Autumn in Ibiza: on foot, bike and kayak

Autumn, winter and spring are the best times to discover the Balearic Islands. Without crowds and in a “slow” way. Walking, cycling or paddling.

Ibiza: what is the first thing to remember when you hear the name of this  Balearic Island ? Music, parties, clubs ?  Even sea and beaches of course. Ibiza is all this and more. Indeed, much more. Especially out of season or away from the summer months. At this time the climate in Ibiza becomes less torrid, crowding is scarce and you can immerse yourself in nature. From Beach to  beach, but also from hillside to  hillside, in the woods and in the countryside.

40 percent  of Ibiza is covered with pines and junipers, and hosts 1800 different plant species. Green is therefore the dominant color from October to early June. Also because the nighttime heat rushes, deposits milliliters of dew on the ground and the plants drastically drink the precious droplets of water to grow lush.

The other Ibiza is slow to discover. Walking and cycling. As well as kayaking to have a different view on the coast, take yourself to a hidden cave and land on the most undiscovered bays.

Everyone can choose the activity they prefer, trekking or on two wheels (even electric). Or just by sea. Even better is to  alternate from one to another depending on the place to visit. And even climbing , for the most sporty ones, as there are dozens of walls  for beginners and advanced levels.

The paths to be taken can be one or more days depending on the time available and the training. In a week you can get a general idea of ​​the island. With ten days it is possible to get better in the various areas.

Where do you go from? From Dalt Vila or the Acropolis of Ibiza. Declared UNESCO World Heritage site  is a pleasure to discover it by walking down the narrow alleys along the Renaissance walls with its seven bastions. Always lively, from 11 am to late night, the ancient city is the place to shop and have fun. Open all year round, for those who love live music, is the Teatro Pereyra Café Concerto, just a stone’s throw from the harbour.

There are beautiful walks along the marina where the ferries sail to Formentera and coming from the continent. Promenade: Talamanca Beach and Playa d’en Bossa.

However, the most beautiful beaches are in the municipality of Sant Josep de Sa Talaia: 80 kilometers away. Two of them, within the Ses Salines Natural Park (Le Salines). It is Es Cavallet, a kilometer of white beach, the first in Europe officially gay-friendly in the seventies and today the number one for nudists; and of Ses Salines, gently degrading water, dunes behind. To ride in the park the ideal medium is mountain biking: paths have been mapped with gps and it is difficult to get lost despite the vegetation

Kayaking is the west coast. At Cala d’Hort, with two hours of excursion, you will arrive to the islet of Es Vedrà, the nature reserve, and the symbol of Ibiza. So, always crawling calmly, here is Sa Pedrera, the “mythical” Atlantis, a place of worship for today’s hippies. Here, at  sea level, they “dug” the blocks to build fortifications and houses. The crystalline waters, thanks to the poseidonia (also proclaimed World Heritage), invite you to dive and snorkel.

Paging again and again towards the north, on the same coast, here is Cala Vedella, cozy and quiet. further up, but you need to do at least one stop, there is Platges de Comte with  wild dunes and where the sunset is a must.

At Sant Antoni de Portmany we advise you to visit the city, on foot, and see the murals. For some years, wall painters are invited to leave their “sign” and the results are really remarkable. The church, where the defense tower stands , was used as a fortification in the 14th century. Spectacular is the bay with  dozens of moored boats in the city center.

The suggestion then to head towards the north by stopping at Santa Gertrudis and San Mateo. The landscape and terraces are enchanting.

The northern part of Ibiza has two “poles”: Santa Eulària des Riu and San Joan de Labritja. From the sea inside. An incredible coastline to do paddling. While cycling, alternating hiking trails, you will discover the centre. With the beautiful countryside (in February when the almonds usually flower the show is even more beautiful). It is in this part of the island, less visited by tourists even in summer , with the majority of farms and crops of oranges, lemons, mangoes and of course vegetables.

 

Discover our latest Luxury list of villas in Ibiza,  an island to visit all year round. Check for more details at: http://www.ibiza-luxuryvillas.com/our-villas#List