Formentera Travel Guide – Beaches, Routes & Quiet Days
Formentera is small enough to understand in a day and generous enough to deserve more. Think of it in four lines: La Savina & salt flats, Ses Illetes & northern beaches, Migjorn’s long south coast, and the La Mola plateau with lighthouse and wind. Plan with wind in mind—north wind favors the south shore, south wind favors the north.
Places & Landmarks
- Ses Illetes · White sand and glassy shallows. Walk both sides of the spit; water color shifts with the sun.
- Salines & Salt Flats · Pink and silver mirrors at the island’s entrance. Birds at dusk, quiet paths along the banks.
- Far de la Mola (Lighthouse) · Edge-of-the-world feeling. Cliffs, wind, and a horizon that cleans the head.
- Sant Francesc Xavier · Low houses, a square with shade, small shops for bread and fruit. Good mid-day pause.
- Es Pujols Boardwalk · Evening stroll, simple bars, and the sound of plates and cutlery, not traffic.
Start and end at La Savina (ferry). Pick one coast per day to avoid zig-zags. If wind rises, cross to the other side. Biking is best on flat paths between La Savina, Ses Illetes, and Sant Francesc; scooters help for La Mola.
Beaches & Simple Routes
- Illetes Loop (Bike) · La Savina → Ses Illetes → small coves west side → back via salt flats. Flat, easy, all light.
- Migjorn Drift · Park high, pick a wooden walkway, follow the sound of the sea. Long shore, many quiet entries.
- Es Caló · Clear snorkeling on calm days. Wooden boat ramps, small taverns, honest food.
- La Mola Walk · Short path along cliff edges around the lighthouse. Go early or late; take the air in slowly.
Activities that Fit the Place
Formentera asks for simple plans. A few that keep the day light:
- Bike Day · Rent in La Savina; flat lanes to Illetes and Sant Francesc. Stop for fruit, return with the sun.
- Snorkel Hour · Es Caló or quiet Migjorn pockets. Enter from sand, stay near shore, watch the seagrass ripple.
- Boat Shuttle · On very calm days, small boats hop between coves. Sit on the bow; let the island pass slowly.
- Market & Shade · Sant Francesc mornings, or La Mola’s craft stalls on select days—only if you already pass by.
Season & Timing
- May–June · Clear water, flowers, quiet roads. Best balance.
- July–August · Full beaches and heat; arrive early, take long shade at noon.
- September–October · Warm sea, softer light, slower nights.
- Winter · Few services, wide skies, good walking weather.
Getting There & Around
Ferries run from Ibiza Town (Eivissa) to La Savina through the day. For flexibility, a Two-Way Ferry Ticket lets you choose return times after you’ve seen the light and wind. On arrival, rent bikes for Illetes and town routes, a scooter if you plan La Mola. Cars feel heavy here unless traveling with small children or lots of gear.
Where to Stay (if not day-tripping)
- La Savina · Best for first ferry in/last ferry out and easy bike pickup.
- Es Pujols · Evening walk, cafés, simple hotels. Livelier but still human-scale.
- Migjorn · Long, quiet shore; boardwalks over dunes; low light at sunset.
- Sant Francesc · Central base, calm square, quick reach to both coasts.
Two Simple Day Plans
Morning ferry → bikes to Ses Illetes → long swim and shade → slow lunch in Sant Francesc → evening stroll in Es Pujols → late return.
Scooter to Migjorn boardwalk → read, swim, repeat → late light at La Mola lighthouse → quiet dinner near La Savina.
Small Notes
- Bring a refillable bottle and a light layer—wind cools fast after sunset.
- Reef-safe sunscreen; shade matters more than reapplications in midday hours.
- Respect dunes and seagrass; they keep the water clear and beaches shaped.
- Card works in most places; keep a little cash for small cafés.
If you want a clear plan before boarding, read our Formentera Day Trip guide. It keeps transfers short and swims long.