A little over 20 km south Ibiza lies the blissful and bohemian island of Formentera, an unspoilt, peaceful paradise with gorgeous beaches, sparkling waters, and charming villages - it is one of the easiest spots to lose yourself in that we know of.

Beaches with the whitest sand and waters the clearest and most crystalline you could ever hope for have marked out this island as one of the most idyllic destinations in the Balearics. Many believe that the beaches on Formentera are among the best in the world, and when you get there, you will think so too.

Off the beaten track and away from the main beaches, you can discover many deserted coves to steal away from any crowds.

How to enjoy the island

Formentera is a great destination for when you just want to lie on a beach, eat fine food, drink good wine, and sleep long languorous hours. It has attracted everyone from Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix to Madonna and Leonardo DiCaprio - all drawn by its incredible peacefulness.

You can stay on Formentera for a couple of weeks of deep relaxation or just head over for a day trip from Ibiza. Whilst you could see the entire island in a day, it's better to take life at the slow pace that is this place's hallmark. Laze on a beach, have lunch in a beachside chiringuito, or take a walk around one of its small villages, and you will get your island reward of deep peace and a feeling of pure bliss.

Getting around

It is easy to get around the island, and on arrival at its port, La Savina, you will be met by various car- and scooter-hire places. Eco options are available, with electric vehicles available for rent too.

Cycling is very popular since the island is small and flat with few steep inclines: it's an activity that fits perfectly with the relaxed way of life on Formentera. You can hire bikes easily, including electric ones and ones for kids.

For a full low-down on travelling around Formentera, check out our guide Getting there and around.

Things to do

Formentera also is a great place for hiking or cycling, either by the coast or inland: you will see some breathtaking views from fields or cliff tops and stand in awe at the beauty you find. Many like to explore the old lighthouses, some seek out ancient caves and all go to watch the incredible sunset.

Covering over 100 km, the 30+ greenway paths for walking and cycling are the perfect way to get around and discover beautiful nature and landmarks by foot or on a bike.

A good choice of water sports is available on Formentera and, with such unspoilt natural beauty, it is not hard to see why. Thanks to the clarity of the sea and the warm sea temperatures, Formentera is ideal for snorkelling from its beaches, where you will be able to see some amazing underwater treasures.

You can rent a variety of boats, some of which require a boat captain's licence and some which do not - or you can rent a boat with a skipper. Get to explore parts of the island you might not normally see, including a wealth of hard-to-access beaches and some stunning coastline.

A boat excursion also is a good way to explore Formentera for a day trip from Ibiza.

A trip to Formentera is not complete without a visit to a market and what typifies these is the high quantity of craftsmen who make the goods for sale themselves. At these markets, you will find some truly original pieces of jewellery, ceramics, clothing, and art.

If your want to rent a car, scooter, or bike, or enjoy a boat excursion, you'll find these and much more on our page Services and things to do on Formentera.

Formentera video

Restaurants and bars

Many restaurants and bars abound on Formentera, serving fine and fresh Mediterranean food, often with an Italian twist. There is an interesting mix of rustic meets modern understated luxury in many of these establishments, and most have efficient service. With a long maritime history, expect much fresh fish and seafood as well as local products like fresh cheese, dried figs, and honey to feature on menus.

Those eating establishments next to the sea provide a picture-postcard window onto the sea with its hues of azure blue and emerald green. It's possible to find many good restaurants across the island with some great gastronomic offerings everywhere and by the beaches of Ses Illetes and Playa Migjorn. Some of these started off as small beach hut chiringuitos, though today they are thriving centres of fine food.

Nightlife

Unlike the super-club Mecca that is Ibiza, Formentera's nightlife is more laid-back, but that does not mean you still can't have fun; in fact, there's nightlife aplenty.

There is no better way to start your evening than with a drink in one of the many beach chiringuitos. The choice varies from small rustic beach huts to luxurious beach clubs with their own pool.

The resort of Es Pujols is where you will find the most buzzing nightlife, with bars open late on the main road to the beach and in the streets around it. It's typical to see people drinking into the early hours of the morning here. There are also some small discos where you can enjoy an eclectic music selection and dance until dawn.

On summer evenings, the programme 'Música en las plazas' brings live music to the villages of Formentera. Enjoy these small open air concerts once a week in La Savina, Es Pujols, San Fernando and San Francisco.

Staying on Formentera

On Formentera you will find a wide selection of low-key hostals and apartments plus charming places in the middle of nature, where you will find absolute peace and tranquillity.

The only real holiday resort is Es Pujols, a small village with a beautiful beach and a very relaxed atmosphere. Here, there is a good selection of restaurants, bars, and shops and even some good nightlife, where you can dance the night away in some of the popular music bars. The hotels and apartments are generally of a smaller size - mass tourism has no place on Formentera.

On the south coast along Playa Migjorn there are some larger hotel complexes which cater for holiday makers which like a bit more of comfort and facilities.

Nature and ecology

The quality and transparency of Formentera's waters is due to the presence of the biggest area of Posidonia seagrass in the Mediterranean Sea that covers the seabed. These underwater grasses are protected by the Ses Salines Nature Park that extends from Ibiza. Ses Salines was once the centre of Formentera's salt industry, which is now no more, but the pretty pink-reflecting salt flats remain.

The limited development on the island is what keeps the island unspoilt – on Formentera you won't find any tall buildings, not on the beaches nor in the resorts. More and more electric scooters and cars, also in the public sector, and a limit on cars entering help to keep Formentera special for tourists.

Fast facts

Geography

Formentera is 20 km long and only 2 km wide at its smallest expanse with a total land area of 82 square kilometres. It is the smallest and most southerly of the Balearic Islands and is mainly flat rising to its highest point of 193 metres at La Mola. From there, take advantage of the superb vistas you get from the cliffs that plunge down into the sea.

People and language

Spanish is spoken by everybody as are many European languages by those who work in the tourist trade, the island's biggest employer. The official language is Catalan, a dialect of which called ‘pagès' is mainly spoken by the locals who number just under 12,000 inhabitants.

Getting there

With no airport, Formentera is almost entirely reached by boat from Ibiza. Ferries large and small go there daily year round - though with a reduced service in winter.

Ferries run mainly from Ibiza Town, going to Formentera's port of La Savina, but there are also excursions and ferry connections from other resorts on the island. A fast ferry can get you from Ibiza Town to Formentera in just 30 minutes.

See our detailed guide Getting there and around.