The Romans called it Portus Magnus. In Castilliano it is called Sant Antoni de Portmany while the Catalan call it San Antonio Abad. No matter by which name you call it, San Antonio is a great place to go for a vacation.
A landmark that you can’t miss when you get to this town is the Egg. Erected in the 1990’s, this egg shaped statue is meant to commemorate the local’s claim that Christopher Columbus was born in San Antonio. In the middle of the egg is a model of the Santa Maria, Columbus’ ship.
Many couples and families like to go to San Antonio. This is the second largest town in Ibiza. The beautiful sunsets appeal to many honeymooners while the shallow waters a mere ferry ride away call to those families with young kids. For these travelers, the best time to visit here is from May to June or from Mid September to October.
During the peak season of tourism, San Antonio is the playground of the young people. San Antonio earned its reputation as the San Tropez of the Balearics with its more relaxed ways in comparison to other portions of the island. Many travelers here are taking their first vacation independent of their parents. It does make for lively nights. The world famous clubs Amnesia, Es Paradis and Eden are all located here. San Antonio is definitely a great place to go if you want to go clubbing.
One of the nicest things about San Antonio is that you won’t miss the food of home. For example, Tijuana is a great place to have Mexican food. Deva’s Indian Restaurant and Mei Ling I both cater to their respective Asian country (India and China).
Of course since you are on vacation you’ll probably want to eat the local food. Great places to go are the Rincon de Pepe, Rias Baixas and S’Avaradero.
If you plan to visit San Antonio great places to stay in are the Arenal Hotel, Pacific Hotel or Invisa Hotel Es Pla Hotel, all of which are rated at three stars. If having an internet connection is necessary for your stay, check out the Marfil Hotel which is also rated 3 stars.
If what you are looking forward to on your vacation is the beach, then Playa D’en Bossa is the place for you. It is the longest beach on Ibiza. It is considered Ibiza’s largest water park.
This area is definitely not for families with kids under 12, especially during peak season. With the planes flying overhead the music here is turned up loud. The beach can get really crowded. It can be overwhelming for the children.
If you are into water sports, you’ll have a lot of fun here. Take advantage of the great stretch of water and learn to sail or windsurf. Go jetskiing or parasailing or just take a banana boat ride. If you are experience at sailing a catamaran you might want to rent one here and let the wind take you.
For the adults though, Playa D’en Bossa is one of the best places to be. Space is one of the most popular clubs in Ibiza and is located right here. They are well known for their music.
Before the party starts at Space, many tourists hang out at Bora Bora bar. Actually, many guests are there after going to Space as well. If it gets too crowded at Space, some just stay here where the food and beer are good and you can mingle anyway.
One of the more interesting places to stay at Playa D’en Bossa is at the Hotel Torre Del Mar. It is a 4 star hotel that is located a 100 meters from the beach. This tower has quite a view of the shore. It also happens to have a Jacuzzi, sauna, an outdoor pool and an indoor pool. The outdoor pool has a children’s pool attached for those who brought their kids along and would rather they didn’t hit the beach.
Another good place to stay is the Fiesta Hotel Playa d’en Bossa which is located right in front of Space. This is one place where you really must reserve early since this beach property is one of the most popular on the island since it is so near to everything, shops, nightlife and restaurants. This hotel is rated at 3 stars.
Santa Eulalia del Rio has one of the most interesting places to visit in Ibiza – the church or Puig de Misa. The town is named for the only river that flowed in the Balearic Islands. The river was used to run the water mills. These mills were critical to the commerce of the town since they were used to grind the flour. Trade was often done on the old Roman bridge
As the villagers prospered, they attracted the attention of the pirates (scurvy dogs that they are). In order to defend themselves, the villagers built the temple at the top pf the mountain. It was destroyed after several encounters but was rebuilt in the sixteenth century as a fortress.
There were no more pirates by the seventeenth century and that is when the church terraces were built. The church bought the surrounding land and began to build houses. Santa Eulalia has continued to grow from there.
The old Roman bridge is still standing and many enjoy a walk along its shores. The church is a piece of history that you may want to visit while you are here.
Santa Eulalia is a quiet place compared to San Antonio or Ibiza Town. It is a great place for families and couples. It has beaches lined with palm trees and it is a safe place for the children to play and have fun.
This quiet little town is considered the center of Ibiza gastronomy and culture. The best restaurants are located here. There are restaurants along the beach or along the promenade so you never have to wait long for food after a day of shopping or playing on the sand. You might want to visit Calle San Vicente, the “Street of Restaurants” or discover one of the hidden gems around the town.
If you truly want a Mediterranean experience though, Calle San Vicente is definitely a must. In the early evening, the street is closed off to traffic. The tables, chairs and musicians come out. There is nothing to compare the ambiance to. It is lighthearted, fun and definitely a delicious way to spend the evening.
The S’Argamassa Palace Suites Hotel and Invisa Hotel La Cala Hotel are good places to spend your holiday in. They are rated as a 4 star and 3 star hotel respectively.
