Best Things To Do in Es Vedra, Ibiza
Located to the south of Ibiza, the island of Es Vedrá is one of the must-see and marvel at places if you visit the Balearic Islands.
With a great natural wealth, this small islet is located in front of Cala d'Hort, in the municipality of Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, to the southwest of Ibiza. Es Vedrá is considered a magical and paradisiacal place, full of legends and nature. In 2002 it was declared a nature reserve, making it a protected area of great beauty, and because of this it is forbidden to visit it.
There are many things to see and do in Ibiza, but without a doubt, seeing Es Vedrá is one of the most popular. The enormous 382-metre-high rock can be seen perfectly, both from Ibiza and from the mainland and Formentera. For this reason, the activities I propose are aimed at offering you the best views of the island, as it is not possible to visit it. Come and find out more about Es Vedrá.
1. Watch the sunset from the sea
Very close to Es Vedra, in San Antonio, is the starting point for this activity. The boat trips normally go along the west coast of Ibiza, passing by Cala Bassa, Cala Tarida, Cala Salada, Isla Margarita or Cala Conta. In addition to the boat trip, you can do different water sports, such as snorkelling or kayaking, whose equipment is included in the price.
However, first you will enjoy a nice and quiet boat trip with drinks included, such as sangria, mojitos or champagne. You can accompany your drink with some fresh fruit and enjoy the beautiful views of Es Vedra and the bay. Afterwards, you can go snorkelling, paddle surfing or kayaking.
When you get tired, get back on the boat and lie down in a hammock to relax with music playing in the background. While you admire the sunset, you can enjoy a glass of champagne and a bite to eat. Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Ibiza in summer.
2. Spend a day at the beach in Cala d'Hort
Cala d'Hort is very close to Es Vedra. This beach is about 10 minutes by car from San José. It is a very small beach, only about 150 metres long. However, it has all kinds of services, such as deck chairs, restaurants, lifeguards and access for the disabled.
Due to the fact that it is a very small beach with a special charm, in high season it is usually very popular. Therefore, if you go by car, it can be difficult to park your car. My recommendation is that, if you want to go there in your own car, you should go early in the morning to avoid problems.
Cala d'Hort offers spectacular views of Es Vedrà, as the islet is just a few metres away. Apart from the views, it is also worthwhile for its natural character, with fine sand and an ideal tide for surfing. If you can afford it, I recommend that you have lunch in one of its restaurants and stay on the beach to watch the sunset.
There are three restaurants located in Cala d'Hort, all of them specialised in fish and seafood. One of the most famous is Es Boldadó, which is located on the cliffs, offering spectacular views of the bay and Es Vedrá. It can be reached either by car along the road or by a wooden staircase from the beach.
3. Take a cruise excursion to Es Vedra
If you want to visit Es Vedra, I recommend this boat trip. It lasts 4 hours in total and departs from the port of San Antonio. During the trip, the boat will pass through the bays of Cala Bassa, Cala Tarida, Cala Vadella and Cala d'Hort. Afterwards, you will skirt the island of Es Vedra.
The excursion is available from May to October and is ideal for you if you are travelling to Ibiza with the whole family. In addition, children under 5 years of age do not have to pay an entrance fee for the excursion.
On the boat itself you can buy some snacks and drinks, such as cans of soft drinks or a glass of sangria. In addition, a local guide will be commenting on the trip, informing you of the points of interest you are seeing and the main curiosities of the place. At the end, you'll toast with a glass of champagne with the rest of the passengers.
4. Visit Sa Pedrera de Cala d'Hort or Atlantis
In the same Cala d'Hort Nature Reserve is Atlantis, one of the most magical places in Ibiza. There are many legends surrounding Sa Pedrera. The first of these tells of a civilisation called Atlantis, which sank into the sea millions of years ago.
As well as being a mystical and magical place, it is perfect for you if you want to relax and forget about the noise during your holidays in Ibiza. To get there, you will have to go down a cliff, from where you will be able to see incredible views of the place, including Es Vedrá. It is not an easy walk, especially on the way back, as you will have to climb up. For this reason, it is not a very recommendable place to go with small children. I do not recommend going there at night either.
Sa Pedrera is covered with golden sand and has natural green water pools. In the past, this place did not look like this, but was a stone quarry. It was from here that part of the stones that formed the walls of Dalt Vila were quarried, which is why it has been a place of great importance for the island since its origins.
After it was no longer exploited for this purpose, the hippie community made Sa Pedrera a place of worship. This is the reason why you can find different Buddhist figures carved into the rock.
5. Discover Cala Carbó
Another of the best beaches near Es Vedrá is Cala Carbó. It is also very close to San José, approximately 10 minutes away by car. Cala Carbó is a very small cove, only about 50 metres long. It has umbrellas, deck chairs and several restaurants where you can have a drink.
It is a beach of fine sand and turquoise water. Along the shore, there are several rocks where you can sit and relax and watch the tide. Many boats pass by this area, offering a panoramic view that looks like something out of a painting. To this scenery must be added the beautiful green of the pine trees that provide shade for the beach.
As with other beaches of this type, such as Cala d'Hort, the allocated car park tends to fill up very early in the high season, especially at weekends. It is therefore advisable to arrive early if you want to park. Also, in case you intend to have lunch at one of the restaurants on the beach, you will have to book in advance.
There are two restaurants in Cala Carbó, both specialising in fish, seafood and paella. The most famous is Restaurante Balenari Cala Carbó. Of course, you can also bring your own food from home and have a picnic on the beach. Just remember to leave everything tidy, just as you found it.
6. Step back in time at the Phoenician settlement of Sa Caleta
Between the beach of des Codolar and Mount des Jondal, you will find a site from the Phoenician period, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. It is one of the island's main archaeological jewels, dating back to the 8th century BC.
The settlement has a wharf, which was used at the time and is still active today. It is said that the population that inhabited the site moved to the bay of Ibiza, giving rise to the city we know today.
This is the perfect plan for you if you are a history buff. You will be able to see the ovens used for baking bread and the spectacular views that the place offers. You will also be able to learn about the way the Phoenicians organised their urban layout, which is characterised by its disorderly nature.
To get to this place, you can drive from San José. First, take the Ibiza road. Then turn right at the Sa Cova Santa junction. Stay on this road for 4 kilometres, which is when the signs to Sa Caleta begin.
7. Discover the Torre des Savinar
The Torre des Savinar is also known as the Pirate's Tower. It is located in Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, in the Cala d'Hort Nature Reserve, at the top of a cliff. From here, there are marvellous views of both Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell.
The nickname 'Torre del Pirata' (Pirate's Tower) is not due to any legend or historical event, but to a novel by the writer Vicente Blasco Ibáñez. It was originally built as an artillery tower. However, it was never used for that purpose and was limited to being a watchtower.
To reach the Torre des Savinar from San José, you have to take the Es Cubells road. Then take the exit towards Cala d'Hort. After passing a bend, you will see a dirt road on your left. Park your car there and walk half an hour to the tower.
When you reach the site, you will see the original gate of the tower, which is located at the top of a ramp. However, it is not possible to enter the tower, as it is owned by a local family. The latter is not a disadvantage for visiting the tower, since you are interested in the views it offers of the islet.
8. Watching the sunset in San Antonio
The island of Ibiza is famous for its sunsets. One of the best places to watch the sunset with views of Es Vedrá is San Antonio Abad. This municipality is a twenty-minute drive from Cala D'hort.
If you want to go by public transport, you will have to take a taxi to Can Vejer. Then, you will have to take the L8 bus. In total, the journey takes no more than half an hour.
In San Antonio there are many places to watch the sunset, but one of the most recommended is Café del Mar. This beachside beach bar overlooking the sea is ideal for watching the sunset while enjoying a cocktail, soft drink or glass of wine. You can also go to Café Mambo or the Savannah bar.
In case you want to save on your trip, you can also buy an ice cream or a drink in any establishment and watch the sunset on San Antonio's promenade.
9. Follow the Ojo de Es Vedrá route
Although this route offers incredible views, I must point out that it is not for everyone. The route climbs up to a very high peak, so it is not recommended if you suffer from vertigo. Apart from that, it is not a very tough route, except for certain sections where the climbs are very steep and the terrain is somewhat slippery.
The Ojo de Es Vedrá route lasts about 50 minutes: 25 minutes there, 25 minutes back. In total, you will cover about 2 kilometres, so it is not a long route at all. In order to get there, first equip yourself well with good hiking shoes, a backpack with water and an external battery for your phone.
Next, you will have to get to Cala Llentrisca, which is close to the municipality of Es Cubells. When you reach a bend with a dirt car park, park your car. You will see a green mark on the ground indicating the beginning of the walking route. Once you have walked for about 20 minutes, you will see a rock with a large hole in it . You have reached your destination!
The place is called the viewpoint of Cala Llentrisca or Ojo de Es Vedrá and offers spectacular views of the islet in question and the bay. However, watch your step and don't go too far over the cliff.
10. Enjoy a day in the sun at Cala Vedella
In the village of Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, you will find one of the favourite beaches for families. Cala Vedella, unlike Cala d'Hort and Cala Carbó, is a wide beach, so you won't have so many problems when it comes to setting up your beach umbrella. It is a wild beach with a beautiful natural swimming pool, located in a fishermen's area and with lovely views of Es Vedrá.
The beach has fine white sand and the water is usually very calm, which makes it very safe for children. For this reason, this is one of the best activities to do with children in Ibiza. Cala Vedella has all kinds of services, such as shops, restaurants and bars.
One of the most famous restaurants is María Luisa, which specialises in fresh fish. In addition, there are also sports equipment rental booths. This way, you can rent a jet ski or the necessary equipment to practice scuba diving.
Cala Vedella is a very quiet beach where, although it is a tourist attraction, you will find local people from the municipality. It is true that at weekends there is more noise, but nothing compared to other beaches on the island. To reach this place from Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, it will not take you more than 10 minutes by car. If you don't have your own vehicle, you can take a bus. However, there is no option where you can get on the bus in Sant Josep and get off at Cala Vedella, so you will have to walk.