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Fold 1Budget Ibiza
Queen of the Balearic Islands, Ibiza’s natural
charms, sophisticated dining scene and famous
dance floors have made it both popular and
pricey, but look beyond the super-clubs and you
can have a shoestring trip.A cascade of white
houses in Ibiza Old TownNightlife
Outdoor activities Sunset spots
DIY SPA THERAPY
Forget expensive spas – the rich,
muddy earth from the cliffs
around bays such as Cala
Xarraca or Aigües Blanques in
the north of the island can be
turned into a perfect homemade
mud pack. The treatment is
simple: fill a bucket with water
and mix it with the mud, cover
yourself all over, bake yourself in
the Ibizan sun for 30 minutes
until dry, and then dive into the
sea to wash it all off.HISTORIC DALT VILA
Ibiza Town’s fortified hilltop was
first settled by the Phoenicians
and later occupied by a roster
of subsequent civilisations.
Tranquil and atmospheric, many
of its lanes are only accessible
on foot and it’s possible to walk
the entire ramparts in less than
an hour. The area is home to
several of Ibiza’s key cultural
sights including the contemporary
art museum, housed in an
18th-century powder store and
armoury. Good restaurants
throng Plaça de Vila.PARQUE NATURAL
DE SES SALINES
This Unesco-listed nature reserve
of marshes, salt pans and coast
encompasses a wetland habitat
for 200 bird species; 16th-century
defensive towers, built to protect
Ibiza from pirates; and two of the
island’s best sandy beaches. It’s
possible to walk into the park
along a trail that runs from the
southern end of Platja d’en Bossa
and along the coast to Platja de
Salines. Between August and
October, the park is home to
migrating flamingos (free).MADAGASCAR
Traffic-free Plaça des Parc is the
bohemian heart of Ibiza Town
and this popular bar-café sits
right on the square. By day it’s
an enjoyable place for a juice
(try an orange and carrot mix),
a baguette, or a tapa or three.
By night it’s a relaxed bar, with
inexpensive combinados (spirit and
mixer) and draught beer
(00 34 971 55 55 55; Plaça des Parc;
9am–3am; beer from US$3.70).DC-10
The rawest, least pretentious
club in Ibiza, DC-10 in the south
of the island is all about the
music and has a distinctly
underground vibe. The door tax
is modest (for Ibiza) and drinks
are reasonably priced compared
with other big venues. Its Circo
Loco session on Mondays is one
of the best in Ibiza, kicking off
early in the day (Carretera Sant
Jordi–Salines Km 1, Sant Jordi;
3pm–6am May–Oct; entry from
US$18.50, beer from US$6).SA TRINXA
Clubs in Ibiza are notoriously
pricey but plenty of the island’s
beach bars have a dance vibe and
resident DJs. At the southern end
of Salines beach, Sa Trinxa is the
island’s coolest chiringuito bar
and there’s no entry fee (though
the food and drinks aren’t cheap).
It draws a crowd – hardcore
clubbers, fashionistas, models
and hippies – all soaking up the
Balearic vibes (satrinxa.com;
11am–9pm May–Oct).BENIRRÀS
The virtually untouched sandy
bay of Benirràs in northern Ibiza
has high-forested cliffs and a trio
of bar-restaurants. It’s a
spectacular location for sunset
and one that Ibiza’s boho tribe
has favoured for decades. If you
visit on Sunday, you’ll likely see
an assembly of drummers
banging out a salutation to the
sun. It’s a popular spot; arrive
early to get a parking space.
ES VEDRÀ
The islet of Es Vedrà rises like a
volcano from the sea off Ibiza’s
southwestern tip, setting the
scene for a sunset vista. The
18th-century defence tower of
Torre des Savinar looks out at it,
and is the perfect spot to watch
the sinking sun. If the 10-minute
walk uphill from Cova des
Mirador doesn’t take your fancy,
book a table at Es Boldado for a
meal overlooking Es Vedrà
(restauranteboldado.net; Cala
d’Hort; mains from US$14).SUNSET STRIP
The sunset hype over Sant
Antoni’s rocky coastline has
exploded in the past decade or
so and the renowned chill-out
bars here – including Café del
Mar and Café Mambo – are now
expensive and require advance
dinner bookings (with a
minimum spend) to reserve a
space. However, you don’t have
to enter the bars to enjoy the
show: simply bring your own
drinks and find a patch on the
rocks close to your DJ of choice.The cobbled lanes of Ibiza’s
historic Dalt VilaDC-10 is smaller than most super-
clubs, yet its reputation is hugeThe rock of Es Vedrà is associated
with local myths and legendsFold 2MINI GUIDE