Hippy markets, a nightclub culture, families relaxing on the beach: this is summer on Ibiza. A small island in the Mediterranean Sea. Part of Spain.
The island has an image of being a party paradise and indeed, clubbing is a lifestyle here. But (as always) the image has grown to cover the truth, and the truth is that Ibiza offers far more than clubs and bars only.
Ibiza is also (but lesser) known as the Hippy Island. Hippies started to settle here in the 1960s, being the ultimate place where they could work and wind down in summer. In winter they all went to Kathmandu (Nepal) and Goa (India).
But there is one thing all these different groups of people have in common while visiting or living on Ibiza: they celebrate life to the fullest. It even goes as far as celebration of the sun setting! We were very surprised to learn that sunset is actually being celebrated. By hippies. Every Sunday afternoon hippies gather at the beach of Cala Benirras with non- or wannabe hippies, families, party people, sun admirers, nature lovers, entrepreneurs, locals, and others to celebrate the sunset. Our kids were excited ever since they heard about this and didn’t want to leave the beach before they experienced this sunset jubilation.
At around 7pm hippies started to bang the drums and blow the horns until almost 9pm when the sun finally set and people started cheering and clapping their hands. Of course it is just another sunset, but when people actually start cheering it is covered by a little bit of magic.
Travel to Ibiza
In Europe we see a growing trend of people traveling to Ibiza, with families being the latest group to discover the island as a great holiday destination. It’s a interesting mix of people. Different people with different expectations but with the same goal: to celebrate life. I want to tell you our story in 10 pictures (and that one video of course): 10 reasons to visit Ibiza.
1. Enjoying typical Paella dish with rice, fish, shellfish, sangria….
2. Watching people in a different world (Mad Max meets The Beach)
3. Enjoying beautiful rocky bays
4. Experiencing magical sunsets (and celebrate them!)
5. Engaging in Hippy parties
6. Strolling through narrow streets of Eivissa (Ibiza City)
7. Clubbing in Privilege, Space or Amnesia
8. Finding peace (or a break from frenzy party life) in religion
9. Diving or snorkeling in crystal clear water
10. Slowing down and watch local life
Which picture do you like the most? What would be your favorite way of spending time on Ibiza?
Also check out: Things to do in Barcelona
15 comments
The food, the music, the dancing!, and those sunsets. It reminds me a bit of Malaga, but even crazier! 🙂 I especially love the feel of a mini Bohemia.
Michelle, thanks! Mini Bohemia, that’s a good description. More and more I feel the limits of my knowledge of English words after writing for more than a year now. So I love to learn new ways of describing places and events!
I’m with Davemoevius. I can’t choose which photo I like best. OK, if I was forced to choose, I’d say the sunset photo. The color of the sky is so unique.
Good choice! The sunset always makes people think about life, mistakes, the past and of course how the future will be so much better. Thanks Jackie.
Fantastic photos, Emiel! Wow.
Hi Richard, how are you doing? Great to see you here and thanks for the compliment.
Weer een goed verhaal van je Emiel zodat ik een goed beeld heb van je indrukken en belevinssen.
Will
Dank je Pa! Fotoalbums zijn al bijna niet meer nodig, we delen de foto’s gewoon via internet…
Awesome photos – all of them! And what an awesome adventure! I’d love to join in the celebration of the sunset with those hippies! Very unique!
Cherszy, you would have loved it. The beach is the perfect place for such gatherings!
I bet I would! One of these days… I swear!
The hippy party picture would convoke me. I thought Ibiza was a just a paradise for nightclubbers. It seems more interesting now.
Thank you Manuel. We had the same idea about Ibiza: paradise for party people. That image surely needs correction 🙂
I can’t choose one!!! All of them are Ibiza and that’s why it is one of the most special places on Earth!! Everyone should at least go once in their lifetime and experience the magic of this unique island.
No problem Dave if you can’t choose one 🙂 We also experienced them all…
I understand you have been at Ibiza one or several times! Thanks for your comment.