Hippie camping in Ibiza

Oh, Ibiza. You wonderful Balearic island full of bohemian beauty.

From its breathtaking coastlines, cobalt water to its picturesque buildings and golden sunsets, Ibiza simply is utopia.

Since the 1960s, Ibiza has been renowned for its hippie culture. Painters, photographers and musicians, such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, ran away to the island, attracted to its carefree nature and sense of freedom.

I like to think in a past life I lived on the island in a colourful camper, with sea salt hair and a love of dream catchers and peace signs. I’ve always loved this kind of lifestyle. Perhaps it resonates because my Granddad’s family were travelling gypsies? This life feels like home to me.

I arrived in early June in 1979 on a sun-drenched Sunday morning, eager to rummage through the colourful stalls at the famous hippie markets and to embrace camping life.

A Spanish villa in the mountains and a golden sunset

Before venturing off into bohemian bliss, I had the pleasure of spending 24 hours in luxury paradise at a friend’s wedding venue at Paissa D’en Bernat. The rustic, Spanish villa floats peacefully in the pine-covered green mountains, overlooking the bluest Mediterranean Sea.

The beautiful couple had been coming to Ibiza for years, so it seemed the perfect place for them to say ‘I do’. We all sat by the pool talking about life and love until the sun started to set.

We watched the sun descend and burst into golden and crimson hues across the sky. Isn’t earth so painfully beautiful it makes your soul ache? I felt so grateful that day. Grateful for being there. Grateful for love.

Driving around the island

We threw our bags in the car and drove around the coastline in search of a place to camp. We hadn’t booked anything, but isn’t that the beauty of adventure? There is no better feeling than letting your hair blow in the wind, watching an endless sea of blue, and chasing the sunshine.

Old Town (Dalt Vila)

Floating on a small mountain next to the ocean is Old Town, a world heritage site filled with ancient buildings, cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, art galleries and magnificent views. We entered the town through a stone drawbridge gateway and spent a few hours wandering around, taking photographs of plant filled balconies and rustic structures, before drinking red wine with lunch beneath the afternoon heat. Dalt Vila had a surreptitious spirit – the kind you feel exploring an ancient place. It’s a place only the locals truly know and you never will.

Camping Cala Bassa

Cala Bassa has been open since the 70s and offers a peaceful and relaxing camping experience. The site has a handful of bungalows, mobile homes, camper vans and a plot of rustic land, shaded by trees, to pitch a tent. Although it was quiet when we arrived, I can imagine once the summer comes around, the place is packed with families all cooking together at the shared BBQ and enjoying outdoor life.

We pitched our tent opposite a lovely, little yellow camper van full of dreamcatchers and plants. Her dog lay in the shade, underneath a table, which held her coffee pot and endless books. The birds were singing and everything felt still. It’s in these moments that I find most joy.

The site is walking distance from the most beautiful cala bassa beach, where we spent one afternoon with our feet in the sand. We found a restaurant on the way back, and I had the most incredible platter of seafood I’ve ever eaten.

Camping La Playa

Camping La Playa is a peaceful, bohemian spirited, colourful campsite. With its nostalgic caravans, brightly painted campers, rustic bungalows and cool yurts, Camping La Playa really is hippie heaven. The site is wrapped in pine trees and sits right next to the beach with magical views of the coastline.

We pitched our tent overlooking the beach and spent the next few days in bohemian paradise. I woke up early one morning to find a group mediating on the rocks by the sea. I could hear the gentle sea waves and the rustling of the pine trees. I remember smiling to myself, realising that true happiness is simply observing the world’s beauty. I closed my eyes for a little while and found my own stillness.

Campers have access to daily yoga and African dance classes, alongside Cafeteria Chirincana, a beautiful, beach side café that hosts a couple of evening parties full of live music underneath the festoon lights and warm sea air. One evening, we drank wine and danced to songs from the famous Chef film, amongst a crowd of joyful souls.

I didn’t want to leave.

Hippie Market Punta Ariba

It was, conveniently, the market’s 45th anniversary the week we were at Camping La Playa (which is a 5 minute walk away). We arrived at the market on a sun drenched Wednesday morning, post coffee, ready to get lost in an array of dream catchers, peace signs, tie-dye, denim, jewellery, arts and crafts, antiques and live music. The smell of sweet incense swirled in the warm, sticky air and I was on the hunt to find some treasure to take home to remember my adventure forever.

With my freckled face and Spanish sea hair, I didn’t want to leave. I think I found home.