiza City.
SPACE
Playa d’en Bossa
CLUB
971 304 432 www.spaceibiza.com
You may be wondering how they came up with the name Space. Maybe it’s because this enormous club with over 4 danc
e floors, a bar around every corner, and various lounges will move the crowds to new spaces as the night gets busier and busier. Maybe it’s because while you’re dancing on the crowded dance floor among go-go girls and costumed performers on stilts, a little extra room would be desirable. Or maybe it’s just because this club is out of this world. This top Ibiza disco is ready to party any night of the week, but you should make sure to check out the “We Love Sundays” parties and top DJ Carl Cox’s hard techno beats every Tuesday.
Take the Discobus from the Ibiza port to Space, or bus #14 during the day to Playa d’en Bossa. Beer €10. Mixed drinks €13-17. Open M 10pm-6am, Tu 8pm-6am, W 10pm-6am, Th 8pm-6am, F-Sa 10pm-6am, Su 4pm-6am.
EDEN
C. Salvador Espriu, 1
CLUB
971 340 212 www.edenibiza.com
This is one debauchery-filled garden of Eden that could only have been created by the party gods—you’ve got massive flatscreens playing the hottest music videos, a giant warehouse-sized space, multiple levels of circular dance floors, and a VIP guest list stacked with some of the world’s hottest DJs and celebs. Eden is all about temptation, and the glistening red apples all over the dance floor just remind you of all those things that you’re dying to have, from that sexy dance partner across the room to those pricey spirits behind the bar. As major clubs on Ibiza go, every night is something special. For the past decade, Eden has created a name for itself with its “Judgement Sundays” of intense techno, and more recently, the “Wonderland” Fridays with world-class DJ sets that bring in stars like Lady Gaga. That apple’s just sitting there—take a bite.
Take Disco Bus line #1 or #4 to Sant Antoni or take C. Ramon y Cajal to the rotund and follow C. Dr. Fleming. Cover €20-55. Beer €10. Mixed drinks €12. Open daily midnight-6am.
ES PARADIS
C. Salvador Espriu, 2
CLUB
971 346 600 www.esparadis.com
The title doesn’t lie—you have found Ibiza’s party paradise (and we doubt it was hard, considering its ad posters absolutely blanket the island). Take one step inside this enormous pyramid of party glory and scope out the multiple levels of circular dancefloors and stages decorated with sparkling discoballs and spiraling vined terraces. The fog and strobe lights will get you lost in the line-up of house and electronic hits, and you’ll dance until your feet are sore at Wednesday’s “Clubland,” whip out that leather for Tuesday’s “Ibiza Rocks,” bob your head along on the calmer Sunday “Jukebox,” and then make use of Es Paradis’ signature, deep dancefloor-gone-pool at the Monday and Friday “Fiesta del Agua” (pool fills up at 5am).
Discobus line #1 or #4 to Sant Antoni or take C. Ramon y Cajal to the rotund and follow C. Dr. Fleming. GLAS (gay, lesbian, and straight) night on Th. Cover €30-€45. Beer €6-7. Mixed drinks €11-12. Cocktail €12-13. Open daily midnight-6am.
CAFE DEL MAR
C. Vara de Rey, 27
BAR
971 342 516 www.cafedelmarmusic.com
There seems to be a striking similarity between the vibe in Aladdin’s “A Whole New World” and that in Cafe del Mar. This bar makes you feel like you’re soaring through the clouds with its pillowed ceiling, white, pink, and blue decor, mellow tunes, and amorphous design. The cafe is a classic that’s been around way longer than that street rat and his monkey friend (since 1980 to be exact). Head down on any summer night around sunset, and there’s no doubt that you’ll find an absolutely packed outdoor patio right on the water. Don’t let all this talk of dreams and genies get you sleepy—while Cafe del Mar may be the perfect, laid-back alternative to the Ibiza club scene, it also is one of the island’s most popular pre-clubbing spots.
Sunset Strip. Take Vara de Rey in Sant Antoni down to the water. Coffee €4-10. Beer €4.50-7. 50. Wine €5.50. Liquors €5-15. Cocktails €10-11. Open daily 5pm-1am.
CAFE SAVANNAH
C. Balanzat, 38
CAFE, BAR, CLUB
971 348 031 www.savannahibiza.com
Coming to Ibiza, your priorities are likely partying, tanning, drinking, and eating—and Savannah can give you everything that you’re looking for. This chic cafe-bar-club, right on Sant Antoni’s sunset strip, is impossible to miss—from its hot pink drapes to its white globe lamps to its tiled, arching interior and pink bar. You can enjoy the large, beautifully presented portions off their menu, including international hits like Asian woks (€13-14), Spanish Iberian pork (€16), or the multicultural mini-burger combo (€13) with lamb-mint, beef-cheddar, and chicken-curry varieties for you to taste. Once you’ve filled up and watched the Ibiza sunset on the outdoor patio, the whole mood changes. The DJs’ mellow tunes turn into commerical dance beats, and the club in back opens up to get you moving, whether hosting their notoriously popular pre-club parties (W-Sa), or holding their own until the early morning (M-Th, Sa).
Sunset Strip. Take Vara de Rey in Sant Antoni down to the water. Wine €4. Mixed drinks €8. Cocktails €9. Appetizers €8.50-10.50; entrees €13-22. Desserts €6.50-7.50. Cafe open daily 11am-midnight. Bar open M-Th midnight-6am, Sa midnight-6am.
SOUL CITY
C. Santa Agnes, 2
CLUB
971 340 509 www.digitalibiza.com/soulcity
We’re about to have your wallet jumping for joy—it’s possible to party like crazy in Ibiza without dropping more on a cover than on your accommodation. Soul City will let you in for free, provide the hottest dance beats for free, and even project movies all over their flat-screen TVs and projection screens without asking for an additional dime. Ibiza’s original, exclusive hip-hop and R and B club has DJs spinning songs that are insured to get you moving. Ironically, while this is supposedly a city, it’s actually far smaller than many of Ibiza’s school-sized discos. Think of it this way: pack the same amount of people into a much smaller space, and you have a steaming, sticky, overflowing dance floor of party animals.
Take Discobus line #1 or #4 to Sant Antoni and C. Santa Agnes runs down to the port. No cover. Beer €3-4. Spirits €5-6. Cocktails €7. Open daily 10pm-6am.
ESSENTIALS
Practicalities
• TOURIST OFFICES: There are information offices (www.ibiza.travel) all around the island, including at the port (C. Antoni Riquer 2 971 191 195 Apr-Oct M-Sa 9:30am-6pm, Su 10am-1pm; Nov-Mar M-F 9:30am-3:30pm, Sa 9:30am-2:30pm.) Another convenient location is at the airport (971 809 118 Open May-Oct M-F 9am-8pm, Sa 9am-7pm; Nov-Apr M-F 9am-3pm, Sa 8am-1pm). There are multiple offices in Ibiza City, including at Vara de Rey (Passeig Vara de Rey 1 971 301 900 info@ibiza.travel Open Apr-Oct M-Sa 9am-8pm, Su 9am-3pm; Nov-Mar M-F 9am-7pm, Sa 10am-6pm, Su 10am-2pm), in Dalt Vila (Plaza Catedal s/n 971 399 232 Open June-Sept M-Sa 10am-2pm, 5pm-9pm, Su 10am-2pm; Oct-Mar M-Su 10am-3pm), and at Parc de la Pau (Avenida d’Isidor Macabich Open Apr-Oct M-Sa 10am-1:30pm, 5pm-8pm, Su 10am-2pm; Nov-Mar M-Sa 10am-2pm). There are also offices in Sant Anotoni (Passeig de Ses Fonts s/n 971 343 363 Open May-Oct M-F 9:30am-8:30pm, Sa 9am-1pm, Su 9:30am-1:30pm; Oct-Apr M-F 9:30am-2:30pm, Sa 9:30am-1:30pm), Santa Eularia des Rui (C. Caria Riquer Wallis 971 330 728 Open May-Oct M-F 9:30am-1:30pm, 5pm-7:30pm, Sa 9:30am-1:30pm; Nov-Apr M-F 9am-2pm, Sa 9am-1:30pm), and beaches Cala Lionga ( Open May-Oct daily 9:30am-2pm, 3:30pm-8pm) and Es Canar ( May-Oct daily 9:30am-2pm and 3:30-8pm).
• INTERNET: You can get Wi-Fi access at the public library in the Espacio Cultural Can Ventosa (C. Ignasio Wallis, 26 Open M-F 8am-3pm; in summer Tu 8am-3pm), or at Telecentro internet cafe (Carrer de Castilla, 10 971 394 269 daily 10am-11:30pm) that offers internet for €1 per hour and printing and copying for €.20 per page.
• LAUNDROMATS: You can do your laundry at Wash and Dry Ibiza (Avenida de Espana, 53 971 394 822), which also has ironing services and internet access.
• POST OFFICE: The central Post Office of Ibiza City (Avenida Isodor Macabich 67 971 399 769 Open M-F 8:30am-8:30pm, Sa 9:30am-2pm) also has an ATM, photocopy and fax services, and an Ebay desk.
Emergency!
• EMERGENCY NUMBER: 112.
• POLICE: National (091; 971 398 831). Local (092; 971 315 861 for Ibiza).
• HOSPITALS: Can Misses (971 397 000). Red Cross Ibiza (971 390 303).
• LATE-NIGHT PHARMACIES: Pharmacies around each city rotate being open 24hr. You can visit any pharmacy during the day, and they can give you the schedule of which pharmacies are next in line to stay open. Within Ibiza City, there are pharmacies all over, including at Parque de la Pau, at Paseo Vara de Rey, along Avenida Espanya, and three near the border of D’alt Vila.
Getting There
By Plane
The Ibiza Airport, Sant Jordi (971 809 900), is located 7km from Ibiza City and 5km from Sant Jordi. Over 50 airlines connect through the airport. There is also Wi-Fi access throughout the airport. From the airport, city bus line #9 ( €3.20 June and Sept only every 1hr. 30min., 7am-11:30pm) runs to Sant Antoni, and #10 ( €3.20 Apr-Oct 6am-12am, every 20min., Nov-Mar 7am-11:30pm, every 30min) and #10B ( €3.20 July-Aug 12:30am-5:30am, every hour) run to the Ibiza City. Radiotaxi (971 800 080) can take you by cab for €.90/km during the day and €1.10 over night, plus a €1.50 airport supplement fee. Cabs from the airport to Sant Antoni are generally €25-€30, and €15-€20 to Ibiza City. The Aena website (www.aena.es) and Amadeus website (www.amadeus.net) are particularly helpful in consolidating information from all the major airlines. As many of the flights are short and run very consistently, prices vary immensely depending on how far in advance you book, and the day of the week and time of day of the flight.