Formentera: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Ses Illetes combines calm, shallow turquoise waters with white sand. To protect the dunes, there are protected areas and an access walkway.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Formentera can incorporate the island’s coast, natural areas and cultural sites into their own travel plans.

Coast

Migjorn refers to Formentera’s five-kilometre-long southern coast. Several sandy coves are separated from one another by rocky stretches. To the east of Migjorn, Caló des Mort lies below the cliffs among the rocks: a small cove with fishermen’s huts that can be reached on foot.

Nature

Estany Pudent is known for one of the most significant concentrations of black-necked grebes in Europe; in some years, several thousand birds are counted there.

The Ses Salines Natural Park extends in the north of Formentera as far as the south of Ibiza and is one of the significant wetlands of the Mediterranean region. Its landscape includes salt pans, ponds and islets. It provides a habitat for many waterbirds as well as resting places for numerous migratory bird species.

Can Marroig has facilities for family picnics beneath pine and juniper trees. Visitors can obtain information there and take part in educational activities concerning the protected natural environment.

Estany Pudent and Ses Salines were classified as cultural assets of special interest in the category of historic site in 2004. In the pre-tourist era, they were the only industry on the island of Formentera.

The Es Freus Marine Reserve encompasses the northwest of Formentera, the southern tip of Ibiza and the marine area between them. It includes small islets such as Porcs, Penjats, Espalmador and Castaví. They are considered remnants of a geological past in which Ibiza and Formentera were connected. The boundaries of the protected area were expanded in 2015.

The protection of the natural assets of Ibiza and Formentera is ensured by their status as a nature reserve under Spanish Law 26 and Regional Law 17.

Culture

Since 2019, Faro de la Mola has housed a cultural and educational space dedicated to Formentera’s maritime heritage. It permanently displays a collection donated by Cati Verdera comprising 56 works by artists closely associated with Formentera.

Faro de la Mola stands on a cliff 120 metres above sea level. From there, visitors can enjoy views of the Mediterranean that are suitable for visits at sunrise or sunset.

The megalithic tomb of Ca na Costa dates from around 2000 BC and shows that Formentera was already inhabited during the Bronze Age. It is located in the Ses Salines Natural Park between Estany Pudent and Es Pujols and is free and easy to access.

Sant Francesc Xavier is one of Formentera’s three historic sites; its most important landmark is the parish church. Formentera’s intangible cultural heritage includes the Caramelles: men perform these songs with instrumental accompaniment, and they are associated with Christmas and Easter.

The Ethnographic Collection of Formentera features a permanent exhibition of tools, everyday objects, furniture and clothing. The exhibits represent daily life in traditional Formentera.

The La Mola craft market has existed since 1984. It offers ceramics, carved wood, silver, stone, glass, textiles and leather; there is usually live music in the central square.

Molí Vell de La Mola is an 18th-century windmill that was once used to grind grain and is considered one of the best-preserved windmills in the Balearic Islands. Gears and millstones can still be seen in the restored mill; the year 1778 is engraved on the machinery. Visiting Molí Vell de La Mola is free.

Cuisine

Peix sec is an important product of Formentera and a culinary attraction of the island. It bears the Slow Food “Ark of Taste” designation.

Flaó, a fresh-cheese cake with mint, is one of Formentera’s characteristic desserts. The Terramoll winery offers guided tours in Formentera.

Activities

At Formentera’s nautical centres, visitors can enjoy kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing, Optimist sailing, Laser sailing, catamaran sailing and wing foiling.

Estany des Peix is a shallow body of water with few waves and a maximum depth of 3 metres. Small boats are suitable there for learning and practising windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

Estany des Peix has very shallow small coves and warmer water than the sea, making it suitable for an afternoon at the beach with children.

Formentera’s diving schools offer courses from beginner to advanced levels. For beginners, Formentera provides suitable conditions for their first sea dives; the Es Freus Marine Reserve is given as an example of an environment that can be explored during such dives.

Snorkelling around Formentera allows visitors to explore secluded spots as well as white-sand and rocky seabeds with diverse marine flora and fauna.

Places

Place pages: Formentera, San Ferrán De Ses Roques, Es Pujols, La Savina, Platja De Migjorn, San Francisco Javier, Pilar De La Mola, Es Caló

To the higher-level travel overview: Balearic Islands.