🏝 Local Guide · Can Xumeu Carlos

Formenterathe island of blue

The crystal clearest beaches in Europe, 32 green routes, sea gastronomy and a calm you won't find anywhere else in the Mediterranean. Curated by those who live here.

🗺83 km²Area
🚢30 minFerry from Ibiza
🏖30+Beaches & coves
🚲32Green routes
🌡26°CSummer average
Practical Information

How to get to Formentera?

Formentera has no airport. The only way to get there is by ferry from Ibiza (30 min) or from the mainland. The entry point is the port of La Savina.

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Step 1 — Fly to Ibiza

Ibiza Airport (IBZ) has direct connections from all over Spain and Europe. A taxi or bus takes you to the port in 20 minutes.

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Step 2 — Ferry Ibiza → Formentera

Ferry companies: Baleària, Aquabus, Trasmapi and Formentera Lines. Fast journey: 30 minutes. Book in advance in high season.

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Getting around the island

The bicycle is the king of transport: the island is mostly flat and has 32 signposted green routes. Rental companies in La Savina right off the ferry.

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⚠️ Vehicles in high season (Jun–Sep)

If you bring a car or motorbike, you need prior authorization at formentera.eco. Quads are strictly prohibited. Electric vehicles are exempt from the fee.

🗓 Quick Facts

Fast ferry Ibiza–Formentera~30 min
Ferry price (one way)~15–25€ / person
Bicycle rental / day10–20€
Motorbike rental / day30–60€
Island speed limit70 km/h
High seasonJul · Aug
Ideal seasonMay · Jun · Sep
Closest airportIbiza (IBZ)
Island capitalSant Francesc Xavier
Public busbusformentera.com
The Best Time

When to go to Formentera?

The tourist season runs from May to October. Each month has its charm, but the ideal months are June and September.

April · May

★★★★★

The island wakes up. Quiet beaches, everything opens, lower prices. The water is still cool (18–20°C) but the weather is splendid. Perfect for cycling and hiking.

Low Season

June

★★★★★

The perfect month: the water warms up (23–24°C), long days, right amount of tourists. You can enjoy Ses Illetes without crowding. Reasonable prices.

✅ Recommended

July · August

★★★★★

High season. Crowded beaches, peak prices, reservations needed months in advance. The atmosphere is vibrant but pure tranquility is harder to find.

Peak Season

September · Oct

★★★★★

The best kept secret. The water is at its warmest (26°C), the summer crowds leave, prices drop and the island recovers its Mediterranean magic.

✅ The Best Month
The Beaches

The best beaches in Formentera

Repeatedly chosen as the island with the crystal clearest waters in Europe. The Posidonia oceanica protected by UNESCO is the secret of its transparency.

Playa de Ses Illetes
🏆 Nº1 Europe Natural Park High Demand

Ses Illetes & Es Trucadors

The most famous beach in Formentera and one of the most beautiful in the world. Fine white sand, turquoise waters at 1.5m deep 50 meters from the shore, and the Tramuntana islets as a backdrop. The sandbar of Es Trucadors connects it with Llevant beach, forming one of the most spectacular corners of the Mediterranean.

Local Tip: Arrive before 9am in high season to get a spot. Bring food if you don't want to pay beach bar prices.
Cala Saona
Family Friendly Sunset

Cala Saona

The jewel of the west coast: a cove nestled between reddish cliffs that contrast with the intense turquoise of the sea. Ideal for families. The best sunset on the island.

Tip: Stay for the sunset. The horizon over the sea from the cliff is picture-perfect.
Playa de Migjorn
Local spot 5 km Quiet

Migjorn Beach

The longest on the island at almost 5km. The locals' favorite beach: less crowded, with almost deserted stretches, authentic beach bars and the legendary Blue Bar.

Tip: Look for the Blue Bar for the most famous mojito on the island with direct sea views.
Caló des Morts

Caló des Morts

Wild Go Early

Despite its name ("Cove of the Dead"), it's a marvel. Small, surrounded by nature and with impossible blue waters. Fills up quickly — arrive before 10am to find a spot.

Es Caló de Sant Agustí

Es Caló de Sant Agustí

Fishing Village Snorkeling

The most picturesque fishing village. The wooden dry docks for boats are Assets of Cultural Interest. Underwater visibility up to 50 meters. A unique spot to enjoy the essence of the sea.

Playa de Llevant

Llevant Beach

Less Crowded Natural Park

The quieter sister of Ses Illetes, on the other side of the sandbar. Just as beautiful, half as crowded. When Ses Illetes is rough from the wind, Llevant usually remains completely calm.

Experiences

What to see and do in Formentera

Beyond the beaches, the island holds solitary lighthouses, white villages, hippie markets and a seabed that will leave you speechless.

🌅

La Mola Lighthouse — Jules Verne's lighthouse

At the eastern end, 120 meters above the sea. Jules Verne mentioned it in Off on a Comet. Epic views of the Mediterranean. Museum entry €4.5. Access only on foot or by bike.

🛵

Cap de Barbaria Lighthouse

The southern tip of the island. Almost lunar landscape between rock and scrub. Setting for the movie Sex and Lucia. The best place to see the sunset.

  • Only walkable 2km from the barrier
  • Height: 78m above sea level
🏝️

Excursion to Espalmador

The pristine islet to the north, only accessible by boat. Three virgin beaches with no beach bars, no buildings, no noise. Biosphere Reserve. Boats from La Savina.

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Sant Francesc Xavier — the capital

The 18th-century fortress-church with its blind whitewashed walls is the architectural symbol of Formentera. Craft market, adlib fashion boutiques and the best ice cream on the island.

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La Mola Hippie Market

The most authentic in the Balearics. Local artisans sell handmade jewelry, clothing and ceramics. Every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon. The hippie spirit of the 70s persists.

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Snorkeling and Diving

The Posidonia oceanica meadows declared a World Heritage Site. Underwater visibility of up to 50 meters in Es Caló and Ses Platgetes.

🐠 Top spots: Es Caló, Ses Platgetes, Cavall d'en Borràs
🤿 Diving centers in La Savina and Es Pujols
📸

El Mirador — panoramic views

On the PM-820 road. You can see both the north coast (Ses Illetes) and the south (Migjorn) simultaneously. The best spot to photograph the entire silhouette of the island.

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Ses Salines — flamingos and sunsets

The Ses Salines Natural Park hosts pink flamingos and more than 200 species of birds. A bike ride around Estany Pudent at sunset is one of the island's most magical experiences.

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Sailing or Catamaran Excursion

The best way to discover coves without land access: Cala Saona from the water, the Cap de Barbaria caves, and anchoring among the Ses Illetes islets. Daily departures from La Savina.

Local Gastronomy

Flavors of the island

Formentera's cuisine is honest and marine. The sea, the orchards and historical isolation have made it unique.

Platos típicos

🐙

Frit de polp — Fried Octopus

The most typical dish. Fresh octopus stewed with onions, peppers and paprika. Simple and delicious.

🦞

Lobster with potatoes and egg

The star dish of Es Caló. It's not cheap, but trying it at least once is mandatory to experience the authentic taste of the island.

🥗

Peasant Salad with peix sec

With raw pepper, onion, tomato and the star ingredient: artisanal dried fish. Intense flavor that's been on the island's tables for centuries.

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Calamars a la bruta

Squid stewed in its own ink with seasonal vegetables and sobrasada. A cooking method unique to the Pityusic Islands.

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Flaó — the island's dessert

Fresh cheese tart with spearmint and anise. Soft, creamy and aromatic. The traditional dessert for all celebrations.

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Local wines and herbs

Formentera has almost 80 hectares of ungrafted vines (phylloxera never arrived). The local wines and thyme herbal liqueur are unique in the Mediterranean.

Recommended Restaurants

Sa Palera
📍 Es Pujols
Located in the heart of Es Pujols, it offers an excellent Mediterranean menu, highlighting its rice dishes and seafood in a cozy atmosphere. View on map.
💰💰 · Rice dishes · Mediterranean cuisine
Can Forn
📍 Sant Ferran de Ses Roques
Formentera's gastronomic encyclopedia. Fried octopus, dirty squid (a la bruta), peasant salad. Sustainability award winner. View on map.
💰💰 · Traditional Cuisine
Fonda Pepe
📍 Sant Ferran de Ses Roques
The legendary tavern of the hippie era. Open since the 60s. Friendly atmosphere and a history worth its weight in gold. View on map.
💰💰 · History + Gastronomy
Sa Figuera
📍 El Pilar de La Mola
One of the few open all year round. A local favorite in winter. Fresh prawns and squid cooked to family recipes. View on map.
💰💰 · Seafood Cuisine
Blue Bar
📍 Migjorn Beach
The most famous beach bar in Formentera. The legendary mojito with direct views of the wild sea. Live music at sunset. View on map.
💰💰 · Atmosphere · Cocktails
Macondo
📍 Sant Ferran de Ses Roques
The best pizza in Formentera at affordable prices. Doesn't accept reservations — arrive early. Authentic 90s hippie vibe. View on map.
💰💰 · Pizza · Pasta · Cheap
Pa i Vi
📍 Sant Francesc
A town classic with a varied menu of pinchos, tapas and wines. Ideal for a relaxed stop in the center. View on map.
💰💰 · Tapas · Wines
Bon Temps
📍 Sant Francesc
Market cuisine, fresh products and dishes with a modern touch served on a beautiful Mediterranean terrace. View on map.
💰💰 · Market cuisine · Terrace
💡 Money-saving tip: To eat cheaply, go to Sant Francesc or Sant Ferran (menu of the day for locals). Es Pujols is more touristy and expensive.
Hiking and Cycling

The 32 Green Routes

Formentera has a network of 32 official signposted routes for walking or cycling. Most are flat and accessible to everyone.

Green Route 1

🚲 La Savina → La Mola · 20 km

The great transverse route of the island. Crosses all the villages. With elevation gain going up to La Mola — e-bike recommended.

Green Route 19

🚶 Es Pujols → Ses Illetes · 4.6 km

The most famous coastal path. Perfect for sunset: ends exactly at Ses Illetes right when the sun touches the horizon.

Green Route 21

🚲 La Savina → Cala en Baster · 5 km

Travels the north coast along dirt paths through pine forests. Ends at the most authentic naturist cove on the island.

Es Trucadors

🚶 Punta de Es Trucadors · 2 km

The sandbar connecting Ses Illetes with Llevant. Sea on both sides. At the end, views of Espalmador. The most spectacular walk on the island.

Insider tips

Tips for your trip

What you need to know before you arrive to avoid the most common mistakes.

🎫

Book the ferry weeks in advance

In July and August, ferries sell out days in advance. Book online at Baleària, Aquabus or Trasmapi. The fast ferry (30 min) is more expensive but more comfortable.

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The bicycle is the best transport

The island is mostly flat. E-bikes allow you to climb La Mola effortlessly. Rent in La Savina as soon as you get off the ferry. Wear a helmet — it's mandatory.

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Get up early for the popular beaches

Ses Illetes and Caló des Morts have limited capacity. In high season, arrive before 9am. The reward: Europe's most beautiful beach practically to yourself.

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Respect the Posidonia

Do not step on or uproot the Posidonia oceanica, the system that keeps the waters crystal clear. It is protected by law. Fines are severe.

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Car in summer? Request a permit

From June 1 to September 30 you need prior authorization at formentera.eco. Quads are completely banned. Camping is too.

🍽

Eat in the villages, not on the beaches

The beach bars at Ses Illetes and Es Pujols are expensive. Sant Francesc and Sant Ferran have restaurants offering a daily menu at very reasonable prices.

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Sunsets at Cala Saona

The west coast is the perfect setting. Cala Saona, Cap de Barbaria and La Savina are the three best spots. Bring a bottle of local wine.

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Download the offline map

Coverage is patchy on the more remote beaches. Download the Formentera map on Google Maps or Maps.me before heading out. All 32 green routes are also on the Turisme de Formentera app.

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Snorkeling without pro gear

The visibility allows you to see the Posidonia meadows with just simple swimming goggles. Es Caló and Ses Platgetes are the best spots to start.

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Stay in the heart of Formentera

Can Xumeu Carlos is 3 minutes from Sant Francesc. The perfect starting point to explore the island with total privacy and fiber optic WiFi.

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