Cultural cycle tourism

Day 1: Historic corners of Ibiza Town

Set off from your accommodation in Ibiza town centre and explore the city's fascinating archaeological history. First head west to a historic treasure concealed among the urban greenery.

After a short bike ride from the centre you'll reach the impressive Puig des Molins necropolis. It is far more than an ancient cemetery: it is a living testimony to the Phoenician and Roman culture that once dominated the island. Explore the hypogea carved into the rock among more than 3,000 tombs and marvel at how our Phoenician and Roman ancestors honoured their dead. The Puig des Molins Museum offers a glimpse of the past to better understand the life and traditions of people who lived here thousands of years ago.

After soaking up Ibiza's ancient history at Puig des Molins, continue your journey to the historic heart of the city.

Your next stop takes you to Dalt Vila, the upper part of the city, where you'll find the Medina Yabisa Visitor Centre. See vestiges of the Muslim era on the island, through an attractive audiovisual technology system. The centre is housed in an old house on Calle Curia and takes visitors on a dynamic journey through displays, photographs and archaeological remains that reveal the life and evolution of the ancient Madina Yabisa. This technology brings the past alive and makes it easy to imagine what daily life was like in Islamic Ibiza. 

If you're still hungry for more (I'm sure you are), jump back on your bike for a ride through Ibiza's history. 

Take a leisurely ride through the city of Ibiza to the Sa Capelleta Visitor Centre. Recently restored, it is notable for preserving archaeological remains from three different civilisations that inhabited the island for more than a thousand years. These remains came to light after two digs, one in 2002 and another in 2008. They reveal that this area was the site of a Punic sanctuary dating back to the 4th century BC. A visit to Sa Capelleta is sure to make you think about the marks left by each civilisation and, with the perspective of time, their temporary nature. 

Day 2: Sa Caleta settlement and the Ses Païsses site in Sant Josep

Visit Sant Josep de Sa Talaia by bike and make a sustainable tour of the municipality's main archaeological sites. We suggest you discover the Punic, Phoenician and Roman legacy in the settlement of Sa Caleta and at the Ses Païsses site. 

The adventure begins in the fascinating settlement of Sa Caletalocated on the south coast of Ibiza. This site was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 and is a historical jewel of Phoenician colonisation that has survived to the present day. Sa Caleta takes you back in time to feel the pulse of the first Phoenician settlements on the island.

Explore the ruins of this urban settlement, with its buildings of various shapes and sizes. It was founded in the 8th century BC and includes a small Phoenician port. Although the sea has eroded part of the site, you can still imagine what life was like here in what was a key trading post before the population moved to the bay of Ibiza.

After exploring Sa Caleta, we suggest you cycle to the second historical visit of the day: the archaeological site of Ses Païsses. This enjoyable route runs through the Ibizan landscape, with its contrasts between the coast and the interior, feeling the breeze as we go.

Once at the Ses Païsses site, a rural settlement dating from the mid-5th century BC, the presence of the Punic and Roman periods can be seen. The Punic necropolis contains twenty tombs with burial items, while the Imperial Bas offers spectacular views of the natural surroundings, including the islet of Es Vedrà. The remains are alongside a country house from a later period, a peasant dwelling and one of the sites of the Ethnographic Museum of Eivissa - Ethnographic Museum of Ses Païsses de Cala d'Hort.

Day 3: Discover archaeological sites in northwest Ibiza

You are invited on a sustainable tour of the secrets of the northwestern coast of Ibiza: the Cave of Ses Fontanelles, known as the "Altamira pitiusa" for its mysterious Bronze Age cave paintings; the enigmatic site of Sa Penya Esbarrada, located between two cliffs with spectacular views; and the Torres d'en Lluc, an ancient fortification between Sant Mateu and Santa Agnès, with impressive views of the bay of Cala d'Albarca and an intriguing Paleochristian past.

We are heading from Sant Antoni de Portmany to the Ses Fontanelles Cave, also known as the Cova del Vi. This cave was once used for wine storage purposes. Feel the cool atmosphere of the cave as you explore the depths of the "Altamira pitiusa", discovering Bronze Age cave paintings. They are difficult to make out, but it is worthwhile taking the time to identify them. 

After the visit to the Cova des vi, it's time to head for the archaeological site of Sa Penya Esbarrada crossing the Pla de Corona in the charming village of Santa Agnès. This route treats you to aromas of Mediterranean flora and the peace and quiet of the Ibizan countryside.

When you reach Sa Penya Esbarrada, you find yourself between two cliffs with impressive views of the Ses Margalides islands, where one of the islets forms a natural arch. You'll find the remains of what was a rural house from the Muslim period that was inhabited until the 12th century. Although the site is fenced off, the foundations of the rectangular building with its large central courtyard and rooms are still visible.

Resuming the route, head towards the site of Ses Torres d'En Lluc between Sant Mateu and Santa Agnès. This stretch, with its steep roads and proximity to the cliffs of Cala d'Albarca, is an exciting challenge for any cyclist.

The destination is a mysterious site dating from the early Christian period to the early Middle Ages. A section of wall connects two oval-shaped towers. As you explore the area, you can imagine how this fortification was useful to defend the population from pirate attacks. The views from here, especially of the bay of Cala d'Albarca, are simply breathtaking. Although the last kilometre of the route must be done on foot, it is worth the effort to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the natural landscape.

Day 4: The S'Argamassa aqueduct in Santa Eulària

The last stage of our bike ride through the history of Ibiza takes us to a work of civil engineering from Roman times. We are referring to the archaeological site of S'Argamassa, where there is an impressive group of structures that include a water conduit and the remains of industrial installations and maritime-ruralsettlements. 

Leaving Santa Eulària des Riu towards the north you will soon reach the S'Argamassa site. This aqueduct was built during the High Roman Empire. It stretches some 425 metres and varies in elevation along the way. In some sections, the upper channel, with varying widths and depths, was used to transport water.

The S'Argamassa site contains signs of several chronological phases: from the Late Punic period to the High Roman Empire, Low Empire and Byzantine periods. Although today the aqueduct is located in an area with tourist buildings, its historical importance remains intact. This piece of Roman engineering not only served to carry water, but also to drain the S'Argentera mines.