The village of San Fernando (Sant Ferran in Catalan) in the heart of the island is blessed with a lovely main square and an 18th-century church. It is where the hippy movement of the island began and today boasts several good restaurants, bars and an animated night market.

The village

Surrounded by vineyards and farmhouses, San Fernando is a charming and more peaceful place to spend time when you need a little more quiet. Its square is the perfect contrast to the activity of nearby Es Pujols and is where you will find the church, which, unusually, has a largely unpainted sandstone exterior. It is at night when the place really comes alive, with most of the action taking place in the square and around, with the music of the regular market and some lively bars around it.

The perfect spot to while away some time in a bar or restaurant terrace, San Fernando also offers a few low-key hostels and apartments, from where you can easily explore the rest of Formentera, as it is the geographic centre of the island. There are also several banks and small shops here.

Eating and drinking

You will find a number of restaurants and bars, many serving Mediterranean and local dishes, some of which have gained a very good reputation for their quality of food. Perhaps the most famous of the restaurants is Fonda Pepe, which first opened in the ‘60s and which remains the centre of the island's hippy culture. Pink Floyd came here, and Bob Dylan was a regular, whiling away many an hour playing chess.

Artisan market

The village is known for its artisan market that runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (20:00 to midnight) from May to October. Live music and food are also on offer, and you will see the bars and restaurants full of locals and tourists during the summer. The market is a big focal point for the local craftsmen, artists, painters and sculptors who display and sell their works here. Go to enjoy a buzzing atmosphere that's alive with colour and sound.