Ibiza Town is the capital of the island. Originally, it was the only place big enough to be called a town. It’s built on a headland that juts out into the sea and looks very impressive as you approach it by boat, especially at sunset or at night.
The old town itself is beautiful. Surrounded by walls, it overlooks most of the east coast of the island. The views are spectacular. At the highest point there is a cathedral that literally crowns the old town.
Ibiza town dates back to the 7th Century. The first inhabitants were the Carthaginians and then the Romans. By the time the Romans took over, the city walls had already been built, and most of the buildings were finished.
During the 16th Century, North African piracy was rampant. New bastioned walls were created to keep intruders out. These walls still stand today. You can still see the “lookie-lookie men” patrolling the streets, selling everything from cans of coke to fake Rolex watches.
Within the city walls, all the streets are narrow and winding and only accessible by foot. It’s like a maze, and uphill all the way to the cathedral.
The closer you get to the city walls the more harrowing the streets become. This area is very pretty and it buzzes during the summer. There’s literally hundreds or restaurants and bars here all jam-packed with people. Remember to come on foot. The nearby main town square is called the “Paseo de Vara de Rey”.
