North: the spit
La Savina, the lagoons and the long sand spit of Ses Illetes and Llevant, inside the natural park.
This is the busiest corner by day, and the most protected.
Every area, on the island.
Satellite view with each area pinned at its real coordinates. Hover a pin for its name. The north of the island, around the spit, is a natural park.
All areas
4.0 km from La Savina · 46 stays
Es Pujols
The liveliest village, with a beach, boat houses and evening bars.
3.4 km from La Savina · 25 staysSant Francesc Xavier
The small capital, with a fortified church, a market and the island's shops.
4.9 km from La Savina · 19 staysSant Ferran de ses Roques
A crossroads village between the lagoon and the south coast.
5.3 km from La Savina · 6 staysCala Saona
The island's one real cove, red cliffs and a west-facing sunset.
7.6 km from La Savina · 38 staysPlatja de Migjorn
A long, open south-coast beach backed by dunes and juniper.
11.3 km from La Savina · 26 staysEs Caló de Sant Agustí
A tiny fishing harbour of boat houses below the La Mola plateau.
16.6 km from La Savina · 3 staysLa Mola
A high plateau with a lighthouse, farms and a craft market.
How the island divides
A spit, a plain and a plateau.
Formentera is two high ends joined by a low middle. The north tapers into a sand spit, the west and south end in a stony cape, and the east rises to the La Mola plateau.
Centre: the villages
Sant Francesc, the capital, and Sant Ferran sit on the low plain between the lagoons and the south coast.
They are convenient bases with shops and buses.
West and south: the cape
Cala Saona faces the sunset. To the south, the road runs across stony scrub to the Cap de Barbaria lighthouse.
Platja de Migjorn runs along the south coast for kilometres.
East: La Mola
The island rises to a plateau of farms, pine and cliffs, with a lighthouse at the end.
Es Caló, below it, is a tiny harbour of boat houses.
Where to wake up
All stays on Formentera →Top-rated stays on Formentera
Top-rated stays on Formentera: the first 6 of 199 stays in the IMPT hotel database on Formentera, five-star first, then four-star, then by guest score. Each button opens live prices for your dates in the IMPT app.
5-starEs Pujols, Formentera
Five Flowers Hotel Formentera Melia Collection
4.5Guest score out of 5 · 279 reviewsSee live price →
5-star
5-star
4-starSant Francesc, Formentera
La Masía de Formentera
4.8Guest score out of 5 · 112 reviewsSee live price →
4-star
4-starQuestions people ask.
Which area is closest to the port?
La Savina itself, then Sant Francesc and Ses Illetes.
Where should I stay for sunsets (Formentera)?
Cala Saona, on the west coast.
Which area is quietest (Formentera)?
La Mola and the south coast.
Are the distances driving distances (Formentera)?
No. They are straight lines from La Savina, computed from published coordinates.
Can I stay inside the natural park (Formentera)?
There are very few places to stay inside it. Most people stay nearby and visit by bike.
Where can you base outside the main season?
Sant Francesc Xavier is the capital and the most reliable base outside the main season. Much of the tourism business on Formentera closes roughly from November to April, including many seasonal restaurants, boat trips and vehicle hire. La Savina and Es Pujols are quieter then. Check individual businesses before travelling, and confirm winter ferry sailings with the operators.
Where are the green routes and what do they connect?
The signposted green routes, circuits verds, are waymarked paths and lanes for walking and cycling. They link the villages, the coast and the rural interior, and give a way to explore without a car. In high season the Consell de Formentera caps visitor vehicles, so check current rules and route maps with the council before planning.
What can you see on the La Mola plateau?
La Mola is the eastern plateau, about 190 m high, with the village of El Pilar de la Mola and the Far de la Mola lighthouse. The approach is slow and the landscape open. Walking and cycling routes cross it. Facilities are limited outside the main season, so check opening before relying on cafés or shops.
Where is Ca na Costa and what is it?
Ca na Costa is a megalithic tomb near Es Pujols, about 4,000 years old and the oldest known monument on the Pitiusas. It is a short visit, best combined with Es Pujols and the Estany Pudent lagoon. Access is open air; check the natural park office for any seasonal restrictions.
Photo credits: User:Ireireire, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.