Sant Miquel de Balansat Church is the Catholic parish church of the village of Sant Miquel de Balansat, part of the municipality of Sant Joan de Labritja in northern Ibiza. It stands at the top of the hill above the village, a whitewashed building with the thick, plain walls of the island's fortified churches. A memorial park beside it looks out over the village, and the road from here runs down to Port de Sant Miquel on the coast. Sunday Mass is celebrated in Spanish.
Sant Miquel de Balansat Church
Whitewashed fortified church on the hilltop of Sant Miquel de Balansat, with a memorial park overlooking the village
- Parking
- Two car parks: one about 390 m away in a straight line, and a free, unpaved one about 490 m away.
- Difficulty
- No hike: the church sits at the top of the village hill, about 230 m in a straight line from the bus stop and 390–490 m from the car parks.
- Transport
- Bus A9 from Port de Sant Miquel to the Sant Miquel stop, about 230 m from the church.
- Hours
- Daily 10:00–19:00. Sunday Mass at 10:30, all year.
- Address
- Carrer de Missa, s/n, 07815 Sant Miquel de Balansat, Illes Balears, Spain
What makes it special
On a summer afternoon the cicadas fill the hilltop, and the village falls away below the church walls.
Sant Miquel de Balansat Church is built like the other fortified churches of Ibiza: thick whitewashed walls, few openings, a building meant to shelter people as well as to pray in. The interior repays the visit. Its side chapel (Capella de Benirràs) is painted with floral frescoes, a burst of colour inside all that white.
The memorial park beside the church gives the panoramic view the hilltop promises, out over the roofs of Sant Miquel de Balansat. Take your time and walk around. Leaving by car, the road down to Port de Sant Miquel opens a view over the bay.
Good to know
- There are no toilets or drinking water at the church, and none nearby. Bring water, especially on a hot day.
- A café stands on the corner by the Sant Miquel bus stop, with a bank across the road.
- Sunday Mass is in Spanish. You can follow the liturgy on your phone in your own language.
- The panoramic view over the village is from the memorial park beside the church. Head there for it.
Getting there
By bus, you get off at the Sant Miquel stop, about 230 m from the church in a straight line, and walk the rest of the way up to the hilltop. The return bus leaves from the stop directly across the road from where you got off, by the café on the corner.
By car, there are two car parks, about 390 m and 490 m from the church in a straight line, and the last stretch is on foot. If you are coming from or heading back to the coast, the drive between the village and Port de Sant Miquel gives a view over the bay.
Best time to visit
Best: a weekday morning or late afternoon, within opening hours.
Avoid: Sunday morning if you have come only to look around.
Sunday morning belongs to the parish Mass, while on other days the hilltop is quiet, and in summer a bare hilltop takes the full midday sun, so the cooler ends of the day suit a slow walk round the church and the memorial park.
Access & restrictions
Sant Miquel de Balansat Church is a working Catholic parish church. Sunday Mass is held here in Spanish, and sightseeing inside stops while the service is on: come in to join it, or wait until it ends. At any time, keep your voice low inside and dress as you would for a church service.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Mass at Sant Miquel de Balansat Church held in English?
No. Mass is celebrated in Spanish. You can follow the liturgy on your phone in your own language during the service.Can you reach the church by bus?
Yes. Buses from Port de Sant Miquel stop at the Sant Miquel stop, about 230 m from the church in a straight line, and the return bus leaves from directly across the road.Is there parking near the church?
Yes. There are two car parks, about 390 m and 490 m from the church in a straight line. The last stretch to the hilltop is on foot.Where is the best view?
From the memorial park beside the church, which looks out over the village of Sant Miquel de Balansat. The road down to Port de Sant Miquel also gives a view over the bay.Are there toilets at the church?
No. There are no toilets or drinking water at the church, and none nearby. There is a café on the corner by the Sant Miquel bus stop.