Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands of Spain. It lies in the western Mediterranean 50 miles southwest of Mallorca. There are several irrigated lowlands, and the hillsides have been terraced extensively. Most agriculture is subsistence, but almonds, dried figs, and apricots are exported. Traditionally, the main export has been salt produced by evaporating seawater. Additionally, fish and charcoal are exported to the mainland more than domestic consumption.
Ibiza in the 1970s
The 1970s saw hippies flock to Ibiza due to its bohemian spirit. The destination was quickly transformed into a haven for aspiring musicians and artists who populated abandoned farmlands, seeking a sense of liberty and love. The fusion of hippies and pageses gave Ibiza a unique character. Ibizan women dressed in their typical costumes mixed with foreign liberals who promoted the motto “Make love, not war” as they walked along the cobbled streets. Ibiza had become a worldwide phenomenon by the mid-70s. Although beaches and roads still did not meet crowded situations, nightclubs like Pachá, Es Paradis, and Glory emerged on the nighttime scene, following the wave of tourists of the decade. Nightclubs formed an important complement to the island, but they lacked the dimension of a town’s nightclub, which was precisely its charm. The island was a haven of peace, the place everyone wanted to go—the Holy Grail for half the world. Even the stars wanted to go there. Music legends such as Bob Marley, the kirng of reggae, Thin Lizzy, and Eric Clapton held concerts in the abandoned bullring in Ibiza, along with the visits of other international stars, the legend of Ibiza as an island of music began.
Despite welcoming new visitors, the island maintained its humble nature as a fishing island. Boats would leave the port each day, only to return with buckets of fresh fish to sell at the local markets. More and more vacationers began flocking to Ibiza as the island’s beauty spread. The activities haven’t changed much, from sunbathing to strolling through the old city.
Here are some stunning vintage photos that captured the life and culture of Ibiza in the 1970s.
