Old Town Ibiza
Old Town Ibiza is sure to tantalize your soul with its beguiling & ancient cobblestone streets all bursting with quaint shops & idyllic sidewalk cafés.
The cobble stone streets within the of the castle of Ibiza.
I fell in love with Ibiza and no one was more surprised than me. With a club scene reputation, I was pre-convinced that it would not be my ideal island destination. Oh, how wrong I was. I judged the cover of this little island’s book unfairly and was immediately swayed by the delightful charm and ancient history of Ibiza.
Settled into Old Town for the duration of my 36 hour island stint, I found myself in a European haven of siestas and apéro culture where the locals intuitively know how to simply live. Nestled at the base of the Castle of Ibiza, this little pocket left nothing to be desired, quickly filling my heart with wonder and tranquility. Making my way through narrow streets overflowing with quaint shops and idyllic sidewalk cafés, I quickly found myself drawn up to Dalt Vila (upper town), Ibiza’s old quarter. Just a short incline from the front door of my hotel, and situated within an ancient fortress, lives a vibrant labyrinth of renaissance walls and snug alleyways bursting with life and allure. Originally built to defend the island, the castle is now home to a bustling scene (both day and night) boosting charming boutiques and delightful treats at every twist and turn of the castle’s cobblestoned paths polished smooth from centuries of footsteps. Oh how I wish that I could inhabit a flat just above a tiny shop and live out an alternate European dream with laundry hanging to dry on a window line and evenings filled with local snacks, wine and laughter.
A bustling gelato spot within the winding cobble stone street of the Castle of Ibiza.
My boutique hotel was an absolute gem. Floor to ceiling french windows draped in romantic, blush rose curtains and a modern island flare for furnishings – it was cozy, artsy and bright, the perfect spot to rest my traveling soul for a couple of nights. With friendly staff, an amazing gluten free eggs Benedict for breakfast and the coolest closet design that I have ever seen, I was utterly delighted with Montesol Experimental.
Montesol Experimental. An exceptionally fabulous boutique hotel.
From dining to shopping, Old Town Ibiza truly has it all. Hit the cobblestone and discover a mix-and-match of high end/eclectic boutiques and tchotchke stands where you are sure to find something truly wonderful. Personally, I always make it a habit to hunt down any and all vintage stores while traveling the world. And Ibiza was an absolute treasure trove. The fan favorite is, without a doubt, Annie’s Ibiza, famous for celebrity clientele and perfect party dresses, the boutique is tucked away on a main stretch of Dalt Vila, right across from La Oliva. Full of Annie’s own label consisting of vibrant and sparkling pieces, you can also find one-of-a-kind vintage gowns that are sure to make your heart skip a beat. Additionally, do not pass up an opportunity to snag a traditional straw basket from Can Vinyes, one of the oldest basket weavers on the island. And for more extraordinary vintage finds, stop at Holala Ibiza for a collection of 80’s pieces and more, or head to Vincenta Ganesha, where behind what seems to be a tourist spread of scarves and dresses, is a closet sized shop with floor to ceiling racks of gems spanning the late 1800’s to the 1980’s. I fell in love with not one, but three gowns that I simply could not bear to leave behind. My bank account was not thrilled with these discoveries… But when you find something that tugs on your heart strings in such a way that makes you feel as though you found a bit of yourself from a past life, you simply cannot leave it behind.
The coolest closet that I have ever seen at the Montesol Experimental.
For my second night, I ventured out to the other side of the Island, to San Antonio, known for its clubs and lively nighttime scene. I booked a beach side table at Cafeé Mambo for some people watching and sunset viewing, and was quickly swept into a nearby stag party (not the first time this has happened), a hilariously wild addition to my collection of tales to reminisce upon and quirky memories that will forever bring a smile to my face.
I wish the weather had been warmer to enjoy some of the beaches and that time has allotted for some boating around Es Vedrá and its surrounding coves. Sadly, however, we can only do so much in a day and a half and with weather that we simply cannot control. For a mere 36 hours, and semi chilly pre-season weather, I think I did quite nicely for myself. I saw and experienced all that I could and left a bit of my heart on that little Spanish island. Xx
