Declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, this island is a small paradise in the Mediterranean that has nothing to envy of the islands of the Caribbean Sea. Formentera is characterized by its respect for nature, the survival of its own culture and its vision of achieving exclusivity through protecting the environment.

Formentera is a small island belonging to the archipelago of the Balearic Islands. It is located south of Ibiza, separated by a channel of only 3.5km. The island has 69 km of coastline and many beautiful beaches dotted around the island, which are the main attractions. Tongues of endless sand lapped by exceptionally pure, clear turquoise waters and a seabed full of fauna and flora, among which highlights the rich Posidonia, the underwater plant causing the waters that surround the island to have an incredible transparency.

 

formentera panoramic view

 

The location of island and the lack of a port and airport have led Formentera to remain unspoiled, protected from the massive constructions, away from the tourist boom in many places of the Spanish Costa and off the tourist circuits masses and tour operators. Formentera has an area of 83 km2 and 11,500 inhabitants spread among its six towns, San Francisco Javier, San Ferran de SesRoques, Pilar de la Mola, Es Calo, Es Pujols and La Savina

 

Formentera old church

 

In the municipality of La Savina is the seaport and the only gateway to the island, and can only be reached by boat offered by different companies, some of them are low cost, such as Aquabus ferry boats. During the summer, you can access the area by boat from Denia, which is the closest port to the peninsula, 100 km away. There are also routes from various ports of Ibiza. San Francisco Javier is the main town of the island, its administrative areas and home to the main services. Near San Francisco Javier, you can visit the flour mills of sa Miranda, where you can also enjoy a nice view, although the best spot. The Mirador of Formentera is on the way to Pilar de la Mola at the highest point of the island.

 

La Sabina port in Formentera

 

The island was a landing place for the hippie movement back in the 60s. Tourists were attracted by its beautiful beaches, friendly people and the mystic air of the island. During those years, the island was visited by numerous celebrities such as Bob Dylan or Pink Floyd that made the name of Formentera be famous around the world.
Not until a few years ago, Formentera was the typical island visited by Ibiza tourists in one-day back and forth trips. But that has changed, today is a tourist destination in itself and quite unique.
Each year, Formentera receives 1.2 million visitors which are mainly Spanish and Italian tourists. But also, travelers come here all over Europe in search of the sun, sea, tranquility and the mysticism that characterize this beautiful island.

 

Formentera beach photo collage

 

Despite having suffered a major tourism growth in recent years and become a cosmopolitan island, Formentera is still a very authentic place. In this place, it breathes a very pleasant air between hippie, bohemian and elegant and one still feels the warmth of its people when going to the island.

Formentera is a quiet but lively island with many possibilities for visitors. Here, there are no traffic lights, nor traffic jams; on the contrary, the island is full of paradisiacal beaches, spectacular hippie and local markets. The best way to move is in a motorcycle or a car. There are several typical and picturesque villages you can visit, as well as many beaches, cliffs, natural parks and small islands to discover. The most famous beaches are Cala Mitjorn, Cala Saona, Cala es Pujols, Cala es Trucador and Ses Illetes.

 

Formentera beaches photo collage

 

Around the island, at strategic points, we find several lighthouses, perhaps the most famous for having been the scene of some films is the Faro Cap de Barbaria, and we can also enjoy the views of a number of islets among it highlights S’Espalmador and S’Espardell.

Formentera’s cuisine is varied, based on natural resources found on the island which result in a typical Mediterranean cuisine. Seafood, and fish, cheeses, especially the goat cheese, the sobrasada and other sausages and garden products are the main ingredients of the delicious recipes you can taste on the island like rice, soups and tasty stews.

 

 

Enjoy this fantastic video of Formentera:

Directory

Find More