Atlantis (properly called Sa Pedrera) is an old sandstone quarry that became a hippie hideaway and a place of legend.
This hidden cove rewards you with a swim in natural pools carved into the rock, with an unbeatable view of the mythical Es Vedrà.
It is the reward at the end of a hard climb down. A fascinating bit of history: the stones cut from this cliff were shipped to Ibiza Town to build the famous walls of Dalt Vila, the UNESCO-listed citadel.
Atlantis Ibiza: what to know before you go
- It is not a beach, it is an old marès quarry turned into natural pools, facing Es Vedrà. Its real name: Sa Pedrera de Cala d’Hort.
- Getting down is a proper hike: 30 to 45 minutes down an unmarked, steep path, 45 minutes to an hour back up. Closed shoes are a must, and it is not suitable for young children.
- Parking is the real problem in 2026: the main Cala d’Hort car park was closed from mid-May to mid-July and its future is uncertain, and the Es Vedrà viewpoint is closed to the public. Check the situation before you set off.
- The effortless alternative is the sea: boat trips from San Antonio sail past Es Vedrà and the quarry from around €25, with no hike and no parking headache.
- No facilities at all: no water, no shade, no kiosk, no bins. Whatever you carry down, you carry back up.
Looking for that famous secret spot? Let me take you to Atlantis Ibiza, the old stone quarry with strange shapes that hippies turned into a sanctuary of unique natural pools.
Here is the route and my tips for discovering this legendary place and swimming in front of Es Vedrà.
Practical info:
- Walking time: 30 to 45 min down, 45 min to 1 hour back up
- Difficulty: hard, not recommended for young children
- Starting point: the cliffs above Cala d’Hort. Parking is very limited in 2026, see below.
- Must bring: trainers or walking shoes, at least 1.5 litres of water per person.
Planning your visit to Atlantis
- Going by sea, the simplest option: from San Antonio, boat trips to Es Vedrà pass right below the quarry in three hours, from around €25. You see the site from the water without the hike or the parking puzzle. To swim there, go for the 4-hour trip with a swimming stop (from €45).
- Where to stay nearby: Petunia Ibiza (rated 8.9/10) in Cala Codolar is the best-placed address for combining Atlantis, Cala d’Hort and sunset over Es Vedrà. Cheaper and even better rated: Hostal Cala Molí (9.2/10), ten minutes’ drive away. See also our boutique hotels in the south-west.
- You need a car: no bus goes to the start of the trail. Book your car hire in advance, as prices shoot up in July and August. Our guide to Ibiza airport transfers covers the options from the airport.
Atlantis Ibiza: myth and reality of a secret cove
“Atlantis”, a nickname that says a lot
Its real name? “Sa Pedrera de Cala d’Hort”. Nothing to do with a sunken city: it is a very real geological site. And yet the place has an atmosphere of its own. Many people feel it as soon as they arrive, a mysterious, almost tangible energy. The setting looks unreal, with impossible shapes and structures that seem to defy nature. You could be on another planet. That contrast between geology and mystique is what makes the place so special.
An old quarry with surreal shapes
Behind this futuristic landscape lies a scar from the past: a marès quarry (the emblematic Balearic sandstone that shaped the islands’ architecture for centuries). Block after block, this local stone was cut from the cliff over hundreds of years. Nothing goes to waste in Ibiza: these stones had a prestigious second life as the walls of Dalt Vila, the UNESCO-listed fortified old town. The cube-like sculptures that fascinate visitors are simply the marks of manual quarrying.
Over time the sea smoothed the hard edges, turning the old quarry into a natural work of art.
The natural pools, a well-earned reward
The magic of the place comes down to two words: natural pools. Picture perfectly rectangular basins, cut by hand and reclaimed by the sea. The water rushes in and fills pools with incredible geometric shapes, in a see-through turquoise that glows against the ochre stone.
After the climb down, diving into these pools is the ultimate reward, the perfect place to swim, relax and forget the rest of the world. If you would rather go with someone, a few local operators run guided trips to this hidden gem.
| The myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| Atlantis, the lost city | Sa Pedrera, the quarry |
| Natural or mythical | Dug by people |
| Ancient ruins | Cut stone blocks of the Balearic sandstone called “marès” |
| A place to live | A source of building stone |
Seeing Atlantis from the sea: which boat trip to choose
You do not have to hike down to see Sa Pedrera. From the water you get a better sense of the quarry’s scale: the stone terraces drop straight into the blue, with Es Vedrà behind. It is also the only way to go if you are travelling with children, are not comfortable on a steep path, or find the parking blocked on the day. Most boats leave from San Antonio, 25 minutes’ drive away.
To compare every boat trip on the island (catamaran, sailing boat, sunset, water taxi) and choose your departure port, see our guide to boat trips in Ibiza.
| Trip | Duration / price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Es Vedrà cruise, drinks and snacks | 3 h, from €25 | The best value way to see the site from the sea. Rated 4.5/5 from nearly 300 reviews. |
| Trip with a swimming stop | 4 h, from €45 | The one to choose if you want to swim in these waters. 4.5/5 from 340+ reviews. |
| Glass-bottom catamaran | 5 h, from €83 | For families: children see the seabed without putting their heads underwater. |
| Jet ski to Sa Pedrera | from €320 | Thrills in small groups, getting as close to the quarry as you can. |
| Private boat to Es Vedrà and Atlantis | from €890 per boat | For groups, with snorkelling and a sea scooter. The price is split between passengers. |
Our tip: book a morning trip rather than an afternoon one. The wind often picks up late in the day on this exposed stretch, and trips are sometimes cut short or cancelled. In July and August, places go several days ahead.
The hippie soul and artistic legacy of the site
The story of Atlantis does not end with the quarrying. In the 1960s the hippie community moved into the abandoned quarry and found a refuge and total freedom there. They were the ones who named it “Atlantis”, sensing a powerful spiritual energy. The site became a place of meditation and artistic creation for a whole generation.
Look around you: the rock walls are covered in carvings from that era. Fish, peace signs, faces and buddhas reflect a spiritual quest and the influence of Eastern philosophy. Every stone tells a story, carries a message of peace or a dream carved into the rock.
That legacy lives on today. You will not miss the impressive stone spiral made by the “Spiral Man”, or the healing circles and cairns built by visitors. These creations keep feeding the unique atmosphere of the place.
The Atlantis experience, between effort and contemplation
Difficulty and access: the descent to the Sa Pedrera cove
Forget a gentle stroll. The path to Atlantis is not waymarked and needs attention at every step. The descent is steep and sometimes slippery, over rocks and sandy slopes, with sections where you use your hands. Rescue teams are regularly called out for poorly equipped visitors. Allow 30 to 45 minutes to go down and up to an hour to come back up, in full sun and with no water on the way.
Avoid it in strong wind, rough seas or after rain, and it is not advisable for young children or people with reduced mobility. The difficulty has one upside: it protects the site from mass tourism. It also explains why many people now prefer to see the quarry from a boat.
Parking: what changed in 2026
This is the thing to check before you go. The main Cala d’Hort car park was closed from 18 May to 19 July 2026, with no agreement between the council and the landowner on turning it into paid parking, then reopened by the owner without that agreement, so nobody knows how long it will stay open. The Torre des Savinar and the Es Vedrà viewpoint have been closed to the public since February 2025.
In practice: no dedicated parking near the start of the trail, barriers on the old dirt car park at times, and fines for parking on the verges. The situation changes from one season to the next. Ask the Sant Josep de sa Talaia council or your accommodation before you drive out. It is the main reason access by sea has become so popular over the last two years.
What to bring for the hike to Atlantis
There is nothing on site, so you need to bring everything. The essentials:
- Good walking shoes (definitely no flip-flops)
- Plenty of water (the climb back up in full sun is exhausting)
- Sun cream and a hat
- Something to eat
- A bag to carry your rubbish back
- A camera and a snorkel mask
The atmosphere at the bottom
Once you are down, total calm. You feel cut off from the world. The natural pools are made for swimming and snorkelling in crystal-clear water. The mood is free and relaxed, and nudity is common. But the place is fragile: respect it and take all your rubbish with you.
Atlantis and Es Vedrà: a magical pair
Atlantis owes its magic not only to the site itself but also to its extraordinary setting facing Es Vedrà.
What strikes you straight away is how close Es Vedrà is. From the path or the cove, the view of this limestone giant is spectacular, and you feel tiny in front of it. The islet, steeped in legends and famous for its supposed magnetism, makes the Atlantis experience even more unique. You cannot separate the two: the pair is what makes the place magical.
The best spot for sunset
My tip: combine your visit with Cala d’Hort beach and stay for sunset there. It is my favourite cove for watching the sun drop behind Es Vedrà. The Torre des Savinar watchtower, long the classic viewpoint, has been closed to the public since February 2025.
It is one of the most romantic and impressive sights on the island.
Atlantis is not a beach, it is an outing you need to plan. A place where a quarry’s history mixes with forty years of hippie carvings, where the effort of the descent pays off in turquoise pools and silence. Two ways to go: on foot if you have the right shoes and the parking allows it, by sea in every other case. Either way, one rule: leave nothing behind.
Still not sure which option? Compare departures, times and recent reviews:
FAQ
Where exactly is Atlantis in Ibiza?
If you search for “Atlantis” on an official map, you may be looking for a while. Its real name is Sa Pedrera de Cala d’Hort. It sits in the nature reserve on Ibiza’s south-west coast, directly facing the rock of Es Vedrà. It is a hidden spot that does not give itself up easily, and that hidden location at the foot of a steep cliff is exactly what keeps its atmosphere intact, far from the usual tourist bustle.
How do you get down to Atlantis safely?
The descent takes some effort. The path is not waymarked and it is steep, over rocks and sand. Wear proper shoes (no flip-flops). Going down takes about 30 to 45 minutes; coming back up takes longer and is harder, especially in the heat. The natural pools and the scenery at the bottom are worth every drop of sweat.
Where does the Atlantis trail start?
Head for Cala d’Hort and the cliffs above it, opposite Es Vedrà. In 2026 the main Cala d’Hort car park was closed from 18 May to 19 July and then reopened by the landowner without an agreement with the council, so its future is uncertain. The Torre des Savinar and the Es Vedrà viewpoint have been closed to the public since February 2025. Check the situation before you drive out, or take a boat trip instead.
Is Atlantis the wildest place in Ibiza?
It is one of the most extraordinary. Not a beach, but an old quarry with surreal shapes, where ochre rock meets see-through water. Geology, modern rock carvings and natural pools all in one place give it an atmosphere you will not find anywhere else on the island.
Where to stay near Atlantis
The south-west is the quietest and greenest part of the island, the opposite of the Playa d’en Bossa buzz. Staying here changes everything for Atlantis: you are less than twenty minutes from the start of the trail, so you can set off early in the morning, when the light is beautiful and the heat still bearable. Three addresses by budget:
- Petunia Ibiza (8.9/10): the boutique hotel in Cala Codolar, with views of Es Vedrà from the terrace. The most beautiful of the three, and the most expensive.
- Hostal Cala Molí (9.2/10): the best rating in the area, in a small quiet cove. Value for money that is hard to beat.
- Aparthotel Puerto Cala Vadella (8.8/10, 1,700+ reviews): apartments with a kitchen, the practical choice for families.
To go further, our luxury boutique hotels in Ibiza include several addresses tucked away in the south-west countryside.
This is just a taste of wild Ibiza. In the same area, carry on with the legends of Es Vedrà, Cala d’Hort beach and our pick of the best sunset spots. If you are planning your stay, our 5-day Ibiza itinerary fits Atlantis in at the right moment of the week. For everything else, see our Ibiza and Formentera travel guide.
