San José for a villa holiday
San José is the Spanish name. The local name, which you will also see on maps, is Sant Josep de sa Talaia. It refers both to a village at the foot of Sa Talaia, at 475 metres the highest point of Ibiza, and to the municipality around it, the largest on the island, with about 80 kilometres of coast between the bay of San Antonio and Platja d'en Bossa.
The village has a whitewashed church completed in 1731 and a square in front of it where the local festivities take place, with terraces for a drink or a meal, craft and fashion shops, supermarkets and a pharmacy. Can Jeroni shows work by local artists, and a market of organic produce and crafts runs on Saturdays from April to October.
Villa guests stay in the pine-covered hills around it: a quiet house with a view, the coves of the west coast on one side and the beaches of the south on the other.
Where the villas are
Cala Tarida, on the west coast, is a sandy beach of about 300 metres with villas on the slopes behind it. Villa Ivy is a short walk from the sand, and Villa Haisley stands on a 24-acre estate in the hills above, looking across to Sa Talaia.
Sant Agustí (San Agustín) is a small village about 4 kilometres from San José, with old farmhouses, some now restaurants and galleries, and a square with wide views of the hills. Can Agustin looks over the countryside to the bay of San Antonio, and Villa Eliana has sea and sunset views from higher up.
The south side of the municipality looks towards the salt flats of Ses Salines and Formentera. Villa Meghan and Villa Margo, a restored stone finca, both have that view.
The pine countryside near the village suits groups who like to spend the day at the house: Can Danza has a private spa and Villa Marielle a padel court and an outdoor cinema. See also our villas for large groups and with sea views.
Beaches and days out
With children: Ses Salines has nearly a kilometre of fine sand, shallow water and bathing areas marked by buoys. Cala Vadella, a natural harbour about 6 kilometres from the village, has 250 metres of sand with level access. Both have a lifeguard in season, as does Cala Tarida, which also has water sports. Es Cavallet, next to Ses Salines, is a dune-backed beach with a long naturist tradition.
Es Vedrà: Cala d'Hort is a small beach of sand and shingle facing the islets of Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell. They are a nature reserve: boats may sail around them, and landing is not allowed. Ask us about a boat day or a private chef.
Sa Talaia: the path starts in the church square and climbs past Can Jeroni through pine forest, 2.4 kilometres and about an hour and a quarter up, gentle until a steeper last stretch. There is also parking near the top. The view runs north over the bay of San Antonio and south to Cala Jondal and Formentera.
The south coast: Cala Jondal is a south-facing bay known for its beach clubs, and Es Cubells a small clifftop village. The Phoenician settlement of Sa Caleta, from the 7th century BC, is a World Heritage site, and you may see flamingos on the salt ponds of Ses Salines Natural Park.
Getting there and around
By car the village is about 15 minutes from the airport and about 15 minutes from both Ibiza Town and San Antonio, outside peak traffic. Villas further out take a little longer, more so in July and August. Most villas are in the countryside, so a hire car or a driver is the practical choice.
Not sure the south-west is right for you? Our guide to where to stay in Ibiza compares every area, and our price guide shows what a week costs in each.
