The municipality of San Juan offers unforgettable nature experiences. Port Sant Miquel, the famous Benirras Bay with its legendary sunsets, the Instagram-worthy Cala Xarraca, and the picturesque beaches of Portinatx.

Portitxol

On the east side of Cap des Rubió lies the small fishing harbor Es Portitxol. Since it is somewhat difficult to reach and has little sand, only pebbles, it remains quite undisturbed even during the high season. From San Miguel, drive towards Isla Blanca. Isla Blanca is the name of a large-scale development, but its construction was stopped by the authorities. Once you pass this ghost town, a dirt road branches off to the left, which you must walk to get around the cove down to Es Portitxol. Bring a picnic, as there is no beach shack!

Es Pas de S'Illa des Bosc

Private island with a small sandy beach.

Port de Sant Miquel und Cala des Moltons (Karte)

Im Hafen des Dorfes San Miguel legen ausser Kajaks und Gummibooten keine Schiffe mehr an; er hat sich längst in ein Ferienzentrum verwandelt. Der Sandstrand ist kurz, reicht aber tief ins Land; mehrere grosse und kleine Hotels, Restaurants und Geschäfte verbreiten Urlaubsstimmung.

Weniger überlaufen und landschaftlich schöner, weil unverbaut, ist die direkt links danebenliegende klitzekleine Cala des Moltons. Nur eine Strandbude steht auf dem Sandstrand; einmal in der Woche grillt der Besitzer frische Sardinen auf dem Rost. Man kann bequem vom Puerto de San Miguel auf einem schmalen Küstenpfad herüberlaufen.

Benirras (Map)

A cove that cuts deep into the land with a wide sandy beach, untouched by hotel developments. In the center, a distinctive rock rises from the water. Old fishermen's huts on the sides provide a romantic setting. Two newer restaurants have joined the small beach shack. Benirràs became famous as a hippie beach, where drumming for peace still takes place at sunset and especially on full moon nights. In 1987, rockstar Nina Hagen celebrated her wedding here. However, the idyll is threatened by a planned development and many recreational boat owners.

Cala de Xarraca, Playa s'Illot, and Cala Xuclar (Map)

The wide Cala de Xarraca, high up in the north near Portinatx, is one of the most beautiful coves on the island. The coastline is rocky, but not very steep. There are places where you can enjoy walking along the cliffs. At the beginning, there is a private house directly by the water, and at the far east end, a block of apartments stands proudly; in between, you can enjoy the undisturbed wild and romantic nature.

About halfway down the cove, a marked path leads down to the small Playa s'Illot. By the water, you’ll find a narrow strip of pebbly beach with a stunning view of the small island offshore and a relatively new restaurant with a gravel path and lantern lighting.

Just a short way further, a similarly marked sandy path leads more steeply down to Cala des Xuclar, the only sandy beach in the cove. Here, much reed grows, and there is also a beach shack.

Portinatx with s'Arenal Petit, s'Arenal Gran, and Playa des Port (Map)

Portinatx is the northernmost point of Ibiza. In the cove that cuts deep into the land, the water has washed fine white sand onto a smaller and a larger beach (s'Arenal Petit and s'Arenal Gran). Around it, a large holiday resort has developed, with many hotels, several streets, bars, restaurants, shops, a mini-golf course, etc. Accordingly, the beaches are always crowded in the summer. At the very end of the paved road, there is a smaller beach, Playa des Port, which is a bit quieter. The diving school is also located there. And if you walk straight ahead over the flat cliffs to the Sa Gladiola peninsula, you suddenly find yourself in complete solitude.

Two towers invite longer walks: on the west side of the cove stands the old watchtower Torre de Portinatx, which is already surrounded by the holiday development. From here, you have a beautiful view of the nearby Cala de Xarraca cove. A little further is the green and white painted lighthouse on Punta des Moscater on the east side.

Es Port Cala d'En Serra (Map)

A dreamily beautiful small cove with a short sandy beach in the east of Portinatx, which has unfortunately been marred for decades by the construction ruin of a hotel complex. Initially, the reason given for not demolishing it was that the owners could not be found; now the island council is considering whether the building, which is said to have been designed by the famous Catalan architect Joan Lluis Sert, might still be worth saving. Recently, a small beach shack has been taking care of the few bathers.

Port des Ses Caletes (Map)
A small fishing harbor on a rocky coastline. Apart from the old boathouses, nothing of civilization is visible, not even a beach shack. The drive from the village of Sant Vicent de sa Cala into the solitude, passing terraced fields and old farmhouses, is particularly beautiful.

Cala de San Vicente (Map)

The wide sandy beach, which gently slopes into the water, is particularly family-friendly. To the left rises Punta Grossa, 175 meters high, straight ahead you can see the protected island of Tagomago, and to the right, in the distance, you can see the beach of Aguas Blancas, which belongs to the municipality of Santa Eulalia. However, behind you, a row of tall hotel buildings disrupts the beautiful landscape.