Though I could have happily stayed in the hotel this entire holiday, it was our main intention to get out there and find out more about the northern part of the island.
Our friends who had worked and lived in Ibiza had given us a list of places to go and things to try. And this is one of those places that we wanted to visit. Even though the thought of going to a market didn’t exactly fill me with excitement, I was willing to give it a go. I was curious to find out what makes this one so special.
Hippy & Humble Beginnings
Las Dalias has been trading since 1985. This flower power themed market is a truly a hippys paradise. But what really interests me, is how did this part of Ibiza become how it is today?
Let me take you back 63 years ago when a local farmer named Joan Marí decided to open a bar along a remote roadside in San Carlos. As well as offering drinks and food, the bar was also used as a dancehall for parties and events such as weddings and baptisms.
Over the years Las Dalias became popular and the business continued to evolve with the times. And during the early 70s, the bar became a hotspot and was known to have held events for the first hippies that arrived in Ibiza.
Las Dalias earned its reputation and became well known for its party vibe. It’s a place where hippies would congregate to party and jam until the early hours. In 1978, Bob Marley came to visit and did a some jamming session here too!
In 1985 Las Dalias started a small market beside the bar. They began with 5 stalls to accommodate the hippies who wanted to sell their crafts. But its popularity had exceeded throughout the years and now it hosts over 200 stalls and welcomes over 20,000 visitors during the summer!
Known as Ibizas second largest market, Las Dalias was a complete overload to my senses. The canopy of pink dahlias that welcomed us at the entrance just about prepared me for the explosion of eye candy that was waiting inside.
Amongst the narrow walkways and white canopies, I found collections of brightly coloured products displayed on draperies. There were so many things that caught my attention, that I had to stop and pull myself together. It was definitely an ‘Eeeeee!’ moment!
Many believe that Ibizas free-spirited and hedonistic vibe had influenced many artisans, painters and musicians since the early 60’s. So it’s no surprise that most traders are hippies selling handcrafted products.
From bags, jewellery, leather, paintings, and ceramics, there are many to choose from! The only problem is, do I have enough room in my suitcase?
As well as selling handmade products, Las Dalias Market also have a range of food and drink stalls, where you can enjoy a range of cakes, tapas or exotic cuisines.
There is also solace for people who found all the shopping a little too much. Head to the cocktail bar, enjoy a mojito, and take a moment to enjoy the atmosphere.
The Las Dalias restaurant is set in a ‘hidden garden’ at the heart of the market. It’s menu cater for different tastes, such as Arabic, Hindu, Oriental and Mediterranean.
It has pretty setting and we were disappointed that we didn’t get to try it out. The place can get pretty busy, so booking a table is recommended.
Lastly, one of my favourite finds in Las Dalias Market has got to be this Moroccan inspired bedouin tent. My husband and I really loved sitting, sipping tea and watching the world go by.
There simply wasn’t enough time to enjoy Las Dalias to its fullest. I wish we were staying for little longer…
I didn’t come out with many things either apart from a typical Ibizan white dress. Well, I just couldn’t resist. Somehow the vibe of the island is so contagious that I wanted to be a part of it even just for a short while.
My Tips For Enjoying Las Dalias Market
- Arrive early! It can get really busy!
- The market opens at 10:00 and closes at 20:00 every Saturday.
- During the summer the night market runs from 19:00pm to 01:00am the following morning.
- If you’re bringing a car, the car park charges €3.50 for the whole day.
- Bus services are available. They run regularly and costs around €5 return.
- Bring cash! The cash machine outside the bar is known to break down. There is also a cash machine about 15 minutes walk from the market.
- If you have small children, it’s advisable to bring a small buggy. The market can get very busy and some areas are uneven.
- We went in October, so the weather was not too hot. I would suggest to bring a hat and plenty of water during the summer.
Check out their website: https://lasdalias.es/
