Events Festes Mare de Déu del Carme (Virgen del Carmen)

If you want to experience one of the most beautiful festivities on the islands, visit the villages along the coast. There, on the 16th of July, the picturesque seafaring events are celebrated. Everyone who has a boat or a llaüt sails onto the sea to honor the Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of sailors, and ask for a year of rich fishing. As you stroll through the harbors, you will see how the fishermen plaster their boats for the great holiday. 

In the town of Eivissa the feast begins after the Mass by the Bishop of Ibiza, in the Salvador Parish Church, in the Marina. The fishermen and sailors carry the image of the patroness through the streets of the marina and carry it on board of one of the ships. The procession of boats and ships starts from the dock of the port and as soon as they reach Es Botafoc, the deceased sailors are honored with a wreath.

Eivissa is not the only community that celebrates this festival. Municipalities such as Sant Antoni de Portmany, Santa Eulària des Riu, Es Cubells or Portinatx celebrate this date as well. Visit this pretty festival of fishermen and sailors; you will be enchanted.