Originally a port dating back to the Roman era, San Antonio (Sant Antoni in Catalan) is now a top holiday destination for all age groups, renowned for its lively and vibrant atmosphere.
Here, you can listen to some of the world's best DJs, relax on stunning beaches, dine in incredible restaurants, and gaze at the dazzling sunset.
Set in one of the largest and prettiest natural harbours in Europe, San Antonio Bay, this huge expanse of crystal clear waters, is a perfect playground for all kinds of activities.
The lush, rolling green hills that surround this beautiful area open up to great transport links, which provide easy access to exploring the entire island.
With all this on offer, it's easy to see why it's remained a mecca for the party lover, young and old.
The port area and promenade
As you enter San Antonio, you are greeted by a beautiful open square, fringed by palm trees, with water fountains that dance day and night.
On one side of the fountain square, busy restaurants and bars are open from breakfast until late at night, serving pre- and post-party revellers, families and groups who all flock here to enjoy its lively atmosphere.
At night, a small market takes place, selling jewellery, clothes, and souvenirs. You can even have a caricature done by one of the many artists.
The harbour promenade sits along the other side of the square. Here you’ll see many pretty boats bobbing in the bay, with huts lining the front that offer boat trips, or easy ferry access to nearby beaches and San Antonio Bay.
The beach promenade leads up from the harbour, away from the town area and alongside the main beach of San Antonio, S'Arenal, a long strip of soft sand with safe, shallow waters. Here, there are more restaurants and sunset bars, and at night it's filled with residents and holidaymakers enjoying an evening stroll in the warm light of the setting sun.
The skyline is easily recognisable here, with the rocketing Slingshot shooting up in the air, and clubs Eden and Es Paradis at its feet. The view from the top is incredible, but only for those with a strong stomach!
The Sunset Strip
In the other direction, if you follow the harbour promenade all the way to the end and then along the rocky coast, you’ll come to the famous Sunset Strip.
This is a long and trailing promenade that's speckled with charming sunset bars, all with tempting terraces that offer some of the finest views of the evening sunset spectacle.
Many will have heard of the famous Sunset Strip, and the legendary open-air venues have helped shape it and put San Antonio on the map.
Café Mambo is the leader of the sunset bars along the promenade, famous for its pre-parties, featuring some of the world's biggest 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 restaurants and bars, and in summer, the whole island gathers here to watch the incredible spectacle of colours. Don’t forget to clap!
A walk along here is a must for all Ibiza holidays; its buzzing energy and beautiful nightly show cannot be missed.
Beaches
The main beach, S'Arenal, is located in the centre of San Antonio, just a few minutes walk from the town and always in easy reach of accommodation within the resort.
Backed by a lovely palm-fringed promenade, the beach stretches several hundred meters along the bay and offers lots of sandy space to lay your towel for the day and catch some sun. If you're keen for adventure, there are extensive water sports on offer at the beach and in the nearby harbour.
With such easy reach to all the town's amenities, you'll often see groups of younger people meeting on the beach, relaxing before making plans for the evening ahead.
Later in the day, the bars and restaurants become more lively, as beach goers move into the venues for food and drinks, becoming beautiful sunset bars before the night takes hold.
Further along the bay, following the beach promenade away from the town centre, is the cute and quieter beach of Es Pouet, which is also great for water sports.
In the other direction and at the end of the Sunset Strip, you will come to a small, sandy cove called Caló des Moro. Its large wooden platform is perfect to enjoy the sunshine if the beach is crowded.
Just a 15-minute walk from here, going west, you'll find two small neighbouring bays with the lovely beaches of Cala Gracio and Cala Gracioneta.
If you want to explore more beaches, the west of the island is blessed with many beautiful unspoilt 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. You can also catch one of the small beach ferries from the port, which is by far the nicest way to reach these little gems.
Things to do
On land, and on, in and under the water, there are lots of fun things to see or do.
It's impossible to become bored with the huge array of water activities and boat trips around San Antonio, as well as trips to the stunning Formentera and the mystical island of Es Vedrà.
You can do just about every water activity under the sun. For the true adrenaline addict, you can take to the waves on SUP boards, jet skis, speedboats 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.
Why not charter a boat for yourself and your friends for a day? Live the Ibiza dream and take in the incredible west coast of the island, filled with beautiful beaches and coves to explore.
Restaurants
There is a fantastic selection of restaurants in San Antonio that line the Sunset Promenade, fountain square and small streets that wind through the town.
You’ll find a great choice of worldwide flavours on offer to suit all budgets, with many offering stunning views over the harbour and bay.
Wander through the small lanes behind the fountain square, and you’ll likely be tempted in by the quaint tapas restaurants and their pretty terraces. Many have been established for years and offer traditional menus and tapas selections, as well as twists on classic dishes that are hard to resist.
On the Sunset Strip, you can dine whilst the sun sets in a feast of colours before you. It's an experience you must have at least once on your trip.
There’s also beautiful countryside in the surrounding areas of San Antonio, where lovely rural restaurants offer a change of scene.
Bars
At night, San Antonio transforms into party central with lots of great bars on the beachfront promenade. Here, the party often starts in the late afternoon, with people coming straight from the beach, and goes on until the early hours.
In the centre of town, known as the West End, you will find a cluster of bars and pubs, many with open outdoor terraces to relax on.
Here, enjoyment is always on the menu. Supported by reasonable drinks prices and a vibrant atmosphere, people chat on the terraces, enjoying pre-drinks before a night out clubbing or partying inside the bars.
In spring 2025, the West End was decorated with the urban art project 'Endless Rainbow Walk', which transformed the previously rather rundown street. Geometric shapes in bright colours adorn the floor and walls, and shading sheets that span the narrow street. It feels like walking through a kaleidoscope of colours and brightens up the streets, both day and night.
Day and night-time clubs
San Antonio is one of the main clubbing destinations on Ibiza. 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 renowned clubs Es Paradis - with its exquisitely-styled pyramid roof - and Eden, with its incredible sound system, which is right next door.
Fans of daytime clubbing can head to O Beach Ibiza, a beautiful beachside club on the promenade, with a diverse party programme every day of the week. Or dance in the sun at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel, which is also a great party venue and known for its colourful daytime pool parties.
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. Also on the outskirts is Pikes Ibiza, the hotel, restaurant and party venue is famed for its hedonistic energy and events that run throughout the summer.
Intimate clubbing venue Sundara sits just on the edge of San Antonio Bay and is easy to reach on foot. It's great summer line-up of artists has really got the town talking.
As for the other famous clubs on the island, Amnesia and [UNVRS] are located near San Rafael in the middle of the island, while Pacha and Chinois Ibiza are in the marina area of Ibiza Town, and Ushuaïa Ibiza and Hï Ibiza are in Playa d'en Bossa.
All are easily reached from San Antonio on the Discobus that runs all night.
Read more in our extensive Clubber's guide to San Antonio.
Fiestas
The San Antonio City Council organises many fantastic events in San Antonio throughout the entire year.
At the beginning of the year, the city celebrates the Fiesta de San Antonio for several weeks around Saint Anthony's Day on 17 January. A full programme of events is laid on, including activities for children, cultural events, live music, tasting of the local gastronomy, sports and more. The Super Flower party and the annual 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 24 August, the day of Saint Bartholomew, patron saint of San Antonio. Processions, traditional dances and live music take place throughout the day, culminating in a large firework display over the bay.
Another highlight in this calendar is the Carthaginians versus Romans fight on the main beach - a friendly battle using ripe tomatoes. This is basically a public food fight! It’s always lots of fun, but be prepared to get messy!
In the main square of San Antonio and on the long S'Arenal beach, there are also many events throughout the summer.
In the first half of June, Ibiza Gay Pride is a colourful occasion that takes over both areas, whilst the two-day beach party hosted by Ibiza Global Festival (run by island broadcaster Ibiza Global Radio) in early July and La Movida in August are also hugely popular with revellers.
The whole of San Antonio becomes a dancefloor over these dates. It's always great to see the town come alive with happy faces enjoying the free parties.
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.
It's a fantastic family event where people go all in. Don't be surprised if you find yourself surrounded by singing pirates and dancing mermaids whilst wandering the stalls or enjoying a craft beer.
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 charming hostels and self-catering apartments to large four-star and luxury 5-star hotels
Every year, more is built and refurbished during the off-season, servicing the expansion and growing demand of the area.
The small nature of San Antonio means that wherever you stay, you are never more than a few moments from the action.
If you want a quieter, more tranquil stay, then try the hotels and apartments further along San Antonio Bay, going south. They are only a short stroll along the beach promenade from the town centre and have great transport links.
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.
In the book Colón Ibicenco, it has been suggested that he was a famous son of San Antonio. 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 the 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.
