Ibiza Entertainment

Ibiza's history and location is reflected in its culinary offerings. Fish and shellfish is the mainstay and are usually fresh off the boats that morning. Meat and game also feature on local menus and are popular in hearty stews. Given its vast tourist appeal there are also plenty of international restaurants in the main resorts that range from fast food to creative fine dining of the highest order. Vegetarians may have to hunt that bit harder for good food.

Ibiza produces wine made in the traditional way with grapes from indigenous vines and have recently been granted their own quality standards through the Vins de la terra Eivissa denomination.

National specialties:
• Paella (based on seafood and occasionally meat with rice and saffron) generally served to two people or more.
• Guisat de peix (fish dish usually served grilled with potatoes and then taken back to the kitchen and leftovers used for a second course stew).
• Sofrit pages (stew made from meat or chicken with peppers and potatoes).
• Borrida de Rajada (freshly caught skate baked with almonds).
• Flaó (cream tart made with fresh cheese, eggs and mint).

National drinks:
• Vi Pages (a robust locally made wine, usually red or rosé).
• Granizados is made from locally grown fruit, which is freshly squeezed, frozen and then crushed.
• Horchatas (frozen, crushed nut milk).
• Frígola (an aromatic herb based drink served as a digestive).
• Hierbas Ibicencas is an aniseed-based drink, flavoured with local herbs, served on the rocks and said to be good for the digestion.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: Tipping is discretionary, but is generally up to 10% in city and resort restaurants; and small change in bars, smaller restaurants and family run establishments.

Nowhere in the world quite does nightlife like Ibiza. Despite recent government attempts to reel in certain aspects of club culture and the ‘anything goes' attitude, the island by it's wild scene continues to attract party goers from across Europe and beyond drawn to the island's reputation and appearances of world-famous DJ's. These clubs are by no means cheap to get into and drinks can prove expensive once inside. Many revellers opt to get their alcoholic fill amongst the nearby bars and pubs that often use street touts to draw people inside. The party season runs between June and September with enormous parties often held near the end of this period.

Ibiza after dark is certainly not just the den of inequity certain European media would have their readers believe. While some areas of San Antonio, Ibiza Town and Santa Eularia still suffer at the hands of over-indulgent, bawdy attractions and behaviour; there is still plenty of space left for those who prefer their evenings tranquil, romantic and cultured beneath what can be described as one of the most striking sunsets in Europe. Come dusk many take to the pavement cafes and watch the world go by during the traditional Iberian pastime of el paseo (strolling for pleasure before dinner). Also popular is hopping between the wealth of traditional bars to sample the local wine and tapas or taking a stroll on one of the plethora of beaches before a dinner of local seafood and wine.

Ceramics play a big part in the retail plans of visitors to Ibiza, despite all the clay having to be imported. There is no end of large stores selling the stuff, though it's worth looking out for local independent potters selling their creations from their own workshops. Leather goods are also well represented and the island has quite a reputation for the quality of its shoe manufacturing. 

The long and firmly established hippy community has quite a retail presence with weekly markets held at a number of locations including Ibiza Town, the Punta Arabi at Es Canar and Cala Llonga. On offer are all manner of artisan decorations and adornments for the home and body including craft work, jewellery, paintings, pottery and clothing. Local wines, spirits and olive oil also make good gifts and souvenirs.

Shopping hours: Monday to Saturday 0930-1330 and 1630-2000 tends to be the rule of smaller shops whilst the majority of larger department stores, supermarkets and malls stay open from 1000-2200.