Sant Ferran de Ses Roques: Discover Formentera’s Creative Village

In the heart of Formentera there’s a village with an authentic and free-spirited soul: Sant Ferran de Ses Roques.

Sant Ferran de Ses Roques became a home for the hippie movement in the 1960s, and even today its creative and bohemian spirit is alive in the lively streets, open-air concerts, artisan markets, and long summer nights.

If you want to experience Formentera beyond the beaches, here are 5 reasons why Sant Ferran should be on your itinerary.

The Church of Sant Ferran de ses Roques in Sant Ferran’s main square in Formentera, beautifully illuminated at night.
The Church of Sant Ferran de ses Roques in Sant Ferran’s main square in Formentera, beautifully illuminated at night.

5 Reasons to visit Sant Ferran de Ses Roques in Formentera

1. The Hippie Heart of Formentera

In the 1960s, Sant Ferran de Ses Roques became a home for free spirits of the hippie movement. The locals welcomed these long-haired outsiders, known as ‘peludos’. The church square was one of their main gathering points. They brought music, creativity, and a countercultural, unconventional spirit.

Even today, Sant Ferran echoes this hippie past. Every Friday night in summer (21 June–27 September), live music plays in the square, and the artisan market runs along the main street (every evening except Wednesdays and Sundays, 7 pm–midnight). Stalls display unique works of arts and craft by local artists: paintings, ceramics, leather, glass, jewelry and much more. Strolling through them while listening to music is the perfect way to experience Sant Ferran’s bohemian soul.

Artisan market in Sant Ferran de Ses Roques, Formentera
Stalls at the hippie artisan market in Sant Ferran de Ses Roques in Formentera

2. Fonda Pepe: A Living Legend

Fonda Pepe is more than a bar: it’s a living legend in Formentera. Opened in 1953, it quickly became the centre of Formentera’s hippie scene and hosted some of the most memorable events of the 1960s.

This trattoria, which also serves as a bar and hostel, still carries the spirit of that era. Legendary bands like Pink Floyd and King Crimson used to hang out here. Some even claim that Bob Dylan stopped by to play guitar, though it’s likely an urban legend inspired by someone who looked like him.

Today, Fonda Pepe remains a popular gathering place. Vintage furnishings and iconic 1960s photographs by Reinald Wünsche (Berlin 1943 – Formentera 2008), capture moments of that hippie era, creating a priceless visual record of Formentera’s cultural heritage.

Here, you can enjoy a paella barata (affordable paella), sip chupitos (small liquor shots) at the bar, or stay late for a lively night out. The flavours and atmosphere still carry the spirit of the 1960s, making it a place you can’t miss if you want to experience a living piece of Formentera’s history.

Fonda Pepe in San Ferran, Formentera – historic bar, trattoria, and hostel frequented by Pink Floyd and King Crimson in the 1960s hippie era
Fonda Pepe, a historic bar and trattoria in San Ferran, Formentera, has been a hub of the island’s 1960s hippie scene and a gathering place for legendary musicians.

3. The Pink Floyd Connection

Sant Ferran is also home to Formentera Guitars, a workshop founded in the 1980s that gained worldwide recognition for crafting high-quality instruments. Legendary musicians, including members of Pink Floyd, have played guitars and basses made right here, turning this small village into an unexpected shrine for music lovers. A visit to Formentera Guitars is a must for anyone passionate about music—and if you want, you can even build your own guitar or bass by joining their popular three-week course, crafting instruments known for their iconic ‘Balearic sound’. 

4. Cuevas d’en Geroni: The Hidden Cave

Discovered in 1975 while digging a well, Cuevas d’en Geroni is one of Formentera’s lesser-known natural treasures. It lies just outside San Ferran, at km 6.2 on the road towards La Mola, marked by signs and a discreet door: don’t expect anything flashy, which adds to its mystery.

Step inside and you’ll find stalactites, stalagmites, and tree roots hanging from the cave’s ceiling—this underground world feels frozen in time. 

A visit to the cave is a great alternative to the beach when the weather is overcast. It’s an adventurous, atmospheric experience that shows a different side of Formentera’s natural beauty.

5. The Alternative Nightlife of Sant Ferran

Nights in Sant Ferran have a very different rhythm from Es Pujols, Formentera’s main nightlife hub filled with clubs and bars. In Sant Ferran, the square and nearby streets come alive in a more laid-back, local way. Some evenings you might stumble upon a live band or a jam session that turns the square into a meeting point for both locals and visitors.

If you’re looking for one of the best pizzas in Formentera, don’t miss Macondo, on Sant Ferran’s main street, where you can grab a seat under an olive tree. Tables from the restaurants line the street, lit by soft lights that create a magical atmosphere.

Afterwards, we recommend heading to Sa Panxa for drinks, a favourite among locals. The bar has an alternative, creative vibe, with walls featuring unique local artwork that reflects Formentera’s bohemian soul. Its beautiful outdoor courtyard hosts live music, bringing the space to life with dancing and laughter. Rather than being a posh restaurant, it has character and a genuine, magical atmosphere, reflecting Formentera’s true spirit.

Live music performance at Sa Panxa bar in Sant Ferran de Ses Roques, Formentera, in the outdoor courtyard at night.
Live music performance at Sa Panxa, a popular bar in Sant Ferran de Ses Roques, Formentera, in its beautiful outdoor courtyard.