© AGait
© AGait
© AGait
© AGait
© AGait
Sant Jordi (San Jorge), South East Ibiza
Traditional quiet village, close to Ibiza Town and the east coast beaches
Set back 1km inland from the beach resort of Playa d'en Bossa is the small and still traditional village of Sant Jordi.
The main focus of the village is the ancient church, which is one of the oldest on the island. There are a few shops, banks, café's etc and a Saturday flea market which is held in the hippodrome.
If you’re staying nearby definitely factor Sant Jordi into your plans for a half day trip, check out the market and browse the sturdy but beautiful church, then reward yourself with a rustic lunch before continuing on to the southern beaches or back to town. Sant Jordi is worth a few hours of anyone’s time.
Sights & Attractions in Ibiza Town
The hippodrome is only a short walk from the church so once you’ve arrived at one you may as well check out the other and then take a wander through town.
The church in Sant Jordi is a majestic building, thought to have been built pre-1577. It was originally commissioned in order to serve the spiritual needs of those people who worked on the near-by salt flats.
This large and imposing fortified structure replaced a smaller and less fortress like church, which had stood on the site since the 13th century, and was knocked down to be replaced by this one which like so many structures on the island was built defensively to defend against pirates.
Beaches in Ibiza Town
Not from Sant Jordi is the beach of Playa d'en Bossa, a popular beach resort south of Ibiza town.
Other nearby beaches that are worth the visit are Es Codolar and Es Cavallet, both very different from one another.
Es Codolar is a long pebble beach that stretches alongside the salt flats and is perfect for a long walk and some wildlife spotting...and if the wind is right it's also a good spot for surfing.
Es Cavallet on the other hand is a chic sandy beach with a stunning beach club, sun loungers, volleyball nets and nudist area.
Events in Ibiza Town
A reason to visit Sant Jordi on a Saturday is the excellent weekly market, located in the Sant Jordi Hippodrome, an atmospheric enclosure once used for horse racing.
This market is a wonderfully quirky car boot sale event at which you can browse for hours amongst piles of second hand items that you really don’t need but can't live without.
Open all year round the flea markets of Sant Jordi are well know to locals and a popular stop for tourists
Things to do in Ibiza Town
Being situated close to Las Salinas National Park means there is good access to some unspoilt beaches and a fantastic example of the local coastal ecosystems.
With dunes, wetlands, salt flats and beaches to explore, there is plenty to do in this area in the south east of Ibiza. If you fancy picking up a few things for a picnic then pop into Shortet Verde the organic supermarket and juice bar in town, which stocks all manner of local and ecologically produced products including of course salt from the Salines salt flats.
Dining in Ibiza Town
You won't have to wander far, you’ll find that most of the action in Sant Jordi centres around the church area including the schools, shops and small restaurant lined square that serves as the towns gathering place and watering hole.
Pretty and leafy, the square is lined with rustic bars and surprisingly modern juice bars and bistros with plenty of outdoor seating in the centre, some shaded some out in the open.
This square makes a lovely spot to stop for lunch or just a coffee and a people watching session, sit and study the locals who gather here over morning coffee and tostada or later on for wine, bread and olives. Not having been over run by tourists Sant Jordi retains an authentic feel and in these restaurants you’ll find menus only printed in Spanish, waiters who only half understand you and dishes that don’t pander to visitors, stay awhile and enjoy some simple, honest, excellent food.
