Solo Ibiza
Madina Yabisa. Cultural centre
On the street that climbs up to the Cathedral square, you’ll find a small door into the island’s history.
Madina Yabisa was the name of Ibiza during the Muslim period. It is also the name of an interpretation centre that opened in 2007 in the Casa de la Cúria, at number 2 Calle Major. It walks you through the history of the island with plenty of audiovisual support, especially on the Arab period. So much for the brochure.
In my blissful ignorance, I always thought an “interpretation” centre would be a dance or drama school, so when I reached the door I wasn’t at all sure what I’d find inside. They were switching the equipment on, and all I could see were start-up screens everywhere. “This is going to bore me to tears. Two photos and I’m off.” Not quite. I spent more than two hours getting to grips with the history of the island, the quartons, the building of the city walls, the replicas of Arab remains we wandered among, and a fascinating video projected onto a scale model of Dalt Vila. I left wanting to come back. Mind you, I only took two photos.
Visiting the centre
What I still can’t understand is how such a special place gets so little promotion.
Before you go, check the current opening hours: they change with the season.
Madina Yabisa, places of cultural interest in IbizaOpen interactive mapGet directions ↗Other places to discover around Madina Yabisa
Make the most of your visit to Madina Yabisa to discover other places of cultural interest
The Walls of Dalt Vila
From Madina Yabisa you have very easy access to the city walls, which you can walk from one bastion to the next.
Ibiza Cathedral
Take the chance to visit the cathedral and its surroundings. Find out more in the Ibiza Town guide.
Sant Pere Bastion
This bastion hosts a range of cultural performances
Beaches near Madina Yabisa
Coming down from Dalt Vila, the nearest town beach is Figueretas, about fifteen minutes on foot. On the other side of the harbour lies Talamanca and, further south, Platja d’en Bossa. You’ll find them all in our guide to the beaches of Ibiza Town.
Heading south, you’ll find a long beach that seems to stretch on forever: Playa d’en Bossa.
