Mercat de Sant Francesc Xavier
The small but perfectly formed market in Formentera's capital, Sant Francesc Xavier, is the social heartbeat of the island — a place where farmers sell vegetables grown in the red island soil, artisans display hand-thrown ceramics, and locals linger over coffee long after the shopping is done. It is modest in scale and entirely authentic in character.
What You'll Find
Stalls spread around the fortified church of Sant Francesc d'Assís on Saturday mornings, offering locally grown tomatoes, figs, almonds and the island's own Formentera salt harvested from the Ses Salines natural park. Look out for the small-batch almond liqueur called flaó de Formentera and jars of wild rosemary honey collected from the island's interior scrubland.
Craft vendors sell hand-painted tiles, macramé and the distinctive hippie-influenced silver jewellery that has been part of Formentera's identity since the 1960s counterculture arrived and never entirely left. Prices are fair and bargaining is not expected but a friendly chat in Spanish or Catalan is always appreciated.
The Village Around It
Sant Francesc Xavier itself is worth an unhurried hour. The 18th-century church doubles as a fortress — its thick walls once sheltered islanders from Barbary pirate raids — and the interior is austere and cool, a welcome contrast to the summer heat outside.
The main street, Carrer Isidor Macabich, holds a handful of excellent small restaurants and the island's only proper supermarket. Stop at Can Rafalet or Sa Palmera for a late breakfast of pa amb oli (bread rubbed with tomato and olive oil) before the market stalls begin packing up around 1 pm.
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