Hippy Market Punta Arabi, the oldest Hippy Market in Ibiza

What kind of things make Ibiza so amazing?

Is it because of the mix of cultures and the freedom that has always been tangible in its atmosphere or is it because of the essence and hippie culture that can still be perceived in some places on the island? The hippies of the 70s did not have any doubt in choosing this beautiful island as their home, a place to put roots.

The Hippy Market Punta Arabí is one of the few places in Ibiza where you can still find today the peculiar and unique hippie essence. It was founded in 1973 and for that reason it is currently the largest and oldest market on the island. In this 2017 season, we celebrate 44 wonderful years of this authentic market.

Ibiza and the Hippies

The first hippies who came to Ibiza were young Americans who fled the Vietnam War in the 1970s, this is how Hippie culture began to form part of the island’s unique lifestyle.

Generations of young people came to the island wanting to change the world and pursuing peace, free love and tolerance. In Ibiza they found what they were looking for, a simple life in contact with nature and with a great spirit of freedom. Fascinated by this lifestyle that was marked by the freedom and tolerance of the first American settlers, they were soon to be joined by many more young people from successive generations and different parts of the world.

In the Ibiza of the 70’s, there were not only food markets in the villages, but also hippie markets began to emerge where the hippies would sell clothes and their own handicrafts to tourists. This is when the Hippie market of Punta Arabí, the first of the island, was born. It started with an American couple who were later joined by four more couples of hippies offering their products to the tourists of Club Punta Arabí.  Everything done by hand and with love in Ibiza.

Hippy Market Punta Arabi, Then and Now

“The Hippy Market Punta Arabí began with 5 stalls and today there are more than 500 that constitute this special market” Thomas Hofmann, the current Manager of the Hippy Market, says.

“At that time the Club Punta Arabí, the current Club Cala Martina Ibiza, already existed. Tourists knew that there were many hippies living on the island and they found the hippie lifestyle intriguing, but it was very difficult to come across them as they lived in caves and the countryside.  The Club management decided to invite the hippies to the club and they found a US hippie couple who decided to take the opportunity to sell their homemade products and set themselves up in the garden of the club. This is how the market started its journey to what it is today.  The Hippies joined this movement and steeped in this spirit full of joy, harmony, peace, love and creativity that continues to breathe in this place today,  we have never lost the true hippie essence and we choose to keep it “, Thomas says.

“The biggest difference between then and now, in addition to increasing diversity, is that it was very improvised, but today with so many more stalls, it is more organised”, Thomas says.

 

 

 

When the market began, the first hippies offered their products on blankets on the floor, today they do so on professional structures and without as much improvisation as in the past.

However, at the Hippy Market Punta Arabí you can still breathe the atmosphere of freedom that has existed since its beginnings. “Although being a hippie in this day and age appears to be more of a business, most of the hippies from the 70’s still live in their country houses, producing their craft creations and selling them in our hippie market, as many of the stalls we have, have been here from the beginning in 1973,” as in the case of Georgette.  This was and still is her way of life.” says Thomas.

Nowadays the hippy artisans of the first years that have been setting up their stands for more than 40 years have alongside them the new generation of artisan hippies who produce their exclusive creations on the spot. There are many different nationalities and cultures but with the same hippie spirit of freedom. This makes the market unique, “says Thomas.” The first hippies who came to Ibiza were from the United States. Now we have many Germans, Dutch, Spaniards, Argentines, Africans … in short, a lot of nationalities from all over the world. It is a market for everyone and it has everything. “At the end of the day it’s the mix of everything that makes the market so interesting”, says Thomas.

What is everything that is offered at the Hippy Market Punta Arabi?

The market is held every Wednesday and is a full day of fun for all visitors, whether families, couples, young people, etc. Apart from the more than 500 stalls of unique clothing and craft products scattered throughout the lanes of this emblematic space, the market offers live music, shows, sporadic surprises and fun in every corner.

Something that makes it a harmonic labyrinth full of peace, love and joy, that will surprise you in every corner and in every lane that you discover.

 

 

 

Among the stalls, you will find the craftsmen lane, where you will find the hippies producing their works of art while you watch. Many of the stalls offer authentic handicrafts produced entirely on the island of Ibiza under the seal of “100% handmade”.

 

 

 

 

 

There is also a children’s area for the kids, where they can participate in activities and workshops making their own souvenir of Ibiza, such as flower crowns or dream catchers. This is something that proves very interesting to both children and their parents.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, there are many eating spots in the market where you can enjoy various specialties at lunchtime, including the popular paella accompanied by the beer from the  market, made by the only artisan brewery in Ibiza. Among these places to eat is the Italian restaurant El Capricho, where you can enjoy delicious pasta and pizza dishes. In short, the gastronomy of the market is as varied as the mix of cultures there are every Wednesday of the summer.

 

 

 

 

 

Music has always had a great importance in the market, from its beginnings. This tradition is still maintained in the marquee tent, where multicultural live concerts are performed, with the performances of groups of a wide variety of styles.

But this does not end here, there are also musicians playing the authentic Benidrums in the alleyways of the market and the band Azibi-Ibiza, who enjoy a lot of popularity, mixing the different music styles of ethno, psychedelic and electronic music.

Thomas Hofmann

Thomas Hofmann is in charge of the Hippy Market Punta Arabí. He began this challenge in the market in 2012 and this year marks his fifth season as the manager.
 He is in charge of the organization and selection of the new craftsmen and their products, as well as the hiring the musicians and the bands that play in the marquee tent. He also organises events, such as the successful exhibition of old photographs organised 4 years ago with photographer Josep Soler. This photographer saw something special on this island and in the hippies of the 70’s and took many photographs at the Hippy Market and of the views and scenery of Es Canar.

These photos can be found every Wednesday on the shirts sold at the entrance of Hippy Market Punta Arabi.

For Thomas to be a hippy in Ibiza is to “live and let live.” And for you? Don´t let someone tell you, come and discover for yourself the authentic essence of the biggest and most authentic hippy market on the island of Ibiza.

Hours: April, May and October: 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. June, July and September: 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. August: 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

How to get there: https://goo.gl/j3A6rn