Where do we get married? Perhaps in a Town Hall located in the old city when once upon a time there was a convent? Or in a church that was conceived as a fortress to protect it from pirate attacks?. The choice of the setting where the ceremony is going to take place will be the first decision that you will take when you decide to get married in this beautiful Island. Ibiza offers lots of possibilities and it is worth going over them before deciding any one.
CHURCHES
We review the most relevant churches from the island and some others that, although they aren’t the biggest or most remarkable, have a special charm which makes them worthy of mention.
IBIZA
Ibiza Cathedral: Reaching the Cathedral square after the steep ascent is worth the effort. Catalan gothic style (XIV Cent.), elevated over an arabic mosque, can be visited from monday to friday from 10.00 to 13.00 hours. Every Sunday a mass takes place.
Since it is one of the most requested temples for wedding celebrations we advise you to book the date in advance.
Note: The movement of vehicles is not allowed inside the walled city except the brides car which can be driven to the altar with special authorization upon request. For guests with their own cars there is parking just outside the town walls but the ascent up the hill is via a 3 minute walk through a tunnel . Advice for the female guest: be careful with your high heel shoes since the pavement is made out of stone and is usually slippery. There is also a regular bus line going up to the cathedral. The patron saints day Santa María is celebrated on the 5th of august. There are wonderful views from Santa Lucias bastion and from the cathedral square and from the Castle ( now being restored) you can also take good photographs.
SANTA EULALIA
Following Ibiza the second most populated municipality is Santa Eulalia and it includes Santa Gertrudis , San Carlos and Jesus parish churches. Located in the north west coast it is dominated by Puig de Missa, a little mountain, on the top of which is the walled church also called Puig de Missa.
Puig de Missa: One of the most eye catching churches of the Island for it´s size and architecture. it was built in the XVI Cent. and it presides over a tiny town center and an urban area that spreads across this mountain at 52 meters above sea level .
Note: From the church there are good views of the sea. Santa Gertrudis beach is five minutes walk away. It is a church that we love, in which you can make a wonderful photo-album for remembering this very special day. Light and shade contrasts have appeared in lots of pictures from artists and painters of the Island. The surroundings are very well looked after and one can still go for a quite a stroll around the hill. Santa Eulalia patron saints day festival takes place on 12th February, however the 1st sunday of may is also considered a big day.
Local party is celebrated 16th of November
Santa Gertrudis: located in the heart of the Island, this charming village includes a church finished in 1797 and curiously has the islands biggest bellfry tower.
Note: A pedestrianized centre makes easier access to and from the church, without cars driving in front of the church entrance; However curious onlookers would´t be missed since the square terraces are always very busy. It is 15 minutes from Ibiza and 20 min from Santa Eulalia. The patron saints day festival takes place on 16th November .
San Carlos: Like in many other cases the village arose from this late XVIII Cent. church having one of the most relevant arcade of columns.
Note: Although the road goes past in front of the church the area is very tranquil, with a playground just next to it and a wide green where the couples take the opportunity to have the first pictures taken. On 4th November the patron saints day festival takes place here in Saint Carlos.
Jesús: This little temple was built by the Franciscans at the end of the XV Century and used to serve sailors who lived outside the walls. It is one of the oldest churches from the Island and it appears that Franciscan monks used to live there and after them Dominicans who had to abandon it because of the continuous pirate attacks. We like to highlight that the church contains a gothic altarpiece from the XVI century attributed to Rodrigo de Osona. Note: The church is located closer to Ibiza town than to Santa Eulalia, although belongs to Santa Eulalia. The temple has lots of possibilities for taking good wedding photographs and owns a wide walkable square opposite the entrance. Parking has an easy access due to the fact that it has been built outside and close to the church square. The patron saints day festival takes place on 8th September.
SAN ANTONIO
This municipality located on the west coast is the most touristic of the Island. Far from what used to be a fishermen village is now famous for its nightlife and its sunsets. It is constituted by the parish churches of San Augustín, San Rafael, Santa Inés y San Mateo .
San Antonio: Built in XIV century the church is located in the village centre a few meters from the seaside. It is a walled church and it is recorded that the tower still had two cannons in 1847.
Note: It is located at few meters from the promenade which goes along the village centre and the pub areas and terraces. The atmosphere in its streets and squares is fun and easygoing. In the area known as the West End, Saint Anthony bars area, it is very crowded in the summer nights. The coast enjoys the most beautiful sunsets of the Island, seize the opportunity to take your photographs if you are going to get married here.
San Rafael: The XVIII century church stands out for it´s setting at the top of the village and views of Ibiza city and its walls.
Note: It is connected to the airport via the motorway and only takes 10 minutes to get there. Very close to San Antonio but also to Vila the guests could get far way from either municipalities. Two of the main nightclubs, Privilege and Amnesia are a few kilometers away from this village. For those who don´t know the Island well enough, lets say that it is an inland village without a coast. The patron saints day festival starts on 24th October.
Santa Inés: 9 km from Saint Anthonio to the north. Surrounded by a spectacular landscape this little village, that just has an XVIII century church and two restaurants, blooms from February until March thanks to its almond fields. It offers from its cliffs gorgeous views to the sa Conillera islets, illa des Bosc and s’ Espartar. The church is the shortest of the entire Island in elevation and it was build at the same time as the one in San Mateo.
Note: The festival of Saint Inés takes place on 21st January although it is not a suitable date for wedding celebrations…
San Mateo: It is about 13 km from San Antonio north west. Its landscape is worthy of getting lost in it, in a land where wines are cultivated. The church ( XVII Cent.) presides over the village, above all over the wine related festivals.
SAN JUAN
Along with San Mateo, Santa Inés y San Agustín San Juan is one of the villages that maintains its rural character. It covers four parishes (San Miguel, San Lorenzo, San Vicente y Portinatx) its population reaches 5500 inhabitants. It is located in the centre of a zone called ‘Es Amunts’ a protected area of north Ibiza.
Its church is surrounded by small houses and has a special charm. It was constructed in 1770 and in 1785 it recieved the parish title. The church is another example of typical construction from ibiza and its surroundings are beautiful.
Note: it has a large number of lodgings for rural tourism, as well as hotels in the tourist zone of san Vicente de sa Cala y Portinatx. In addition, in this village there aren’t usually any parking problems.On the other hand, it is not far from the famous ‘cala de Benirràs’, a little cove known for its full moon parties and precious view of the ‘Faro’ lighthouse of Portinatx. The The festival of San Juan takes place on the 24th of June.
San Miguel: It is largest village of the municipal. it is divided into two urban centres, San Miguel and San Miguel Port, which is more touristic. Santa Gertrudis is the closest villageand it is located almost 16 km from Ibiza. The temple is located in the highest part of the village, with views of the fields that surround it. it has a beautiful outdoor patio and this temple is said to be the oldest after the cathedral. Some of the famous people have recently celebrated their weddings in this church. The church was built in the 16th century, and afterwards two side chapels were added. Some years ago, as a result of restoration work in the church, frescos were discovered, their patterns inspired by vegetable motifs. The church can be found at the top of a small hill surrounded by small shops, little houses and a bar that seems anchored in time. It is the type of fortified church that we love so much, white with thick walls…enchanting.
Note: We are talking about one of the prettiest churches in Ibiza. You can take pictures around the church and the beaches and coves ‘calas’ which are only a few minutes away by car. Perfect for making an excellent photo album.
The one we like the most is Benirràs.
The festival of San Miguel is on the 20th of September.
San Vicente: The church of San Vicente has the peculiarity of being separated from the urban center of the parish, San Vicente of Sa Cala. Surrounded by mountains it offers a beautiful landscape and also it is the most sober in its architecture and smaller in scale.
Note: We believe that it can be ideal for an intimate wedding where the taste for simplicity would be a must. The Festival of San Vicente take place on the 5th of April. This date is outside of the high season, therefore it is assured that there will be no problems organizing a wedding at this time.
San Lorenzo: It is the only parish of San Juan that lacks a coast. Again, we find ourselves before a village consisting of only one church a couple of restaurants and a school. This is due to the fact that the houses are scattered across the parish and remote. The church was built between 1786 and 1797. The surrounding fields are beautiful and there is an example of traditional architecture of ibiza in its towers of Balafia.
Note: Even if there is no infrastructure in the village, as a rustic place, including its rural church, we believe it is precious . It has also historical monuments a few meters away, the towers of Balàfia, where one could start a photographic journal. The festival of San Lorenzo takes place on the 10th of August.
SAN JOSÉ
San José: Built in the 18th century, its church rises next to the road that crosses the village and it is very integrated in the life of the inhabitants of the village. It is an example of the fortress style of construction of the island churches. The patron saints day takes place on the 19th of March( San Jose´s day). In the morning, besides the solemn mass, there is usually a dance exhibition of dance ‘payes’ (a typical dance style of the island) and in the evening, concerts are performed in the church square, usually accompanied by firework displays.
Note: Just 15 or 20 minutes by car you can find the wonderful Cala d’ Hort, a beautiful place to take some shots for your album. From Cala d’Hort you can see a couple of well known islets called Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell, to which magical properties are attributed. A few minutes away is the white beaches known as Platges de Comte, where civil weddings tend to be conducted next to the sea and even aboard a boat. Platges de Comte is one of the star beaches of the island. Therefore, from the middle of July until the beginning of September it tends to be crowded all day long. The best time to make a visual record of this beautiful sight is at dawn, since this beach has one of the best sunsets of the island
San Agustí: A few minutes by car from San José one can find the small village of San Augustín d´es Vedrá. On top of a hill, you can find a small cluster of typical houses of Ibiza located around the church: small whitewashed houses with wonderful gardens. A white church constructed in 1791 is surrounded by an orchard of orange trees and a forrest of olive trees a thousand years old. We love this temple, so rural and well looked after, ideal for a simple yet special wedding. Opposite the square there are two little restaurants. The patron saints day takes place on the 28th of August.
Note: As we have recommended before, this is a great opportunity for your photo album if you get married in San Jose, however, Cala d´Hort and Platges de Comte are 20 minutes away by car.
San Jorge: It is the only church that still conserves the battlements in its roof that show its character of a fortress. The temple was created as an answer to the spiritual needs of the people who worked gathering salt in the pools of ´ses Salines`. This locality is the nearest to the airport and its two closest beaches of ses Salines and sa Caleta stand out for their beauty.
Note: Despite the fact that it has a nearby parking zone spaces are not very abundant. Given its proximity to the beach of ses Salines and the environs a good photo opportunity is to go to Cap d´es Falcó. Celebrations of the patron saint San Jorge is on the 23rd of April.
Es Cubells: The church was inaugurated in 1864. It is on the edge of a beautiful cliff that gives way to the sea and with a view to all of the south east coast of the island of Ibiza and Formentera. It is a small church, very simple but with exceptional surroundings. We love the two little bars in the village as well as the teresian nuns convent which is two minutes walk from the church. Its a very quiet and genuine village
Note: In this village there are never any parking problems. There aren’t any hotels nearby. The patron saints day is on the 12th of October.
Iglesia de Sant Francesc de Paula: In a landscape of salt pools (today declared a Nature Park), and standing alone in an urban wilderness is this tiny church which was constructed so that the men who, in the hard work of the salt industry, had a temple where to go and prey on sundays. It has just been restored and we find it charming since it is located at the entrance of the nature park of ses Salines. The secluded temple is dependent on the parish priest of the church of San Jorge de ses Salines. It is necessary to speak to him in order to book the church.
Note: Although it is a enchanting temple it is not apt for big weddings as the interior only holds a few people. On the other hand it is on the edge of a motorway that in the months of the high season gets very busy. The closest beaches are es Cavallet and ses Salines. The former is a naturists beach and includes a restaurant with spectacular views and a very chic atmosphere. Beware of mosquitos at dawn. Good pictures can be taken from es Codolar above all at dawn as well as in Cap d´es Falcó.
OTHER ISLAND CHURCHES
Iglesia de San Telmo (Ibiza)
Iglesia de la Virgen del Rosario y San Ciriaco (Ibiza, c/ Pais Valencià, 16)
Iglesia de Santa Cruz (Ibiza)
Iglesia de San Pablo (Ibiza, Ca n’Escandell, 27)
Parroquia de San Pedro (Ibiza)
Iglesia de Puig d’en Valls (Jesús)
Iglesia de l’Hospitalet (Ibiza, c/ Santa Faz)
Iglesia de Cala Llonga (Santa Eulalia)
Parroquia de San Cristóbal de es Canar (Santa Eulalia)
Capilla de la Inmaculada Concepción, Forada (San Antonio)
Capilla de la Virgen de Lurdes (Santa Eulalia, c/ San Jaime)
Capilla de la Sagrada Familia (Can Bonet, ses Païses, San Antonio)
Capilla de San Cristóbal (Puerto de Ibiza, c/san Ciriaco,2)
- Town Halls and Registry Offices
SANTA EULALIA
Following Ibiza the second most populated municipality is Santa Eulalia and it includes Santa Gertrudis, San Carlos and Jesus parish churches. Located in the north west coast it is dominated by Puig de Missa, a little mountain, on the top of which is the impressive walled church. The town hall is located in the middle of the town centre, about 10 minutes walk from the church and just a few meters from the promenade , therefore also from the beach.
Santa Eulalias registry office. C/ San Jaime, 72. Tel: 971 33 00 07
www.santaeulalia.net
Note: In this case, it is clearly established that the concillors if they are required to travel will do so as long as the bride and groom pay the corresponding taxes (which are more expensive than getting married in the town hall). In the town hall web page every necessary document is numbered along with the steps to be followed.
Santa Eulalia Registry Office. C/ San Jaime, 72. Tel: 971 33 00 07
SAN ANTONIO
This municipality located on the west coast is the most touristic of the Island. Far from what used to be a fishermen village it is now famous for its nightlife and its sunsets. It is constituted by the parish churches of San Augustín, San Rafael, Santa Inés y San Mateo. Nowadays the town hall occupies a modern building facing the seaside very close to the Ferry Terminal.
Passeig de la Mar, 16. Tel. 971 34 01 11
www.santantoni.net
Note: The registry office offers two possible settings to celabrate the ceremony: the registry office assembly hall and the ‘sa Punta des Molí’, a beautiful enclave on the seaside taking the name from the presiding old mill nowadays restored.
San Antonio Registry Office. C/ Progreso s/n. Tel. 971 34 25 23
SAN JOSÉ
Although it is the third municipality of the island in number of people, it is the first in size of land area and offers a total of 32 beaches and 80 km of seaside. Located at the south west of the island its town hall is placed in the middle of the village and almost opposite the church, it serves the San Agustín, San Jorge, San Francisco parish churches ( with its tiny church in ses Salines Road) and Es Cubells. It also includes the only natural park of the island, Ses Salines.
C/ de Pere Escanelles 12-16 Tel. 971 80 01 25
www.santjosep.org
Note: Concellors do not travel away, weddings must be celebrated in the Town Hall.San José’s registry office. C/ d’es Consultori, 1. Tel. 971 80 05 19
SAN JUAN
Along with San Mateo, Santa Inés y San Agustín San Juan is one of the villages that maintains its rural character. It covers four parishes (San Miguel, San Lorenzo, San Vicente y Portinatx) its population reaches 5500 inhabitants. It is located in the centre of a zone called ‘Es Amunts’ a protected area of north Ibiza.
The town hall is now a brand new building (the one before had a certain charm, the present one is just funcional) and it is located on the edge of the village.
Tel: 971 33 30 75
www.sant-joan.com