The date may vary, depending on the weather, but generally from mid-August to mid-September one of Sant Antoni’s most eagerly awaited events takes place namely, the grape harvest.
Formerly known as Sa Cova de ses Llagostes (the lobster cave), this natural cave has been converted into an aquarium where you can observe marine species native to Ibiza in a 300m2 lake. The aquarium is part of the marine species recovery network, CREM. Injured animals rescued on the coast, such as turtles, are taken to the aquarium for recovery and subsequent return to the sea. In order to disseminate this work, the aquarium carries out educational activities and participates in the training of university students with internships.
This marvellous pair of coves are located to the north of the town of Sant Antoni. They are a perfect representation of the typical Mediterranean cove, with sandy bottoms, rocks and areas of Posidonia, the fragile marine plant that helps maintain the transparency of coastal waters.
The two coves, Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta, are one of the most beautiful spots on the coast of Sant Antoni. An unspoilt natural environment, with lush forests and spectacular turquoise waters that immediately tempt you to take a dip make these two coves a major tourist attraction.
Es Caló des Moro, a name that reminds us of the close link between the island and the Moorish occupation, is a cove located in the urban area of Sant Antoni, in Ses Variades. It is reached by a pedestrian promenade that runs along the coastline, beyond the busy area of shops and bars where the crowds gather to enjoy the sunset.
There is a place from which you can touch the Ibizan sky: Sa Talaia summit, in Sant Josep. It is 475 meters high, a little more than the Empire State building, and it is the highest point on the island. When the skies are clear and you need to go out and get a breath of fresh air, there is nothing better than going up on foot to enjoy the best 360º panoramic view of the Pityusic Islands.
The imposing church of Sant Antoni, next to the harbour, represents the town’s focal point. It was started at the beginning of the 14th century and was subject to various additions up to the 17th century. It is the typical example of a fortified church, with iron doors, thick walls and very small windows to offer the inhabitants refuge from attacks by pirates and corsairs.
One of the most emblematic images in Ibiza is Es Vedrà islet, the main attraction in multiple promotional catalogues of the island. Many tourists have come to Cala d’Hort to take pictures of this majestic rock, but only a few have seen it up close and discovered its natural richness, even less have had the chance to touch it, not even with the tip of their finger. One of the best ways of doing this is by taking one of the sea routes arranged during the year that sail through the natural reserves of Es Vedrà, Es Vedranell, and the Western Islets.
For lovers of the countryside and history, Es Broll is a must. This small valley located in the Buscastell area is a living testimony to the irrigation technique inherited from the Moors. The stream is fed by the Es Broll spring, one of the island’s most important aquifers. Its course is dotted by a series of canals, pools and floodgates, which provide continuous irrigation to the agricultural plots which were built with the help of stone walls in the form of terraces.
This white sandy beach is halfway around the bay of Sant Antoni, after Punta des Molí and is connected to the town centre by the promenade making it easily accessible on foot or by car. It is a wide open, west-facing beach, which guarantees spectacular sunsets. Being in a bay, it has calm waters and is very gently shelving, which makes it an ideal setting for families with young children. You can also enjoy various water sports here.
There is a place in Ibiza Island where the ambient temperature remains at 20ºC all year long. It is in the inside of Can Marça cave, in Port de Sant Miquel bay. The cave is located in an unparalleled natural environment with views to Murada and Ferradura islands, Cala des Multons, and Torre des Molar. Although there are more natural caves in the island, this is the most important one and the only one fitted for sightseeing tours.
Opposite the Sant Antoni quay, as a gateway to the town centre, is the Passeig de Ses Fonts (the Fountains Promenade); a boulevard with large areas for rest and entertainment, where the fountains that give it its name are illuminated at night in a spectacular display of light and water.
The Pla de Corona, along with the Pla de Sant Mateu, is one of the two of the great agricultural plains of the municipality. Its fertile red soils are home to extensive almond orchards, which in the blooming season, at the end of January and the beginning of February, offer a breathtaking visual spectacle that evokes the admiration of Ibizans and visitors alike. Indeed, it is one of the island’s most typical rural scenes.
S’Arenal is a superb urban beach located at the very centre of the bay of Sant Antoni, starting at the roundabout of the Paseo de la Mar and ending at Punta des Molí. This fine sandy beach offers all kinds of services and amenities to enhance its enjoyment: ramps, showers, water attractions, bars, restaurants, etc.
Walking along the beautiful Pla de Corona, in Santa Agnès, you will come across signs directing you to an archaeological site called Sa Penya Esbarrada. This area, known by some as “The Gates of Heaven”, runs along the edge of impressive cliffs, from which you can enjoy beautiful sunsets in summer. At the side of the access road is a small restaurant with a natural viewpoint, on the edge of the cliff. From there you can see the islands known as Ses Margalides, the largest of which has a unique form with a large central arch which small boats can sail under.
The Sa Punta des Molí Cultural Centre is located at the end of the urban beach of s’Arenal, at the centre of the bay of Sant Antoni on the rocky headland of the same name. It consists of a beautifully restored mill, a waterwheel and a typical house converted into a modern exhibition hall. Inside the building there is a restored typical trull (oil press) with the primitive machinery that crushed and pressed the olives to extract their precious liquid gold.
San Anton’s modern promenade is undoubtedly one of the town’s greatest attractions. It runs for several kilometres from the small beach of Es Caló des Moro, at the northern end of the town, to the southern end with the long beach of s’Arenal and its smaller neighbour, Es Pouet.
Once located at an uninhabited end of the bay, the Ses Coves Blanques Lighthouse is now part of the urban fabric of Sant Antoni. It is easily reached from the promenade itself, following the footpath that starts at the foot of the harbour breakwater. Inaugurated in 1897, the lighthouse suffered all kinds of vicissitudes and in 1963 it ceased to function as such.
This is the name of the rocky stretch of coastline that is the natural continuation of the northern end of the bay of Sant Antoni. A pretty footpath leads to the small cove of Es Caló des Moro. On the way you can find many bars and restaurants with large terraces offering an ideal viewpoint from which to admire the spectacular sunsets, accompanied by chillout music played by renowned international DJs.
Any sunny day is perfect for taking a walk on Ses Salines beach, a whirlpool of bathers in summer, but the perfect tranquility refuge after summer season. If you go around the coast, you will be able to reach Ses Portes tower on foot while enjoying a nice walk.
Ibiza is known worldwide for its spectacular sunsets. Although the most popular to tourists’ cameras is the one from Portmany bay, the area of Ses Salines also provides an incredible view, in addition to an unparalleled setting: Ses Salines' natural park.
Sea and air. The two elements come together in parasailing, a water sport that allows you to rise up through the air and enjoy unparalleled panoramic views of the Sant Antoni coast and the sea from a height of up to 400 metres.
Sant Antoni’s town centre is also the scene of all kinds of artistic expression. One of the most striking aspects of this phenomenon is the Ruta ArtUrbà (the street art route). The route map guides visitors through the town’s labyrinth of streets to discover the huge murals painted on the town’s walls and building façades.
Children and grownups alike will enjoy a trip to the Cap Blanc Aquarium formerly known as Sa Cova de ses Llagostes, (the lobster cave).
This natural cave has been converted to an aquarium where you can see the native Ibizan species swimming in a 300m2 lake. The aquarium is part of a project known as CREM which is dedicated to recovering marine species.
I Ibiza is an island rich in natural resources. The surrounding sea has a diverse range of controlled fisheries; fertile fields provide the base for growing agricultural and livestock holdings whose success comes from the quality of their products; and the culinary know-how of the local residents can draw on a tradition dating back hundreds of years, with the wisdom to get the most out of the regional produce.
The growing interest in healthy eating based on a balanced and natural diet is a well-established trend worldwide. The concern for the quality of food and sustainability of processes and the preference for organic and local products are key factors in the purchasing decisions of more and more consumers.
The green and misty woods of Es Amunts are the kingdom of fungi of all kinds. Autumn is the rainy season and when you venture out into the country it is normal to find the delicious “pebrassos” or milk cap mushrooms (lactarius piperatus), one of the island’s highly prized delicacies.
There are few celebrations in the Ibizan countryside as important and typical as the slaughter of the pig, sa matança. With the onset of winter and the lowering of temperatures, in rural areas, all the necessary tasks to stock up for the coming year were organised. This involved, among other things, the slaughter of animals.
The date may vary, depending on the weather, but generally from mid-August to mid-September one of Sant Antoni’s most eagerly awaited events takes place namely, the grape harvest.
The capital is located in Ibiza, with its impressive fortress, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. This international award acknowledges its historical, cultural, and architectural value. It is the best preserved coastal fortress in the Mediterranean. Dalt Vila’s acropolis is filled with alleys and monuments such as the castle and the cathedral.