San Jose (South-West)
Municipalities & Their Beaches
(Cat.: Sant Josep) - Some of the most renowned beach clubs in the world are located in the South-West. Cala Bassa Beach Club (CBBC), Nassau Beach Club, Jockey Club, Blue Marlin, Coco Beach Ibiza, Tropicana, La Escollera, Chiringay, or Sa Trinxa.
The Beaches in the South-West
The municipality of San Jose on Ibiza is home to some of the most famous beach clubs worldwide. Many of them are internationally renowned and even have branches around the globe.
Playa den Bossa
The beach stretches over almost 3 km, making it the longest on the island. The municipal border between Ibiza Town and San José runs between the Hotel Algarb and the Club Garbí.
Playa d'en Bossa, famous for its fine white sand that gently slopes into the sea, was long considered the most beautiful beach in Ibiza. Today, the locals leave the fun of bathing in the shallow waters behind the nearly continuous hotel chain to the lively vacationers. The numerous planes flying over Playa d'en Bossa to the nearby airport are often considered disruptive. On some parts of the beach, such as the Playa Soleil Ibiza (formerly Bora Bora Disco) Beach, the loud music drowns out the noise from the planes.
In addition to the usual restaurants, bars, and shops, there are also some world-famous nightclubs, including the famous Hï Ibiza (formerly Space Ibiza) & Ushuaïa Ibiza (formerly Club Playa den Bossa), which are very popular among night owls who want to experience Ibiza's nightlife 24 hours a day. Top DJs perform here weekly in the summer, including stars like David Guetta, Black Coffee, Martin Garrix, Carl Cox, Calvin Harris, Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, and many more.
At the self-proclaimed "Paradise Beach" section, the western part of Playa d'en Bossa, some of the most renowned beach clubs in the area are located, including Coco Beach, Nassau Beach, and the Tanit Beach Club. These clubs are known for their exclusive atmosphere, first-class service, and top-notch entertainment offerings. With spectacular beach settings, delicious food and drinks, and a variety of activities and events, they offer visitors an unforgettable experience at the paradisiacal beach.
At the end of the beach, near the Ses Salines Nature Reserve, stands the majestic watchtower Torre de la Sal Rossa - one of the most historic watchtowers on the island. In past eras, guards relentlessly searched for pirates, ready to alert the salt workers of impending danger with smoke signals.
From the Torre de la Sal Rossa watchtower, there is a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. The elevated position of the tower allows visitors to enjoy a wide panoramic view of the sea, the coastline, and the Ses Salines Nature Reserve.
The majestic presence of the tower and the incomparable beauty of the surroundings make this place a must-visit for those who wish to experience the history and nature of Ibiza.
Es Cavalette
Along the approximately 1 km long sandy beach in the nature reserve, a vast dune landscape extends. Behind the dunes, the salt pans of the Salinas spread out. Es Cavallet is one of the two nudist beaches on the island (the other being Aguas Blancas in the municipality of Santa Eulalia).
At the beginning of the beach, you'll find the restaurant S'Escollera and the Beach Club El Chiringuito. Further along is Chiringay (also known as the Gay Beach), which is frequented by the LGBTQ+ community. The access to the water can sometimes be a bit steep, and there's always a refreshing breeze. A walk to the end of the peninsula is worth it, where the old watchtower Torre de ses Portes guards the southernmost tip of Ibiza.
Salinas (Karte)
Playa de Las Salinas - the other wide sandy beach of the Salinas nature reserve is also nearly a kilometer long and gently slopes into the water, making it child-friendly. Under the pine trees that grow along the dunes, Ibizan families enjoy their picnics on Sundays. Various beach bars, from the elegant Jockey Club to the trendy Sa Trincha, provide music, some featuring their own DJs. On some summer evenings, ambient parties are held. It becomes quieter further back in the small rocky coves, which stretch all the way to the old watchtower Torre de ses Portes.
Playa de Es Codolar (Karte)
The nearly 3-kilometer-long beach, lined with sea-washed pebbles, offers a unique backdrop that clearly stands out from typical sandy beaches. This special characteristic makes the beach an unusual yet fascinating destination for visitors. Even in the high season, it remains relatively quiet, as most tourists prefer sandy beaches and tend to avoid this pebbly one.
The location of this beach is also noteworthy, as it lies in the southern flight path for the airport, which extends directly behind the beach. This adds an extra dynamic to the place, with airplanes majestically gliding across the sky, providing an impressive sight. Despite its proximity to the airport, the atmosphere remains relaxed, and the sounds of the airplanes only minimally disturb the peace of the beach.
Along the beach, there are several nice bars that are perfect for a refreshment and a break from sunbathing. Particularly recommended is the restaurant at the southern end of the beach at Cap des Falcó, which is located next to the salt pans. Here, visitors can not only enjoy delicious food and refreshing drinks but also experience the breathtaking view of the sea and the surrounding landscape. The salty sea breeze and the picturesque setting contribute to an unforgettable culinary experience.
Overall, this beach is a hidden gem in Ibiza, impressing even the most discerning travelers with its unique landscape, tranquility, and charm. It is a place where the beauty of nature and the fascination of human creation harmoniously merge, and where visitors have the opportunity to experience the island from a completely new perspective.
Sa Caleta (Karte)
The quiet little fishing cove, located north of Es Codolar, is an idyllic retreat lined with picturesque boathouses. Here, there is an atmosphere of tranquility, shaped by the gentle waves of the sea and the rugged charm of the surrounding landscape. The seabed beneath the surface is characterized by rocky terrain, which gives the cove a certain character and makes it a popular destination for divers and snorkelers who wish to explore the rich marine environment.
But it’s not just the natural beauty that attracts visitors. On the rocky plateau rising above the bay, there is a significant archaeological site: the remains of the first Phoenician settlement on Ibiza. This historic site is not only of local importance but also part of the UNESCO World Heritage, highlighting its global historical and cultural relevance.
The legacy of the Phoenician civilization on Ibiza comes alive here, and visitors can immerse themselves in the fascinating history of the ancient seafarers who settled along the shores of this unique place thousands of years ago. The remains of the settlement are a testament to a bygone era and offer insight into the life and trade relationships of Phoenician culture.
The combination of the serene beauty of the bay and the historical significance of the Phoenician settlement makes this place an unforgettable destination for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking relaxation alike. It is a place where the past and present merge in a fascinating way, and where time seems to stand still while you listen to the sounds of the waves and experience the history that surrounds these shores.
Playa de Es Bol Nou
On the other side of the rocky plateau of Sa Caleta lies this small, narrow cove with fine sand and shallow water, picturesque and surrounded by steep red cliffs.
Cala Jondal (Map)
Since the sea washes the sand away every winter, the San José Town Hall has given up replenishing the sand before the season. Since then, the several hundred-meter-long Cala des Jondal has become a pure rocky and pebbly beach. Despite this, it has remained very popular. Numerous beach bars and restaurants create a Caribbean atmosphere. Live music is not uncommon.
Playa de Es Xarcu (Map)
A lovely small pebbly beach between Cala Jondal and Porroig, away from the seasonal hustle and bustle. Great seafood restaurant! Often referred to as the little Cala Jondal.
Playa Es Torrent (Map)
A lovely small pebbly beach between Cala Jondal and Porroig, away from the seasonal hustle and bustle. Great restaurant!
Playa de es Cubells
In der weiten Bucht zwischen der Punta de Porroig und dem Cap Llentrisca liegen mehrere kleine Ministrände, die aber schlecht erreichbar sind, weil wir uns hier an einer Steilküste befinden. Die Playa des Cubells unterhalb des gleichnamigen Ortes ist einer davon. Der steile Weg ist eine Herausforderung für die Prozession der Schutzheiligen der Seeleute Virgen del Carmen, die in jedem Jahr am 16. Juli gefeiert wird. Die Muttergottesstatue wird von der Kirche bis zum Strand hinuntergetragen, dann im Boot aufs Meer hinausgeleitet, wo Blumen und Lorbeer als Opfergaben auf das Wasser gestreut werden.
Cala d'Hort (Map)
A sandy beach about two hundred meters long, set against the dramatic backdrop of the 382-meter-high rock island Es Vedrà. The beach is family-friendly. At the end of the beach, there are some old boathouses. Several restaurants offer their services. A dinner with a sunset, with the black silhouette of Vedrà rising in the background, can become one of the highlights of the vacation.
Cala Carbó (Karte)
Kleiner Sandstrand in einer engen, ruhigen Bucht mit zwei vorzüglichen Fischrestaurants
Cala Vadella (Map)
The bay, which cuts deep into the land with its beautiful sandy beach, has unfortunately been completely built up with hotels and holiday apartments. Those who love developed resorts will find it here: a promenade, pubs, restaurants, dive schools, everything one could wish for in a holiday settlement is available.
Cala Molí (Karte)
Kleine Bucht mit kurzem Sandstrand, die vor allem von Bootseignern gerne angesteuert wird. An den Felsen kann man gut schnorcheln; eine Tauchschule gibt es auch.
Cala Tarida (Map)
Just behind Cala Molí, directly across from the island group Ses Bledes, lies Cala Tarida. This family-friendly, approximately three hundred meter long sandy beach is fully developed for tourism. The slopes around the bay are densely built up.
Cala Codolar (Map)
The small sandy cove Cala Codolar, with shallow water, is a bit quieter than its busier neighbors. One just has to be careful of the many surfers when swimming. There is only a beach shack on the beach itself, while the Delfin Playa holiday village sits atop the hillside.
Playa de Comte (Karte)
Mehrere kurze Sandstrände mit schönem Blick auf die Inseln s'Espartar, Illa des Bosc und Sa Conillera. Das Meer schnitt kleine Buchten in die Sandsteinklippe, in denen sich ausgiebig Sand ablagerte, sowohl am Strand wie im Meer. Kristallklares Wasser und eine ständige Brise, die die Wellen hoch schlagen lässt, sorgen für Badespass. Wohltuend wenig Bebauung.
Cala Bassa (Map)
Located on the southern side of the bay of San Antonio, Cala Bassa is a short, deep sandy beach with pine trees. In the summer, it is almost completely occupied by English teenagers who come over by excursion boat from San Antonio. There is also a campsite nearby.
Port d'Es Torrent (Map)
Around the beautiful cove with its sandy beach and a long row of old fishermen's huts, a whole holiday resort has developed in the tourist era, stretching deep into the countryside.
Cala de Bou (Map)
Cala de Bou, with five small sandy beaches, occupies most of the southern side of the bay of San Antonio. The large hotel buildings seamlessly blend into each other. Behind them are two wide main streets and numerous side streets with shops, car rentals, pubs, and restaurants. At the narrow Playa des Pouet, the boundary between the municipalities of San José and San Antonio runs along the beach.