A trip to the San Antonio Sunset Strip should always be on your list when visiting Ibiza. Known locally as “Ses Variades”, this long and popular promenade with a variety of sunset bars and restaurants extends all the way from the harbour to the small beach of Caló des Moro, and a little beyond. It is probably the island's most visited location, and with good reason.

Sunsets here are a very special occasion. The combination of the wide open sea next to the strip and clean island air means the colours refract more easily. This results in a colour palette that expands from orange and yellow to pink, violet and hues of red, creating a light show that everyone agrees is nothing short of spectacular.

During the summer, the town comes alive with bustling crowds looking to soak up the unique and vibrant atmosphere, the glorious incandescent sunset, and, of course, the music.

It all started back in 1980, when Café del Mar, with the help of the legendary DJ José Padilla, added a soundtrack to the sunset, changing this once sleepy promenade forever. It was this venue that really created the chill-out genre and many compilation albums, for which it has gained worldwide fame.

Café Mambo, also well known for its popular music compilations over the years, came next, and after that, more and more sunset venues lined the promenade. When space on the original Sunset Strip ran out, new sunset bars started to open, expanding the original promenade all the way to the small bay of Caló des Moro.

A combination of the big sky, beautiful bay, dramatic sunset and world-class music makes the perfect setting for the bars along the Strip. If you go, get there in enough time before sunset to ensure a seat on the open terraces and enjoy the uninterrupted views. Try one of the many excellent cocktails, dine on delicious food and enjoy the dance from day to night that plays out before you.

The whole area is alive as people gather here from the early evening to get the best view, either at the bars and restaurants or along the coastline in between.

You’ll see boats and yachts anchored in the bay, grabbing front row seats as boat parties glide past on their way to shore, making this a stunning watercolour brought to life.

All the bars and restaurants along the promenade serve a fantastic selection of cuisine, with influences from around the world, and to suit a variety of budgets. When dining, it's always recommended to book a table beforehand.

Music makes the ideal partner for the setting sun, with many of the venues offering a variation of Balearic chill-out sounds for which the Strip has become famous. After sunset, the beat increases in tempo with live DJ sets and pre-club parties to get everyone ready to celebrate the evening or warm up for one of the super-clubs.

Café Mambo is the main player on the strip for these parties and has become a big influence in shaping the music “sound” of the Strip. Many famous DJs have played sets here too, with live radio broadcasts on Britain's famous BBC Radio 1 as well as on top Ibiza dance music stations.

Spotify playlist

Fancy relaxing to an eclectic mix of golden hour sounds? We've compiled a playlist of the top 100 Ibiza sunset songs, including Café del Mar classics and modern chill-out cuts to get you in the mood. Stream below and head here to subscribe.

Getting there

Once in the centre of San Antonio, it's easy to reach the Sunset Strip. You can walk there by following the harbour promenade, walking away from the “Egg” roundabout. Go to the very end of the harbour and then up some steps to the right. Follow the promenade along the coast and you'll come up to the original part of the Strip where the most famous bars are located.

North of the large wooden terraces of the sunset cafés, the promenade snakes as a simple stone path around the rugged coastline rocks, arriving at the newer part of the Strip, where venues like Kasbah and Golden Buddha line Caló des Moro bay.

Further along the coastal path, there are some beautiful boutique hotels, whose sunset restaurants and terraces are open to the public too.

Free public parking is available in a large sandy car park right behind the Strip (see Google Maps). Mambo Group customers have limited private parking available, too.

For a comprehensive guide to all the sunset venues, see our article: Where to go on Ibiza's famous Sunset Strip in San Antonio