Page 128 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

126  THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA IBIZA  127

2 Sant Jordi small port at the district, including the rocky
de Ses Salines southern end of the islet of Es Vedrà. In order to
peninsula. Salt take a closer look at Es Vedrà
4 km (2 miles) southwest of Eivissa.
( Sat. production still you need to drive along the
continues here, though coast up to the sandy bay of
The small village of Sant not on such a grand Cala d’Hort, with its pleasant
Jordi de Ses Salines lies scale – some 70,000 sandy beach and several
along the road leading from tonnes of the stuff are terraced restaurants.
Eivissa to the airport. It was exported each year. According to legend, Es
established in the 15th Built between the salt Vedrà was once the home of
century, but there is not much lakes is the village of the sirens who lured Odysseus.
evidence left of its ancient Sant Francesc de Sailors and divers experience
pedigree. The most important S’Estany, where some a strange magnetic anomaly
local sight is the modest salt workers still live. It here, and some believe the
white church of Sant Jordi has a small picturesque island to have been a landing
that stands surrounded by a church. The asphalt site for aliens. This lofty rock,
high wall. A quirky Saturday road that passes the now inhabited only by birds Fountain in Passeig de ses Fonts, Sant Antoni de Portmany
market takes place here from church leads to a and flocks of wild goats and
8am and has a good mix of 16th-century watch- sheep, makes an extra ordinary in Plaça de Església, was built Of the nearby beaches, Cala
cheap jewellery, clothes and tower, Torre de sa Salt impression. Occasionally, in on a hill, away from the harbour, Bassa and blue-flag Cala Conta
second-hand books. Rossa, 2 km (1 mile) calm weather, it even blows and served as a shelter for the are probably the best. Port d’es
Ses Salines, a haven for many species of bird away. From here there off a plume of steam. local population during pirate Torrent is also popular, especially
Environs is a fine view over Some 5 km (3 miles) from raids. Originally, there were with families (see p131).
A little further on is Platja d’en 3 Ses Salines nearby Illa Sal Rossa island, the Sant Josép, situated to the defensive guns positioned
Bossa. The local beach is 10 km (6 miles) southwest of Eivissa. wide beaches of Figueretes right of the road that leads to on the church roof. 7 Santa Agnès
popular with young people, lying to the south of the Eivissa, is Cova Santa. The The bustling fishing
especially the southern end Situated at the southern end capital and Dalt Vila in Eivissa. main attractions of this harbour is popular de Corona
where a dynamic club scene of Ibiza are the saline lowlands Ses Salines’ beach, Platja de cave, which is the with visitors. A palm- 8 km (5 miles) northeast of Sant
has developed. Much of this is – Ses Salines. These natural salt- Ses Salines, is one of the largest in Ibiza, are its fringed promenade Antoni de Portmany. @
based around Space, a huge pans are extremely important island’s most fashionable spots. huge stalactites, some runs along the bay.
club that opened in 1988 (see for the local wildlife and were One section of this beautiful, of which are a dozen At one end is a large Santa Agnès de Corona has
pp124–5). Close to this is Bora- known as the “Salt Gardens” long sandy beach has been set or so metres long. flowerbed with maintained its old-world
Bora, a club-bar where parties in Phoenician times. apart for nudists. sculptures made atmosphere. There is not
spill out onto the sand. They are sheltered to the 5 West Coast in Sant Rafael, much here apart from a
Children are also catered north by the Serra Grossa hills 4 Sant Josep including the small quaint church, a shop
for here. Behind the beach that rise up to 160 m (520 ft) in of Ibiza Columbus‘ Egg in ingenious Columbus’ and a bar where you can
is a large waterpark, Aguamar, some places; to the south they de sa Talaia See pp130–31. Sant Antoni Egg. The famous quench your thirst and
with numerous pools are flanked by the wooded * 25,000. @ n Plaça Església s/n, entertainment district enjoy a plate of tapas. You
and slides. areas of Faló and Corbari. In 971 801 627. _ Sant Josép between Carrer de Mar and can take a walk from here
A short way south of Sant 1992, the area was given special (19 Mar). 6 Sant Antoni Carrer Ample comes to life to the nearby summit of Es
Jordi is a hippodrome where protection as a nature reserve. de Portmany only after dark. The local Camp Vell and on to the
you can bet on trotting races, For centuries, the revenue The small town of Sant clubs, including Es Paradis, neighbour ing village of
popular throughout the from the local salt production Josep de sa Talaia, 13 km * 23,000. @ g n Passeig de Ses are among the island’s best Sant Mateu d’Aubarca.
Balearic Islands. provided a large chunk of the (9 miles) west of Eivissa, is Font s/n, 971 343 363. _ Sant Antoni (see pp124–5).
island’s income. Until quite the municipal capital of the (17 Jan), Sant Bartolome (24 Aug). Environs
S Aguamar recently, the place was served southwestern region and is off Southwest of Santa
Platja d’en Bossa. Tel 971 396 790. by a narrow-gauge railway the beaten track. Its pace of life The second-largest town in Ibiza Agnès de Corona is
Open May–Oct: 10am–6pm daily. & carrying salt to La Canal – a is slow. It is worth visiting the was known as Portus Magnus an original early
local traditional tavern, Bernat by the Romans. The large bay Christian chapel
Vinya, where men gather to play that provided a natural harbour of Santa Agnès,
cards and chat over a glass of for ships now boasts yacht discovered in 1907 in
wine. The only historic relic to marinas and a ferry terminal. a grotto. Local legend
visit is the church, built in the Once upon a time this was a says that a sailor was
typical island style. small fishing village, until it was saved from drowning
transformed in the 1960s into a by St Agnes during a
Environs busy, commercialized summer fierce storm, and
The town lies at the foot of resort with scores of hotels. built a chapel to her
Ibiza’s highest mountain, Sa Regular bus services run from on the spot where
Talaiassa (475 m/1,558 ft). Keen here to Eivissa and Santa Eulària he was washed up
walkers can make the two-hour des Riu. Amid the sea of high- by the waves. On
hike to the peak along a well- rise hotel buildings stands the St Agnes’s Day, local
marked trail that starts in Sant 14th-century church of Sant people make a
Josép. From the top there is a Antoni Abat. This fortified pilgrimage to
Slides in Aguamar, near Sant Jordi magnificent panorama of the parish church, now standing Village church in Santa Agnès de Corona this site.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p151 and pp161–3 Sunset at Eivissa, the charming capital of Ibiza

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.2)
Date 15th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm