AROUND THE ISLAND OF IBIZA

After hiking around Menorca in August 2023, I decided to continue my exploration of the Balearic Islands in the spring of 2025. I set my sights on Ibiza, about which I had often heard both good and bad things.

When this name is mentioned, the collective imagination often conjures up images of lively beaches and festive nights. Yet, behind this unrestrained reputation, I thought this island could hide a completely different side. Far from the summer crowds, I decided to discover this corner of the Mediterranean in a different way, but it wasn't easy. Following the coastal path, I traversed a rugged coastline dotted with small, secluded coves and wild beaches, but I sometimes had to climb steep cliffs plunging into a deep blue sea.

 

While walking these lands, I also wanted to grasp the historical significance of Ibiza. I knew that this island was a strategic crossroads where Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs succeeded one another. This layering of cultures shaped a unique identity and left numerous traces :

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- The Phoenicians founded one of their most important colonies here for five centuries (between 650 and 123 BC), leaving behind significant remains, such as the "Puig des Molins," a famous necropolis listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 3,000 recorded tombs.

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- The Arab influence (domination for more than three centuries, from 903 to 1235) can still be seen today in the irrigation systems, terraced fields, and the cubic architecture of traditional houses.

Along the trails, you'll still come across a few well-preserved watchtowers built between the 16th and 18th centuries on the orders of the Spanish Crown to defend the island against Barbary pirates and corsairs.

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Ibiza is also an island where rural traditions still thrive. Venturing away from the major cities, you'll discover the surrounding countryside, rich in almond, olive, vineyards, and citrus groves. The locals remain very attached to their artisan markets and patron saint festivals. Traditional dances continue to be performed, such as the "ball pagès," which appeared in the 13th century (and has been listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 2012). All of this tells another story, that of a rural island community that long lived in self-sufficiency.

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The environment is also incredibly rich, especially the Posidonia seagrass meadows, which form an exceptional marine ecosystem that filters the seawater, giving it incredible clarity in some places.

Despite some apprehensions due to Ibiza's bad reputation, this walking tour of the island was a total immersion in nature for me. It was an introspective walk, punctuated by the sound of the waves and the sunsets, but also a demanding hike, always rewarded by spectacular panoramas and that rare feeling of freedom.

It's another way to discover Ibiza: slower, deeper, more authentic.

 

I hope my videos will inspire you to embark on this adventure yourself.

 

✨ Buen camino ⭐

Lionel de Compostelle 🦋