During the Arab domination, architecture in Ibiza adopted irrigation systems, retaining walls and an intelligent use of water resources. Compact and functional forms of construction were also consolidated, which can still be recognized today in the rural landscape of the island.

With the arrival of the Middle Ages, Ibiza' s architecture focused on defense. The walls of Dalt Vila, declared a World Heritage Site, are one of the most outstanding examples. These fortifications combined military functionality with the aesthetics of Renaissance architecture.