Es Vedrà

Es Vedrà is an uninhabited limestone island off Ibiza’s southwest coast, best admired from the mainland or on a boat trip. Its steep outline rises above the sea, with Cala d’Hort and the Torre des Savinar among the viewpoints facing it. Sunset draws people to the coast for the changing light over the island. Local stories connect Es Vedrà with the Phoenician goddess Tanit and the sirens in Homer’s Odyssey; enjoy these as folklore rather than established history.

Viewing Es Vedrà from Ibiza

Es Vedrà lies off Ibiza’s southwest coast and is part of the Illots de Ponent natural reserve. The island is uninhabited, so the usual visit is to look across at it from the coast or see it from a boat. Cala d’Hort is a well-known place to take in the view; Torre des Savinar is another viewpoint facing the island.

The walk to a viewpoint begins near Cala d’Hort and follows a moderately steep path to a clifftop. Es Vedrà itself is not a hiking destination. From the mainland, the view takes in the island and the Mediterranean around it.

Legends and the changing light

Local folklore gives Es Vedrà a place in stories about the Phoenician goddess Tanit and the sirens who tried to draw Ulysses from his ship in Homer’s Odyssey. Other tales link the island to Atlantis and to Es Gegant des Vedrà, a story about two brothers who go there seeking a cure for their father. These are legends, not confirmed accounts of the island’s past.

Sunset is a popular time to watch the view from the coast, as the light changes around the island’s outline. If you want to see the sun go down, reach your chosen viewpoint well ahead of sunset; one practical recommendation is to arrive at least 45 minutes beforehand.