Visiting Ses Salines Natural Park
One of the most impressive sceneries in Ibiza is the Natural Park of Ses Salines (declared in 2001) located in the south of the island of Ibiza. The salt production activity carried out in this area for hundreds of years has formed a unique landscape, a wetland where plenty of birds roost and nest in their migrations. Countless ecological, aesthetic, historical and cultural values concentrated on 3,000 hectares of land and 13,000 marine hectares.
The coastline of the Natural Park is a perfect interaction between marine and coastal ecosystems. The Posidonia Oceanica of the Reserve was declared World Heritage Site in 1999 and named as the best one preserved in the whole Mediterranean basin. The seabeds shelter 220 different species that form the marine sealife.
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This Google Maps will you to locate points of interest within the Natural Park of Ses Salines of Ibiza.
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ant to visit the park, there are eight must see places where you’ll enjoy the best views.
In the church of Sant Francesc is located the Interpretation Center of Sant Francesc de Ses Salines where you can find information about the natural park, photography exhibitions and multimedia projections.
Schedule:
From June 1 until the date September 30, 2016
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10: 00h-14: 00h and 18: 00h-21: 00h
Mondays, Tuesdays and holidays: Closed
1. Sal Rossa wathctower (or des carregador)
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One of the jewels of the park is this defense tower built to protect the inhabitants of Ibiza from pirate attacks. It was built in the 16th century to defend the salt cargo boats, hence the name. From the tower’s base you’re able to see the typical fishermen’s huts where local fishermen keep their boats, near are the first salt ponds of the park. If you you go up the hill behind the tower, you can see a fantastic panoramic view of Playa d’en Bossa beach.
2. Bird watching site
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One of the major attractions of the park are the birds that nest there. So you can’t miss this place very well situated for birding, perfect for photographing birds. The flamingo is the most representative bird of the park. Between August and October hundreds of flamingos arrive to spend the winter on the island and many others simply stop in the park to regain strength and continue their migration to warmer lands. You can also see other species such as little ringed plovers, black-winged stilts, herons, ospreys and peregrine falcons.
3. Cap des Falcó
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It’s a magical place, which is reached by a dirt road crossing the salt ponds and leaving aside a huge mountain of salt. It’s the beginning of Es Codolar beach, an ideal place to watch the sunset and the salt ponds. From the hillside you have a magnificent view of the coast, you can even see the peak of Es Vedrà. The area has a high ecological value, it inhabits the only breeding pair of peregrine falcon and osprey single copy. Cap des Falco, it’s definitely a magical place where you can see fabulous sunsets.
4. Es Cavallet beach
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Another beautiful sight is the beach of Es Cavallet, which we can get from the high grounds situated behind Sa Revista. It’s a long natural wild beach with very clean waters and a valuable sand dune ecosystem that preserves the beach and its flora. It’s ideal for taking a walk along the shore and, if you want, you can also take a walk along a small path just behind the beach, next to ponds. Es Cavallet is one of the first nudist beaches considered in Spain.
5. Ses Portes watchtower
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A very pretty conical two-storey defense tower which dates from the 16th century. It has magnificent views over Formentera and Es Freus, the strait between the islands of Ibiza and Formentera. The tower was built in this spot and with with enough artillery for defending the fishing activity in the area against pirates. Along with the tower of the island of Espalmador, the sea passage and entrance to the city of Ibiza were safe from pirate attacks.
6. Sa Canal
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A small village situated at the end of the beach of Ses Salines where the salt cargo boats embarked from. In the area you can still see the rails where once passed a small train for transporting the salt to the boats. Today cargo boats still load the salt and embark from Sa Canal to export it to the Nordic countries.
7. Sant Francesc de S´Estany
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Small village next to the road of Ses Salines. There’s a small church (though not consecrated), built in 1785, which purpose was to serve the employees of the salt industry. This building is expected to house the future Interpretation Center of Ses Salinas Natural Park. Spectacular in the evenings watching how the sun sets over the salt ponds and the figure of salt man statue as a witness.
8. Montañas de Sal
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This area has been producing salt from Phoenician times. A treasure in terms of food preservation (salting) and which was even used as currency, hence the word salary. All the different civilizations throughout the ages which have inhabited the island have exploited the salt ponds. Today the salt produced in Ibiza is of great quality, and it’s even marketed as a gourmet product in many lines such as Fleur de Sel and Granito con Flores.
9. Ses Salines
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One of the most visited and beautiful beaches of Ibiza. The beach extends from Ses Portes watchtower til Sa Canal little village. Ses Salines beach is trendy and popular for its restaurants and beach bars who set the place. Considerable length and open beach, fine sand, turquoise sea and seabed in shallow and gently sloping, thanks to Oceanic Posidonia beds declared a World Heritage Site. The entire coastline is surrounded by thick forests of junipers protected by white and undulating dunes shaped by a gentle breeze blowing from sea to land. A must visit.
For more information and tours you can go to the official website of the Balearic Government. Activities are regularly made to visit the nature reserve, there you can find the schedule of activities. For phone contact you can call +34 971 301 460.
