About Formentera
Formentera is the baby of the Balearic Islands, a mere 12 miles from tip to tip. It is a quiet alternative to the raging party island of Ibiza, a 30-minute ferry ride to the north, and together they form the Pitiusa archipelago.
Formentera is a popular escape for partygoers with sore heads looking for a place to relax and rejuvenate, and it’s not hard to see why. The island boasts some of the most stunning yet depopulated beaches throughout the Balearics. The other major group of visitors is nudists, or naturists, seeking a quiet and secluded escape, while the island also attracts curious individuals and families seeking an alternative to the hustle and bustle of the larger islands.
Formentera is remarkably flat, with the highest point being the small plateau of Sa Talaiassa in the island’s southeast, at 192 metres. Its flatness combined with its small size makes the island ideal for exploration by bicycle or on foot. This is made easy for visitors by a series of green routes, marked country paths and lanes which take you through all the major sites, while near the port of La Savina in the island’s north are the famous salt lakes of Estany Pudent and Estany des Peix, popular among bird watchers.
The population of Formentera hovers at around 7,000 but during the summer this figure rises to over 30,000. The capital is located at Sant Francesc Xavier, which is home to a few historic buildings, while the most popular beach resort is Es Pujols. Other popular beaches include: Playa de Mitjorn, a long and secluded stretch of white sand on the southern coast; Es Calo, which sits adjacent on the northern coast; the beautiful bay of Cala Sahona; and Playa de Llevant, with its numerous coves and views of Ibiza across the water.
The weather on Formentera is warm and mild all year round and there is little rainfall, while the rainwater that does fall is collected and recycled as the island has no source of freshwater. Winter on the island is best avoided as it can get quite windy. The summer is the warmest time of year, but if you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to steer clear of the peak season in July and August. During this time everything on the island becomes more expensive and hotels often become fully booked.
Shops and banking facilities can be found in Es Pujols and San Francisco Javier, with Banca March providing ATM facilities. During the warmer months you’ll find a range of fairs and street markets including stalls selling local arts and crafts and hippy wares, as well as live music performances from June through to September.
Sampling the seafood on Formentera is a must, with numerous restaurants and beach bars lining the more popular beaches and serving up deliciously fresh fish and other seafood delights. Fish stews such as guisat and bullit are local favourites, as are figs, goat cheese and peix sec, or diced sun dried fish.
Hotel and resort development has been limited in order to conserve the island’s relaxed atmosphere and untouched natural beauty. Large hotels and self catered apartments are concentrated in Es Pujols and the port town of La Savina, while smaller hotels can be found at the more popular beaches.
Not everyone on the island has a thorough grasp of English; you’re much more likely to hear Spanish or Catalan spoken, so it’s polite to learn a few common phrases. You’ll also notice variations in spelling, depending on whether Spanish or Catalan is used.
