Dalt Vila is one of the most photographed places in Ibiza, but photographer Joan Costa is inviting visitors to look at it differently.

His new exhibition, “Mirades Perdudes” or “Lost Gazes”, brings together 40 black-and-white photographs capturing corners, details and moments of Dalt Vila that can easily go unnoticed.

The double exhibition opens on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, across two historic spaces within Ibiza's walled city and will remain open until November 6.

40 Photographs Across Two Historic Spaces

The exhibition is divided between Es Polvorí, the former powder magazine at the Santa Llúcia bastion, and the Refectori of the old Ibiza Town Hall.

Each venue presents 20 large-format photographs, all in black and white.

Rather than focusing only on the best-known views of Dalt Vila, Costa's work draws attention to smaller details and less obvious corners of the historic centre. Some of the images also capture events and traditions associated with the old town, including the Medieval Fair and celebrations in honour of Santa Maria.

Seeing Dalt Vila Differently

The title “Mirades Perdudes” reflects the idea behind the exhibition: familiar places can still contain details that visitors and residents overlook.

Costa has spent decades photographing Ibiza and says his long relationship with Dalt Vila has often led him to return with his camera after encountering something that caught his attention.

The exhibition also encourages visitors to look closely at the photographs and try to identify where each image was taken.

It creates something of a visual game for anyone familiar with the old town, while also offering visitors another way to discover Dalt Vila beyond its most recognisable viewpoints.

From an Archive of More Than 80,000 Photographs

The 40 photographs on display have been selected from Costa's extensive personal archive of more than 80,000 images.

Thousands of those photographs document Ibiza's walled city and the details of everyday life within and around Dalt Vila.

Costa was born in Ibiza in 1968 and has worked as a professional photographer since 1988. His career has included work in Mallorca, Barcelona and Madrid, as well as travel photography and international collaborations.

His work has also included projects focused on Ibiza's popular culture and a book dedicated to Dalt Vila published by Ibiza Town Hall.

An Invitation for Residents to Return

Alongside the photography, the exhibition carries a personal reflection from Costa about the changing atmosphere of Dalt Vila.

The photographer has said that he sometimes feels saddened when walking through the walled city and seeing mainly tourists in its streets. He hopes the exhibition will encourage residents to return and reconnect with one of Ibiza's most important historic spaces.

That is Costa's personal observation rather than a statistical assessment of visitor numbers, but it forms an important part of the motivation behind the project.

When and Where to See the Exhibition

“Mirades Perdudes” opened on October 6 with two separate inauguration moments.

The first took place at Es Polvorí at 20:00, followed by the opening at the Refectori at 20:30, where a musical performance was also scheduled.

The exhibition can be visited until Friday, November 6, 2026.

At Es Polvorí, opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 18:00 to 20:30 and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 13:30, while the Refectori is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 14:30. Admission is free.

A Different View of Ibiza's Historic Heart

Dalt Vila has no shortage of iconic photographs, but Joan Costa's “Mirades Perdudes” takes a quieter approach.

By focusing on overlooked details, everyday moments and familiar locations seen from a different perspective, the exhibition asks visitors to slow down and look more carefully at a place they may think they already know.

For anyone visiting Ibiza Town this autumn, it offers another reason to climb into Dalt Vila and discover some of the views, details and stories that can easily be missed.