San Juan

The charming village of San Juan in Ibiza’s north is still considered the hippy heart of the island, attracting an alternative crowd and boasting pure tranquility, stunning coastline, unspoilt countryside and a relaxed, authentic Ibiza lifestyle.

Key characteristics: The laidback ambience of San Juan is evident from the moment you step foot on the pretty pavements of the village. A gorgeous traditional church presides over the sleepy village, you’ll find beautiful walking trails in the surrounding countryside and the contrast of soft sandy beaches and jagged cliffs along the coastline make for amazingly varied experiences.

Architectural styles: The classic Ibicenco finca is the primary architectural style found in the San Juan area, and with the zoning laws stating that the minimum plot of land per property in many areas be set at 50,000 square metres, meaning homes are spacious and your nearest neighbours are quite far away! It’s still possible to find a finca in need of love and give it your own personal touches, or to purchase a newly reformed home that’s ready to move straight into. Plots are in high demand, but difficult to find due to licensing laws. 

Why San Juan is trending: With its quaint village and countryside feeling combined with close proximity to some of the island’s best beaches, San Juan offers the best of both worlds. The area is still so unspoiled, with amazing rural properties to be found. Sometimes you can turn onto a hidden camino and drive for yet another 15 minutes before you reach the house in a hidden valley – even after ten years here, you can still be surprised to find new places. San Juan’s close proximity to wonderful schools including the alternative education style kindergarten in Benirras, a good public school in the village and Morna International College in nearby Santa Gertrudis, also makes it in high demand with families looking to escape city life. 

Who buys here: A lot of London-based buyers are looking to invest in the San Juan area, in addition to other nationalities including Dutch and Spanish. Successful professionals aged 35 plus, families with three to four kids, nature lovers and those who appreciate local architecture – those who purposely don’t want to be near the southwest and its minimalism. The proximity to schools and beaches make it a great choice for families. 

Lifestyle: Those who are seeking property in San Juan are the type of people who may have once loved the social aspect of the south, but have grown tired of the party scene and are looking for tranquility up in the north. They might still party occasionally, but they’ll call a babysitter and a driver now! Now their lifestyles are healthy, they enjoy yoga, their kids love playing safely in the open air on huge plots of lush, green countryside.

Local attractions: The Giri Café is the area’s must-visit restaurant – open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serving up honest, homestyle, healthy cuisine, while the many Spanish cafes are perfect for a café con leche en route to one of the nearby unspoilt beaches such as Cala Xuclar, Benirrás and more. The weekly Sunday artisan market attracts people from all walks of life and all corners of the globe, and a fabulous sports centre in nearby San Miguel is wonderful for families and sports lovers.