Las Dalias Market turns 40
OUR ROOTS, OUR FUTURE

40 years ago, on February 14, 1985, a small hippie market was born in Las Dalias with only five stalls. The idea, driven by Juanito and Helga Watson-Todd, not only gave life to a market on that Valentine's Day but also planted the seed of what would eventually become the soul of Las Dalias.

In the 1980s, Las Dalias had to reinvent itself. There were failed attempts, but also great successes. One of them was the opening of an art gallery in collaboration with Helga Watson-Todd, who was already managing El Mensajero in Santa Eulària. Although its financial success was short-lived, it left an indelible mark and marked the beginning of an inseparable connection between Las Dalias and art—one that still thrives today through initiatives like LiberArte and the Artistic Garden.

Today, four decades later, the market is a cultural and tourist landmark in Ibiza, a place where more than 80 nationalities intertwine in a fusion of art, music, scents, and energy. What began with just a few stalls soon had to expand, taking over the old orchard and the animal pens of Juanito’s father. No one imagined back then that this bohemian corner would become a space where, every Saturday (and in summer, also on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights), thousands of visitors seek more than just handicrafts—they seek an experience, a story, a piece of the most authentic Ibiza.

The secret to its success is not easy to define, but simply walking through its aisles is enough to understand it. Here, every corner tells a story: that of the artisans who create with their hands, the musicians who express themselves through live music, and the tourists who find in this market a melting pot of cultures that represent it. Over these 40 years, the Las Dalias market has evolved without losing its essence, incorporating innovations such as the Night Market, expanding to Madrid and Amsterdam with Las Dalias on the Road and Las Dalias Around the World—an initiative that invites people to discover the roots of its global community, which had its first stop this year in Guatemala.

Four decades later, the market continues to beat with the same intensity as in its early days. It keeps its free spirit alive, its passion for creativity, and that unique magic that has transformed it into an essential destination for those who want to experience the true essence of Ibiza.

Every week, during peak season, more than 35,000 people walk through its aisles, and nearly 400 families find their livelihood in it. A community, a tradition, a legacy that continues to grow without losing its soul.