Sant Antoni 365
There’s a place in the Mediterranean where history, culture and food meet with a fresh and cooling sea breeze. A place with a joyful, cosmopolitan and chilled vibe that helps you unwind and enjoy the best of summer, 365 days a year. It’s in the north-east of the island and is called Sant Antoni de Portmany, or San Antonio. If you think you know it well...you probably need to come back for another visit. Because today, more than ever, there are countless (new) reasons to visit Sant Antoni de Portmany.
A town that will make your mouth water
Beach bars, tapas bars, traditional and haute cuisine restaurants... Even before it won the island’s first ever Michelin star (Es Tragón, 2019), Sant Antoni de Portmany had already been talked about as a ‘foodie destination’. And it now has a selection of the most varied restaurants in Ibiza. Its wide range of cuisines means there’s something for everyone, from curious gourmands who are after the latest food trends to more traditional diners. If you like to eat well and be surprised by new flavours, fill your boots in Sant Antoni by choosing a table at one of the island’s most iconic restaurants.
One of the keys to the town’s culinary triumph is the great importance its productive fabric has developed in recent years. Sant Antoni has its own brotherhood of fishermen, an agricultural cooperative, an oil mill and several world-famous wineries. It’s these small producers, alongside chefs and restaurateurs, who are mainly responsible for making San Antonio a foodie destination that attracts thousands of food-lovers from around the world each year.
One of the keys to the town’s culinary triumph is the great importance of its productive fabric
Nature in its purest state
Cala Salada, Cala Gració, S’Arenal, Es Pouet... Sant Antoni de Portmany is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Ibiza. But you probably already know that because, if this small Ibizan town has enjoyed decades-long fame for one thing, it’s its picturesque coves with clear water and sunsets that take your breath away, the start of magical and vibrant Ibizan nights.
Portmany Bay is the largest natural port in Ibiza. It’s worth exploring on foot, bicycle or boat at any time of year because it has a unique beauty in every season. Visitors can do countless water sports: sailing, diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing, etc. The bay is bordered by Passeig de la Mar and then Passeig de ses Fonts. The seafront promenade runs from Caló des Moro to Es Pouet Beach. Sa Punta des Molí, a cultural park with an exhibition space, is next to the beach. At the other end, you can visit famous Es Cap Blanc Aquarium; it has a unique display with endless aquatic species, including fish and sea sponges, and is housed in an impressive underground cave (also known as Cova de ses Llagostes). Passeig de ses Fonts is lined with terraces where you can stop to relax, shops and sometimes you’ll even see outdoor events and concerts here.
Further away from the town centre, it’s well worth exploring the charming villages of Santa Agnès, Sant Rafel and Sant Mateu. Santa Agnès is the most famous of the three thanks to its beautiful almond fields. It’s a great spot to visit in January or February when you can see the spectacular sight of the trees in bloom. Sant Rafel has an impressive church with lovely views of Dalt Vila and a craft market is held here every Thursday. It’s a good place for learning a little more about Ibizan culture.
Finally, Sant Mateu is one of the few villages in Ibiza that hasn’t been affected by tourism. Hiking in its green fields, visiting its wineries or just enjoying this peaceful spot is a total pleasure.
Outdoor sports and wellbeing
Sant Antoni has an increasingly prominent place in the Spanish sporting calendar. Events such as the Vuelta a Ibiza BTT attract professional and amateur cyclists from around the world each year, as do the Ibiza Trail Marathon, Eivissa Beach Rugby Festival, the Ruta de la Sal (one of the most important sailing regattas in the Mediterranean), the International Windsurfer Ibiza Meeting and World Jet Ski Championship, which was held in Ibiza for the first time this year.
Sant Antoni de Portmany’s new approach to tourism focuses on reconnecting with travellers and the environment. It talks about sustainability, emphasising credentials such as the link between food and its environment, and essentially describes a destination that is rediscovering itself and is more than ready to surprise us with its countless unexplored sides.
Sant Antoni de Portmany’s new approach to tourism focuses on reconnecting with travellers and the environment
