Rural, Historic
Sant Francesc Xavier
Sant Francesc Xavier
The small inland capital of Formentera, built around a fortress church, with boutiques, tapas bars and Saturday-night jazz.
Sant Francesc Xavier, often shortened to Sant Francesc, is the capital of Formentera. It is a small inland town near the port of La Savina. Life centres on the main square, where the town hall faces an old fortress church. White streets around it are full of boutiques, cafes and tapas bars. It is the island's cultural and shopping hub.
What Sant Francesc Xavier is known for
Sant Francesc is best known for its church and its square. The 18th-century church was built as a fortress, with thick walls and an iron-clad door to keep out pirates. Nearby stands Sa Tanca Vella, a tiny chapel from the 14th century and the oldest on the island. The pedestrian streets around the square are packed with stylish boutiques, craft stalls and small galleries. There is also a little ethnographic museum. On summer Saturday nights, free jazz concerts fill the square with music.
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Experiences and things to do in Sant Francesc Xavier
Start in the main square, the heart of island life, and look round the fortress church and the old chapel. Browse the boutiques and craft stalls in the streets nearby, some of the best shopping on Formentera. Visit the small ethnographic museum to learn how islanders once lived. Sit out at a cafe with tapas and watch the world go by. On a summer Saturday night, stay for the free jazz in the square.
Where to stay in Sant Francesc Xavier
Food and drink in Sant Francesc Xavier
The square and its side streets are full of tapas bars, cafes and restaurants, busiest in the morning and evening. It is a good place to try local Formentera dishes, like the dried-fish salad called ensalada payesa, at fair prices.
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Best time to visit Sant Francesc Xavier
May, June and September bring warm weather and a calmer town than the July and August peak, when day-trippers from Ibiza fill the streets. As the island's capital, Sant Francesc stays open and functional year-round, unlike many of Formentera's more seasonal spots.
Getting to Sant Francesc Xavier and around
Sant Francesc is in the middle of Formentera, about 3km from the port at La Savina. Formentera has no airport, so you arrive by ferry from Ibiza, around 30 minutes from Ibiza Town. From the port, the town is a few minutes by bus, taxi, scooter or bike. The nearest airport is Ibiza (IBZ).
Nearest Airport to Sant Francesc Xavier
Nearest Sea Port to Sant Francesc Xavier
Travel tips for visiting Sant Francesc Xavier
The town is busiest and most fun in the morning and the early evening. Come on a Saturday night in summer for the free jazz in the church square. This is the island's best spot for boutique and craft shopping. Many shops shut for a few hours in the afternoon, so plan around the siesta. It sits in the centre, which makes it an easy base for reaching both coasts.
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FAQs about visiting Sant Francesc Xavier
Helpful answers for planning your visit to Sant Francesc Xavier.
Planning
Is it worth visiting Sant Francesc if I'm mainly here for the beaches?
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What are the opening hours of the Ethnological Museum?
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What is Sa Tanca Vella chapel, and can you visit it?
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