Ses Salines natural park and the salt pans

Ses Salines natural park occupies the south end of Ibiza in Spain's Balearic Islands, about 10 km south of Ibiza Town, and combines salt flats, pine woods and long sandy beaches. Sea salt has been harvested here for centuries, and the pans remain a defining feature of the landscape. The drive takes about 20 minutes and the bus about 30 minutes. In season the Alsa P3 beach line runs from the Port and Playa d'en Bossa to Ses Salines, and the A7 runs via Sant Jordi; the fare is EUR 3.35 by bank card or QR on board and EUR 4.70 in cash, and the season should be confirmed at alsaibiza.es. Drivers pay for parking at the beach, and the car park fills early in July and August. The Ses Salines beach has beach bars, and Es Cavallet to the south is a naturist beach. The Torre de ses Portes watchtower looks over the pans and is a useful landmark. A suggested day starts with a morning walk along the edge of the salt flats, when the light is soft and the heat is lower, followed by a swim at Ses Salines beach before the crowds arrive. Lunch is available at the beach bars, and the afternoon can be spent on the sand or exploring the pine woods behind the shore. Bird watching is best in autumn and winter, when migrating and wintering birds use the flats, while May to October is the main season for swimming. Because shade is limited on the beaches, hats, water and sun protection are important. In high summer the park is busy, and arriving before midday gives the best chance of parking and a place on the sand. General island information is published at ibiza.travel.