Got Dh95 million to spare? Buy your own island in Spain

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Private islands are often described in celestial terms - but planning permissions for 'your own slice of paradise' are exceedingly hard to come by. Which makes the fully developed Isla de Espalmador a welcome rarity
Located just minutes off the coast between the glamorous island of Ibiza and laid-back Formentera, this property lies in Las Salinas National Park, and spreads over 1.4 kilometres. Property analysts have been declaring the Balearic Islands as one of Europe's most desirable hotspots since 2014, and the island of Espalmador has it all - from beaches, dunes, greenery and views of the Mediterranean to two villas, a chapel and watchtower, and a host of outbuildings.
The main house, a traditional low-lying Balearic villa, is a listed building named S'Alga. The 13-bedroom, nine-bathroom property extends over 5,000 square feet, and has a chapel within the compound. It also has separate living and dining areas, various store rooms and a kitchen with a traditional bread oven and water cistern.
The second house is on a slight elevation overlooking the island's natural mud baths and has four bedrooms and its own kitchen, spread over 1,970 square feet. While the exterior is in fine shape, both houses will benefit from technological refurbishments within.
The villas are built on private land, but the beach, sand dunes and watchtower, which was built in the mid-1700s, are open to the public in accordance with Spain's coastal laws. It is also possible for yachts to anchor in the bay.
Isla de Espalmador has an exotic history of pirates and conquests by various cultures dating back to the 13th century, but has been in private hands since the 17th century. The island was originally gifted to an illustrious Valencian family by King Philip II, and was bought by the grandfather of the present owner in the late 1920s, making this only the second time in history that it has been on sale. It is currently on the market for ?24 million (Dh95 million) through Vladi Private Islands.
Look out for this and similar stories in Luxury magazine on February 4. Luxury comes out with The National on the first Thursday of every month.
pmunyal@thenational.ae