Formentera

Late spring and early autumn are the best times. The weather is warm, the sea is swimmable from early summer, and the island is calmer. July and August are the busiest months. Beaches, ferries and restaurants are full, and prices are highest.

Winter is quiet. Many hotels, restaurants and beach bars close from late autumn until spring, so check opening times before you book.

• Ses Illetes is the island's most famous beach. It lies on a narrow sandy strip in the north, with shallow, clear water on both sides.
• The Cap de Barbaria lighthouse stands on a flat, dry headland in the far south. It is a popular place to watch the sunset.
• La Mola Lighthouse stands on a cliff at the eastern end of the island. A monument next to it honors Jules Verne, who mentioned the place in a novel.
• Migjorn beach runs for several kilometers along the south coast. It is wide and has plenty of space, even in summer.
• Cala Saona is a sheltered bay on the west coast with calm water. It faces the sunset and suits families.
• The Ses Salines salt pans, north of the main port, are shallow lagoons next to the northern beaches. Birds stop here on migration.
• The Ca na Costa megalithic tomb, near Sant Francesc Xavier, is more than 3,500 years old. It is one of the oldest sites on the island.
• The church of Sant Francesc Xavier is the island's main village church. It has thick walls because it also served as a refuge from pirates.

• Cycle across the island from the port to La Mola, and stop at a village on the way.
• Browse a craft market. The La Mola market is known for handmade crafts and has a hippie history that goes back to the 1960s. Opening days change by season.
• Take a boat to Espalmador for the mud pool and a swim.
• Snorkel in the clear, shallow water of the northern beaches.
• Look for birds around the salt pans, especially during spring and autumn migration.

Formentera is a small island, so the best day trips go by boat.

• Espalmador, a small uninhabited island just north of Formentera. Boats leave from La Savina and Ses Illetes. It has a calm beach and a famous mud pool.
• Ibiza, 30 minutes by fast ferry from the port of La Savina. Ibiza Town has a historic walled upper town that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Formentera is part of the Balearic Islands.

• Heading north: Ibiza is the nearest island and the usual gateway.
• Other Balearic islands: Mallorca and Menorca are further north-east and easiest to reach from the mainland or by plane.

• By air: Formentera has no airport. Most visitors fly into Ibiza Airport (IBZ), then take a bus or taxi to Ibiza Town port. The transfer is short.
• By sea from Ibiza: Ferries run from Ibiza Town to La Savina, Formentera's main port. Fast ferries take about 30 minutes, and there are frequent departures in summer. Sailings are fewer in winter. Details: Formentera tourism: transport.
• By sea from the mainland: Some seasonal ferries link the mainland to Formentera. Most travelers still go through Ibiza.
• On arrival: La Savina is where buses, bike rentals and taxis wait. Book high-season ferries ahead if you bring a vehicle.

• Bicycle: The island is flat and small. Cycling is the best way to reach most beaches and villages. Rentals are easy to find at La Savina and in the main resorts.
• Public bus: Buses link La Savina, Sant Francesc Xavier, Es Pujols, the beaches and La Mola. They are useful for the climb to La Mola. Check the current timetable on the island's official tourism website, Formentera tourism: transport.
• Scooter and taxi: Scooters are popular. Taxis are available but cost more in summer.
• On foot: Villages are small, and walking trails link beaches, salt pans and lighthouses. Shade is limited.

• Is a car worth it? Not really. The island is small, and a bike or scooter is faster and easier to park. A car helps mainly if you stay far from the main villages.
• Parking: Spaces near the northern beaches fill up early in summer. Go by bike or bus, or arrive in the morning.
• Restrictions: Each summer, the number of cars and motorbikes that can enter the island is limited. If you plan to bring a car on the ferry, check the current rules and any fees before you travel.

Seafood is the main local food. Look for fresh fish, grilled or in a stew. Dried fish, local figs and sea salt from the salt pans are good things to take home.

Eat in the fishing hamlet of Es Caló, in La Savina and in Es Pujols. Sant Francesc Xavier, the main village, has many small cafes. Beach restaurants fill up at lunch in summer, so book ahead.

Formentera is very safe for visitors. Petty theft from beach bags and bikes happens sometimes, so lock your bike and do not leave valuables on the sand.

The sun is strong and shade is limited on many beaches. Bring sun protection and water. In summer, wind can make some beaches rough. Choose the side of the island that is sheltered that day.

Do not anchor boats on the seagrass meadows. This is forbidden because the seagrass is protected. Serious medical cases may be moved to Ibiza, so carry travel insurance.

People lived on Formentera more than 3,500 years ago. The Ca na Costa tomb near Sant Francesc Xavier is one of the island's oldest sites. Later, the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors all passed through.

From the 15th century until the early 18th century, pirate attacks left the island almost empty. From 1697, families from Ibiza began to resettle it. The church of Sant Francesc Xavier and the old watchtowers around the coast, such as the Torre de sa Gavina, date from the 18th century.

Salt production and farming shaped the economy for a long time. In the 1960s, the island became known among hippies, and that spirit still shapes the craft markets at La Mola today. The Ses Salines salt pans and the seagrass meadows are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site shared with Ibiza.

Quick practical facts for Spain at a glance: