Torre de ses Portes (Ses Portes Tower), Ibiza

The Ses Portes Tower (Torre de Ses Portes) is an 18th-century coastal defense tower located in the natural park of Ses Salines in the municipality of Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, Ibiza. Originally constructed in the 16th century, it was part of a network of fortifications built to protect the islands of Ibiza and Formentera from frequent pirate attacks. This two-story tower, made from limestone masonry with ashlar blocks, has a distinctive conical shape and is perched at an altitude of 11 meters above sea level.

The tower served as a sentinel outpost, where guards would alert locals of incoming threats. With a simple design and just four ventilation windows, it’s accessed by a spiral staircase leading to an upper platform with stunning views of the Pas d'Es Freus strait between Ibiza and Formentera. Visible islands include Illa des Penjats, used for pirate executions, and Illa des Porcs, once used for livestock.

The Ses Portes Tower was equipped with three cannons to defend against Algerian and privateer invasions. By the 19th century, the tower was abandoned, only to be restored in 1975 to oversee and protect the surrounding area, including the salt flats of Ses Salines and the islets of Es Freus.

The tower can be accessed by foot either from the Es Cavallet beach or the Ses Salines beach, with the latter offering an easier route. Along the way, visitors will pass through an area dotted with pine trees, junipers, and Mediterranean scrubland, eventually reaching the low cliffs where the tower stands. The surrounding coastline is also home to beautiful coves with turquoise waters and traditional fishermen’s slipway booths, creating an idyllic Mediterranean setting.

Today, the Ses Portes Tower is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, who come not only to learn about the island's history but also to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and explore the rich natural beauty of Ibiza's southernmost tip.