Formentera in 5 days

Formentera doesn’t have its own airport, so the only way to reach the island is by ferry from Ibiza. Your first stop will be the port of La Savina.

On your arrival, we advise you to come and see us at the Tourist Information Office to obtain a map of the island and a map of the Green Routes; Formentera has a host of natural hideaways that you won’t want to miss. Here you can find details of scheduled activities and events

You can also access other services offered by Formentera’s Tourist Office to help you organise and make the most of your holiday:

• Audioguides: discover the island’s heritage using this resource
• Live Web Cams: One way of seeing the island’s main beaches before you visit them.
• WhatsApp (+34 607 111 716): At Formentera’s Tourism Hub, we can answer specific questions via WhatsApp.

Our first stop-off will be in Formentera’s capital, Sant Francesc. This town has a remarkable historical heritage, so go for a stroll through its streets and visit the parish church of Sant Francesc, the town’s most prestigious building, completed in 1738. Here you can also visit the Ethnographic Museum and learn more about the island’s history.

In the streets of Sant Francesc (from Monday to Saturday between May and October), you can browse in the craft market for all sorts of pieces created by artisans living on Formentera. Also, on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, you will find a flea market in the Jardí de Ses Eres (behind the church).

If you’re an art lover, you shouldn’t miss the exhibitions at the Ajuntament Vell and the Centre Gabrielet.

Oh, yes! And don’t forget to enjoy a good breakfast, brunch or lunch on one of the terraces.

In addition, during the summer months, everyone can enjoy the screening of classic and modern Spanish and international films every Tuesday in the Jardí de Ses Eres, behind the church. You can even hear live Jazz in the square every Saturday from 10.00 pm onwards.

Now it’s time to visit one of the famous coves. To make your first day a resounding success, we’ll go to nearby Cala Saona.

Cala Saona is known as the jewel of Formentera’s western coastline, as it is the only sandy beach nestled among the cliffs that dominate the island’s south-western coast. Unlike the open beaches found elsewhere on the island, this is a cove, a small inlet flanked by cliffs of reddish sand that contrast vividly with the turquoise waters — you’re bound to fall in love with this magical spot.

How do I get there?

Leaving Sant Francesc, head towards Cap de Barbaria, and halfway there, you’ll see a diversion sign directing you westwards. At the end of the tarmac road, there is a car park where you can leave your vehicle; this provides easy access to the beach.

And to end the day, a breathtaking sunset at Es Cap de Barbaria.

An almost desert landscape, a narrow road, a far-off lighthouse in the centre against the blue backdrop of the sea… all of these are part of our collective cinematic imagination. To the point where Julio Medem used it for his famous film Sex and Lucia — now does it ring a bell?

Don’t forget that between May and October, visitors have to walk the last 2 km; you’ll need to leave your vehicle in the car park provided. Check the opening times of the barrier for those with reduced mobility.

In the area around the lighthouse is the cave Cova Foradada, another place well worth a visit. This cave, accessed via a hole in the ground, leads to a very special viewing point. We recommend that you take particular care when visiting this site.

An interesting archaeological fact: during the Bronze Age (1,600 – 1,000 BC), this was a densely populated area, as is demonstrated by the archaeological sites open to the public.

For those who love a good wine, there is also the opportunity while in this area to visit the Cap de Barbaria winery, a superb choice for a wine tasting session (www.capdebarbaria.com).

Distance: 5,600 m / Ascent: 23 m / Difficulty Easy

Start the day with a cycling tour of Estany Pudent (see Green Route Nº 2), a site with a rich biodiversity and great opportunities for birdwatching.

Estany Pudent is the site of one of the largest populations of black-necked grebes in the whole of Europe. Watching them on a calm day, when the lake is like a gleaming mirror, is an amazing spectacle.

You can download more information about the Green Routes Guide and the Catalogue of Bird Species of Formentera.

Distance: 3,400 m / Ascent: 4 m / Difficulty Easy

We will take a cycling tour around the island, following Green Route Nº 1 (La Savina – Ses Illetes). We’ll join this route from Estany Pudent, and as we continue along the Sa Guia road, we can enjoy a landscape of juniper trees, bushes, sand dunes and turquoise waters.

The first beach we come to is Cavall d’en Borràs which, with its astonishingly limpid waters, resembles a natural swimming pool. Next, we arrive at the famous beach of Ses Illetes, with its typical miniature islands. Many guides, including Lonely Planet, list this as one of the finest beaches in the world.

If we feel like it, we can continue on foot to Es Trucadors, the long spit of sand that joins the eastern and western halves of the island. It’s a path composed of sand and rocks, with the sea on both sides. At the end of the path, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the neighbouring island of *S’Espalmador.

*Note that S’Espalmador can only be accessed by boat.

At the end of your trip, choose one of the beach bars or restaurants to enjoy a good lunch, surrounded by the sea.

We know this has been quite a long day, and you’re probably a little more tired than usual, so we recommend you round off the day with a leisurely stroll around the Sant Ferran Art and Craft Market, before enjoying typical Formentera cuisine in one of the local restaurants.

Also, if you’re a true film lover, every Thursday in the square in front of Sant Ferran’s church, you can enjoy outdoor cinema – a classic highlight of summer on Formentera. And if you happen to be there on a Friday, you can enjoy live music in the main square — what a great idea!

Today, we’re going to get up early and set off for Es Carnatge beach (also known as Costa des Carnatge), a quiet, rural area whose main attraction is the little fishing village of Es Caló de Sant Agustí.

Go on to visit Es Caló de Sant Agustí and take in the relaxed ambience of this traditional fishing village with its unique natural harbour that retains its seafaring character with its landing quay and wooden slipways. The village was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2002.

Here, we recommend you indulge yourself with a fine local gourmet feast in one of the town’s traditional restaurants. You’ll be astounded!

Around 50 metres further on you can relax at Ses Platgetes, a charming but seldom-visited spot with three sandy beaches where you can soak up the sun.

Thanks to the presence of oceanic Posidonia that grows in these crystal-clear turquoise waters, underwater visibility stretches to around 50 metres. We recommend that you take your snorkelling kit so you can appreciate (and wonder at) the effects of this plant on the ecosystem.

And if you still have the energy, you can get some exercise on Green Route Nº 25 (Es Caló de Sant Agustí – El Pilar de la Mola), an ancient route used by the inhabitants of La Mola, and a walk that offers a combination of historical and natural sights, rocks and sea, past and present. As you climb, you’ll be treated to the finest panoramic views on the island, including Racó de Sa Pujada and the Pou des Verro. For this walk, we recommend you wear training shoes or similar.

El Pilar de la Mola, a quiet, charming and friendly town. Here, we recommend you visit the Terramoll winery (www.terramoll.es) to enjoy the second wine-tasting session of your holiday.

We also recommend a visit to the church of El Pilar, built in the eighteenth century to serve the spiritual needs of this very remote community. Also, well worth a visit is the town’s old mill “Molí Vell” and its museum. The Molí Vell has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest. It is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm, and admission is free.

Nor should you miss El Pilar de la Mola’s renowned craft market, held between May and October on Wednesdays and Sundays from 4.30 pm until 10.30 pm. Here, you can find genuine works of art and traditional local craft items: baskets, espadrilles, jewellery, textiles and glass, ceramic and leather items, as well as paintings and other works by artists resident on Formentera. And there’s always live music to add to the atmosphere.

For a perfect end to the day, why not go and see the famous lighthouse located just 2 km along the main road? Marvel at the views from these spectacular cliffs. The seafaring museum attached to the lighthouse is also open to the public.

Today’s the day we plunge into the island’s idyllic waters! We suggest a morning of water sports in the Levante/Es Pujols area of beach.

First-time dive sessions and courses, as well as introductory courses for kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, Optimist and Laser dinghy sailing, and catamaran sailing are available at very affordable prices, and guarantee an unforgettable experience here.

If you’re a fan of water sports, we provide a catalogue giving more detailed information, together with details of the companies organising these activities. Access it here.

Another of this area’s great attractions is its vast range of restaurants, offering everything from local cooking to international cuisine. Why not take a stroll around to see what appeals to you? Remember that the best-located eateries are those with terraces offering a view of the beach.

Distance: 4,600 m / Ascent: 5 m / Difficulty: Medium

In the afternoon, it’s time to stretch your legs again — this time on Green Route Nº 19 (Es Pujols – Sa Roqueta – Ses Illetes), a perfect route for running enthusiasts, and the best connection between Es Pujols and the Ses Iletes beach.

We’ll follow the entire eastern coastline, and we’ll finish our run and our day by enjoying a spectacular sunset at the point where Ses Illetes beach starts. Seeing the sun sinking down into the sea is truly an awe-inspiring sight.

As night falls, Es Pujols comes to life with its street market and live music. During the summer months (May – October), the market is open from Monday to Sunday between 7.30 pm and 11.30 pm, while every Thursday, you can hear live music from a plethora of artists in Plaza Europa square.

Your last day to enjoy the delights of Formentera! So how do you fancy spending the morning in the Migjorn area? We recommend following the island’s southern coastline, which includes a five-kilometre stretch of unspoilt beaches. You’ll be rewarded by a hugely varied landscape: transparent, turquoise-coloured waters with that distinct blue hue, unique to Formentera, that characterises all the island’s beaches.

This is Formentera’s longest beach, made up of various sandy coves separated from each other by strands of rock. Each cove has its own name and several access points.

Along here, you’ll find a great range of typical Formentera’s beach bars and restaurants, where you can enjoy a good paella or a caldereta de langosta, lobster stew, if that’s what you fancy — but of course, there are plenty of other dishes to choose from!

We hope this guide has proved helpful. If you’d like more detailed information about each particular location, we recommend that you click on the links you’ll find throughout the article; you can download the other guides, brochures and maps by clicking on this link. See you in Formentera!