If you’ve decided to rent a car for a route through the north of Ibiza, Cova de Can Marça should be on your list of destinations. Enjoying the landscape surrounding the caves of Can Marça is a spectacle in itself. The cliffs near Sant Miquel de Balansat guard the secrets that the caves of Can Marça once concealed, protected in their day by smugglers.
Famous for its beautiful journey, it will impress anyone who hasn’t visited other caves. The rocks still bear marks indicating their entrance, where in the past, corsairs and pirates stored their loot. Between the caves of Can Marça and the islet of Sa Ferradura, the game is afoot.
This cave is located in the town of San Miguel de Balansat. Visiting it means getting to know the popular history of Ibiza, tales, and adventures of smugglers who arrived on the island in those times. The entrance fee is affordable, but as with everything, it depends on your expectations.
With an area of about 8,500 square meters, the visit usually lasts about 40 minutes. During the visit, you will learn how it formed geologically and details about the inhabitants who lived in the vicinity.
The most beautiful chambers are the waterfall chamber and the Temple or Buddha chamber. The stalagmites of various columns and stalactites that have formed over the years due precisely to the erosive action of water are part of its attractions.
History of the Formation of the Can Marça Cave in Ibiza
The legends of both corsairs, pirates, and smugglers make the Can Marça cave a very visited tourist spot since the 80s. Hidden next to Port de Sant Miquel, it constitutes an interesting limestone cavity, which has been forming for over 100,000 years due to the erosive and dissolving action of seawater. Its history brings to mind books like Treasure Island and tales of smugglers. Who doesn’t love pirate stories? Personally, it reminds me more of the adventures of The Famous Five on the island, from the popular children’s literature collection, very popular in the 70s and 80s.
What to See Near the Caves of Can Marça
On the route towards the cliffs, you can enjoy views of the sea that leave no one indifferent. As I mentioned earlier, the route through the northern part of the island hides scenes worthy of framing. If your visit is between February and March, the landscape surrounding the road is filled with the splendor of almond blossom in Ibiza, a very beautiful event on the island.
The winter season is ideal for getting to know Ibiza’s gastronomy and tasting typical dishes that are harder to digest in summer. Farmhouses, carob trees, olive trees, and some fruit trees will accompany you on your journey. An initiative that seeks to protect the environment proposes trying organic products in restaurants and bars in the area. A way to promote the island’s production, local farming, and meats from nearby farms. It’s interesting to see how even today we still see some agricultural terraces where work continues.
If, on the other hand, you visit the cave in summer, Cala Xarraca and Cala Portinatx will be your allies to combat the heat. Cala Xarraca is less than 5 km away, and Portinatx is about 7 km from the caves. The town of Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera is less than 10 km away and is a beautiful place. If you’re traveling with family, I recommend heading to Cala de San Vicente, where you can enjoy a bathing area and beach with all kinds of services.
Opening Hours and Prices
The cave is open from May to October, from morning until 8 in the evening. In the other months, it opens from morning until 5:30 in the afternoon. Something very important to know is that you don’t need to make a reservation to visit the cave. With prices ranging from 7 euros for children to 11 euros for adults.
100,000 years of history await you on the cliffs of Sant Miquel de Balansat. Tales and adventures for the little ones in the family. Who knows, you might even find some hidden treasure!