Best Things to do in San Antonio
What are the best things to do in San Antonio?
It’s imposible to get bored in Ibiza. From May to October, the weather is perfect! With an atmosphere like the Caribbeans filled with tropical and relaxed surroundings enveloped by crystal-clear water, Ibiza a blissful island where you can take a breather. There are countless reasons why tourists from around the globe are coming in from the high season that starts in May when the days are longer and sunny, the spring season’s marvelous light gives a warm welcome to the summer.
With over 521 square kilometers Ibiza island is divided into five municipalities. On the west side is the import municipality, Sant Antoni de Portmany of 126 square kilometers People recognize this town because of its tourist center and wide range of hotel. The downtown of San Antonio is located15 km from the capital, Ibiza city. It’s also known for its long natural harbor at the bottom of the bay, which allows maritime traffic with the peninsula.
The Punics started to use the port in the 7th century before Christ, after this wise civilization the Romans continued using the San Antonio port and named it Portus Magnus, meaning big port. The official current name is San Antonio de Portmany where Portus Magnus evolved to Portmany. In Ibicencan language the name is Sant Antoni de Portmany.
In the 10th century, the Arabs who moved from North of Africa advanced the agricultural system in the región giving an important heritage to traditional Ibizan farmers. Each culture that occupied the island made important contributions to Ibiza and to each of its villages.
San Antonio is a very active town all year long but in the summer they offer a wide range of services, attractions, and nightlife, making it the second urban tourist center on the island. The hotel industry has been expanding rapidly in recent years enabling tourists to find all kinds of accommodation, restaurants, bars, shops, entertainments, activities, cars, scooters or bicycle rentals, etc. Locals in San Antonio can enjoy a perfect holiday without leaving this área as paradisiac beaches are a walking distance. To explore the island more, a bus station located downtown connects San Antonio with Ibiza center together with the airport, the main towns, and beaches.
Beaches
The San Antonio municipality has five main beaches, from north to south is Cala Salada, Cala Saladeta, Cala Gració, Cala Gracioneta, Caló des Moro, Playa de s’Arenal, Playa des Pouet. In downtown Ibiza, the very popular main beach s’Arenal is 500 meters long.
The beach has complete facilities including lifeguards, access for the disabled, sunbeds, parasols, & shower areas. The paradisiac sandy beaches, Cala Salada, Cala Saladeta, Cala Gració, and Cala Gracioneta, all small but charming are found on the northeast side. Many yachts are anchored in front of these caves because of the landscape, the clear water and the amazing sunset. Easily reach the caves from downtown by walking. There are plenty of typical chiringuitos at the beach, what restaurants are called in Spain, There are also plenty of beach services such as lifeguards, sunbeds, parasols.
Sunset
Situated on the west side of the island, people flock from all over the island come to experience the beautiful sunset. A mental postcard image famously known in the peaceful Mediterranean. In summer, the sunsets longer starting from 9 until night fall at 10.
The visit to San Antonio for the sunset is not one to miss. Everyday you can admire the subtle moment when the magnificent sun sinks into the Mediterranean sea. Below this article, Ibizadvisor recommends the following popular venues where you can hang throughout the day to wait to experience this magical moment.
Savannah is a cool bar-restaurant with a large seafront terrace, attracting glamorous clientele. Every day popular DJs from the island liven up the venue from dusk till dawn. Savannah is also known to host special events with important promoters of electronic music. During the busy season, we recommend pre-booking the seafront tables.
Café del Mar is a classic spot in Ibiza, opened in 1980 its name has become very famous around the world due to its great chill-out music genre compilations since 1994. Many famous DJs and producers have launched their careers and had their epic moments while playing here under the sun in the beautiful terrace.
Café Mambo is also known to be one of the most recognized venues on the island. Young people and party lovers often come to their pre-parties. The owners are known to love electronic music and often surprise their guests by bringing big DJs to play.
Golden Buddha is a tranquil chill-out venue known for its Buddha sculptures, Balinese beds, and many India inspired decorations & details which give an exotic touch to the place. The venue is known to give its guests a one-of-a-kind sunset experience pairing the music, cuisine & cocktails to the amazing view.
Ibiza offers numerous options to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. From an awe-inspiring sunset, a boat trip at the port of San Antonio, or even a sunset tour for over 4 hours. The sunset tour cruise navigates along the west coast and stops on the island’s sublime beaches and ultimately brings you in the middle of the turquoise see to experience the golden sunset.
Water Sports
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Ibizaadvisor recommends the best activities at Sant Antoni de Portmany during the summer.
For adrenaline junkies connected to the sea, enjoy a variety of water sports. Companies offer attractive packages from diving to explore the deepest of the Mediterranean sea to jet skis, wáter skis and speedboats..
If you are looking for something new and adventurous, then get a chance to experience how it is to be iron man by renting a flyboard which makes you hover above the water.
Families can also enjoy the inflatables or snorkeling excursions in the area. San Antonio Bay is filled with awesome coves and beaches and the best way to explore its hidden and pristine locations are by kayak or wáter paddle. San Antonio also has a surf lounge where tourists can learn how to surf or practice. Another cool aquatic toy to rent is the bladefish that helps swimmers dive faster.
Among the popular companies that offer these wáter sport & attractions are: Ibiza Watersports, Sup Paradise, Take Off Ibiza, Star Boats, Ibiza Jetsky San Antonio, Ibiza Winds, etc.
Daily Cruise
A unique and interesting experience along the west coast is to take a cruise to explore sail the Mediterranean sea. There are several cruise companies that will help you explore the marine life and connect with nature.
The cruise lets you board a yacht that sails from the San Antonio port. Once the ship moves the vacation starts with a relaxing sunbath, a glass of tinto de verano and hors d’oeuvres such as a tasty local paella or a freshly grilled fish. The entertainment is provided by top DJs who play the best electronic music of the summer. The boat also stops in the open sea or in front of a the amazing coast to let guests swim, dive or snorkel. During this time, guests can also admire the romantic views, take a Spanish siesta, or mix and mingle with peers onboard.
Whether hiring a private cruise or buying a ticket for a boat party or boat excursion, every day there is an opportunity to live the experience & venture out into the sea. Cruise companies offer multiple options that guests can choose from an all-day trip, a sunset trip, excursions to specific beaches and caves, overnight stays on the cruise, water sports, etc. Included in these cruises are drinks and catering.
Choose your cruise from Ibizadvisor’s recommendations: Ibiza Boat Cruises, Cruceros Portmany, Capitan Nemo, Float Your Boat, Papillon Charter, Dream Boats Ibiza.
Going for a walk
Sant Antoni de Portmany’s bay, the island’s largest natural port, starts in Caló des Moro, a small urban beach. It’s from this spot that you can hike towards the North to see beatiful terrains and cliffs. The Aquarium Cap Blanc is known for its quaint bar-restaurants with comfortable terraces. Guests flock here to appreciate the sunset and Cala Gracioneta beaches.
Take a 45 minute walk along the port to cross the downtown to reach popular tourist destinations such as lighthouse Far de ses coves Blanques, the cultural center and exhibition hall, the yachting club, etc. Over here you will find the ferries that sail to diverse beaches such as Port des Torrent, Cala Bassa, Portinatx, Platges de Comte. From boat companies to hire, shops, bars, restaurants, beach & night clubs, this lively zone is not to be missed.
Party
San Antonio is known to be the hotspot town of the electronic beats. The music industry in Ibiza has an interesting history. Since the eighties, electronic music promoters came from all over the world to attract clubbers to their parties. Here in Ibiza you will find it common to party with the best international DJ’s not only in the big clubs but also in the small ones.
The DJs start playing from the midday in rooftops, beach clubs, pool parties, etc and during the sunset, the energy increases and pre-parties start. Venues with great ambience like Ibiza Rocks, Café del Mar, Café Mambo, O Beach Ibiza, Rio Ibiza open around eleven o’clock to offer brunch and drinks.
By night San Antonio keeps the island alive with day-to-day parties in Es Paradís, Eden, Pikes, Benimussa Park, etc.
