A guide to Ibiza

Ibiza has been attracting the alternative set for years and is renowned for having some of the best nightclubs in the world.

However, the island also boasts one of the most beautiful coastlines in the Mediterranean, with dozens of hidden coves to discover, some excellent restaurants, independent & designer shops as well as some of the most striking contemporary architecture you will see anywhere in Spain. The island has a growing reputation as a destination for lovers of agroturismo and also offers some of the most stylish boutique hotels in Europe as well as several 5-star hotels.

Economy & Property Market

The position of Spain in the global financial crisis has been well documented.

Ibiza is increasingly becoming recognized as one of the leading luxury destinations worldwide. This is reflected in the increase in new high end and high profile developments, restaurants and beach clubs. The island's property market has continued to be buoyant compared to most of mainland Spain, with increasing demand for luxury homes particularly from UK, French, Dutch and Swiss buyers and growing interest from our non-European client base. It may be true that in some areas prices have softened to reflect the broader economic difficulties, but the higher end of the luxury market proves that people will pay for quality, and that competition for the finest real estate is as strong as ever.

Buyers from other European nations and beyond are targeting Ibiza’s more exclusive properties, and sellers and developers at the higher end are able to create superb opportunities, confident that buyers are creating healthy demand.

The region and its politics

Ibiza’s economy is primarily dependent on tourism. The boom in package holidays in the 1950’s opened the island up to the masses, and tourism soon replaced agriculture and fishing as the mainstay of the economy.

Ibiza is the third largest of more than 50 islands in the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. It’s also known by its Catalan name of Eïvissa. The regional capital is Palma on the island of Mallorca, which governs the 67 municipalities across the Balearics, of which Ibiza has 5.

Ibiza’s population is around 130,000, but this number swells significantly during the summer season as tourists descend on the island to partake in its legendary nightlife.

House Hunting

Ibiza offers a fantastic range of property for sale. The choice is broad and luxurious, from new build front line modern villas and sleek modern penthouse apartments overlooking marinas and the sea to classic white Ibicenco style fincas and masias - country houses set in their own land and either fully modernized or ideal for renovation.

The booming summer months offer exceptional opportunities for investment properties, while the year-round climate and wide range of property locations makes the island a very pleasant place to live.

Transport

Ibiza Airport is a primary destination for residents and tourists, with easy travel on major airlines and charter jet and helicopter services.

The island is also well served by ferries between other islands and the Spanish mainland, sailing to and from Sant Antoni harbour and Ibiza Town to Barcelona, Valencia, Majorca and Formentera.

Travelling by car is easy, while public transport offers several public bus services between the major towns and to and from the airport.

Flights and routes

Ibiza has flights to more than 90 key destinations on the Spanish mainland and across Europe.

Education

As part of Spain, Ibiza conforms to the country’s education policies. As in other regions, residents can either send children to state schools or take advantage of fee paying options.

There are state primary schools (centros públicos) and secondary schools (institutos) in every municipality on the island. There are three private schools, and the island also offers a limited number of alternative educational institutions run by the Catholic Church. These church schools (centros concertados) were once privately run, but are now recognised by the Spanish authorities as state schools and receive educational subsidies from the government.

Free schooling is obligatory between 6-16, but generally begins at around 3. At 16 students can go to higher secondary school and at this age they can also study the Bachillerato from 16-18 years, enabling them to enter University in Europe and the US.

International education is also available, for example at the Morna International College, a private co-educational school that teaches the UK National Curriculum to students from 3-18.

There are currently three international schools on Ibiza:

British/International

• Morna International 
• Mestral

French

• Collège Français d'Ibiza

For more information about family life in Ibiza please visit www.mumabroad.com.

Healthcare

Private Healthcare

Around 25% of people living in Spain have private health insurance. This generally means faster access to a greater choice of specialists. Spanish companies offering private health insurance include Mapfre, Asisa and Sanitas.

Those with existing healthcare in their native country should check to see if this is transferable, but with the wide variation of policy premiums it may still be worth obtaining a quote from a Spanish provider.

The choice of private may be defined by your choice of insurer (if paying directly, you can choose any clinic). The Spanish mainland offers many alternative solutions, but private hospitals and health providers in Ibiza include:

• Policlínica Nuestra Señora del Rosario in Ibiza Old Town

Culture & Gastronomy

Despite the influx of tourists and overseas residents, Ibiza has preserved considerable evidence of its long history. Unique cultural resources include the Phoenician ruins of Sa Caleta and the Phoenician-Punic cemetery of Puig des Molins. Both offer exceptional evidence of urbanization and social life in the Phoenician colonies of the western Mediterranean.

Also, the fortified Upper Town (Alta Vila or Dalt Vila) is an outstanding example of a fortified acropolis. The intact 16th century fortifications of Ibiza are a spectacular antidote to the more modern cultural pursuits of the island.

The Spanish tradition of great food is strong in Ibiza. The island’s local cuisine is typically Mediterranean, with age-old recipes for rabbit, lamb, fish and chicken. A local speciality is the flaón de Ibiza, or Flaó d’Eïvissa – a circular tart using sheep or goat cheese, eggs and sugar, and essences of peppermint and aniseed. These are a perfect match for a glass of sweet wine or the local frígola liquer.

With such a strong and demanding international clientele, the island offers a wide range of culinary opportunities, from simple but tasty beachside lunch of fresh sardines to a candlelit fine dining experience. Traditional Spanish food sits happily alongside international styles as diverse as German and Italian, Asian and Mexican.

• Barcelona - Catalunya
• Marbella
• Mallorca
• Ibiza
• Madrid
• Valencia