Historic Torre d’en Valls watchtower overlooking the Mediterranean Sea near Cala Llonga, Ibiza, surrounded by lush greenery and coastal cliffs.
Have you ever noticed those ancient watchtowers dotting the Ibiza coastline? Yeah, those rugged stone structures that have been keeping a silent watch over the island for centuries. This blog dives into these fascinating relics, giving you the lowdown on their history, hidden spots, and the best views they offer (trust me, the sunsets are next level).
Whether you’re a history buff, an adventure seeker, or just looking for a killer photo op, these towers have a story to tell—and I’m here to share it with you.
Why did they build watchtowers in Ibiza?
The primary purpose of the watchtowers was to defend Ibiza against pirate raids. After the Catalans recaptured Ibiza from Arab rule in 1235, the island became vulnerable to attacks by pirates, particularly from North Africa. These pirates would raid coastal settlements, stealing goods and livestock, and even capturing women and children for ransom.
The towers served as an early warning system for the island’s inhabitants. Strategically placed along the coastline at high vantage points, they allowed sentries to spot approaching pirate ships from far away. When enemy vessels were sighted, the towers would signal warnings using:
- Shell horns for acoustic alarms
- Smoke signals during the day
- Fire signals at night
These warnings would be relayed from tower to tower, quickly alerting the entire island of impending danger.
Protection of Economic Interests
Some towers, like the Sal Rossa tower, were specifically built to protect important economic resources. This tower guarded the channel between Ibiza and Formentera and provided refuge for workers from the nearby salt pans, which were a key part of the island’s economy at the time.
The network of watchtowers proved highly effective in protecting Ibiza from pirate incursions over the centuries, and several still stand today as reminders of this turbulent period in the island’s history.
Today, there are no pirates to protect Ibiza from, but watchtowers are often found in beautiful spots. So here’s the full list of all watch towers!
Torre de Sa Sal Rossa (also known as Torre des Carregador)
This tower dates back to the 16th century and was built to protect the channel between Formentera and Ibiza Town. It’s easily accessible by car, with a path starting at the church in the village of Sant Francesc de s’Estany. The tower is open for public viewing from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 14:00, offering marvellous views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Torre des Molar (also known as Torre de Balansat or Torre de Sant Miquel)
Located in Port de Sant Miquel, this tower sits on a cliff almost 100 meters above sea level. To reach it, you need to hike on foot, making it ideal for those who enjoy hiking. Visitors can access the top of the tower to enjoy unique views of the surrounding area.
Torre de Portinatx
Found in the quiet village of Portinatx, this tower was mainly used for observation and surveillance. It protected the bay and natural harbor of the area but had a simple construction without places for cannons or other artillery. Specific access information is not provided in the search results.
Torre de Ses Portes
This is one of the oldest known defense towers on Ibiza, located in the heart of the Ses Salines Natural Park. It was historically used to protect the salt ponds and the Es Freus pass. The tower is near the beach of the same name and Es Cavallet.
Torre des Savinar (known as the Pirate’s Tower)
This is probably Ibiza’s most visited defense tower, offering unbeatable views of the islets of Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell. Access is not easy, but the route is considered worthwhile for the spectacular views from almost 200 meters above sea level. It’s especially popular for watching sunsets.
Torre d’en Rovira (near Cala Comte)
Built in 1763, Torre d’en Rovira was designed to protect Ibiza’s west coast between the church of Sant Antoni and the Torre des Savinar. It’s a first-class tower, larger than others built simultaneously on the Pitiusas islands, and was used to safeguard the port of San Antonio Abad. Located on the point d’en Rovira, opposite the island of sa Conillera, it’s easily accessible and situated east of Platges de Comte, offering spectacular views of the Illots de Ponent and the Bay of Sant Antoni.
Torre de la Iglesia de Sant Antoni
This tower is lpart of the church’s defensive structure in Sant Antoni. It would have served as both a religious and defensive landmark for the town. The tower can be found at the Church of Sant Antoni in the town center.
Torre de Campanitx (also known as Torre d’en Valls, near Punta d’en Valls)
This tower is located just above “cap Roig” in Sant Carles, offering incredible scenic views of the north of Ibiza and the islet of Tagomago. On clear days, visitors can even see the island of Mallorca from this vantage point. It was built as part of the island’s coastal defense system against pirate attacks.
Torre de la Iglesia de Santa Eulària
Similar to the tower in Sant Antoni, this tower is part of the church structure in Santa Eulària. It would have served a dual purpose of religious significance and coastal defense. The tower can be found at the Church of Santa Eulària in the town center.
Torre Des Carregador (also known as Torre de Sa Sal Rossa)
Built in the 16th century, this tower was designed to protect the inhabitants of Ibiza and the workers of the salt ponds from Turkish and North African pirate attacks. It’s unique among Ibiza’s watchtowers for having a civilian purpose, with a large interior compartment that could hold about 200 people.
Located at the end of Platja d’en Bossa in Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, it’s easily accessible by car via a path starting at the church in the village of Sant Francesc de s’Estany.
Torre de Balansat
This watchtower was built in 1763 and is located on a cliff 95 meters above sea level near Port de Sant Miquel. It has a unique three-story structure and visitors can climb to the roof, offering spectacular views of the surrounding coastline and islands like S’Illa Murada and S’Illa des Bosc.
To reach the tower, follow the path from Port de Sant Miquel – while accessible by car for part of the way, the final approach requires a short hike on foot.
Ibiza watchtowers are a great way to visit secluded spots
Ibiza’s watchtowers are a fantastic way to discover some of the island’s most secluded and picturesque spots. Hidden along rugged coastlines and perched on cliffs, these historic towers not only offer a peek into Ibiza’s defensive past but also guide you to stunning, off-the-beaten-path locations that many visitors miss. Imagine hiking through serene landscapes, reaching a quiet tower with sweeping views of the turquoise sea—it’s like stepping into another world.
These towers invite you to escape the crowds, explore nature, and soak in the beauty of Ibiza’s less-traveled corners. Whether you’re seeking solitude, scenic photo ops, or a bit of history, Ibiza’s watchtowers are the perfect gateways to the island’s hidden gems.
