Destinations
Discover Formentera
Forty-five minutes south of Ibiza by boat, Formentera moves at a different pace — fewer roads, no clubs, and water so shallow and clear it barely looks real. Here is our guide to the five spots worth building a day around.
Espalmador
A protected, uninhabited islet just north of Formentera, reachable only by private boat — sandbars, warm shallows, and a natural mud lagoon said to soften the skin.
- What To Do
- Anchor off the sandbar, swim the shallows between islets, walk the mud lagoon.
- Where To Eat
- No permanent restaurants on the islet — pack a private onboard lunch (ask your broker).
- Where To Swim
- The channel between Espalmador and S'Alga — waist-deep, glass-clear water.
- When To Go
- Late morning, before midday boat traffic peaks.
Illetes
Formentera's headline beach — a slender stretch of white sand between the open sea and a shallow lagoon, often compared to the Caribbean.
- What To Do
- Swim, paddleboard the lagoon, walk the dune path between the two shores.
- Where To Eat
- Beach kiosks along the shoreline serve grilled fish and cold rosé.
- Where To Swim
- The lagoon side — flat, warm, and safe for all ages.
- When To Go
- Early morning for calm water, or late afternoon as the crowds thin.
Llevant
The wilder, east-facing coast of Formentera — dunes, sea grass, and a far quieter shoreline than its western neighbours.
- What To Do
- Long beach walks, snorkelling over sea-grass meadows, quiet swimming away from crowds.
- Where To Eat
- A handful of low-key beach restaurants set back from the dunes.
- Where To Swim
- Anywhere along the open coast on a calm-wind day.
- When To Go
- Mornings, before the afternoon easterly picks up.
Cala Saona
A small, sheltered west-facing cove framed by red cliffs and pine — considered the island's best sunset anchorage.
- What To Do
- Swim, snorkel the rocky edges, watch the sunset from the water.
- Where To Eat
- A single beachfront restaurant terraced above the sand.
- Where To Swim
- The cove itself — calm, clear, and shallow near the shore.
- When To Go
- Late afternoon into sunset.
Es Pujols
Formentera's liveliest village — a low-rise harbour town with the island's best concentration of restaurants and evening energy.
- What To Do
- An evening stroll, dinner ashore, browsing small boutiques near the harbour.
- Where To Eat
- The widest choice of restaurants on the island, from beach-casual to refined.
- Where To Swim
- The small town beach, or the calmer bay just north.
- When To Go
- Evening, for dinner after a day on the water.
