San Mateo or Sant Mateu d’Albarca or d’Aubarca in Ibicenco and on the road signs you will see, is a small inland village located in the municipality of San Antonio. It is a very peaceful rural enclave where there is a proliferation of cultivated areas and vineyards.
How to get to San Mateo
Located in the northwest of the island, San Mateo is an unfrequented place. You can get there by car from Ibiza by driving to Santa Gertrudis or to Santa Inés, from both towns there is a direct road. The L33 bus line takes you directly from Ibiza, although it does pass through Santa Gertrudis and San Miguel first, so the journey is quite long.
What to see in San Mateo
This tiny village is made up of a few houses situated around a beautiful 18th-century church with a nave and eight side chapels and a large porch added in the 19th century. One of its most notable features is that it has a corner bell tower. Next to the church there is an earthen Stations of the Cross that make for a nice walk.
The most interesting things to see in this area of great agricultural and winemaking tradition are the nearby wineries, such as Sa Cova or Can Maymó, which offer interesting guided tours with wine and local product tasting.
The village itself doesn’t have much to visit, except for lunch in one of the restaurants or a visit to the wineries, but there are several beautiful excursions in the area. For example, the excursion to the nearby Cala Albarca, one of the lesser known and less frequented coves on the island, is highly recommended. It is a long walk of about 35-40 minutes, but the views from there are spectacular, as it is flanked by cliffs full of pine trees. Its walls and rocks are home to an abundance of birds such as falcons, making it an ideal place for birdwatchers.
Near San Mateo you will also find the archaeological site of Ses Torres d’en Lluc, dating from the early Middle Ages, a place with a spectacular panoramic view.
You cannot leave without tasting the local wines; the town also celebrates a Wine Festival in December.
Where to eat in San Mateo
In the village you will find just a couple of places to eat or have a drink.
Es Camp Vell is a restaurant with homemade food, generous portions and moderate prices with a spacious and pleasant terrace.
Can Cires, a beautiful rustic-style restaurant offering a fusion of Ibicencan and Alsatian cuisine made with local produce. It has a lovely terrace ideal for a romantic dinner, and they also prepare tapas and sandwiches, as well as a children’s playground. It is a real meeting point of the village, where you can also buy some basic necessities and where they organise exhibitions and other events.
