In recent years Ibiza has justifiably become known as the Mecca for young people in search of the club scene. But beyond the youth centres of Ibiza Town and San Antonio, Ibiza still offers much for the more traditional tourist. The resorts of Santa Eulalia, Es Cana and Cala Llonga are popular with families, and more peaceful surroudings can be found in developments like Cala Vedella and Puerto San Miguel.

Those seeking complete tranquility and fine beaches will find it on Ibiza's smaller neighbour, Formentera. The smallest of the Balearic Islands, Formentera has no airport, but can be reached on a half-hour ferry crossing from Ibiza.

The island of Ibiza is the third largest of the archipelago, covering an area of 541 km2, and with a population of over 70,000. Thanks to its hilly terrain the island offers some magnificent scenery of great beauty. There are a great deal of pine forests (the Greeks in fact named the island Pitiusa which means "pinery"), as well as almond trees, fig and olive trees, and also palm trees. Another interesting fact about Ibiza is that the use of the windmill and the waterwheels is still quite common, mainly due to the lack of rainfall.

Rainy days on this island of almost perpetual sun are something of a luxury. The climate is very mild and produces the phenomenon of an everlasting springtime. The port of Ibiza is 162 miles from Barcelona, 70 from Palma, 100 from Valencia, 101 from Alicante and 152 from Algiers. The journey by ship is a most pleasant experience, thanks to the generally calm sea conditions. The Spanish company Trasmediterranea has a regular ferry service between Ibiza and the ports of Barcelona, Palma de Majorca and Valencia, and this service is increased from spring onwards when there can be as many as four or five crossings a week between Barcelona and Palma. There is also an excellent airport on Ibiza which is one of the busiest in Spain. The flight from Valencia tales half an hour, while from Barcelona and Palma it tales an hour and approximately twenty minutes, respectively. The airport never has to close because of adverse weather conditions.

Ibiza (27,685 inhabitants)

Ibiza is the island's capital and a lively maritime port, built on the side of a mountain beside the sea. It has some interesting districts, such as San Penya, and many magnificent viewpoints that look out across the sea. The white constructions of its popular districts, which were built following the exquisite architectural lines of the islanders, constitute an unmistakable and picturesque urban ensemble. The district of Dalt Vila is at the very heart of the city and contains some fine aristocratic mansions, the Town Hall, and the Cathedral which was rebuilt in the 17C. Ibiza was founded by the Carthaginians in the year 654 B.C. Its walls were put up in the 16C and are considered a National Monument since they are the only ones of their kind remaining in Europe. The Archeological Museum exhibits import Punic remains and many others that have come from excavations made on the island. Three kilometres from the capital are the beaches of Talamanca, which can be reached by a frequent bus and motor launch service. In addition there is Figueretas, at a distance of 1 km, and En Bossa (3 km away).

Sant Josep (9,095 inhabitants) Here can be found one of the island's most beautiful churches, along with the beaches of Cala Tárida, Cala Llentrisca, Cala Bassa, Cala Vadella, and Las Salinas. Visits can be paid to La Atalayasa, at a height of 475 m. During the summer there are folklore exhibitions.

Sant Antoni de Portnany (12,244 inhabitants)

This is the ancient Portus Magnus of the Romans, which today is a lively and cosmopolitan small town. The magnificent church is in the typical Ibizan style, and the Chapel-cum-Catacombs of Santa Inés has been declared a National Monument. Two kilometres away is the beach of Cala Grassió and trips can be made to the extraordinarily beautiful small islands of Vedrá (at a height of 382 m) and Vedranell.

Sant Miguel (1,817 inhabitants)

Has some magnificent scenery and a fine beach just 3 km away.

Sant Joan (3,287 inhabitants)

Located in the northern sector of the island, quite close to the Cuieram cave. There is a Carthaginian temple dedicated to the goddess Tanit, and the beaches of Xarraca, Portinatx, and Cala de Sant Vicenss.

Santa Eulalia del Riu (14,545 inhabitants)

This picturesque village lies at the mouth of the only river on the Balearic Islands. It has a beautiful church and the beaches of Cala Llonga and Es Caná. There is a typical farmstead at San Carlos.