Sant Miguel De Balansat: Holiday Apartment Between Church and Coast

At Sant Miquel de Balansat, a fortified church with an unusual floor plan, the Balansat Trail PR-EI-106 and the nearby coastal surroundings of Port de Sant Miquel come together. Added to this are handicrafts, Ibizan folklore, local festivals and a historically preserved interior, giving the place several very different facets.

Culture

The fortified church of Sant Miquel de Balansat was built in the 16th century on the rocky outcrop known as “Puig de Missa” to control the area. It combines religious and defensive functions: its thick walls are decorated with murals. At the same time, it is the only church in Ibiza with a T-shaped floor plan. Puig de Missa also remains important for public cultural activities. On Thursdays from May to September, an Ibizan folklore performance with traditional dance and a small handicraft market takes place there at 6:00 p.m.

Next to the church are the studio, shop and jewellery workshop of jewellery designer Natasha Collis. Unique handmade jewellery pieces are designed in her workshop. The shop is located in a more than 300-year-old farmhouse. On a small square in Sant Miquel de Balansat, there is also a viewpoint and a bronze statue honouring the Ibizan poet Marià Villangómez (1913–2002). The statue was created by Basque sculptor Lourdes Umérez.

The festival calendar is also part of the cultural character of the place. The patron saint's festival of Sant Miquel de Balansat takes place on 29 September. The Sant Miquel handicraft market is held every Thursday afternoon in Sant Miquel de Balansat during the summer months. The local festival at the Es Pou d’Albarqueta fountain takes place on the first Sunday after Santa María on 5 August and features local dances and local pastries.

Trails and Landscape

The Balansat Trail PR-EI-106 runs for 18.82 km between Port de Sant Miquel beach and the village of Sant Miquel de Balansat. It connects sections of road, paved paths and unpaved trails. The trail offers panoramic views of Es Amunts, thereby linking the village and the nearby coastal surroundings along a designated route.

Surroundings

The Port de Sant Miquel, also called Port de Balansat, is located in the immediate surroundings of Sant Miquel de Balansat. There is an approximately 100-metre-long coarse-sand beach. Water sports and boat trips are also possible in the nearby surroundings of Sant Miquel de Balansat at Port de Sant Miquel.

The approximately 100,000-year-old Cova de Can Marçà is also located nearby. It lies inside a rocky cliff at Port de Sant Miquel de Balansat. A guided visit to the cave takes approximately 40 minutes. Thus, in the area around the village, the beach and water are complemented by a cave interior and a guided tour of manageable duration as separate destinations.

Local Life

Another special feature is the Estanco Can Xico de Sa Torre. Visitors can taste herbal liqueur there. The Estanco has an interior preserved in the style of bygone times, with traditional counters, tables, chairs, flooring and decorations. The place thereby combines tasting with a visibly preserved historic atmosphere.

Accommodation in Sant Miguel De Balansat offers a range of different points of interest: the church at Puig de Missa, route PR-EI-106, the coastal surroundings of Port de Sant Miquel, Cova de Can Marçà, as well as markets, festivals, folklore and local handicrafts. More local pages: Sant Llorenç De Balàfia, Portinatx, Sant Vicent De Sa Cala.

To the main travel overview: Sant Joan De Labritja.