Shore Excursion: Travel Guide to Ibiza

Located just off the coast of Valencia, Ibiza has become synonymous with wild parties, vibrant night life, and electronic music. But what people don’t tend to realise is that away from the nightclubs, Ibiza is a gorgeous and sophisticated holiday destination; the perfect place to take a shore excursion on your next Mediterranean cruise.

The island is filled with World Heritage Sites, stunning scenery and interesting sightseeing spots. Ibiza offers visitors of all ages something to enjoy even if you’ve only a limited time there.

Since the maximum length of Ibiza by highway is 42 km, you can easily see the island by public transportation or hiring a car. If you have only one day to spend on this beautiful island and you are not big on nightlife, there is still plenty to do during the day.

Visit the Castle of Ibiza

The Castle of Ibiza is located in the old town (D’Alt Vila, literally “Upper Town”), on top of a mountain beside the harbour. It’s a mix of the medieval and Islamic architecture from the 12th century, as well as barracks from the 18th century.

Since you can only see the exterior of the castle, the primary goal for going there is to take in the stunning, panoramic view of the entire Ibiza Town. The walk to the castle is lined with cobbled streets full of restaurants and shops, and the castle itself is fetching especially at night when lit up.

Take a Walking Tour

Ibiza may be small but it is full of ‘off the beaten path’ hiking trails. The countryside is a botanical treasure every month of the year, and walks along the coastline provide spectacular views of pristine, blue waters. What better way is there to burn off those extra calories consumed at dinner last night?

To get the most out of your walk, it’s best to hire a local guide or take a walking tour. There are different types of walking tours tailored to all ages and levels of fitness, from 1 hour to over 5 hours if you’re feeling confident. A short, city walk involves walking through the street markets to see the local handmade arts and crafts and stopping by some of the island’s museums.

Photograph Es Vedra

Es Vedra is a small, uninhabited, rocky island situated 2 kilometres off the west coast of Ibiza, in the Cala d’Hort area. It makes for a beautiful photograph, especially during the sunset.

Because of its mystique, this rock island is shrouded in many myths. One of them is that Es Vedra was home of the sirens and sea-nymphs who attempted to lure Ulysses from his ship in The Odyssey by Homer.

Got More than One Day?

If you want to spend more than one day in Ibiza but away from the sandy beaches, you can always stay inland and look at various churches, one of which is Iglesia de Sant Rafel, which is even more lovely at night. Alternatively you can take the Ibiza Express Santa Eularia, which is a colourful, short train ride even adults can enjoy.

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Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons. Credits: David Sim, Lori Branham, Federico Capoano, GanMed64