Originally a port that dates back to the Roman era, San Antonio (Sant Antoni in Catalan) is now a top holiday destination, loved for its easy-going feel. You can listen to the world's best DJs, gaze at a dazzling glowing sunset or take to the water in a huge variety of ways.
It is set in one of the largest and most beautiful natural harbours in Europe, San Antonio Bay, an open expanse of calm waters. Add to this big blue skies and rolling hills and you get a stunning and graceful backdrop for a very lively and fun-filled resort.
The promenade and the port
Running through the main part of town and approaching the marina and port is the elegant central palm-tree-lined promenade filled with plants and flowers and large fountains that light up at night. You will find a big selection of pavement-side restaurants and cafés that lead right past the harbour.
Beaches
In the other direction, the promenade follows the line of the main beach of San Antonio, S'Arenal, a long strip of soft sand with safe, shallow waters. You can play about in the water with ease amongst a largely young crowd from dawn till dusk in the summer.
Further along the bay, following the promenade away from the town centre, is the cute and quieter beach of Es Pouet, also great for water sports.
In the other direction from the central promenade and past the Sunset Strip, you will come to a small stretch of sandy beach called Caló des Moro that has a nice wooden platform to enjoy the sun. Just a 15-minute walk from here, going west, is the lovely beach of Cala Gracio and its charming neighbour Cala Gracioneta.
If you want to explore more beaches, the west of the island is blessed with many beautiful bays such as Cala Conta, Cala Bassa and Cala Salada. All of these beaches can be easily reached by car or bus from San Antonio or by taking one of the small beach ferries, which is by far the nicest way to reach these little gems.
Things to do
On, in and under the water or on land - there are lots of great fun things to see or do.
There is almost another town on the water in San Antonio. You have many water activities, boat trips and ferries, which take you to just about all the beaches on the west coast, as well as trips to Formentera and the mystical island of Es Vedrà.
You can do just about every water activity under the sun. For the true adrenaline addict, why not take to the waves on SUP boards, jet skis, flyboards and much more.
San Antonio is one of the main start points for Ibiza's renowned boat parties, which run throughout the summer season. These excursions are a must-try where you can dance to great music and meet lots of new friends while cruising into the sunset. Some combination tickets even include club entry in the great value price.
Sunset Strip
For many, the legendary bars of the famous Sunset Strip have helped put San Antonio on the map. Café Mambo is the leader of the sunset bars on the Strip and is famous for its music sessions, featuring the world's best and most prolific DJs. It is also home to Café del Mar, the original sunset bar, famous worldwide for its chill-out compilations.
Along the promenade there are many more sunset bars and in summer the whole island flocks here to watch the sun go down displaying an incredible spectacle of colours. A walk down here is a must for all Ibiza holidays and will literally lift your spirits with the buzzing energy of the strip.
Bars
At night, San Antonio transforms into party central with lots of great bars on the beachfront walkway - here the party often starts already in the late afternoon, with people coming straight from the beach.
In the centre of town, you will find the cluster of bars, micro-clubs and pubs that is the West End. Here, enjoyment is always on the menu supported by what are very reasonable drinks prices and a vibrant ambiance as party people make their way around the narrow, pedestrianised streets from bar to bar.
Daytime and night-time clubs
San Antonio is one of the main clubbing destinations on Ibiza. Mostly younger clubbers flock to the town in summer, enjoying the easy going atmosphere, where making friends is easy, and the cheaper prices in the bars and clubs, compared to Playa d'en Bossa and Ibiza Town.
The town is host to the renowned super clubs Es Paradis - exquisitely-styled pyramid - and Eden, which is right next door.
Fans of daytime clubbing can head to O Beach Ibiza, a beautiful beach club on the promenade with a diverse party programme. The Ibiza Rocks Hotel, which is also a party venue, is famed for its daytime pool parties. And on the outskirts of San Antonio you'll find the daytime venue 528 Ibiza, where you can enjoy open-air parties in its extensive grounds with various party areas.
As for the other famous clubs of the island, Amnesia is located near San Rafael in the middle of the island, while Pacha is in Ibiza Town and Ushuaïa and Hï Ibiza are in Playa d'en Bossa. All are easily reached from San Antonio with the disco bus that runs all night.
Read more in our extensive Clubber's guide to San Antonio.
Restaurants
There is a fantastic selection of snack bars and restaurants in San Antonio lining the promenade and squares for all tastes and budgets, mostly offering stunning views over the harbour and bay.
Right by the marina you'll find nice bars and restaurants offering lovely terraces with fabulous views. In the small lanes behind the fountain square there are many small tapas restaurants, pubs and snack bars for a quick bite before heading into the night.
On the sunset strip you can dine while the sun is setting in a feast of colours in front of you. And in the beautiful surrounding areas of San Antonio, there are some lovely rural restaurants offering a change of scene.
Fiestas
The San Antonio City Council organises many interesting events in San Antonio throughout the year.
At the beginning of the year, the city celebrates the Fiesta de San Antonio several weeks around Saint Anthony's Day on 17 January with many events as activities for children, cultural events, live music, tasting of the local gastronomy, sports and more. The Flower Power Party and the record fair are especially popular.
The Fiesta de Sant Bartomeu in San Antonio at the height of summer also offers several weeks of events. The big day is the 24 August, the day of Saint Bartholomew, patron saint of San Antonio. Processions, traditional dances and live music throughout the day, culminate in a large firework display over the bay. Another highlight is the Carthaginians versus Romans fight on the main beach - a friendly battle using ripe tomatoes. Basically a public food fight! Lots of fun and likely to get messy.
At the end of the summer season in late September/early October, the town hosts the atmospheric Medieval Mariners Market with many stalls selling homemade food and handicrafts. Don't be surprised if you find yourself surrounded by singing pirates and dancing mermaids while you are out shopping; or being stalked as you are enjoying a craft beer or a folk concert.
Find these and many more interesting events in our events calendar.
Staying in and around San Antonio
San Antonio's diverse range of accommodation covers all budget options from large four-star hotels and charming hostels to self-catering apartments, all with great atmosphere and personal service.
If you want a quieter, more tranquil stay then the hotels and apartments further along San Antonio Bay, going south, are only a short stroll along the beach promenade from the town centre.
Out of town in the countryside you will find many private holiday villas which make a great option for groups and large families wanting fast access to San Antonio but also extra privacy and tranquillity.
Now, about that Egg in the centre of town
When you arrive in town and come to the first roundabout, you will see a large white egg with a ship inside it.
It is the egg of Christopher Columbus and the ship is the famous Santa María on which he embarked on his journey to the New World. It has been suggested that he was a famous son of San Antonio in the book Colón Ibicenco. Author Nito Verdera is adamant that it is true - either way, it certainly makes for a great story.
So, why the egg? Well, Columbus was told that reaching India was impossible on one of his fund-raising missions to finance his audacious voyage. He responded by taking an egg and asking if it was impossible to stand the egg upright. Everyone agreed it was, so canny Christopher lightly cracked the base and made the egg stand upright.
“Nothing is impossible,” he said, thereby winning the support of the financial backers. The rest, as they say, is history.
