Plan the boat
Everyone arrives by sea, almost always on a ferry from Ibiza Town port to La Savina. Fast boats take about 30 minutes.
In summer, sailings are frequent but the last boats fill up. Book ahead if your arrival is tight.
All guides
7 min read
The ferry from Ibiza
Where boats leave, how long the crossing takes, and when to book.
8 min readArriving from Ibiza Airport
Taxi or bus to the port, and how to time it with the boat.
8 min readBike, scooter or bus?
How to get around a flat island about 19 km long.
7 min readDay trip or stay?
What you miss when you leave on the last boat.
7 min readFormentera with children
Shallow beaches, short rides and the practical side of a small island with a family.
7 min readBeach etiquette in the natural park
Dunes, posidonia leaves, and what not to take home.
7 min readFormentera out of season
What stays open from November to April.
Trip groundwork
Before you book, plan the practical details.
Formentera has no airport, few roads and very little fresh water. A few decisions before booking make the trip easier and lighter on the island.
Leave the car behind
The island is flat and about 19 km long. Bikes, e-bikes and scooters are the usual way around, and buses link the villages in season.
Formentera limits the number of visiting vehicles in high season. Check the current rules if you plan to bring a car.
Respect the natural park
The north of the island, including Ses Illetes and Llevant, is part of the Ses Salines Natural Park, shared with Ibiza. The posidonia meadows around it are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Stay on boardwalks and paths, keep off the dunes and choose boats that anchor on sand or buoys.
Budget for the tourist tax
The Balearic sustainable tourism tax is charged per person per night by your accommodation. The rate depends on the stay type and season.
Rates change, so check the Balearic government site before you travel. Children under 16 are exempt.
Questions people ask.
How do I get to Formentera on this trip?
By ferry from Ibiza Town port to La Savina. Fast boats take about 30 minutes.
Do I need a car (Formentera)?
No. Bikes, scooters and buses cover the island, and visiting vehicles are limited in high season.
Is a day trip enough?
It shows you a beach. A night or two shows you the island after the day boats leave.
Is the water really that clear?
Often, yes, thanks to the posidonia meadows. Calm days are clearest.
When is it quietest?
From November to April. Many businesses close, but it is lovely for walking and cycling.
What is there to see on La Mola?
La Mola is the plateau in the east of Formentera, about 190 m high. The Far de la Mola lighthouse stands on it, and El Pilar de la Mola is the village nearby. The signposted green routes (circuits verds) link it with the rest of the island for walking and cycling.
Where are Formentera's lagoons?
Estany Pudent and Estany des Peix are the two lagoons on Formentera. Both lie inside the Ses Salines Natural Park, which also covers Ses Illetes and the Espalmador islet. The park forms part of the wider Posidonia meadow system between Ibiza and Formentera. The natural park office can confirm current access.
What is Ca na Costa?
Ca na Costa is a megalithic tomb near Es Pujols, about 4,000 years old. It is the oldest known monument on the Pitiusas, the group that includes Ibiza and Formentera. The Consell de Formentera can confirm current access and any guided visits.
Why is the church at Sant Francesc Xavier fortified?
Sant Francesc Xavier is the capital of Formentera. Its 18th-century church was built as a refuge and fortified. The village stays open year-round, while much of the island's seasonal tourist business closes roughly from November to April. Check with the Consell de Formentera for current access to the church.
Photo credits: Shyha at Polish Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.