San Javier celebrates 40 years twinning with Xavier, Navarra
The towns in northern and southern Spain have been united since 1984
San Javier's Mayor, José Miguel Luengo, and Laura Guindano, Mayor of Xavier in Navarra, came together to mark the significant milestone of the 40th anniversary of the twinning between their municipalities. The longstanding bond, established in 1984, has united the two towns from opposite corners of Spain under the patronage of San Francisco Javier.
The commemorative event unfolded over the weekend, coinciding with the second pilgrimage of the year. A group of 70 residents from San Javier participated in the celebration, gathering at the historic Castle, birthplace of the shared patron saint.
Against the backdrop of this iconic setting, the forty-year history of the twinning was honoured. Mayor Guindano presented Mayor Luengo with a framed article from the northern newspaper Diario de Navarra recounting the signing and inception of the twinning agreement between the two municipalities back in 1984.
In response, Mayor Luengo presented a photograph signed by Joaquín Zamora.
Joining the mayors in the commemoration were the parish priest of San Javier, Juan Prieto and Eusebio Guindano, son of José María Guindano, one of the twinning's founders. Eusebio Guindano, who officiated the mass symbolising the union of the two towns, emphasised the enduring neighbourhood support that bodes well for the twinning's future.
Mayor Luengo and Father Prieto were invited to inscribe their names in the Golden Book of the Castle, leaving a memorable testament to the enduring friendship between San Javier and Xavier. Expressing his gratitude, Mayor Luengo extended thanks to the residents of Xavier for their warm reception, underscoring the bright prospects for the continued collaboration between the two communities.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of San Javier Today
Image: Ayuntamiento de San Javier
Address
Calle Padre Juan. Centro Cultural Principe de Asturias 30720 SAN JAVIERTel: 968 571 704
Oficina de Turismo de San Javier
The municipality of San Javier has three main offices giving tourist information to visitors, as well as two information points. The tourist offices are located in Santiago de la Ribera, on the ground floor of the town hall in San Javier and at the start of La Manga. There is a tourist information point located in the San Javier Airport, as well as one at kilometre 12-13 of La Manga del Mar Menor.
Due to its location on the fringes of the Mar Menor and Mediterranean, San Javier has a period of intense summer tourism activity during the peak summer months, although it is popular with retirees of all nationalities out of peak season.
Tickets for the annual San Javier Jazz Festival can be purchased at the Festival office in San Javier Town Hall, Plaza de España.
San Javier - Oficina Municipal de Turismo 
Municipal Tourism Office
Calle Padre Juan. Centro Cultural Príncipe de Asturias (Click for map: Centro Cultural Príncipe de Asturias)
30720 Santiago de la Ribera - SAN JAVIER
Tel: 968 571 704
Opening Times:
Peak season, 1st July to 15th September: Monday to Friday 10am to 2 pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Mid season, 16th September to 31st October, and from Easter Week to 30th June: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm and 5pm to 7pm
Low season, 1st November to Easter Week: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2.00pm and 4pm to 6.30pm
Saturday in Low Season and Saturday, Sunday and Holidays in Mid and Peak Seasons: 10.30am to 1.30pm.
San Javier - Punto de Información Turistica Plaza de España
Tourist information office in the Plaza de España
Plaza de España, 3, 30730 SAN JAVIER
Tel.: 968 573 700 ext. #5351
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2pm
Click for map: Ayuntamiento de San Javier
Oficina de Turismo de Santiago de la Ribera
The tourist office in Santiago de la Ribera is located a little way back from the seafront in the public garden on Calle Padre Juan (click for map).
Telephone: 661 572 285
Opening hours
1st July to 15th September: Mon-Fri 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.30 to 20.30, weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.30.
16th September to 31st October and Easter to 30th June: Mon-Fri 9.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.00, weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.30.
1st November to Easter: Mon-Fri 9.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00, weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.30.
Oficina de Turismo de La Manga del Mar Menor
Tourist information office in La Manga del Mar Menor
Address: Gran Vía Km. 0, La Manga del Mar Menor, 30380.
Tel: 968 146 136
Opening Hours:
Low season (1st October to 30th April):
Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 13:30 and 16:00 to 18:00
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays - 10:30 to 13:00
Peak season (1st May to 30th September):
Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 19:00
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays - 10:30 to 13:00
Click for map: Oficina de Turismo de La Manga del Mar Menor
Punto de Información Turística de La Manga
Tourism information point on La Manga
Address: Playa Mistral, Gran Vía km. 12-13
Opening Hours:
Peak season, 15th June to 15th September: Every day from 11:00 to 18:00.
Low season, closed
Click for map: Punto de Información Turistica La Manga del Mar Menor
