Every Wednesday from April to October, Avinguda de Punta Arabí changes pace. Early in the morning vans arrive loaded with clothes, jewellery and ceramics, and by mid-morning the smell of incense mixes with the smell of food. This is the Punta Arabí Hippy Market, the hippy market of Es Canar, and it sits on the same avenue as our apartments.
How it all began, in 1973
By the early seventies Ibiza had become a refuge for young people from all over the world who lived off what they made with their hands. In 1973 the management of the Hotel Club Punta Arabí offered them a space to sell their crafts, and the things they brought back from their travels, to the hotel’s guests, who were still few at the time.
What started with a handful of stalls became a weekly ritual. It is the island’s oldest hippy market and the largest in the Pitiusas, and it set the example for the markets that came later. More than fifty years on it is still in the same place, among pine trees and whitewashed buildings, in the grounds of the old hotel, now called Fergus Style Punta Arabí.
What you will find
More than 350 stalls spread along paths that cross like a small maze: Ibiza-style and cotton clothing, handmade jewellery, scarves, ceramics, natural cosmetics, musical instruments and the odd antique. Alongside long-standing craftspeople there are young designers who bring something new every season.
The food is good too. There is cooking from several countries, juices and bars where you can take a break in the shade, and live music most days. It works well with children, because there is room to move around and no need to rush.
Opening times and tips
It opens on Wednesdays from April to October, from 10:00 until late afternoon; depending on the season it closes at 18:00 or 19:00. Entry is free. Many stalls take cards, but it is worth carrying some cash.
If you come by car, arrive before 10:30, as parking nearby fills up quickly. In high summer the best times are first thing in the morning or after five, when the heat eases. Bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes, since some paths are unpaved.
And don’t try to see it all in an hour. The charm of this market is wandering without a plan, stopping to chat with the person who made the piece in your hand and ending up with a drink and some music.
A short walk from Cel Blau
Our apartments are on Avinguda de Punta Arabí, so on Wednesdays you can leave the car parked: step out of the door and a short walk takes you to the stalls. Afterwards you can head back for a swim in the pool or go down to Cala Nova or Cala Martina, both close by.
If you’d like to enjoy Ibiza’s oldest market like a local, check availability and book direct on our website.
Cover photo: Es Canar, by Dan Foy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
