Books about Ibiza to read before your trip

Destinations feel different if you’ve read books about them beforehand. That’s why we’d like to end the year with a list of books about Ibiza that we’re sure will make your next trip to the island far richer. Through the following novels, stories, biographies and chronicles, you’ll expand your view and amplify your experience with the stories lived and imagined by their authors and characters.

The landscape, traditional architecture, customs, food, culture, cosmopolitan character, the nature of its people... it’s all far clearer when you've read about Ibiza before the trip. The invisible information shows through anecdotes, legends, personal experiences, dreams, exciting stories and historical studies that show how time has shaped the island and its people, especially since early 20th century.

Books to enjoy, dig into and understand Ibiza and its circumstances

Below is a list of books published in Spanish and/or English to help you immerse into the White Island during the next few months or when you wind down to read on the beach or by our hotel’s relaxing pools.

The Road to San Vicente by Leif Borthen
This book shows Ibiza in the 30s through the author’s story as he returns to Cala San Vicente after three decades away. A wonderful journey back in time that will reveal the recent past of this northern spot on the island. Available in Spanish and English. Publisher: Barbary Press

The White Island by Stephen Armstrong
A fun journey through Ibiza’s history, going back as far as ancient history to reveal its rich past and uniqueness. Languages: English. Publisher: Black Swan.

Pepe Roselló. La Ibiza vivida by Xescu Prats
This biography about the founder of the superclub called Space, which has often been listed as the best electronic music club in the world, goes from his childhood up to today’s Ibiza. Languages: Spanish. Publisher: Balàfia Postals.

Balearic: historia oral de la cultura de club en Ibiza by Luis Costa
This book tells the musical story of modern-day Ibiza, starting in the 50s with testimonials from world-famous DJs and musicians, journalists, dancers, property developers, people from the hotel and catering world and founders or owners of the iconic nightclubs Pacha, KU, Amnesia and Space. Languages: Spanish. Publisher: Contra.

Life and Death of a Spanish Town (Vida y muerte de un pueblo español) by Elliot Paul
This autobiographical story, which is also a social, historical and anthropological chronicle, stands out as one of the most important books written by this author, the American journalist Elliot Paul. The story is set in Ibiza in the 30s, during the years leading up to the Spanish Civil War, especially in Santa Eulària and its surrounding area. Languages: Spanish. Publisher: Gadir (for English, you can find it in second hand market)

Experiencia y pobreza by Vicente Valero
The German philosopher and essayist Walter Benjamin came to Ibiza on a whim in the 30s, while he was going through difficult personal and professional times. This novel tells us about the two years Benjamin visited and lived in the once small and humble village of San Antonio, a sort of anachronistic refuge that was in sharp contrast with the irrationality of the rise of fascism in his country. Languages: Spanish. Publisher: Periférica.

Ibiza Mon Amour by Yves Michaud.
A regular visitor of the island in the 80s, this French philosopher published this journalistic work in 2012, offering a sociological and philosophic analysis of the modern-day hedonism that characterises today's Ibiza, an island that is as contradictory as appealing. Languages: French. Publisher: NIL Paris

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig.
Published in 2024, the latest novel of this British author tells the story of an English retired woman who inherits an old house in Ibiza from her friend and decides to move to the island to find answers. A fun story full of mystery and adventures. Languages: Spanish (published by AdN) and English (published by Canongate Books)

Los muertos mandan by Blasco Ibáñez
The Valencia-born author set this novel in Ibiza, the destination of the last descendant of one of the most powerful families in Mallorca, completely bankrupt. A classic read that shows Ibiza in the old days. Languages: Spanish. Publisher: several / second hand.

Isla Negra by Toni Montserrat
The Ibizan author created this best-selling thriller with an addictive plot set in Ibiza about the murders of the priest of Sant Jordi church and his servant back in 1863. Languages: Spanish. Publisher: Plaza Janés.

Los europeos by Rafael Azcona
Two friends from Madrid travel to Ibiza in the summer of 1958 under the guise of studying the island’s architecture but in reality, one just wants to relax while the other wants to have a blast. Languages: Spanish. Publisher: Pepitas de Calabaza.

Holidays that deserve a good read

If you always pack a book in your case, you’ll be glad to know that you can have long, relaxing reading sessions on the comfortable Balinese beds placed around our two pools. Or if you’d like to read hearing the gentle lapping of waves against the shore, you can do it from Es Canar beach or take a very short drive to other beaches nearby where you can read quietly on a sun lounger, like Cala Llenya, Cala Llonga or Es Figueral, for example.

Book today your next holidays in Ibiza at our modern 4-star hotel and get ready to enjoy it with a broadened look soaked in the nuances.

Happy reading!