Exploring Ibiza by car following the Cultural Route of Santa Eulària des Riu is a fantastic way to plunge into the essence of this island starting out from our modern 4-star hotel located in Es Canar. History, customs, churches and museums pop up along this route that is also the start of many other routes you may want to try out during your holidays depending on your circumstances: if you're travelling with kids or plan to go hiking or want to combine beaches with the most authentic Ibiza. To do so, you simply have to add the following stops to your plans: the more you add, the more you’ll immerse in the singularities that make the White Island so special.
The authentic Ibiza: 12 places to visit if you want to go back in time
The traditional Ibiza will bring you closer to the island that enraptured artists and intellectuals back in the 30s, a land that was half shut away from the dizzying changes witnessed in Europe at the time. The island from those times can be seen in the following spots, churches, landscapes, country houses and villages, ready to be rediscovered and surprise you.
- Collection of historic buildings of Puig de Missa (Santa Eulària des Riu): its fortified church makes it a must-see in Ibiza. During the summer, it's best to visit it first thing in the morning or late afternoon.
- Ethnographic Museum of Ibiza: this stop is a look into a traditional country house and people’s customs until mid 20th century.
- Baláfia: this set of five old country houses (payesa houses) and is one of the best examples of Ibiza’s traditional architecture.
- Valleys of Sant Mateu and Santa Agnès: one of the best ways to discover what the Ibizan countryside looked like until late 20th century is by visiting these two charming valleys in the municipality of Sant Antoni, where you can also admire wonderful examples of payesa houses.
- Es Trull de Ca n’Andreu: 18th century house museum that still has one of the few oil mills left on the island. Only a few metres away, you’ll see the Font de Peralta, one of the fountains that are part of Ibiza’s hydraulic heritage, and the lovely village of Sant Carles.
Es Trull de Ca n'Andreu.
- Sant Vicent de sa Cala: this church is probably the most remote and most peaceful church in Ibiza. Outside, the view is all green hills except for a couple of payesa houses. A scenic view that has remained the same over the centuries.
- Sant Agustí des Vedrà: on the road from Sant Antoni to Sant Josep, this parish church has managed to preserve its look and peacefulness for 50 years, with beautiful examples of traditional architecture.
- Dalt Vila: the streets and big old houses leading up to the cathedral make the citadel of Ibiza one of the main windows into the island’s past. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage, this quarter boasts the prints left by the Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman and Arab people over the centuries, before the Catalonian conquest and its subsequent addition to the Spanish Monarchy. If you have time, don't miss the Puget Museum with its broad collection of paintings depicting Ibiza’s landscapes, customs and people in the first half of the 20th century.
- Puig de Missa de Sant Miquel: similar to that of Santa Eulària, this well-preserved collection of historic buildings stands out as a good example of an Ibizan fortified church. From June to September, they offer folk dances (ball pagès) every Thursday afternoon.
- Es Broll: this is another hidden valley in Ibiza which is well worth a visit on foot or by bike. About 8km from Sant Antoni, its terraces, irrigation channels and reservoirs are the direct legacy of the Arabs who populated the island for three centuries.
- Sa Caleta: this natural harbour next to Es Bol Nou beach is a series of boathouses declared Cultural Property, which reveals the most authentic fishing side of Ibiza. If you visit it, don’t miss the archaeological remains of the Phoenician village by the cliffs, which was also declared part of Ibiza’s World Heritage.
- Nature Reserve of Ses Salines: the old rectory of the Sant Francesc Xavier church, now an interpretation centre, marks the start of a walk to discover the island’s relationship with the salt industry and a landscape that has barely changed for years and years.
Santa Agnès. © NC / HA
The authentic Ibiza through food
On the White Island you’ll find a wide variety of cuisines, including today’s trends, the most popular international dishes and, obviously, Mediterranean food. But if you want to taste the authentic Ibiza on your holiday, go to at least one of these restaurants or beach bars where tradition takes over in the kitchen.
- Ca n’Alfredo (Ibiza)
- Es Rebost de Can Prats (Sant Antoni)
- Ca’s Pagès (Sant Carles area)
- Es Pou des Lleó (Sant Carles area)
- Sa Nansa (Ibiza)
- S’Espartar (Sant Josep area)
- Can Caus (Santa Gertrudis area)
- Ca Na Ribes (Santa Eulária)
- Can Pep Salvador (Es Canar area)
Bullit de peix.
Fish and seafood in restaurants and beach bars
- El Carmen (Cala d´Hort)
- Cala d´Hort (Cala d´Hort)
- Port Balansat (Sant Miquel Harbour)
- Salvadó (Pou des Lleó)
- Can Pujol (Sant Antoni Bay)
- Can Gat (Cala Sant Vicent)
- Sa Caleta (Es Bol Nou)
- El Bigotes (Cala Mastella)
Hotel Ánfora: right next to the most authentic Ibiza
Our hotel is less than a 10 minute drive from some of the must-sees if you’re exploring the best preserved Ibiza. Rent a car or a bike if you’d rather ride to places and prepare made-to-measure routes that will include the recommendations you most liked in this post. It takes no time to get from our 4-star hotel in Es Canar to anywhere else on the island, as the the farthest spots are only a 45 minute drive.
Book today your room through our website and get extra benefits, including a welcome gift, best price guarantee and late check-in until 2pm (subject to availability). We can’t wait to introduce you to the authentic Ibiza!
