Have you chosen San Antonio as the place to stay on your forthcoming visit to Ibiza?

The island has a wide variety of idyllic spots that are well worth a visit. San Antonio is one of the island’s most touristic towns with something to suit all tastes. Its amazing nightlife, cultural attractions, routes through the countryside and sea trips will all make a marvellous impact on you.

In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to this famous part of the island!

San Antonio de Portmany is in the west of Ibiza, where some of its loveliest beaches can be found, with stunning sunsets. For those in search of nightlife and clubbing, San Antonio is the place for you! The price of accommodation in the town is more reasonable and it’s the perfect starting point for exploring some of the places we’ll tell you about now.

1. ‘Columbus’ Egg’: a striking monument

If you travel to San Antonio by car, bus or motorbike along the C-731, in the direction of the sea, you’ll come to a roundabout with a famous monument in the middle, known as ‘Columbus’ Egg’, which commemorates the discovery of America.  The monument was made by local artists and, inside, it features a replica of the Santa María, with the ship’s bow pointing to America.

Right next to the roundabout is Vibra District Hotel, an adults-only hotel refurbished last year, with charming views of ‘Columbus’ Egg’ and San Antonio Bay.

The most fun-packed hotel in the area, with stunning décor and a red pool with a vibrant atmosphere not to be missed!

2. Enjoy a well-deserved dip in the sea at S’Arenal Beach

S’Arenal Beach’s white sands and shallow waters are just a stone’s throw from Vibra District Hotel and ‘Columbus’ Egg’: perfect for a swim before you set off to visit the attractions.  From the jetty on the beach, you can take a boat trip or hire paddle surf equipment and kayaks.  People flock to this area in the evening to watch the sunset from the beach, hotel terrace or one of the bars just a few metres from the beach.

3. San Antonio waterfront promenade

As evening draws near, we recommend a stroll along the Paseo Marítimo (the waterfront promenade) from the harbour to Caló des Moro, a small sandy cove beyond the bay, passing famous bars and restaurants along the way, like the legendary Café del Mar, where you can wait for the sun to go down to the accompaniment of the best chill-out music.

4. An unforgettable evening sunset in San Antonio

As we mentioned above, Café del Mar is a well-known port-of-call, visited by lots of people wishing to watch the sun set.  If you come in the high season, you’ll need to book well in advance because its terrace and the promenade just in front of it fill up with people each evening.

If you prefer, you can join the people sitting on the rocks just in front or on the terraces of Café Mambo or Savannah Beach Club. The rocks, with their magical atmosphere, are a good place to sit.

5. Boat trips from San Antonio

On the different boat trips that leave from San Antonio, lots of charming coves and other spots with crystal-clear waters can be visited.  We’ll name a few that you really shouldn’t miss out on.

The boats normally depart from the harbour next to the Paseo Marítimo. There are boat trips to Formentera, where you can spend the day doing aquatic activities, like snorkelling, or simply stroll along its beaches of white sands.  This is usually a lively outing with chill-out music during the boat trip. Some also organize an onboard paella. Formentera will leave a lasting impression on you. Make sure you go there!

Other outings that are well worth doing are the boat trips to Cala Bassa and Cala Conta, where you can also go paddle surfing or bathe in the waters of these celebrated idyllic coves.  Some of the trips are in catamarans able to hold up to 150 people, with an open bar and, needless to say, music.

One of the most popular boat trips is to Es Vedrà, because the approach to the little island, with its 382 metre sheer cliff, is truly amazing!  This is an island bathed in mystery and it’s bound to captivate you.

There are also boat trips to Cala Saladeta and Ses Margalides, an unspoilt archipelago where the boat anchors so that you gaze in wonder at the numerous different species of fish and the marine fauna.

If you prefer to sail under your own steam, you can pander to your whims and hire a boat or a jet-ski

6. Visits to Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta

If you’ve got a car, you can start off by visiting Cala Gració and Cala Gracioneta and, once you’ve had a swim there, carry on to Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta, which are just 15 minutes away by car.  The waters of these beaches are perfect for snorkelling!

Don’t miss out on them–they’re also very popular with the locals.  Cala Salada has a number of boathouses and old jetties with moorings, typically found on some of Ibiza’s beaches. These beaches tend to attract quite a lot of people, but if you walk along the path by the seashore, over a rocky cliff, you’ll come to a much more secluded beach than the others called Cala Saladeta, with turquoise waters. On the way from one beach to the other, you can also enjoy the lush vegetation so typical of Ibiza.

 

7. Visits to Platges de Comte

Another visit not to be missed is to Platges de Comte. This is just 15 minutes from San Antonio by car or motorbike. These beaches, with their white sands and turquoise waters, look out toward the little islands of Es Bosc, Sa Conillera, Ses Bledes and S’Espartar. They’re so striking that you’ll be left truly spellbound.

They also have a brilliant beach bar where you can have a drink or else you can dine at Es Racó d’en Xic Restaurant as you watch the spectacular setting sun.

8. Sant Antoni Church and Sa Punta des Molí Cultural Centre

In San Antonio, you can take a stroll through the town centre, with its numerous different restaurants, pubs and shops.  You can also visit Sant Antoni Church, Ibiza’s second oldest church and a place well worth seeing.  This 14th century monument has an imposing defensive tower that was also used as a place of worship and as a fortress to defend the town from pirates. Inside, you can see a large courtyard and the reredoses of Saint Roch and Our Lady of the Rosary, together with a 17th century statue of Saint Vicent Ferrer.

At the end of S’Arenal Beach, in the middle of Portmany bay, stands Sa Punta des Molí Cultural Centre–another good place to visit in San Antonio.

It features a traditional flour mill, an olive oil press, a noria, an open-air auditorium, a Mediterranean botanical garden and some boathouses.  The centre also has an exhibition where you can gain an insight into Ibiza’s history, way of life and traditions. What better way to get to know San Antonio’s history!

9. Partying in San Antonio

If you’re keen on partying and nightlife, as well as the places we mentioned earlier for having a drink and watching the sun set, such as Café del Mar, Savannah, Golden Buddha and Café Mambo, with their more relaxed atmosphere and music, we’ll tell you some of the nightclubs that attract fans of dance, techno and electronic music.

Es Paradis is a beachfront club where the famous Water and SuperMartXé Parties are held. It stands just opposite Edén, another of the island’s top venues.

Another alternative is to go pub crawling along the streets of the West End, all close to Calle de Santa Agnés, with their buzzing atmosphere in summer.

There are other clubs on the outskirts of San Antonio, such as the legendary Amnesia. This is an absolute must for visitors, on the San Antonio-Ibiza road, just 15 minutes away by car, bus, or taxi.

10. Where to stay in San Antonio

Bear in mind that the price of accommodation is higher in summer on the island of Ibiza so it’s important to book months ahead to get a good price.
You can find cheaper accommodation in San Antonio de Portmany than in other areas of the island, for instance at Hostal Can Beia, in a quiet area of the town.

Another two well-located places to stay, offering excellent value for money, are both run by Vibra Hotels, which owns several hotels and apartments in San Antonio and San Antonio Bay. You’ll love the atmosphere and their warm, friendly staff! They also have some brilliant special offers, such as discounts of up to 30% on their website for the week from April 18th to 24th.  If you choose their refundable rate, you can cancel your booking, and if you register with Club Vibra, you’ll be entitled to some brilliant discounts on car hire, bars and restaurants, among others. An opportunity not to be missed!