Things to do in Formentera
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Formentera
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Late spring to early summer is the insiders' pick: warm, green, everything opening, beaches and prices below peak.
Late season has the warmest sea and best light with prices softening, but places start closing from late September.
Peak season brings the warmest sea and all events, plus maximum prices, heat and day tripper crowds at Illetes.
Winter is a quiet walking and cycling island of residents. Most hotels, beach clubs and excursion operators are closed.
What's on
- Formentera Half Marathon May
The Mitja Marato Illa de Formentera runs from Sant Francesc to La Mola and entry sells out.
- Formentera Jazz Festival late May / early June, some editions September
Based on Sant Francesc's square. Check the current year's dates before planning around it.
- Sant Joan 23-24 June
Bonfires and celebrations centred on La Mola for the island's midsummer night.
- Festes de la Mare de Deu del Carme 16 July
Patron of fishermen festival in La Savina and Es Pujols, with harbour processions by boat.
- Festes de Sant Jaume 25 July
The island patronal festival in Sant Francesc, a week of concerts, dancing, tastings, fireworks and Flower Power night.
- Santa Maria 5 August
A travelling festival held in a different town each year, with its local wine competition.
- December Flower Power December
A winter Flower Power around Sant Francesc's patronal days for residents.
Best things to do in Formentera
Ses Illetes
A narrow white sand spit with shallow turquoise water on both sides, best early or late when day boats are gone.
Platja de Llevant
The quieter east facing twin of Illetes, with the same white sand and clear water but more space and wind.
Cala Saona
A small red cliffed cove with sheltered warm water and a due west aspect that makes it the island sunset swim.
Platja de Migjorn
The long south coast beach done in sections, from serviced Es Arenals to quiet coves toward La Mola.
Far de la Mola
A lighthouse on high cliffs at the eastern tip, reached through the plateau village of El Pilar de la Mola.
Cap de Barbaria Lighthouse
A stark lighthouse at the end of an empty rosemary and stone road, with a watchtower and far fewer people at sunset.
La Mola Craft Market
The original hippie era craft market where artisans sell their own jewellery, leather, textiles and art.
Sant Francesc Xavier
The small island capital for a non beach morning, with a fortified church, whitewashed square and year round cafes.
Where to stay in Formentera
Es Pujols
first trip, all-round base
The only real resort town, with a town beach, promenade, densest restaurants and rentals, and a short cycle to Illetes.
Sant Francesc Xavier
couples, food, culture and longer or shoulder-season stays
The capital has year round cafes, the best boutique hotel and a local evening atmosphere, with beaches a short cycle away.
Platja de Migjorn
beach-first luxury, wellness and staying put
A string of low key hotels, finca stays and beach clubs along the long beach, with chiringuitos a barefoot walk away.
Cala Saona
sunsets and a short romantic stay
One cove, one notable beachfront hotel and the island's best sunset on the doorstep, lovely for two or three nights.
La Savina
one-night ferry-logistics stay
The port town puts the ferry, rentals and decent cafes outside the door, but it is the least charming week long base.
El Pilar de la Mola and Es Caló area
rural, hippie-heartland Formentera
Small finca hotels and houses on the plateau and north coast, with market days, starry nights and the quietest sleep.
Think twice about
- Es Pujols seafront and bar streets
Not unsafe, but loud until late in July and August for light sleepers and families. Base a street or two back instead.
- La Savina port frontage
Ferry queues, rental traffic and day tripper flow all day, with the thinnest restaurant choice. Fine for a night, poor as a holiday base.
- Isolated rural houses and La Mola in winter
A shutdown problem from November to March, not a safety problem. Seasonal places close and every dinner needs a dark drive without a car.
- Unlicensed villa and apartment listings
Formentera has an illegal rental crackdown and a too cheap for August scam pattern. Book licensed places with a tourist licence number only.
Best restaurants in Formentera
Es Molí de Sal
A converted salt mill by the pans serving refined fish and lobster, the island's emblematic celebration table.
Juan y Andrea
The barefoot luxury Illetes beach lunch of paellas, fish baked in salt and prawns, booked as an event.
Can Dani
A contemporary tasting menu dinner from local produce, credited as the Pityusic Islands' first starred restaurant.
Beso Beach
A Basque Mediterranean beach club lunch of fish, grilled meats and paella that late on turns into a party.
Casanita Cantina y Pescado
An Italian Mediterranean fish restaurant in Es Pujols for oysters, crudi, seafood pasta and grilled fish.
Chezz Gerdi
A large stylish Italian Mediterranean restaurant and lounge outside central Es Pujols, strong at sunset and for groups.
Can Rafalet
Traditional fish cooking above Es Caló harbour, with paella, zarzuela and grilled squid at fair prices.
Es Codol Foradat
A Migjorn beach restaurant for seafood, rices and bullit style cooking, planned around a swim before and after.
Outdoor things to do in Formentera
Rutes Verdes
Thirty two marked green routes totalling about 130 km link every village, lighthouse and beach by bike.
Boat day to S'Espalmador and Ses Illetes
A boat day anchoring at S'Espalmador for swimming and snorkelling, then a second swim stop at Ses Illetes.
Kayak and snorkel to Espalmador
A guided kayak and snorkel crossing to Espalmador, with snorkelling over posidonia and time on S'Alga beach.
Snorkelling and scuba diving in Ses Salines marine reserve
Clear water and protected meadows for snorkelling, with licensed centres running reserve dives and try dives.
Stand-up paddleboard and windsurf at Estany des Peix
Shallow sheltered lagoon water at La Savina for SUP rental, windsurf lessons and learning wingfoil.
Camí Romà
The old paved Roman road climbs from Es Caló to La Mola, then clifftop paths give the island's biggest views.
Horse riding in the interior of Formentera
Guided rides of one to two and a half hours through interior lanes and pinewoods, for all levels including beginners.
Gecko Hotel & Beach Club yoga
Morning yoga on an outdoor deck above Migjorn at Gecko, followed by breakfast and a swim.
Best hotels in Formentera
Gecko Hotel & Beach Club
The island's defining luxury stay behind Migjorn beach, with gardens, a pool, beach club, yoga deck and restaurant.
Teranka
A 35 room design and art boutique in gardens and pinewoods, with sculpture grounds and a rooftop restaurant.
Hotel Es Marès
The best in town boutique on the capital's historic square, with a spa, small pool and good restaurant.
Five Flowers Hotel & Spa
The full service Es Pujols five star near the beach, with spa, rooftop pool scene and walk to everything convenience.
Blanco Hotel Formentera
An adults leaning all white design boutique in Es Pujols with spa and pool, calmer and more couple focused.
Hotel Cala Saona
The only beachfront hotel on its cove, about 50 metres from the sand, paying correctly for position and sunset.
Hotel Riu Palace La Mola
A reliable full service beach resort on eastern Migjorn, with big pool, gardens and family facilities on site.
Hotel Levante
A solid three star seafront type stay in Es Pujols with pool, balconies and breakfast, best on the quieter street side.
Is Formentera expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | €130 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | €270 a person |
| Splurge | €550 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Ses Illetes: a few days ahead
- S'Espalmador: a few days ahead
- Boat day to S'Espalmador and Ses Illetes: weeks ahead
- Kayak and snorkel to Espalmador: a few days ahead
- Snorkelling and scuba diving in Ses Salines marine reserve: a few days ahead
- Horse riding in the interior of Formentera: weeks ahead
- Golf Ibiza: weeks ahead
- Gecko Hotel & Beach Club: months ahead
- August hotels and licensed apartments need months ahead, and the cheap tier goes first.
- Juan y Andrea, Es Moli de Sal, Beso Beach, Can Dani and Gecko's restaurant need weeks ahead in season.
- Book ferries for peak weekends and last boats ahead online, and reserve scooters and e-bikes for July and August.
- Kayak to Espalmador, diving and sunset sailing need days ahead and weather flexibility if possible.
Is Formentera safe?
- Very safe by European resort standards, with no area to avoid at night. Emergency number 112.
- Real risks are road accidents, unlifeguarded coves and slippery rocks, sun and heat, and petty theft on crowded Illetes.
- Roads are narrow and unlit outside towns. Ride slowly and never after a beach lunch with wine.
Formentera travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- The four hour August day trip manufactures the view that Formentera is overrated. Stay overnight or go in June or September.
- Illetes restaurants are occasions, not a default lunch, or they will double a trip's food budget.
- Avoid VIP boat tours that are a crowded ferry with a drink. Book a named operator with stated boat size and swim stops.
- Do not anchor on or take souvenirs from protected posidonia, and do not ride a scooter if you do not ride at home.
Getting around Formentera: public transport and more
- No airport: fly or ferry to Ibiza, then a fast ferry of about 30 minutes from Ibiza Town to La Savina.
- Rent a bike or e-bike first, a scooter second, and a car only for La Mola or family reasons.
- In summer vehicles need accreditation via formentera.eco and numbers are capped, with fines into thousands of euros.
- Buses link towns and main beaches cheaply in season; taxis are scarce after midnight outside Es Pujols.
Who Formentera suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Good |
| Couples | Great |
| Bachelor parties | OK |
| Families | Good |
| Bachelorette parties | OK |
Make Formentera your trip
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