With countless natural wonders, staggering scenery, a World Heritage Site, top trending beaches, and an array of fashionable bars and restaurants – it is no wonder that Las Salinas is one of the most sought-after and regularly visited areas in Ibiza.
Noted for its ecological value and UNESCO World Heritage Site, ‘The Natural Park of Ses Salines d’Eivissa and Formentera’ comprises protected marine life, rare bird species, fascinating sea salt flats, and two immensely beautiful beaches, Las Salinas Beach and Es Cavallet.
The Natural Park & Salt Flats
In 1995, Ses Salines of Ibiza and Formentera was declared a natural reserve and in 2001, a natural park. The area extends from the most southern tip of Ibiza to the north of Formentera and includes the sea channel separating the two islands. Spanning across 3.000 hectares of land and 13.000 hectares of water, the national park is home to 210 different bird species and 178 plant species. The sea represents the highest proportion of the park’s total area and is an exceptional space due to the dense prairies of oceanic Posidonia (seagrass) meadows, important endangered wildlife found only in the Mediterranean.
You can enjoy everything natural here from the beautiful beaches, tiny coves, salt flats, wetlands, dunes, and forests. For bird lovers, there are literally hundreds of birds to observe, including Flamingos and Black-necked Storks.
Why not pop by the visitor centre in San Jose, or visit IbizaPreservation for more information on the park’s conservation projects.
The Beaches: Las Salinas & Es Cavallet
Both Las Salinas and Es Cavallet are situated at the southernmost tip of the island and are both considered to be very popular and attractive with extensive stretches of crystal clear water and white sands.
Las Salinas Beach
Ibiza’s Las Salinas beach is one of the most iconic, with golden-white sand, pine and Sabina trees, and turquoise waters. Though Salines is a great place to relax and soak up the summer sun, there is also a lot of vibrant activity during the height of the season where you can expect a steady stream of party parades, ticket sellers, and beach merchants strolling along the sand and chatting with people throughout the day. A wide array of famous chiringuitos line the shores with Balearic beats and DJs playing regularly well into the late night. Las Salinas combines Ibiza’s glamour, nudism and a family-friendly atmosphere all rolled into one. The beach is especially good for adventure walks in the winter since the surrounding area is truly amazing!
Es Cavallet Beach
Es Cavallet is renowned for being one of the gay community’s favorite beaches and was one of the very first beaches in Spain to embrace nudism. Long and narrow, the beach has water that is transparent with pockets of seagrass meadows and sand that is white, all of which are perfectly surrounded by dunes that protect the area’s flora. Although Es Cavellet is still very crowded and lively during summer days, it may be considered to be ‘less party’ and ‘more sophisticated’ with a number of high-end beach bars and quality restaurants where you can eat, drink, and enjoy the views in an elegant setting.
The A-list VIP & Celebrity Attraction
Las Salinas and Es Cavellet are extremely popular with the affluent, which makes it an ideal destination for the jet-setting crowd. At these hot spots you can expect to be brushing shoulders with a mixture of well-known celebrities, football players, models, and influencers who are all attracted to the fun party vibe and glamorous lifestyle that this island has to offer – however, as with most of Ibiza, you will still find people from all walks of life here, from Spanish families to hippy nudists – all drawn to these spectacular island jewels.
The Restaurant, Beach Clubs and Hot Spots in Las Salinas, Ibiza
Almost all of Ibiza’s top beach clubs, including the legendary Sa Trinxa, Jockey Club, Beso Beach, and El Chiringuito, are located in the area of Las Salinas and Es Cavellet, which are known for their gourmet food, attractive clientele, and great locations. There is always plenty of fun to be had at these beach bars and restaurants which are renowned for playing a quality selection of dance and Balearic music across the course of the summer, especially during the hotter months when the beach is frequented by international tourists.
Las Salinas Cultural Spots
If you fancy visiting some of the area’s historic cultural attractions then Sant Francesc is an eighteenth-century church originally intended for the salt workers, who could regularly attend services at this temple. The church, very simple but with a huge charm, is located directly next to the ponds. Immediately after you pass the church, you will come straight upon a silhouette of a man carrying a basket above his head. The bronze sculpture which has been signed by the sculptor Pedro Hormigo is a tribute to the Ibizan saliners.
Located just before the port of Sa Canal, is the Ship of the Salinera, a former ship of Ses Salines that stored salt before leaving the island. Just a few years ago, this space was sold to a collector, gallerist, and hotelier, Lio Malca, who also has projects in New York and Tulum, Mexico. It has since been transformed into a spectacular exhibition centre where modern art and all kinds of cultural events are held throughout the year.
Property in Las Salinas, Ibiza
Ibiza property buyers can find a unique niche in Las Salinas. Because of their proximity to these two stylish and renowned beaches. Las Salinas villas for sale are highly desirable among second-home buyers and therefore these are always in high demand. Ses Salines is an incredibly difficult place to buy property, especially due to the numerous restrictions imposed by the nature reserve and the protected area. As the area has a low level of properties available, the property value margin is understandably higher in comparison to the rest of San José.
Click here to see All Properties Currently For Sale (and Rent) in Las Salinas area