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Latest update: 20 July 2023
What could be better than going on a holiday during a holiday? That is exactly why I like to add a day trip to Formentera to my holiday in Ibiza. Rent a scooter and visit the beaches, love it! Let’s get you sorted for a perfect day trip.
From Ibiza to Formentera by boat
It’s really easy to spend day in Formentera when you’re in Ibiza. It’s the perfect day trip! From Ibiza, I take the ferry to Formentera. There are several options in the port of Ibiza Town. My best friend and I are invited to the Balearia boat. The Balearia boats are the largest ferries that do the crossing in just over half an hour. They are also the most luxurious: neatly clean, comfortable seats and even a bar on board. On the upper deck, it is wonderful to relax in the sun and enjoy the view.
On the way back, I get treated to a beautiful sunset. You can pre-purchase your ticket online at Balearia.com or just go to the harbor and buy the ticket there. You can buy an open ticket so that you can return to Ibiza at any time. If you want, you can also take your rental car to Formentera, but I’d opt for a rental scooter in Formentera if you’re going on a day trip. That’s much easier.
By the way, if you’re looking for tips for Ibiza, here’s an overview.
Rent a scooter in Formentera
In the port of Formentera, it is pretty chaotic on arrival. Everyone who gets off the boat is looking for transportation. Cars, scooters, you name it. It is all pretty hectic at the shops directly in the harbor. That is why we walk a little further to the offices down the road. Hardly anyone seems to do that – thank you. We have our hopes set on a Renault Twizy: a two-seater electric car. Unfortunately, it has already been rented out at ProAuto. That’s why we end up with a La Savina scooter, which is absolutely fine too. The rental prices are about the same everywhere, about 25 euros. If you book online in advance, you can save some money.
Tip! Do you want to rent a particular car or scooter on Formentera? Book online at least 24 hours in advance.
You may be familiar with the expression ‘it’s about the journey, not the destination‘. That is undoubtedly true in Formentera. Don’t expect glorious and captivating sights, but rather enjoy your scooter ride and the short stops you make. I’ll list a few for you so that you have an excellent day trip.
Horseback riding on Formentera
Go horseback riding with Rutas Es Boixets on Formentera. Just an hour, or maybe a bit longer. It’s up to you. Make sure to call ahead – which I forgot. Oops! So learn from my mistake, and make a reservation in advance.
Visit San Francisco
San Francisco (San Francesc) is the capital city of Formentera. Well, let’s call it capital village. About 3,000 people live here. Around the church, you will find the best streets for shopping and eating. The white houses contrast very nicely with the brightly colored flowers. The shops are mostly smaller boutiques, and local artists set up tables on the street to sell their creations. You’ll have seen most of San Francisco in an hour, including a coffee stop at Big Store.
Drink sangria at Platja de Migjorn
The longest beach of Formentera is in the south. Platja de Migjorn is no less than 4 kilometers long. In some areas, it is a sandy beach, sometimes it is rockier. Take a walk on the beach, take a dip in the water, sunbathe and then make your way to Pelayo Chiringuito (Google Maps location). Pelayo is my favorite place on the beach. Friendly and straightforward, casual, fast service, aioli with LOTS of garlic, and a liter of sangria for 15 euros. Go for it!
Far de la Mola lighthouse
The main road crosses the countryside of Formentera. The Far de la Mola lighthouse is located at the very tip of Formentera. The lighthouse is nice to see, but really: it’s about the view. It is usually relatively quiet at the viewpoint, almost as if you are alone in the world. On a clear day, you might see Mallorca from here. The water and the cliff seem endless. If you can’t get enough of the view, there is a small restaurant for a refreshing drink. This also extends your visit a bit: otherwise, you will be done in fifteen minutes.
Skip: Es Pujols town
In the blog that I read, Es Pujols was described as a cozy village with several cool beach bars and a lovely town center. As soon as we turn into the main street with our scooter, it immediately feels wrong. Apparently, this is where are all the tourists I didn’t see at Far de la Mola or Platja Migjorn hang out. This part of Formentera is clearly intended for the tourist masses. We try again by foot. But nope. We walk along the boulevard where loud music is drowned out by drunken men. Maybe I just missed the fun part of Es Pujols, but for us, it’s time to move on quickly. Adios!
Playa Ses Illetes and Ses Illetes National Park
The Ses Illetes beach is a bit busier than Platja de Migjorn. It is closest to the harbor and is therefore also popular with walkers and cyclists – you can rent a bicycle in the harbor for about €8. Part of the beach is in the Ses Salines nature reserve, so you have to pay a small entrance fee for motorized vehicles. The park stretches from the southern part of Ibiza to the most northern area of Formentera. The majority of the park is underwater. You’ll find salt flats, beaches, dunes, and forests in the dry area.
The coast of Ses Illetes has not yet been fully exploited, partly thanks to the nature park. Here, you will not find hundreds of beach chairs, but the people here simply lie on their own towels in the sand. I can imagine that it can feel a bit too busy here in July and August though.
You will find several beach bars along the beach. Have a look where you feel most comfortable (Beso Beach = see and be seen, Es Ministere = come as you are). And make sure you keep track of time to catch the ferry back to Ibiza!
Spend a night on Formentera
Would you like to stay a bit longer and enjoy the evening on Formentera too? Spend a night on the island. Check your options at Booking.com:
Booking.comMore Spain inspiration?
Helpful links for your Spain trip
- Accommodatie. Favorieten blijven Booking.com en Campspace. Ga je liever voor een hostel? Check HostelWorld.
- Activiteiten. De leukste tours en activiteiten boek je bij GetYourGuide en Viator. Je kunt ook bij WithLocals kijken. Zowel GuruWalk als Freetour.com bieden ‘gratis’ wandeltours aan in Spanje en voor fietstours moet je bij Baja Bikes zijn.
- Attracties en musea. Bij Tiqets krijg je trouwens 5% korting op musea en attracties met de kortingscode: KIMOPREIS22
- Autohuur. Ik huur het liefst bij EasyTerra en Sunny Cars vanwege hun all-inclusive / worry-free aanbod. Als je meer prijzen wilt vergelijken, kun je bij Discover Cars terecht.
- Boot. Je kunt vanaf onder andere Barcelona met de boot naar Mallorca. Boek je ticket bij Balearia. Met Balearia kun je ook bij de andere eilanden komen. Maar check bij Direct Ferries zeker even of er betere opties zijn.
- Bus en trein. Reis met NS International of Flixbus naar Spanje. Je kunt ook terecht bij Busbud, 12go, of Omio, ook voor bussen en treinen in Spanje.
- Geld. Op sommige plekken wordt je Nederlandse bankpas misschien niet geaccepteerd, regel daarom een prepaid creditcard bij Revolut.
- Reisuitrusting. Koop je gear bij Bever of Decathlon, of gewoon bij Bol.com.
- Reisgidsen. Wil je volop voorpret? Bestel dan een reisgids om lekker doorheen te bladeren. Kijk bijvoorbeeld bij Bol.com of Amazon.
- Simkaart. Pas op voor onverwachte hoge bel- en internetkosten. Koop een lokale simkaart ter plekke of regel er eentje online via Airalo.
- Vliegtickets. Kijk sowieso bij Transavia en Vueling, maar vergelijk je opties! Check in ieder geval Momondo, Skyscanner, en Kiwi.
- Verzorgde reizen. Liever compleet verzorgd op vakantie? De keuze is reuze: van ANWB vakanties tot Tui, Shoestring of Sawadee, of ga je liever via Sunweb, D-reizen, Corendon of Vakantie Discounter?
- Yoga retreat. Of, trakteer jezelf op een fijn yoga retreat!
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First published: 2018. Updated since.
