The closure of part of one of Ibiza Town’s traditional waterfront walking routes has been clarified by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), which says the restriction was temporary and related to safety.

The lower section of the Muro promenade, at the end of Ibiza Port, was closed to pedestrians during the weekend of 15 and 16 August while a large vessel required access to the area for berthing.

According to the APB, the promenade reopened normally on Monday, 17 August.

Why Was the Area Closed?

The Port Authority explained that a large vessel needed to berth in the section of the quay where the lower pedestrian route runs.

For safety reasons, pedestrian access had to be restricted while the vessel was being accommodated in the area.

The APB has stressed that the closure was linked to this specific operation and was not intended as a permanent change to access along the waterfront.

A Familiar Route for Local Residents

Although the closure lasted only one weekend, the temporary barrier attracted considerable attention locally.

The affected section forms part of a traditional route used by residents when walking around the Muro area.

People regularly use both the upper and lower sections of the quay as part of their walks, making the temporary closure noticeable to those familiar with the area.

A photograph of the barrier shared by local resident and former councillor Vicent Ferrer subsequently circulated on social media, generating discussion about access to the historic port area.

The Closure Sparked a Wider Debate

The reaction went beyond the practical question of whether the walkway was open.

Some residents used the incident to raise broader concerns about how Ibiza Port is being managed and how much access local people should have to traditional public spaces.

The discussion also touched on previous changes around the port and the wider transformation of Ibiza's waterfront.

Those concerns reflect a broader conversation taking place on the island about the balance between maritime activity, tourism, private facilities and public access.

What Did the Port Authority Say?

The APB's explanation provides a straightforward reason for the specific closure.

According to the authority, the restriction was required because of the presence of the large vessel and was implemented as a temporary safety measure.

The pedestrian route was subsequently reopened, meaning the lower section of the promenade is currently accessible again.

The association representing port-area businesses had also previously said that the upper part of the Muro remained accessible and that the lower section had been closed temporarily for safety reasons. The port concessionaire IGY Ibiza Marina told Noudiari that it was not responsible for the pedestrian closure.

A Temporary Closure With a Bigger Conversation Behind It

The immediate issue has therefore been resolved, with the walkway reopened after the August weekend.

But the episode has highlighted how sensitive access to Ibiza's historic waterfront remains for local residents.

For people who regularly use the Muro as part of their walks, even a temporary barrier can prompt questions about how the island's traditional public spaces are managed.

For now, however, the Port Authority's position is clear: the closure was temporary, lasted two days, and was carried out for safety reasons connected to a specific vessel's berthing operation.

The walkway has since returned to normal access.