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# Ibiza - Off the beaten track
## Venture away from Ibiza's tourist traps and nightclubs and you could
discover Homer's Sirens, Ibiza's Bermuda Triangle, and even the lost city of
Atlantis.
![Venture away from Ibiza's tourist traps and you'll find some hidden gems][1]
Venture away from Ibiza's tourist traps and you'll find some hidden gems
Richard Madden 1:08PM BST 29 Jul 2009
I am searching for Atlantis - a place steeped in stories of enchantment and
magic. But as I slip and slide down a crumbling cliff path, towards an
impossibly tempting sea, I am distracted by what seems to be the sound of a
basso profundo chanting somewhere below.
I stop a moment, to make sure it's not just my heart thumping, but the sound
continues. In fact, I think it has deepened and amplified into a reverberating
'Om'. I'm taken aback but not entirely surprised, given the area's reputation.
Having followed a sketchy map, I am in Sa Pedrera, on the far south-west point
of Ibiza. Beyond the headland I can just make out Es Vedra, an island - said
to be the home of the Sirens in Homer's Odyssey - the limestone peak of which
towers 1,240ft above the waves.
Over the years, numerous UFO sightings have been reported here, and its
magnetic effects on navigational instruments have made it Ibiza's very own
Bermuda Triangle.
What's more, the rocky bay that I'm trying to reach was thought, by the first
wave of hippies to settle on the island in the Sixties, to be the site of the
mythical Atlantis. At first I dismissed this as fanciful tosh, but now I'm not
so sure.
## Related Articles
* [Ibizan culture and heritage][2]
29 Jul 2009
* [Ibiza - Beyond the nightclubs][3]
29 Jul 2009
* [Ibiza - Island art and artists][4]
29 Jul 2009
* [Ibiza arts and crafts][5]
29 Jul 2009
* [More things to do in Ibiza Old Town][6]
29 Jul 2009
* [Ibiza: Agroturismo hotels][7]
29 Jul 2009
My anchor to the rational world loosens further when I stumble on to construct
the massive walls that repelled invaders.
And the eerie sound? I discover the answer after stripping off and plunging
into the sea to cool off. As I emerge, a cruise boat materialises around the
headland, from the neighbouring resort of Cala d'Hort, with a party of ravers
dancing to the hypnotic beat of trance music. It seems it's not just the
hippies who have discovered the delights of Sa Pedrera but, after a sweep of
the bay, they move on and silence descends once more.
Remote and untouched, even mystical, places are easier to find in Ibiza than
you might think. And whether you're focused on the loud, hedonistic delights
of the major resorts or keen to explore, it would be foolish not to experience
certain parts of the island's striking, natural beauty - watching the sun go
down behind Es Vedra from the watchtower at Torre des Savinar, for example,
should not be missed. Another area of great beauty, this time in the north-
west of the island, is the stretch of coast next to the village of Santa
Agnes. A small road leads from the village towards the coast - where you'll
find the delightfully laid-back Can Jordi restaurant and bar, which caters to
a largely local clientele.
From the restaurant, a small track leads down to Cap Nuno - otherwise known as
the Gates of Heaven - and one of the most stunning cliff-top walks on the
island. But beware, the path is not always obvious and the blue marks that
point the way are not always easy to see - as I discover to my cost. I reach a
ruined farmhouse just around the point and then become mesmerised by the
setting sun. Finding my way back in the dark is not an experience I'm keen to
repeat.
Other remote beauty spots include Sa Talaia, near Sant Josep. The highest
point on the island, it reaches 1,558ft. The summit is marked by tall radio
masts and pine trees, so both the views and the birdwatching are actually
better on the footpath slightly further down.
The truly adventurous should enjoy the weird landscape of Es Portitxol, in the
far north of the island. Its giant boulders and highcliffs cannot fail to
impress, and the sheltered beach here is perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
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## [Ibiza][13]
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[Ibiza Videos »][18]
### [Watch videos from Ibiza][18]
[![Sant Joan Festival Ibiza][19]][18]
Get a sneak preview of some of the amazing things you can see and do on a
holiday in Ibiza, from agroturismo hotels and summer festivals to mountain
biking, kayaking and outdoor yoga.
## [Ibiza hotels »][20]
### [Ibiza: Agroturismo hotels][7]
[![A recent celebration of Ibizan culture has brought about a rise in
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The recent celebration of Ibizan culture has found powerful expression in the
growing number of agroturismo hotels.
### [Ibiza: Can Lluc boutique hotel][22]
[![Can Lluc is one of several luxury boutique hotels that have sprung up on
Ibiza in recent years. ][23] ][22]
Hidden in a beautiful Ibizan valley, Can Lluc is boutique hotel with
traditional roots.
### [Festivals in Ibiza][24]
[![Ibiza's festivals are both important cultural events and a great excuse for
a street party. ][25] ][24]
From the festival of Sant Joan to the Festes de la Terra, Ibiza's festivals
are vibrant, colourful and often deeply moving.
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[2]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/5919146/Ibiza-Culture-
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[6]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/5918588/Ibiza-Old-
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[23]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01701/can-lluc-
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[25]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01701/ibiza-
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