UltimateIsland Guide Formentera
Our favourites
Aerial view of the white sand spit of Ses Illetes and Llevant, the salt pans and, across the strait, Ibiza and Es Vedrà Aerial view of the white sand spit of Ses Illetes and Llevant, the salt pans and, across the strait, Ibiza and Es Vedrà Aerial view of the cliffs of Cap de Barbaria and its lighthouse in the evening light Yachts on the turquoise water off Ses Illetes, with Es Vedrà on the horizon The bay of Es Pujols from above: rocks, turquoise water and white houses

The island guide to Formentera, Spain

Best of Formentera

A white spit of sand between two seas, two lighthouses on the cliffs, a craft market on a plateau, and an island best explored by bike.

Where to eatWhat to see
A cruise ship in the Bay of Kotor, MontenegroSister guideULTIMATE CruisesLines, ships and itineraries, from river to expeditionThe Matterhorn in winter above ZermattSister guideULTIMATE Ski ResortsSeason dates, hotels, après and ski schools, resort by resort

Your trusted, one‑stop guide to Formentera

Formentera lies just south of Ibiza, and it has no airport: you arrive by sea, usually on the 30-minute ferry from Ibiza. Its north lies in the Ses Salines natural park, with the white sands of Ses Illetes and Llevant; lighthouses stand on the cliffs of La Mola and Cap de Barbaria; and the villages of Sant Francesc and Sant Ferran hold markets most days of the week. We’ve checked every listing against the venue’s own website or an official source, and we leave out anything we can’t confirm.

Far de Barbaria

Cap de Barbaria

The Far de Barbaria

Cap de Barbaria·Lighthouse

A lighthouse on a 100-metre cliff at the southern tip of the island, the Balearics’ closest point to Africa, in the Consell’s words. Cycle out along Green Route 8 in the late afternoon and stay for the sunset.

Plan your visit

Formentera by area

From the port of La Savina to the lighthouses at either end: each area has its own guide.

The pink salt pans of Ses Salines and the Estany Pudent from the airArea guideLa SavinaThe port where you arriveThe fortress-church of Sant Francesc Xavier, its stone walls and arched gateArea guideSant FrancescThe little capitalAerial view of the white sand spit of Ses Illetes and Llevant, the salt pans and, across the strait, Ibiza and Es VedràArea guideSes Illetes & Ses SalinesThe white spit and the salt flatsThe bay of Es Pujols from above: rocks, turquoise water and white housesArea guideEs Pujols & Sant FerranThe north coast and its villageEs Caló de Sant Agustí from above, white houses between the pines and the seaArea guideMigjorn & Es CalóThe long south coastThe Molí Vell de la Mola, a stone windmill with its lattice sailsArea guideLa Mola & El PilarThe plateau and its marketAerial view of the cliffs of Cap de Barbaria and its lighthouse in the evening lightArea guideCap de Barbaria & Cala SaonaThe southern cape

The Balearic Islands

Formentera’s neighbours, a ferry away.

Ibiza town and its harbour from the walls of Dalt VilaIbiza · Our sister guideIbiza30 minutes by ferry: Dalt Vila and Ibiza TownDunes and white sand at the northern tip of Formentera, looking across to s’Espalmadors’Espalmador · The ruless’EspalmadorLanding, buoys and the lagoonLa Seu, Palma’s Gothic cathedral, and the Almudaina above the old sea wallMallorca · Our sister guideMallorcaPalma, the Tramuntana and FormentorFormentera from the air: La Mola, the long Migjorn coast, the lagoons and the spit of Ses IlletesThe Balearics · Our hubThe Balearic IslandsAll four islands at a glance

Plan your trip

The practical things to know before you go.

The sandy spit of Es Trucadors between two seas, with Ibiza on the horizonBefore you goFormentera essentialsFerries, the vehicle limit and the park rulesThe pink salt pans of Ses Salines and the Estany Pudent from the airGetting aroundGetting aroundFerries, buses, taxis and bikesThe Far de Barbaria on its cliff at sunsetItineraryBy bike to BarbariaThe classic dayYachts on the turquoise water off Ses Illetes, with Es Vedrà on the horizonLuxury guideLuxury FormenteraThe finest addresses

In depth: Formentera’s back stories

The capes and lighthouses, the natural park, the hotels, how to eat and where to buy.

Aerial view of the cliffs of Cap de Barbaria and its lighthouse in the evening lightThe back storyLighthouses and capesFrom La Mola to BarbariaAerial view of the white sand spit of Ses Illetes and Llevant, the salt pans and, across the strait, Ibiza and Es VedràThe back storySes SalinesThe beaches and the rulesThe bay of Es Pujols from above: rocks, turquoise water and white housesThe back storyWhere to stayBeach, village or portBoathouses and rocks at Es Caló de Sant AgustíThe back storyEating in FormenteraRice by the sea to chefs’ tablesFormentera from the air: La Mola, the long Migjorn coast, the lagoons and the spit of Ses IlletesFun factsFormentera fun factsThings you might not know

ULTIMATE City Guides: Europe & beyond

Planning a longer journey? Each city in the network has its own independent guide, written with the same care and checked place by place. Here are the guides that are live, with more on the way.

The Alhambra in Granada in the evening lightSpainULTIMATE AndalusiaSeville, Granada and the Alhambra, Córdoba, Málaga, Cádiz and Jerez, Ronda and the white villages, Doñana and Cabo de Gata.Visit the guide The Acropolis of Athens by day, seen from Philopappos HillGreeceULTIMATE AthensThe Acropolis and the Plaka, rooftop bars facing the Parthenon, the Athens Riviera and the Greek islands: our original guide, and our deepest.Visit the guide The road winding out to the lighthouse on Cap de Formentor, Mallorca, above the open seaSpainULTIMATE Balearic IslandsMallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera side by side, and how to hop between them by ferry.Visit the guide The Sagrada Família lit up at nightSpainULTIMATE BarcelonaGaudí and the Sagrada Família, the Gothic Quarter, four Three-Star MICHELIN kitchens, the beaches and day trips to Montserrat and Girona.Visit the guide Belgrade's old town and the spire of the Cathedral Church of St Michael above the Sava at sunsetSerbiaULTIMATE BelgradeWhere the Sava meets the Danube: a buzzing capital of art, classical music and famous nightlife, with a new waterfront and the mountains of Zlatibor and Kopaonik.Visit the guide The Romanian Athenaeum in its gardenRomaniaULTIMATE BucharestBelle Époque palaces, concerts at the Athenaeum, a buzzing food and coffee scene, and the castles and mountains of the Carpathians.Visit the guide The Hungarian Parliament lit up at night on the DanubeHungaryULTIMATE BudapestThermal baths, grand coffee houses, ruin bars and MICHELIN-starred dining on both banks of the Danube, with day trips to the Danube Bend and Lake Balaton.Visit the guide A cruise ship in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegroships & regions)ULTIMATE Cruises (linesThe world’s cruise lines for every budget, from family resort ships to yachts, expedition ships and river boats, with the cruising regions port by port.Visit the guide The Baie des Anges, NiceFranceULTIMATE French RivieraNice, Cannes, Antibes, Cap Ferrat, Èze, Menton, Saint-Tropez and Cassis: palace hotels, three-star tables, beach clubs, the Festival de Cannes and the painters’ coast.Visit the guide Blue domes of Oia above the Santorini calderaGreeceULTIMATE Greek IslandsIsland hopping made easy: Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Milos and the Cyclades, plus Crete, Rhodes and Corfu, with ferries, beaches, hotels and tavernas.Visit the guide Helsinki Cathedral above the South HarbourFinlandULTIMATE HelsinkiSuomenlinna and the South Harbour, saunas by the sea, Aalto and the Design District, two-starred Palace and day trips to Porvoo and Tallinn.Visit the guide The walls of Dalt Vila and the cathedral above the harbour of Ibiza Town, in late sunSpainULTIMATE IbizaDalt Vila’s UNESCO walls, Es Vedrà, three MICHELIN-starred kitchens, the beach clubs and the quiet north, 30 minutes from Formentera.Visit the guide The Golden Horn and the mosques of the old city, IstanbulTurkeyULTIMATE IstanbulTwo continents, one city: Hagia Sophia and the bazaars, Bosphorus ferries, meyhanes and rooftop bars, Sinan’s hammams and the car-free Princes’ Islands.Visit the guide The Triple Bridge over the LjubljanicaSloveniaULTIMATE LjubljanaSlovenia’s green, car-free capital of river cafés and Plečnik’s bridges, an hour from Lake Bled, the Julian Alps, the caves and the Adriatic.Visit the guide The Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth TowerUnited KingdomULTIMATE LondonRoyal palaces and the Thames, world-class museums, West End theatre, grand hotels, and the restaurants and bars of Soho, Mayfair and the City.Visit the guide La Seu, Palma’s Gothic cathedral, and the Almudaina above the old sea wall, seen from the Parc de la MarSpainULTIMATE MallorcaPalma’s cathedral and palace hotels, the UNESCO Tramuntana, Deià and Sóller, nine MICHELIN-starred kitchens, and Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.Visit the guide Yachts in Puerto BanúsSpainULTIMATE MarbellaWhitewashed lanes and orange trees in the Old Town, the yachts of Puerto Banús, beach clubs on the Golden Mile and day trips to Ronda and Gibraltar.Visit the guide Turquoise water below the pine-topped cliffs at Cala Macarella, MenorcaSpainULTIMATE MenorcaA UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: the coves of Macarella and Turqueta, World Heritage Talayotic sites, Ciutadella and Maó’s great harbour.Visit the guide Monaco from above, Port Hercule and Monte-Carlo below the mountainsOur sister guideULTIMATE MonacoThe Casino and Monte-Carlo’s palace hotels, the Prince’s Palace on the Rock, superyachts in Port Hercule, Larvotto’s beach clubs and the Grand Prix streets.Visit the guide The Millennium Bridge over the MoračaMontenegroULTIMATE PodgoricaMontenegro’s relaxed capital of rivers and café terraces, and the gateway to the Bay of Kotor, Lake Skadar, Cetinje and the mountains.Visit the guide The Sebilj fountain and the square of BaščaršijaBosnia & HerzegovinaULTIMATE SarajevoWhere East meets West at a line in the pavement: an Ottoman bazaar, Habsburg boulevards, Bosnian coffee and the 1984 Olympic mountains, with Mostar two hours away.Visit the guide The Matterhorn in winter above ZermattOur sister guideULTIMATE Ski Resorts (Europe & North America)Ski resorts in Europe and North America, country by country, for every budget: season dates, hotels, mountain restaurants, après, ski schools and getting there.Visit the guide The Stone Bridge over the VardarNorth MacedoniaULTIMATE SkopjeA 15th-century stone bridge between a 21st-century square and an Ottoman bazaar, Kenzo Tange’s concrete city, Matka Canyon, and Lake Ohrid three hours away.Visit the guide The gilded domes of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, SofiaBulgariaULTIMATE SofiaRoman streets beneath the city, golden domes, warm mineral springs and a mountain at the end of the main boulevard.Visit the guide Skanderbeg Square with the Et’hem Bey MosqueAlbaniaULTIMATE TiranaAn Ottoman mosque painted with waterfalls, museums in bunkers, Blloku’s cafés and the Dajti cable car, with Berat, Gjirokastër, the Alps and the Riviera within reach.Visit the guide Rolling green hills and a farmhouse near Pienza in the Val d’OrciaItalyULTIMATE TuscanyFlorence, Chianti, Siena, the Val d’Orcia, Pisa and Lucca, Versilia, Bolgheri, the Maremma, Arezzo and Elba.Visit the guide The tiled roof of St Mark’s Church in Zagreb’s Upper TownCroatiaULTIMATE ZagrebCroatia’s elegant capital of cafés, museums and markets, and the gateway to Plitvice Lakes, Istria, Dubrovnik and the islands of the Adriatic.Visit the guide Bixby Creek Bridge on the Big Sur coastUSAULTIMATE CaliforniaSan Francisco, Napa and Sonoma, Big Sur and the Pacific Coast Highway, San Diego, Palm Springs, Lake Tahoe and the national parks.Visit the guide The beach at Rosemary Beach on the Gulf of MexicoUSAULTIMATE FloridaOrlando and the theme parks, Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Sarasota, St. Augustine and Scenic Highway 30A.Visit the guide The Las Vegas Strip at duskNevadaULTIMATE Las VegasThe Strip and its shows, MICHELIN dining, Sphere and Fremont Street’s neon, with Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon beyond.Visit the guide Griffith Observatory with downtown Los Angeles beyondCaliforniaULTIMATE Los AngelesHollywood and the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills’ grand hotels, the Sunset Strip, the Getty and the beaches from Santa Monica to Malibu.Visit the guide Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive, Miami BeachFloridaULTIMATE MiamiSouth Beach and the Art Deco district, Wynwood’s murals, the Design District, Little Havana’s cafecito and the beaches of Key Biscayne.Visit the guide Sunset at the Naples PierFloridaULTIMATE NaplesWhite-sand beaches and sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico, Fifth Avenue’s terraces, grand beach resorts and golf, with the Everglades and Marco Island close by.Visit the guide The New York City skyline from Top of the RockNew YorkULTIMATE New YorkManhattan’s grand hotels and MICHELIN dining, Broadway and the Met, Fifth Avenue shopping, Central Park and the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO.Visit the guide The Golden Gate Bridge seen from Battery SpencerCaliforniaULTIMATE San FranciscoCable cars over Nob Hill, North Beach cafés, the murals of the Mission, three-star tables and the Golden Gate Bridge.Visit the guide Goat Cay and the turquoise shallows of the ExumasOur sister guideULTIMATE The BahamasSeven hundred islands: Nassau and Paradise Island, the Exuma Cays and the swimming pigs, Harbour Island’s pink sand, marinas and island hopping.Visit the guide The golden sand and calm water of Paynes Bay, St. JamesOur sister guideULTIMATE BarbadosThe Platinum West Coast and Sandy Lane, UNESCO-listed Bridgetown, rum where it was born, Friday nights in Oistins and the wild Atlantic east.Visit the guide Gros Piton and Petit Piton, the twin volcanic spires of the UNESCO-listed PitonsOur sister guideULTIMATE St LuciaThe UNESCO Pitons and Soufrière’s drive-in volcano, Marigot Bay, Rodney Bay and the Gros Islet street party, reefs, rum and cocoa.Visit the guide The Grand Palace reflected at dawnThailandULTIMATE BangkokThe Grand Palace and Wat Arun on the river, the grand hotels of Charoen Krung, MICHELIN stars from street food to tasting menus, rooftop bars and the Thai islands.Visit the guide An aerial view of a small island ringed by reef in the MaldivesOur sister guideULTIMATE MaldivesUndersea restaurants and overwater bars, Hanifaru Bay’s mantas, the whale sharks of South Ari, private islands and the little capital, Malé.Visit the guide The Taj Mahal Palace and the Gateway of India from the harbourIndiaULTIMATE MumbaiThe Taj and the Gateway of India, Marine Drive’s Queen’s Necklace, three UNESCO sites, modern Indian restaurants and day trips to Elephanta and the Ghats.Visit the guide The Lujiazui skyline lit up at night across the Huangpu RiverChinaULTIMATE ShanghaiThe grand hotels of the Bund facing the towers of Pudong, every MICHELIN star, Yu Garden, the two Shanghai Museums and day trips to Suzhou and Hangzhou.Visit the guide A caparisoned elephant in the Esala Perahera procession, KandyOur sister guideULTIMATE Sri LankaColombo, the ramparts of Galle Fort, the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, the tea country by train, Sigiriya and leopards in Yala.Visit the guide Burj Khalifa and Business Bay at blue hourUnited Arab EmiratesULTIMATE DubaiBurj Khalifa and the Fountain, abras on the Creek, resorts on the Palm, every MICHELIN star of 2026 and day trips to Abu Dhabi and Hatta.Visit the guide

HOT TOPICS · Have Your Say

The latest from our readers: visitors and locals talking about Formentera, its restaurants, theatres, museums and neighbourhoods.

    Have your say in HOT TOPICS

    Pla de la Mola loop

    This week's pick

    Pla de la Mola loop

    La Mola·Green Route

    On two wheels: the XXXII BTT La Mola, the island’s mountain-bike event, is on 31 October and 1 November 2026, in the Consell de Formentera’s agenda (formentera.es). Or ride the 12.3 km Pla de la Mola loop at your own pace.

    Find out more

    Every list in the guide

    Plan your day

    Aerial view of the white sand spit of Ses Illetes and Llevant, the salt pans and, across the strait, Ibiza and Es VedràItinerarySant Francesc and Ses Salines in a dayOne day, by bike and on footThe Far de Barbaria on its cliff at sunsetItineraryBy bike or scooter to Cap de BarbariaOne day, by bike or scooterThe whitewashed church of El Pilar de la Mola and its bell gableItineraryLa Mola on a market dayWednesday or Sunday, on foot and by busYachts on the turquoise water off Ses Illetes, with Es Vedrà on the horizonItineraryThree days by boat: Ibiza to FormenteraThree days, by yacht or ferryThe stone façade and bell gable of the church of Sant Ferran de ses RoquesItineraryA property viewing day: Sant Francesc, Sant Ferran and La MolaOne day, by car or scooter

    Know your neighbourhoods

    Our favourites right now

    Restaurants

    1. 1Eating in Formentera: the back storySant Ferran · In depth
    2. 2Es Molí de SalSes Illetes · Fish restaurant
    3. 3Can CarlitosLa Savina · Restaurant
    See all 10

    Cafés & food

    1. 1Café MatinalSant Francesc · Café
    2. 2Cafe de Formentera 28Es Pujols · Café
    3. 3Bar CentroSant Francesc · Café-bar
    See all 8

    Bars

    1. 1Blue BarMigjorn · Beach bar
    2. 2PiratabusMigjorn · Beach bar
    3. 3Gecko Beach ClubMigjorn · Beach club
    See all 6

    Hotels

    1. 1Where to stay in Formentera: the back storyEs Pujols · In depth
    2. 2Five Flowers Hotel & SpaEs Pujols · Five-star hotel
    3. 3Hostal MayansEs Pujols · Hostal
    See all 11

    Sights

    1. 1Formentera’s lighthouses and capes: the back storyCap de Barbaria · In depth
    2. 2Far de BarbariaCap de Barbaria · Lighthouse
    3. 3Far de la MolaLa Mola · Lighthouse
    See all 11

    Museums & Arts

    1. 1La Mola Lighthouse: the art collectionLa Mola · Art collection
    2. 2Can Marroig interpretation centreSes Salines · Visitor centre
    3. 3Ethnographic CollectionSant Francesc · Museum
    See all 6

    Parks & beaches

    1. 1Ses Salines and the beaches: the back storySes Illetes · In depth
    2. 2Parc Natural de ses SalinesSes Salines · Natural park
    3. 3Ses IlletesSes Illetes · Beach
    See all 8

    Walks

    1. 1Camí de sa Pujada (Roman path)La Mola · Green Route
    2. 2La Savina to Ses IlletesSes Illetes · Green Route
    3. 3Sant Francesc to the Far de BarbariaCap de Barbaria · Green Route
    See all 6

    Shopping

    1. 1La Mola craft marketLa Mola · Craft market
    2. 2Sant Ferran arts and crafts marketSant Ferran · Evening market
    3. 3Enotecum FormenteraSant Francesc · Wine shop
    See all 6

    Health

    1. 1Emergencies: call 112Formentera · Emergency number
    2. 2Hospital de FormenteraSant Francesc · Public hospital
    3. 3Àrea de Salut d’Eivissa i FormenteraFormentera · Health service
    See all 5

    Property

    1. 1Buying in Formentera: the back storySant Francesc · In depth
    2. 2Inmobiliaria Cecilio (Formentera office)Sant Francesc · Estate agency
    3. 3LaffittacaseLa Savina · Estate agency
    See all 5

    Markets

    1. 1La Mola craft marketLa Mola · Craft market
    2. 2Sant Ferran arts and crafts marketSant Ferran · Evening market
    3. 3Es Pujols street marketEs Pujols · Night market
    See all 6

    Cars & yachts

    1. 1The summer vehicle limit (1 June–30 September)Formentera · Rules on the road
    2. 2Marina de FormenteraLa Savina · Marina
    3. 3Marina La SavinaLa Savina · Marina
    See all 7

    Getting Around

    1. 1Baleària (Ibiza–La Savina)La Savina · Ferries
    2. 2Trasmapi (Ibiza–La Savina)La Savina · Ferries
    3. 3Aquabus (Ibiza Town–Formentera)La Savina · Ferries
    See all 7

    The ULTIMATE letter

    Formentera in your inbox

    An occasional email with new places, events and our latest in-depth articles. No spam, ever.