On the water
Choose boats that anchor on sand or use mooring buoys. Anchors dragged through posidonia destroy meadows that grow only a few centimetres a year.
Keep your distance from seabirds on the islets.
All things to do
North · Early morning
Ses Illetes
A thin sand spit inside the natural park, with famously clear water. Best before the day boats arrive.
Coastwide · SummerSnorkel over posidonia
The meadows that keep the water clear. Look, don't anchor.
Island-wide · All yearCycle the green routes
Signposted tracks across farmland, pine and salt flats.
East · MorningLa Mola lighthouse
Cliffs, pine and a lighthouse on the plateau.
East · Wednesdays and Sundays in seasonEl Pilar de la Mola market
Crafts and local produce on the plateau, in season.
East · All yearThe boat houses at Es Caló
Wooden slipways and fishing boats in a tiny harbour.
West · EveningsSunset at Cala Saona
Red cliffs, a sandy cove and an open view west.
North · All yearBirds at the lagoons
Estany Pudent and the salt pans, inside the natural park.
North · All yearCa na Costa megalithic tomb
A stone circle tomb near Es Pujols, the oldest monument on the Pitiusas.
North · Calm daysEspalmador by boat
The private islet north of Ses Illetes, inside the natural park.
Centre · All yearSant Francesc and its fortified church
A small capital around an eighteenth-century church built as a refuge.
North · Calm daysPaddle the Estany des Peix
A shallow lagoon by La Savina, calm water for a kayak or paddleboard.
Outdoors, carefully
How to do it without leaving a mark.
The beaches, dunes and meadows are protected because they are fragile. On an island this small, a few habits make a real difference.
On the dunes
Use the boardwalks at Ses Illetes and Llevant. The dune plants break easily and hold the sand in place.
Don't take sand, shells or stones, and leave posidonia leaves where they lie.
On the road
Bikes and the bus are the easiest way around. Some roads to capes and beaches are closed to cars in summer.
Watch for cyclists and walkers on narrow lanes.
In the heat
There is little shade. Carry water and a hat, and plan longer rides for the morning.
Fire risk is high in summer, and smoking in natural areas is restricted.
Questions people ask.
Can I drive to Cap de Barbaria?
Car access is restricted in summer. Cycle or walk the last stretch. Check current rules.
Where is the best snorkelling (Formentera)?
Wherever there is posidonia and rock, around the north and the cliffs of the east.
Is Ses Illetes busy?
Very, in July and August. Arrive early or late.
Are the markets on all year (Formentera)?
The La Mola market runs in season. Check current days.
Can I hire a bike at the port?
Yes, rental shops are by the ferry terminal in La Savina.
Can you visit Ca na Costa?
Yes. The megalithic tomb stands near Es Pujols, signposted from the road, and can be visited at any time. It is about 4,000 years old and is the oldest known monument on the Pitiusas. The stones are low and easy to miss at first, so look for the information panel beside them. Allow a short stop rather than a whole outing.
What can you see around Estany Pudent and Estany des Peix?
Both lagoons lie inside the Ses Salines Natural Park, a short walk or ride from La Savina and Es Pujols. The shallow water draws birds, and the old salt workings shape the shoreline. Paths follow parts of the edges, and the island's signposted green routes link them with the villages. Access changes with the season, so check with the Consell de Formentera.
Is it possible to land on Espalmador?
Espalmador is an islet inside the Ses Salines Natural Park, north of Ses Illetes. Boats cross in season, but anchoring over the posidonia meadows is regulated by a Balearic decree, and mooring buoys are installed in some bays in summer. Landing rules and any closures change, so check with the natural park office or the Consell de Formentera before arranging a crossing.
Can you walk to the Far de la Mola?
The lighthouse stands at the eastern end of the La Mola plateau, roughly 190 m above the sea. Signposted green routes cross the plateau for walking and cycling, and the distance from El Pilar de la Mola is modest, though there is little shade. Whether the lighthouse is open changes with the season, so check locally before making it the aim of the day.
Photo credits: Beni Marull, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.