Immerse yourself in the legendary and mysterious places of Ibiza

This is undoubtedly one of the most unique and enchanting spots in Ibiza, and indeed in the Mediterranean! Close to the beautiful islet of Es Vedrà, which, according to legend, was home to the mermaids who tried to lure Ulysses in Homer's Odyssey, lies the rocky peninsula of Sa Pedrera de Cala d'Hort, which has been known as Atlantis for decades. The magic of this place is due to the strange geometric rock formations, whose whiteness contrasts with the cobalt-blue water to create a breathtaking landscape. This is not a natural phenomenon, as Atlantis was originally a quarry where white stone was extracted for sale on the Sant-Antoni coast.

But that didn't stop the hippies of the 1960s seeing in these monumental carved rocks the remains of a vanished civilisation and making Atlantis (thought to be no more than a piece of the palace of Atlantis!) a place of rest and meditation. Over the years, the rocks have been adorned with superb carvings of animals and Hindu motifs. The water itself continues to sculpt the stone, creating cavities below sea level, which the waves fill to create astonishing electric-blue natural pools.

This haven of peace is surrounded by translucent water populated by brilliantly coloured fish that will delight snorkellers and divers (beware, in summer it's also a haven for jellyfish, attracted by the heat of the water!) Some daredevils also try cliff jumping from the rocks.

To add to the mystique of the place, a cave in the cliff is accessible via the path, overlooking Atlantis. On one of the walls of the cave, you can admire a remarkable representation of Buddha, said to have been painted by a Japanese hermit over 10 years ago.

The downside of enjoying this isolated corner of paradise is the difficulty of access. The only way to reach the peninsula is on foot, via an arduous 30-minute descent (45-minute ascent) along a path overgrown with scrub, ending with a particularly arduous section through the dunes. The start of the trail is close to the car park leading to the viewpoint over Es Vedrà. While you don't necessarily need to be a keen sportsman to get to Atlantis, you should be in reasonably good physical condition and not be too prone to vertigo. The sweltering heat in high season doesn't make it any easier. Our advice is to go in the morning or at the end of the day to take advantage of the cooler temperatures, especially as the peninsula offers few shaded areas. Sun cream and a plentiful supply of water are essential. That said, the magic of Atlantis is well worth the effort, and the walk along the path offers a sublime view of the unspoilt coastline, enough to give you a bit of courage!

Ibiza Stonehenge and the secret doors

Overlooking the small, secluded cove of Cala Llentia, not far from the islet of Es Vedrà in the south of the island, lies a most astonishing site. On the edge of the cliff, 13 impressive basalt columns stand in a semi-circle. In the centre stands the largest column, 20 metres high and covered in gold (23 carats!) to reflect the sun. There are many beliefs surrounding this unusual site, which has been nicknamed the Stonehenge of Ibiza in reference to the famous British Stonehenge. Some, in the pure New Age tradition, claim that the magnetism here is particularly high, others that the monument was erected to guide aliens, as the site is close to Es Vedrà where, according to legend, UFOs have been sighted.

In reality, the Stonehenge of Ibiza is a work called 'Time and Space', created by Australian artist Andrew Rogers. This surprising site becomes quite simply spectacular at dusk, when the sun descends over the sea and reflects its colours onto the immense columns. A pure moment of magic!

Not far from "l'Espace temps", if you walk 5 minutes eastwards, you'll find another astonishing site, even more mysterious because its origins are as yet unknown. In the midst of lush vegetation, two huge ornate doors face each other, separated by a magnificent square of mosaic. Known as the 'Secret Doors' or 'Doors of Cala Llencia', their doors have unfortunately been stolen. All that remains are the superb frames. To this day, the mystery of how these doors came to be has never been solved. All that is known is that they are close to the property of the founder of Cirque du Soleil.

In the far north of Ibiza, at the top of a pine-covered mountain overlooking the Sant Vicent cove, lies the Culleram cave, the object of much fascination. The cave itself may not be particularly impressive, but it is an essential part of Ibiza's cultural heritage. Dating from 425 to 125 BC, it contains a Punic sanctuary dedicated to the cult of the goddess Tanit, a Carthaginian divinity linked to fertility and fortune, and the guardian of Ibiza. In 1907, 600 statuettes and a bust of Tanit were discovered in the cave, and can now be admired at the Puig des Molins Ethnographic Museum (Eivissa).

In Ibiza, the goddess Tanit is still known to all the island's inhabitants as the protector of the island. It is not uncommon to find terracotta representations of her at local craft markets. Legend also has it that, after being cheated on by her lover, Tanit took her revenge by breaking up couples who had just arrived on the island. Even today, some believe that the goddess has the power to make or break the love affairs of those who come to the island. So it's best to be in her good graces!

The Cueva des Culleram is divided into three rooms, one of which contains the remains of a Punic cistern. The outside area was used for sacrifices. The central part, where the goddess was located, is a room where the ashes of the consecrations were deposited. The people of Ibiza are still very attached to Tanit, and still regularly make offerings here in homage to the goddess. If you're lucky, you may even come across groups of women performing ritual singing and drumming ceremonies. In Ibiza, the mystical is never far away.

👉 All these exceptional places have spiritual value for many Ibizans and visitors alike, so show respect.