Much more than a party town: What has caused the family-friendly scene in Ibiza to take off

Ibiza is so much more than a party town. Famed for its doof-doof dance music scene, the Spanish island is also up to its ears in natural beauty, history and prestige properties.

A breathtaking contemporary home for sale near the village of San Jose, for instance, captures panoramic sea views, including out to the landmark rock of Es Vedra. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom villa was designed and built about six years ago by architect Bernard Schalk in collaboration with Blanca Castiella.

An elegant arrangement of straight lines, white walls and expansive glazing, the villa sits on 5788 square metres surrounded by a nature reserve. Not only does the setting offer lush outlooks, it also provides maximum privacy.

“The villa is ideally situated, far from the noise of the club, bars and hotels, at five kilometres from San Jose village, 20 kilometres from Ibiza town and 15 kilometres from the airport,” says Barbara Caprara, director of Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty. The agency is quoting a guide of 5.4 million euros, which is about $8.63 million according to the July 25 exchange rate.

House hunters can also find grand country estates, known as fincas, traditional Spanish-style piles and rustic-luxe retreats.

Current market

Since its raver heyday in the 1990s, Ibiza has been gradually reinventing itself as a health-conscious and family-friendly destination both for holidaymakers and those who want to make a full-time move to the Balearic Islands.

High-end restaurants, hotels and international schools have opened to cater to the new wave of cashed-up clients, although the clubbing season still draws plenty of partygoers.

Caprara says the market has experienced rapid growth over the past two to three years. Developers and investors have been particularly drawn to the southwest side of the island, where homes can be oriented to frame the sunset.

Can Australians buy in?

Non-EU buyers who splash out a minimum of 500,000 euros on a home are entitled to a “golden visa”, which allows them and their families to live in Spain.

Stamp duty is 1.2 per cent of the sale price. Notary costs are about $4000. Foreigners are advised to engage a lawyer to conduct due diligence. Resales over one million euros attract an 11 per cent transfer tax. The tax on new homes is 10 per cent.

What you can buy for….

$15.98 million

It’s hard to say no to visitors with six bedrooms and two pools available as part of a sprawling parcel of land within a gated community.

$11.01 million

Timber and whitewashed finishes create a look of effortless sophistication in an eight-bedroom villa with a pool, gym, sauna and hammam.

$6.63 million

An ultra-modern three-bedroom villa in a gated community that spans two storeys, offering oversized terraces, a pool and underfloor heating.