After all the clubs have had their closing parties, and all the airplanes have taken the tourists back home, and the beaches are left deserted, Ibiza is reborn as an island full of peace and serenity. An Ibiza replete with traditions, customs, culture and natural beauty comes alive for the local islanders and, on a lesser scale, tourists. The heartland of the island offers a variety of ways to enjoy autumn. Would you like to hear our top suggestions?
Outdoor Sports
One of the most popular autumn activities among islanders is outdoor sports. We love taking long walks after a good meal, cycling down wooded trails, going kayaking and much more. The temperatures are mild, the days are sunny and we might even take a quick dip in the sea. The weather is perfect for exploring the island’s inland landscapes. One of the most beautiful routes for cycling is “Route 17”, which cuts through two inland plains located in the northeast of Ibiza: Pla de Corona and Pla de Sant Mateu. As we make our winding way, we pedal though fields full of almond trees and vineyards. Just charming
Discover the Ses Salines Nature Park and Environs
The peace and quiet of summertime’s top beaches, such as Es Cavallet, Ses Salines and Es Codolar is a magical experience in itself. But it gets even better if you visit the Nature Park, where the great underwater meadows of Posidonia (Mediterranean tapeweed) grow on the seabed between Ibiza and Formentera. These meadows have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Other interesting sights include the defense tower Sa Sal Rossa and the charming church at Sant Francesc de s’Estany (where the Interpretation Center – HQ for the whole park – is located). If we continue even further, we come across the Sa Revista Chapel as well as another watchtower before reaching Playa d’en Bossa – an invigorating autumn hike by any standard.
The arrival of autumn doesn’t mean there’s no fun to be had
Island nightlife in autumn and winter are nothing like the months of summer madness, but they offer an equally enjoyable style of diversion. Ibiza Town, the island’s capital, is the meeting point for locals in the evening. Order a few tapas with friends, stroll amid the silent walls of Dalt Vila, snack on some roasted chestnuts in the Vara de Rey or have a drink in the bustling Plaza del Parque: any or all of the above make an ideal night on the town. For those who want to carry on, remember that Pacha opens year round – so you won’t miss those long summer nights too much!
Good eating starts with pig slaughters
As winter approaches, many Ibicenco families still hold a traditional pig slaughter. These festive gatherings bring together the whole family as well as neighbors and friends, who all lend a hand with the day’s many tasks, all aimed at making sausages and other pork byproducts. After all the hard work, everyone sits down to a big meal featuring typical Ibicenco gastronomy, followed by music and traditional games. If you get the opportunity to attend one of these events, don’t pass it by. It will help you to understand and appreciate the island’s roots.
A Time of Culture
The north of the island is home to several small treasures of history that are well worth a visit. A wealth of beautiful churches, caves, pirate towers and old villages make ideal sightseeing outings in autumn. What follows is our list of the north’s prime cultural assets
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Sant Miquel Church
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The old settlement at Balàfia
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Es Culleram cave
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The defense towers – de Balansat or des Molar
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Sant Joan Church
Sunsets: The Best Ones All Year
Yes, in autumn and winter you can see the best sunsets of the year – and not just because there are fewer tourists. It is because the weather is much cooler, which has the effect of making the colors more intense. These Technicolor scenes definitely recharge your batteries and are the stuff that dreams are made of. If we view the sunset from the island’s southern shores, we can easily see Formentera in the distance. If our vantage point is the west coast – and the day is clear – we can make out the Spanish mainland with its hilly silhouette.
