The Village of San Miguel, Ibiza (Sant Miquel)

San Miguel is truly the gateway to the less developed, rugged coast of the north of Ibiza. Occupying a commanding position, the village and its fortress church, built between the 14th and 18th centuries, dominate the countryside all the way down to the coast at Puerto San Miguel.

These days the church is more of a landmark to the thousands of tourists who pass through here on route to the big hotel complexes. It's also the venue for high kicking displays of traditional folk dancing as practised by the local folk lore groups on Thursdays from 6pm in summer.

Down in the village's main square there's a craft market on Thursdays too. Here, only products actually made in Ibiza are for sale, and these range from pottery, fresh produce like honey with the scent and taste of the island, bamboo carvings, water colour paintings and handmade sun catchers.

The village has its fair share of little bars and restaurants, C'an Rei is a traditional restaurant with a range of tapas, while Es Bosc, a small finca with shady garden, serving tapas, meat and fish, is just outside the village on the road to Santa Gertrudis.

Puerto San Miguel is worth a visit if only to gaze upon the magnificent mansion on the Illa des Bosc which overlooks the port and belongs to the proprietors of a chain of Dutch department stores. A Russian billionaire recently hired it and threw a private concert at which Julio Iglesias and The Gypsy Kings were booked to perform.

However not that many roubles are required for a fabulous seafood lunch at Port Balansat, by repute one of Ibiza's best fish restaurants, which is just by the beach.

The cave of Can Marça, a former smugglers' hideaway, is an interesting diversion from the port. It's well sign posted and is on the way to hippie heaven, Benirras beach, famous for its sunset drumming.