Ibiza: The Island That Shaped My Youth

A story of freedom, food, and hidden corners of the White Isle

Freestanding doors and frames from the “Puertas de Cala Llentia” art installation in Ibiza, set among stone walls and pine forest. — Ibiza was the island that shaped my youth.

It was the first place I ever traveled to outside my home country — a journey filled with nervous excitement and the quiet thrill of stepping into the unknown. I didn’t know what to expect from the people, the culture, or the cuisine. And as a devoted foodie, the last question weighed heavily on my mind. What I discovered in Ibiza was something much deeper than a travel destination.
I discovered a place that mirrored my own nature — a rare duality of **chaos and peace**. On one side, the island pulses with energy: the constant influx of travelers from around the world, the legendary nightlife, the music that echoes until sunrise. On the other side lies a quieter Ibiza — a countryside of pine forests, rugged cliffs, and secret coves where the sea whispers.

Ibiza is an island of contrasts: a place of sea and mountains, of electrifying nightlife and silent landscapes, of wild celebration and deep serenity.

It is both the world capital of clubbing and a sanctuary for those who seek beauty in nature. And for ten years, it was my home.

Living in Ibiza: A Decade of Discovery

I lived in Ibiza for ten years, until my husband whisked me away to the United States.

Yet even today, after traveling across continents, Ibiza remains one of my favorite places on Earth.

Woman with curly blonde hair taking a selfie on a cliff overlooking a turquoise cove, atlantis - ibiza — During those years, I discovered hidden corners of the island that many visitors — and even some locals — never see. One of my favorite pastimes was simply driving toward the most remote places on the island, parking the car somewhere along a dusty path, and wandering off on foot.
In Ibiza, getting lost often leads to the most beautiful discoveries.
The island’s coastline is carved into dozens of tiny coves called **calas** — small incursions where the sea slowly eats into the mountains. Each one feels like a secret waiting to be uncovered.
And no two calas are ever the same.
Some are rocky and dramatic, framed by jagged cliffs.
Others are soft sandy beaches where turquoise water laps quietly against the shore.
Some resemble natural pools carved into the stone.
Others hide inside caves or between towering rock formations.
Ibiza’s coastline is a mosaic of landscapes — endlessly varied and endlessly beautiful.
But what truly made Ibiza unforgettable for me were the people.
From locals to coworkers to fellow travelers who came from every corner of the world, I was welcomed with a warmth that made the island feel like home almost immediately.
Spanish people possess a particular magic.
They talk about everything and nothing at once. Conversations are lively, passionate, often loud — and they rarely end when you say goodbye.
Their energy, humor, and openness make falling in love with Ibiza almost inevitable.

Falling in Love With Spanish Cuisine

Plate of grilled Mediterranean red prawns from Ibiza served with fresh salad and lemon on a white table setting. — The food, of course, played a major role in my love affair with the island.
Only a few months after settling in Ibiza, Spanish cuisine had already become my favorite — and it remains so to this day.
In fact, most dishes I cook at home are Spanish rather than Romanian.
The Mediterranean seafood alone is reason enough to return.
I have eaten prawns and fresh fish in many coastal regions around the world, but none have ever matched the extraordinary flavor of **Ibiza’s famous red prawns** and locally caught fish

Plate of tuna carpaccio topped with cheese served with bread and a bottle of wine at an outdoor restaurant table. — Then there is the olive oil. Spain produces some of the finest olive oils in the world, especially those made from **Manzanilla olives**. But the unfiltered olive oil you can buy directly from small farms in Ibiza is something truly special.
It has a perfect balance: slightly bitter, subtly sweet, and finished with a gentle citrus note.
When I first arrived on the island, I couldn’t understand why locals would eat bread dipped simply in olive oil and salt.
After my first taste, I understood completely.

Traditional Spanish jamón serrano served with toasted bread and tomato spread alongside a glass of Vega Sicilia red wine on an outdoor terrace in Ibiza. — The island’s traditional bread — **pan payés** — accompanies nearly every meal. Thick, brown, stone-baked, with a crunchy crust and deep rustic flavor, it turns olive oil into something that feels almost sacred.
And then come the iconic dishes:
**Jamon Iberico**
**Arroz caldoso**
**Arroz a banda**
**Garlic prawns**
Every restaurant also brings out bowls of **marinated green olives** and their own homemade **aioli** while you wait.

Torre des Savinar: Ibiza’s Most Spectacular View

Historic Torre des Savinar watchtower with a view of the iconic Es Vedrà island rising from the Mediterranean Sea near Ibiza, Spain. — Torre des Savinar - Ibiza

There are countless magical places in Ibiza, and I will share many of them in future articles.

But today I want to begin with my favorite place on the island:

Torre des Savinar.

Also known as Torre d'en Pirata, this ancient defensive tower was built in 1763 to protect Ibiza’s southern coast from pirate attacks.

Today, it stands watch over one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Mediterranean.

From the tower, you can see the mysterious islets of Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell rising dramatically from the sea.

The Journey to Torre des Savinar

Woman standing at the Es Vedrà viewpoint near Torre des Savinar with the iconic rock island rising from the Mediterranean Sea in Ibiza, Spain. — Es Vedra viewpoint

Reaching the tower requires a small adventure.

The roads leading to the closest parking area are rough and bumpy — more suited to adventure than comfort. From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the Es Vedrà viewpoint, followed by another 15-minute hike uphill toward the tower itself.

The climb is short but steep, and under the Ibiza sun it can feel more challenging than expected.

But the reward waiting at the top is unforgettable.

When you reach the tower, the landscape opens into a 360-degree panorama.

Behind you lies the wild Ibizan countryside.
Before you stretch the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean.
And rising from the sea like something out of myth are the enigmatic silhouettes of Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell.

Turn slightly and you can also glimpse the spectacular cliffs and natural pools of Atlantis, one of Ibiza’s most fascinating hidden spots.

Where the Island Reveals Its Soul

If you continue walking behind the tower, you’ll find a quiet world of twisted trees and hardy plants clinging to the rocky ground.

Their branches are covered in soft sage-green moss and delicate lichen.

From here, the land drops suddenly toward the sea far below — a dramatic descent lined with waters that shift between emerald green and deep cerulean blue.

It is the kind of view that silences you.

Woman sitting on rocky cliffs above a turquoise Mediterranean bay with wildflowers and limestone rocks around her in Atlantis, Ibiza — View of Atlantis from Torre Des Savinar

Many times during my years in Ibiza I returned to this place, climbing the hill again just to stand there and watch the horizon.

Each time, the same feeling returned.

A sense of freedom.

The mystery of Es Vedrà rising from the sea.

And the quiet reminder that beauty like this humbles even the most restless soul.

Why Ibiza Still Lives in My Heart

Ibiza is often known only for its nightlife, but that is only one side of the island.

The real Ibiza reveals itself slowly — in hidden coves, mountain viewpoints, rustic bread dipped in olive oil, and conversations that stretch long after sunset.

For me, Ibiza will always be the place where my youth unfolded.

A place of music and solitude, of friendships and discovery.

An island that taught me how chaos and peace can live side by side — just like the sea and the mountains that shape its wild, unforgettable landscape.