Ibiza

ITINERARY
If you would like to follow my 15 day cruise then read the previous posts here:
Venice (1)
https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@zo3d/mediterranean-cruise-venice-1
Koper (2)
https://peakd.com/travel/@zo3d/mediterranean-cruise-koper-slovenia-2
Sarande (3)
https://peakd.com/travel/@zo3d/mediterranean-cruise-sarande-albania-3
Split (4)
https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@zo3d/mediterranean-cruise-split-croatia-4
Catania (5)
https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@zo3d/mediterranean-cruise-catania-sicily-5
Amalfi (6)
https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@zo3d/mediterranean-cruise-italian-riviera-amalfi-positano-and-sorrento-6
Rome (7)
https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@zo3d/mediterranean-cruise-rome-7
Florence (8)
https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@zo3d/mediterranean-cruise-florence-8
Cannes (9)
https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@zo3d/mediterranean-cruise-cannes-france-9
Barcelona (10)
https://peakd.com/worldmappin/@zo3d/mediterranean-cruise-barcelona-spain

On our 11th day of cruising we docked in Ibiza, Spain. I had lived in the UK for a couple years after I got married and we had constantly seen the news and tabloids reporting on the Brits partying in Ibiza every Summer, so we didn't have the best impression of the Island.

I think the fact that this cruise was on shoulder season (End April and beginning of May) was a blessing because party season had not yet hit.

Ferry ride across Ibiza Waterway

We disembarked at the cruise terminal and caught the harbour ferry across the harbour to the old town. The cues were long and the ferries were packed, but we eventually made it across. From the ferry we could see the old fort on the outcrop above the harbour and beautiful whitewashed buildings below.

We walked through the old town in the waterfront area jostling between visitors and locals. We stopped at a small store where I bought a necklace with the tree of life. The we continued our walk through immaculately maintained buildings and slowly made our way towards the beach. The plan was to swim, rest and then eventually head back to the ship, no major excursions.

Luckily we managed to load a street map of the are and found a walking path that led straight over the hill between the waterfront and the beaches on the other side of the peninsula.

The weather was moderate, not too hot, but perfect for walking and warm enough to take a swim in the sea.

At the top of the hill we could see the beach below and the shore lined with hotels. This is the picture we had imagined years before. Luckily for us the beaches were minimally dotted with people and families enjoying their day at the beach.

We couldn't resist taking a swim and whipped off our clothes to feel the warm water. The water was cool enough to be refreshing but warm enough not to take your breath away. Our Cape Peninsula ocean is freezing cold, making your toes numb, so this was a welcome change.

After a couple hours of reading our books we decided to make the walk back to the old town. We found a different way through the local suburbs and came across archeological excavation sites, windmills and quirky old townhouses painted in gorgeous colours. It made me wonder what the costs of rent were in the area so close to all the action.

Our path led us to the lower walls of the Castle of Ibiza. We entered a large stone passageway which took us inside the castle where we found vibrant restaurants and cafes which we quickly found out were targeted at the tourists with prices way out of our range. Before continuing we took photos of the views.

A little further down the hill we got our coffees and croissants at a gorgeous bakery on the square. I was loving the quaintness of the architecture and the way that everything was so beautifully decorated to have a lighthearted vibe in the area.

We slowly walked back to the ferry and waited for the next one to arrive with a few fellow cruisers. I ate my croissant on the ride across the waterway and took a final walk up the headland that homed the cruise terminal.

We hiked from the harbour wall up the edge of the cliffs to take a look down the other side. My husband hates heights so he stayed a good distance away, but a stood on the edge to see a fishing boat bobbing on the water below. Conditions were ideal and clear with not a breath of wind.

We ambled back to the ship happy, tired and a little sunburnt ready for a good rest and some good food.

Next stop Motril!

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//:# (!worldmappin 38.91001 lat 1.43500 long Mediterranean Cruise: Ibiza (11) d3scr)