Eivissa · Heritage and museums near the harbour
MACE Ibiza: contemporary art inside Sant Joan bastion
Contemporary art above layers of the ancient town
Open location in Google Maps ↗A visit with history
The Museu d’Art Contemporani d’Eivissa brings an unexpected sequence to a harbour visit: military masonry, modern galleries and archaeology beneath the museum. Its location in Sant Joan bastion makes it a focused cultural stop near the lower entrance to Dalt Vila. You can explore the museum without turning the outing into a climb through the entire upper town.
Before you go
- Check the museum’s seasonal timetable before leaving the waterfront; Monday is listed as closed.
- Ask which temporary exhibition and collection rooms are open, then organise your visit around those spaces.
- Allow attention for the building as well as the artworks: compare the historic rooms with the lighter modern addition.
What to see
An island art collection
The holdings include works connected with the Ibiza Bienal, Ibizagráfic and the Carl van der Voort print donation. The permanent selection draws on collections formed since the 1960s; individual works on display can change.
A museum that grows down
Architect Víctor Beltrán Roca placed the extension within the bastion fill, using overhead daylight to preserve the historic skyline. Compare its light and materials with the old military building.
Archaeology below the galleries
Remains at level -2 span early Phoenician-Punic houses, later Punic changes, Roman occupation and medieval Islamic burials. Read the archaeological space as a sequence of uses and adaptations.
Basic information
- Full name
- Museu d’Art Contemporani d’Eivissa
- Founded
- 1969; renovated museum reopened in 2012
- Location
- Baluard de Sant Joan, Ronda de Narcís Puget s/n
Opening hours
The official contact page publishes different seasonal arrangements and lists Monday closure. Confirm the current morning and afternoon sessions, holidays and exhibition changes directly with MACE before travelling.
Admission and access
Check current admission arrangements with MACE through its official contact page. For a guided programme or activity, also confirm booking requirements and available places.
Getting here from the harbour
From the Monument als Corsaris, walk west along Avinguda de les Andanes, turn inland onto Avinguda de Bartomeu Ramon i Tur and follow Carrer d’Antoni Palau to Mercat Vell. Enter through Portal de ses Taules and the Rastrillo, then continue toward Plaça de Vila and MACE in Sant Joan bastion, on Ronda de Narcís Puget. Follow the museum entrance signs. From Es Botafoc, first connect to La Marina.
Discover its cultural value
From powder to paintings
Simón Poulet signed the historic building’s plans in 1727, reusing an earlier casemate. Its lower floor served as a powder magazine and later stables, while the upper level was an armoury. Thick walls and tall rooms remain useful clues to that military past.
A modern museum with older foundations
MACE opened in 1969 following the momentum of the Ibiza Bienal, first held in 1964. The 2012 reopening added new exhibition space while integrating the archaeological discoveries into the museum experience.
Suggested visitor route
- At reception, confirm the open galleries, access to the archaeological level and any current photography restrictions.
- Explore the historic building, looking at wall thickness, room height and the relationship between artworks and military space.
- Move into the modern extension and notice how natural light reaches a building designed to grow downward.
- View the archaeological remains where access is available, then return toward Plaça de Vila or the harbour.
Visitor advice
- Ask MACE about lifts, thresholds and access to the particular levels you want to visit.
- Family activities may require booking and have limited places; check current availability.
Photography
- Outside, compare the old masonry and contemporary glass without obstructing the entrance.
- Inside, ask before photographing artworks or archaeological displays and follow each exhibition’s rules.
Where to stay for this visit
La Marina and central Eivissa can suit a museum-led town stay. Check the accommodation’s own access instructions and luggage arrangements; being close to Dalt Vila does not guarantee a level approach.
Frequently asked questions
Is MACE an archaeological museum?
Its main identity is contemporary art, with archaeological remains incorporated beneath the building. Puig des Molins offers a separate visit focused on ancient burial culture.
Will every artist named in the collection be on display?
No. Collection holdings and the current gallery selection are different; consult the museum’s exhibition information.
Location and map
Ronda de Narcís Puget s/n, Dalt Vila, 07800 Eivissa
Open location in Google Maps ↗Combine your visit
Portal de ses Taules: gate, sculptures and guard courtyard
Discover the Renaissance gate above La Marina: its ramp, Roman statue replicas, royal arms and Rastrillo courtyard, with a named harbour walking approach.
Puig des Molins: necropolis and museum from Ibiza harbour
Explore Ibiza’s ancient burial culture at Puig des Molins: museum rooms, hypogea, a named harbour approach, accessibility differences and photography rules.
Sources and editorial review
Information reviewed by the Ibiza Harbour editorial team ·