How wealthy homebuyers and wellness have changed Ibiza

As locals protest the lack of affordable homes in the Balearics, a focus on sustainability is helping to balance the impact of super-rich incomers

Ibiza Town’s harbour
Ibiza Town’s harbour
GETTY IMAGES
The Times

Standing on Juntos Farm in the middle of Ibiza, Christian Jochnick looks out over 20 hectares of land where he has introduced regenerative farming practices. He is outlining his view on the difference between the Balearic island he calls home and other prime Mediterranean locations.

“What’s unique about Ibiza compared with St Tropez or Monaco,” he says, “is that in those locations everyone is trying to look like a billionaire, whereas in Ibiza you have billionaires trying to look like hippies.”

Christian Jochnick and Finn Harries, founders of Juntos Farm
Christian Jochnick and Finn Harries, founders of Juntos Farm

Jochnick, 40, with his long tousled hair tied up in an elastic band and wearing scruffy jeans and T-shirt, might not have reached billionaire status but he’s doing well, thanks to both his family wealth in Sweden and his former career in banking and