LA SAVINA FORMENTERA

The ferry boats from Ibiza to Formentera have their terminus at La Savina  - La Sabinal, Formentera's only harbor. It takes its name from the Phoenician word for the juniper which still grows throughout the island. Formentera has no airport, so most visitors' first view of the island is of La Savina, its architecture making it seem more of a North African port than a European one.

Despite its exotic appearance, La Savina is a functioning harbor, many of its buildings catering solely for the passengers and freight arriving from Ibiza and mainland ports It is, though, the site of one of Formentera's most delightful festivals, that of Our Lady of the Sea, held annually in July. Then the island's fishing boats gather here before sailing out to be blessed.

It is at La Savina that visitors can hire bicycles, scooters and even cars to explore the island. From the harbour, Via Major leads inland between the two salty lagoons that are such a notable feature of Formentera. Soon a road leads off left, taking the northern shore of Estany Pudent to reach Es Pujols. The area was quarried by the Moors, but a recent attempt to develop it was defeated by local opposition: there may only be rocks and a clear blue sea, but the islanders like it that way.