Somewhere for the Weekend: There’s more to Ibiza Town than meets the eye

It’s easy to make assumptions about Ibiza. It is one of the world’s most popular party destinations after all. But, there’s much more to the white island than that, starting with their diminutive little capital or Eivissa as the ancients called it.

“Ibiza Town has long been the heartbeat of the island for young and old, but in recent years has become far more cosmopolitan,” says Jason Ham, Head of Business Development at Lucas Fox Ibiza. “A 15 minute stroll around its pretty, white-washed lanes – especially if you come out of season – and you’ll know this to be true.”

A stone’s throw from the little port where you dock if you’ve taken the ferry across from Barcelona, or indeed are planning a little sojourn across the sea of Formentera, is the pocket-sized Barrio La Marina. Tucked away within the heavily touristy lanes of cheap tapas and sangria that spin out around it, it has a very different vibe to the rest of the place with generally more sophisticated bars, restaurants and shops as well as a strong sense of community. People who left long ago are flocking back and basing themselves here in the city, while the extravagant revival of the marina means there’s plenty to keep the jet set happy too.

Time was you needed to head inland to find a nattily designed boutique hotel, and fine dining needed to be squirrelled out with a truffle dog. Not so now with the arrival of places like Gran Hotel Ibiza and Pacha’s uber glamorous Destino, positioned high on the cliffs overlooking the bay.

“The port is having a makeover to get rid of the ferries and bring in more modern spaces for the super yachts,” explains Ham. “And with the new Cavalli Club opening last year across the road from Cipriani down on the Paseo Marítimo, Ibiza Town is now packed full of A-Listers in the summer and residents in the winter.”

On the other side of the town, Playa d’en Bossa is modelling itself as the new Miami. A collection of sleek, A-grade, party hotels, among them Ushuaïa, Hard Rock and the art deco Es Vive now rule the sand alongside fabulously sexy beach bars. David Reartes’, slow food driven, 100% organic, gastro beach club Lips, with its bleached wood floors and Moroccan filigreed plaster, could easily have dropped down from Marrakech. And a little further down the strand Paco Roncero’s impossibly exclusive Sublimotion takes just 12 diners per ‘performance’ and serves the most expensive burger in the land. Stroll along here these days and the air literally snaps with glamour, a far cry from the booze-ups of yesteryear.

It’s the Sa Penya Quarter, up within the fortified walls of the Dalt Vila, that Ham says will be the next hot spot for investors. And it’s easy to see why when there’s so much regeneration going on in such a small area. From up here you are literally king of the castle, with your playground spread at your feet and all within a 10 minute taxi ride.

No doubt about it: there’s never been a better time to look again at Ibiza Town.

A Perfect Saturday in the Barrio La Marina

If you haven’t been to bed revive with a champagne breakfast with the drag queens and local celebs at the Croissant Show. Or, sleep late then head for an early lunch at Can Miquelitus for some soothing jazz and that most Catalan of aperitifs, vermut, over ice with a slice of orange, and some stellar homemade tapas (from 1pm).

Zip into Ibiza Das (C/Manuel Sorá) for a sparkly bikini, get a tattoo at Inkadelic, tattoo artist to the stars, or pick up a traditional woven grass sunhat at Sombreria Bonet (C/Conde Rosellon 6).

Grab a gourmet sandwich to take to local favourite Talamanca beach (you can hop on the boat from the port) at Can Gourmet (C/Montgrí 18), or munch it sitting outside in their mini street food truck.

Mooch up to the Mercado Viejo in the Dalt Vila for street theatre on Saturday afternoons. Dance with the little green fairy – the Green Beast absinthe cocktail – at Bar 1805 with a moule frites chaser, or go local over traditional tapas and Spanish wines at La Bodega.