Rave or behave in sun-kissed San Antonio, Ibiza
Hear superstar DJs road-test the latest grooves at world-famous nightclubs, marvel at mesmerizing Balearic sunsets or discover beautiful beaches in San Antonio on Ibiza’s western coast. Renowned for its bacchanalian nightlife, “San An”, or Sant Antoni de Portmany in Catalan, is strung around a scenic, bustling harbour framed by palm trees. It has mushroomed from a peaceful fishing village in the 1950s into one of today’s top Mediterranean resorts. Now, the White Isle’s very own land of the setting sun is experiencing a reputational remix asmid efforts to develop more high-end hotels and showcase Ibiza’s natural assets and mellower side.
Pick your favourite flavour of nightlife
Ibiza is sacred ground for clubbers, having become the summertime nerve centre of the dance music scene. Laid-back San Antonio plays host to many of this party island’s hedonistic nightspots, where hits are born and DJ careers are forged. Whether you want relaxed cafes and bars, boozy nights painting the town red, or achingly cool dance floors on which to rave the night away to the freshest house, techno, trance and electronica, this is the resort for you.
Easy-going cafes, bars and restaurants line the promenade and squares in the town centre, but after sunset many revellers head for the so-called West End, which is usually heaving at night during high season. This compact area around the strip of Carrer de Santa Agnès is characterized by smaller clubs and bars, which tend to play more chart-friendly music and attempt to lure in tourists with alcohol deals. Many nightspots here also cater for fans of rock and indie music, which have also impacted the Ibiza scene. If performances by top DJs like Calvin Harris, Sven Väth, Carl Cox, Pete Tong and Eric Prydz are on your holiday checklist then you can experience several Ibiza super clubs along Arenal Beach. These include Eden, the luxurious Ocean Beach, which hosts pool parties, and the legendary Es Paradis, established in 1975. Moreover, iconic Ibiza mainstays Amnesia and Privilege are located off the main road to Ibiza Town, and can be easily reached in about 20 minutes, wherever your hotel is on this petite island. Furthermore, there are boat parties taking holidaymakers from San Antonio harbour for unforgettable shindigs at sea.
Experience chilled out sunset moments
Few places do beautiful sunsets like Ibiza does, and San Antonio leads the way when it comes to making the most of these magical moments. In fact, the town has developed a thriving industry on the back of its enviable location facing the western horizon, where the sun disappears behind the blue of the Mediterranean Sea each evening. Sunset heralds the beginning of the end of the day in most places, but not in Ibiza. These gatherings of sunset-chasers ripple with tangible excitement because the moment marks the start of a long night out for many.
Whether sunset marks the start or end of your night in San Antonio, the Sunset Strip is the place to share the experience and enjoy a cocktail with fellow visitors, and a few locals, too. Situated along the extension of the promenade to the west of the marina and town centre, this area becomes a hotbed of pre-party anticipation and laid-back vibes in the calmer early evenings before nightlife hotspots open their doors elsewhere in town later on. Enhanced by a blissful soundtrack of ambient sounds and Balearic beats provided by big name DJs, two renowned sunset bars stand out from the crowd: Café del Mar and Café Mambo. The former even has a trance track named after it, which is often ranked among the greatest dance music anthems ever. Alternative ways to enjoy the sunset in San Antonio include taking early evening quad bike tours or relaxing boat trips from the harbour.
Natural wonders, calm retreats and action-packed activities
Wherever your hotel is in San Antonio, the town is an excellent gateway to Ibiza’s natural wonders because the island is small enough to reach most of the far-flung corners in less than an hour by road. Moreover, the town’s harbour is a terrific hub for ferries to mainland Spain and smaller launches taking beachgoers to secluded coves and bays along Ibiza’s northern and western coasts during high season. If San Antonio’s own sandy stretches like Caló des Moro and Arenal Beach become too hectic for your taste, then more tranquil beaches can be found in its hinterland. These include Cala Salada, Cala Gració and Cala Conta.
With much of the island designated as a World Heritage Site owing to its biodiversity and culture, there is much to see and do for those tired of, or less interested in the non-stop partying Ibiza is famous for. Road trips around the area will take you to quiet pine-covered hilltops, breath-taking viewpoints and lonely whitewashed churches. There are also opportunities for adrenaline junkies to try water-based activities like parasailing, speed boat trips and scuba-diving in and around San Antonio. One interesting and scenic monument can be found away from the crowds on the coast at Puertas Can Soleil, about six miles to the south-west. Dubbed “Stonehenge” by locals, this impressive semicircle of basalt columns, one of which stands 20 metres tall, was commissioned by Cirque du Soleil’s founders and erected by an Australian artist.