What really sets Ibiza apart isn’t its nightclubs or party scene, it’s the unique way human activity has sought the achieve a perfect balance with nature on the island. Thanks to this respectful symbiotic relationship, tourists can enjoy incredible places and unbeatable experiences, such as watching amazing sunsets, particularly on the west coast. An Ibizan sunset lingers long in the memory of all travellers who come to visit the island.
The gentle waves of the Mediterranean in Ibiza contribute to creating wonderfully calming and picturesque sunsets. We’ve travelled the west coast in search of the best places to watch the sun go down over the sea. Places where, on particularly clear days, you can watch the sun sink behind the hills on the east of the mainland, because the Pityusic Islands are less than 90 km from the coast of Jávea and Denia.
- Sunset in San Antonio, Ibiza
- Cala Comte at dusk
- Sunset at Cala Tarida
- Sunsets at Cala Molí and Cala Vadella
- Cala d’Hort, one of the most spectacular sunsets in Ibiza
- Es Vedrà: sunsets from kayaks or boats
- Sunset from the Pirate tower
- Benirràs, the hippiest sunset
- Punta Galera, a magical sunset
Puesta de sol en San Antonio, Ibiza
The sunset in San Antonio (or Sant Antoni de Portmany) even has its own street. Ses Variedes runs along a stretch of rocky coastline; it has the liveliest lounge bars and cafés in the city and is officially known as the Sunset Strip.
At dusk, young people from around the world, the latest celebs and unrepentant libertines who visit the island, all congregate on the terraces of legendary bars such as world-famous Café del Mar, Golden Buddha and Café Mambo. Here they enjoy one of the best sunsets in the world set to chill out and ambient music or other modern genres mixed by renowned DJs.
In summer, make sure you arrive early so you can grab the perfect spot to watch the spectacular view with a cocktail in hand because the area quickly gets crowded as the sun drops behind Conejera island. The party certainly doesn’t stop at nightfall though – that’s when juggling shows, performances and other street entertainment begin, much to spectators’ delight.
In winter, when the sun goes down at around 5.30 pm, many of the cafés in Ses Variades are closed and the atmosphere is far more relaxed: perfect for enjoying the area in peace.
Despite the fact that San Antonio has fantastic beaches such as Cala Bassa and Cala Torrent, they are all north-facing so aren’t great for watching the sunset.
Cala Comte at dusk
Para poder disfrutar de una auténtica puesta de sol en el mar, continuando por las playas de poniente, deberemos desplazarnos a la Cala Comte (o Cala Conta, en castellano), hacia el oeste de San Antonio. La playa pertenece al municipio de San José.
Cala Comte es una de las playas preferidas para contemplar el atardecer, pues sus aguas cristalinas y su arena clara y fina, junto con los islotes dispersos que se divisan desde la cala, convierten el lugar en un escenario perfecto para disfrutar de la bajada del astro.
Sunset at Cala Tarida
Carrying on our journey, cross the tip of San José southwards to reach the proper western coastline to enjoy an authentic beach sunset. One of the first essential stops is Cala Tarida.
Surrounded by hotels, restaurants and urban developments, Cala Tarida is practically an urban beach. Its charm remains despite this, and it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in western Ibiza. It’s a pretty cove with fine sand, turquoise waters and one of the most amazing sunsets you’ll ever see. Cala Tarida is the perfect spot for families with children who have spent all afternoon having fun on the beach and don’t want to miss a spectacular dusk.
Sunsets at Cala Molí and Cala Vadella
Carrying on along the road that runs along the west coast, heading south, you’ll find two fantastic spots for watching the sunset. The first is Cala Molí, a calm beach where the main attraction is just that: watching the sun creep down behind S’Esparter island.
Further along the coast you’ll come to Cala Vadella, another urban beach that has a rather more logical shape than its cousin Cala Tarida. Here you can see a beautiful sunset framed by the cliff walls of this stunning bay, which is also surrounded by shrubs and juniper trees.
Cala d’Hort, one of the most spectacular sunsets in Ibiza
Visit Cala d’Hort Nature Reserve to enjoy incredible swimming and the unforgettable sight of Es Vedrá and Es Vedranell islands, one of the loveliest images on the Ibizan coastline.
The view is almost hypnotic at the end of the day. It’s definitely an unforgettable moment for anyone who has the privilege to see it during their visit to Ibiza.
At night-time, it’s not unusual to spot zodiacal light here on clear days, a halo of light that shines up towards the sky in places with very little light pollution. It’s a natural phenomenon produced when the sun is below the horizon and illuminates interplanetary stardust.
Es Vedrà: sunsets from kayaks or boats
Whether you have a boat or not, you can still enjoy the Ibizan dusk from nearby Es Vedrà (although landing on the island is prohibited due to its ecological importance), part of Cala d’Hort Nature Reserve. Anchor your own boat near the crag, hire a dinghy from Cala d’Hort or get there by kayak.
Once you’re next to Es Vedrá you can easily make out the coastline of the mainland at sunset on clear, unhazy days.
Sunset from the Pirate tower
As you continue along the road from Cala d’Hort to Es Cubels, you’ll cross an area of cliffs. A sign shows you where you can park your car and follow a 15-min trail to Es Savinar tower, also known as the Pirate tower. The viewpoint stands 200 m above the sea, and visitors can enjoy beautiful sunsets with the islands of Es Vedrá and Es Vedranell in the background from here.
Benirràs, la puesta de sol más hippie
Further along the west coast there are more coves where you can see incredible sunsets thanks to their westward facing direction. One is Cala de Benirràs. Located in the north of the island, close to pretty San Miguel port, Benirràs has been a pilgrimage destination for hippies from around the world for years.
This isolated beach surrounded by juniper trees invites visitors to bid farewell to the day as they get into the flow of hippy mysticism, an experience that is even more intense on Sundays when the area fills with the sound of drumming.
Punta Galera, a magical sunset
Residential and hotel-orientated Portinatx, in the north of the island, is home to a small peninsula known as Punta Galera, Ibiza’s most northern point. This rocky platform has two little-known and inaccessible coves that aren’t generally visited by tourists.
But what stands out most about this place is definitely the sunsets that can be seen from the high part of the cliff when, as if by magic, the sun turns its rocks incredible shades of pink and orange. It’s a sight you won’t forget.
