Ibiza island tours - around the villages and beaches of the South-West

Our third self drive tour takes us from Ibiza Town to the 'mountain' village of San José taking in some of the island's finest beaches, spectacular views, and of course, just the odd bar or restaurant to stop off for refreshments.

San José is the largest of the five municipalities on Ibiza and the one with the most beaches and coves along its 80-km of coastline, so allow plenty of time for relaxing breaks along the way.

On your trip, look out for the pink signs which point the way to important historic monuments and the camera signs which highlight sites with spectacular views.

Ibiza - Es Cavallet/Las Salinas

Las Salinas

Hit the airport road out of Ibiza Town and within a few minutes you've left the noise and traffic of the big city far behind. Just after the village of San Jordi turn left at the roundabout by the hippodrome pony trotting track in direction of the salt pans , which can already be seen. You'll find two of the island's coolest beaches here. Turn left before the small bridge to the beach of Es Cavallet, which is famous for being a nudist, and at the end, ever so gay beach.

If you go straight over the bridge, you reach the beach of Las Salinas, which has more than its fair share of holidaying footballers and celebs on duty throughout the summer. With safe, crystalline waters and a phalanx of trendy bars it's no wonder that they're so popular.

If the beach isn't your scene then fear not, because this area is full of alternative pastimes. It's a natural park, an important stopover for migrating birds, and flocks of flamingoes can be seen in the salt pans. It's historically important, with the production of salt still carried out much as it was 2000 years ago. In addition there are two fascinating churches, built in the 1780's for the salt workers, and the defence tower of Ses Portes, which controlled the sea-lanes with the aid of three giant canons.

Las Salinas - Cala Jondal

Cala Jondal

Doubling back from the beaches we take the coast road after the airport to take a look at how Ibiza's first tourists lived at the remains of their first seaside settlement at Sa Caleta (at the beach Bol Nou). Turn left before the slope down to the beach), a World Heritage site. The small beach of Es Bol Nou, surrounded by rich red cliffs, is just round the corner for those in search of tranquility.

For a livelier scene, head to Cala Jondal, a long pebbly beach surrounded by millionaires' villas and with a line of bars and restaurants open day and night. 

Cala Jondal - Es Cubells

Off along the country lanes we go, through Aleppo pine woods rich in the scents of rosemary, lavender and thyme, until we resurface at Es Cubells. A cliff-top village with a church and a couple of restaurants and bars. The views, a magnificent panorama of miles of coast, are to die for, and there's a tiny beach way down at the bottom of the cliffs.

Es Cubells - Cala d'Hort/Cala Carbo

Cala d'Hort

No trip to Ibiza is complete without a visit to Cala d'Hort. Along the way history buffs might wish to detour to the Punic-Roman settlement of Ses Païses de Cala d'Hort and the defence tower of Cap des Jueu which contrary to popular belief was not built to protect the hippie hideaway of Atlantis, far below the cliffs.

The beach at Cala d'Hort is truly breathtaking simply because of the SPECTACULAR view of the craggy Es Vedrà rock out to sea. A couple of restaurants and clear blue seas complete, but can't compete with, the experience.

Further round the coast Cala Carbo is a small seclude cove with an excellent restaurant.

Cala Carbo - Cala Vadella

Winding country lanes take us to Cala Vadella, a beautiful bay surrounded by holiday homes, with a soft sandy beach and enough bars and restaurants to shake a stick at.

Cala Vadella - San José

If you like climbing, take time out on the way to San José to scale S'Atalaia which at 274 m above sea level - it is a long walk but the views of the entire island from the summit make the ride worthwhile.

San José is a picturesque village with some lovely bars and restaurants, an historic church, speciality shops, and a laid back relaxed atmosphere, ideal for winding down at the end of the day.