Ibiza has long been known as the party island of Europe catering for thousands of eager clubbers who make their way to the Balearic paradise. With the advent of so-called "superclubs" the island has become a massive commercial success, providing the biggest in superstar DJs to planeloads of adoring new arrivals each week. Ibiza retains its pulling power as a club Mecca, but many more people are seeing a different side of life in the region, as the economic boom of the 90s' influx of tourists creates new diversions in and around San Antonio.

One of the emerging attractions is a host of fine restaurants and up-market hotels. At Kumharas in San Antonio Bay diners can enjoy cocktails before adjourning to the restaurant, where guests can lie down to eat. Over at Es Xarcu in Calas Es Xarcu, travellers are advised to sample the speciality roast fish ? with dozens of top quality eateries sprouting up across the island.

For those who prefer to wander in less auspicious environs, the local "hippy markets" can be a good way to unwind. In San Carlos in the north-east of the island a large selection of handmade clothes and goods is on offer, staying open until late to cater for all. The Las Dalias market runs every Saturday. A similar set of stalls, if larger, can be found in Es Cana, near Santa Eulalia, where tailor-made leather goods sit alongside exotic trinkets and jewellery. This Wednesday market runs from May until October between ten in the morning and seven at night.

Getting around the island is easy enough, but a number of "mini-trains" run through the countryside, doubling as sight-seeing tours. Families looking for a day in the sun can use the trains as a means for traversing Ibiza, potentially visiting Ibiza Town's Medieval Castle of Dalt Vila. The battlements and labyrinthine walkways offer stunning views to complement a host of bars and cafes to relax after a day spent tramping through the heat

Down in the south of the island Ibiza's salt fields offer one of the most recognisable parts of the landscape. As the sun beats down in the summer, water retreats from the flats, leaving behind a layer of pure salt that shines on the bottom of the lakes. The fields are more than just a curio too, with the Carthaginians the first to recognise the potential of "white gold". In the seventh century salt was an important trade, with the fields harking back to Ibiza's history.

For those wanting to get even closer to Ibiza's maritime past, diving schools and courses enable visitors to make the most of the island's 200 kilometre coastline. With warm waters and good visibility, the resort has something to offer both amateurs and experienced divers. Cave dives and shipwrecks offer a tantalising prospect for those looking for some adventure beyond the small hours in Ibiza's legendary clubs. While the island continues to attract visitors from all over the world for its nightlife, there is, it seems, a lot more to recommend it.