Whether you live, and work on the island, or are just visiting for a few weeks, take a look at this list of 10 things that you should never, ever do if you don’t want to look like the biggest foreigner on the island. Take Note! 😉
1
Take a walk along the port of Ibiza stopping to have a look at the menus
It’ll probably be one of the first mistakes you make, if this is your first time to Ibiza. And believe me, you won’t forget it. We all love the atmosphere of the bars and restaurants found at the port of Ibiza, we’re not going to kid ourselves here. There’s no one around that can take the onslaught of the PR reps inviting us into their bars. The best thing to do is to keep your distance, unless you’re serious about going on a drink.
2
Think that you won’t need a vehicle to get around the island
This will be the first timers’ second big mistake. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a car or a moped to get around you’re going to miss out on the best that Ibiza has to offer. Public transport doesn’t reach the majority of the beaches and coves on the island. At least not to the best ones. Losing our way along dusty country lanes is one of the best ways to discover Ibiza.
3Refuse to go to the old city of Ibiza
Coming to Ibiza and not dedicating some to time to a jaunt around the old city (Dalt Vila), is something like going to Paris and not bothering to visit the Eiffel tower. Losing yourself in its alleys, taking a trip up to the cathedral, visiting museums, buying a few trinkets in its artisan shops, and having some drinks and tapas in its many bars… it’s one of the best experiences that the island offers to travellers. Unfortunately, there are still those for whom Ibiza only means sandy beaches and parties. (their loss) :p
4Believing the PR resps that sell nightclub tickets
Don’t believe everything they tell you. Many times they won’t have “the last tickets to that party you’ve wanted to go to”, and don’t believe their prices are better than in the shops or the discos themselves either. The best thing to do is to gather and compare all the info you can. Have a look at the price of the nightclubs online and compare. And if you’re not a resident of the city, all you need do is utter a little fib that tell him that you’re working here. It’s a good remedy to any little scam artist.
5Leaving Ibiza without trying the local cuisine
You’ll have no excuse for doing so. The Ibizan kitchen is comprised of the finest of fresh ingredients, with local fish and shell fish found at its finest, and you can be sure of some surprising local dishes. From Payes bread with alioli, and olives from the famous bullit de peix or Matanzas rice. Open your mind and distance yourself from those fast food joints. The Ibizan kitchen will fascinate you.
6Walking around with your top off
Something we see constantly: shop owners trying their upmost to tell customers in the most diplomatic way to keep their tops on in their bars and restaurants. Ibiza is 100% touristic, but that doesn’t give us the excuse to forget our most basic manners. And a word to the wise, many establishments will make their feelings known with the No shirt, no service signs hanging in the window.
7Drink Water out of the Tap
No No No! don’t even think about it! To those from Madrid who visit take a post it and stick on the tap. “Don’t drink me”. Do some exercise and carry up some water bottles to the apartment. Your health will thank you for it.
8Leave rubbish on the beach
A definite! If you’re one of those that brings the picnic down to the beach, and leaves your stuff scattered as you go down, then do us a favour, head home and never come back. Those of us who reside in Ibiza are so fed up seeing the same behaviour summer after summer. If you you love Ibiza as much as we do, help us take care of it.
9Try to Park in Central Ibiza in the middle of Summer
Ibiza receives more and more tourists every year and it’s no surprise that the city centre get more and more inundated with cars during the high season. If you want to avoid going around in circles and getting stressed out, park a bit further out and walk in. It’s a small city and everything is a few foot paths away.
10Go up to Dalt Vila in high heels
Girls: when you want to go for a stroll around Daly Vila, the best thing to do is wear some comfortable shoes. High heels are notoriously fatal in this part of the city. The cobblestones are worn and slippery and some hidden dips may mean being constantly tripped.
If you like this article, don’t miss 50 must do things in Ibiza.
Original text by: Alba García
