We all know that outdoor markets can be a blend of trash and treasure or they can be a source of a truly wonderful experience. They can offer a mind-boggling range of products that are just too much to take in at once or even over the course of a day, but they can also be a wonderful opportunity to experience some of the truest sights, sounds, scents, and tastes of the area, too.
Hippy Markets on Ibiza
This is what makes the “hippy markets” of Ibiza such a wonderful activity. Though they too can sell so many things as to leave a shopper dizzy, they also ensure that a traveler can get a really great taste of the current culture of Ibiza.
Interestingly enough, some travelers mistakenly think there is but the one, original market. However, there are several described as “Hippy Markets”. Their origins are very basic: In the middle of the world’s “hippy” era, the 1970s, the very first hippy market appeared in Ibiza. Known as Punta Arabi, it was a space set aside for the hippy population of the island to sell their wares.
From that day onward, the concept of hippy markets has grown and spread throughout the island, and many travelers today head to Ibiza simply to stroll these markets and discover all sorts of goods and treasures. While some of them are less idyllic and more akin to a standard flea market in other parts of the world, some are exotic marvels that provide the perfect place for art, clothing, jewelry, food, and unforgettable experiences.
Where to find the Hippy Markets
Scattered all over the island, the top and most frequently recommended of them include:
Las Dalias
“It’s just as much about the show as the shopping, with juice bars, massages, fortunetelling, live music, and more,” says one travel writer, and we would agree. The best known, it is in San Carlos and is truly one of the most picturesque of all of the hippy markets. With around 200 vendor stalls, you can work your island look or pickup up everything from handmade hammocks to true antiques. There are several restaurants in the market, and it also operates a night market during the summers. Here you can take art classes as well as do some cool and casual shopping.
Punta Arabi
Located in Es Cana, it is the original and biggest of the hippy markets with a dizzying 500 vendors at one time. However, it is a source of wonderfully made crafts, live performances, and excellent local cuisine. One of the biggest hints is to arrive very early in the day to avoid the crowds, and even give yourself several days to return and be sure you have purchased all of the beautiful artisan goods available.
Sant Joan market
Perhaps the “hippiest” of them all, this one is more an open-air art gallery and performance space than true market. You can find excellent foods, a locally grown farm stand, lots of clothing, and a massive paella that is available to those who want to sit down with the community and share a meal. If you want to meet the locals, this is the place.
Playa d’en Bossa
This is a true artisan market with less than 65 stalls at any time. Excellent for those looking for handmade products and goods, it is also a nice spot to enjoy a drink and watch the mimes and musicians perform.
This represents the very best of the hippy markets, and a visit to Ibiza is incomplete without at least a few hours spent wandering among their stalls.