Some beautiful places are meant for more than just aesthetic pleasure; they have the power to recharge our souls. This is the story of my weekend in Formentera, one of the smallest and most magical Spanish islands.
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Top Things to Do on a Formentera Weekend
First time in Formentera
Some say the best travel stories come from places that evoke deep emotions – destinations you either love or hate. After some research, it’s relatively easy to compile a practical travel guide, but that’s not really the essence of a travel story. Destinations are meant to help us experience certain moments and awaken specific feelings within us. Just like I shared with you in my Huesca post, when “the mountains called me” – we choose landscapes based on what our souls are yearning to experience at that moment. The places we visit offer more than what can be captured in a simple photo. The atmosphere of each landscape, the scents of the breeze, the colors of every sunset along the journey – these all become part of your travel experience and remain in your memory. Even after leaving a new destination, you carry these moments with you forever.
Therefore, I often feel like there are some destinations that bring much more to my life than just a new getaway experience. Places like the Pyrenees or Tarifa not only looked special, but they also felt special. A similar experience happened to me on Formentera. While I’ve visited Mallorca and Ibiza multiple times before, my trip to Formentera in the off-season allowed me to truly connect with the island’s unique atmosphere in a way that still draws me back. Although I understand that visiting Formentera during the peak summer season offers a different vibe, I must say that this island felt like the perfect place to escape from the world for a while.

Is Formentera worth visiting?
Formentera is absolutely worth visiting, but I feel it’s not a destination that will suit every traveler. In the low season, it’s one of those magical, isolated Spanish islands where you can truly recharge your mind, body, and soul. It’s the perfect place to disconnect from the daily hustle and slow down. You’ll find a peaceful moment to marvel at the beautiful nature around you.
However, during the summer months, Formentera becomes crowded with high-end rentals, trendy restaurants, and luxurious yachts. Since the island is small, doesn’t have an airport, and has limited accommodation options, Formentera attracts Spanish soccer stars and international celebrities. Still, it’s possible to escape the crowds of Spanish summers, no wonder the island is also a popular honeymoon destination.
That being said, Formentera may not be a match for everyone. Beyond its paradise beaches and trendy restaurants, there isn’t much to do – unlike other Spanish islands like Mallorca or Tenerife, where you can’t check off all the iconic landmarks in just one visit. So, for travelers who want to combine a beach holiday with sightseeing, Formentera may not meet those expectations.
Personally, I wouldn’t take my kids to Formentera, either. Despite traveling with me everywhere, even to destinations that aren’t the most kid-friendly, I’m certain they’d find it boring. Unless your plan is to spend the entire day on the beach, and that suits your whole family, Formentera isn’t the best choice for family travelers. Spain offers plenty of family-friendly locations which both kids and parents can equally enjoy. So, there’s no reason to choose Formentera if you could take your kids to places like Alicante, Valencia, or Cambrils with its PortAventura Park.
Another thing to note is that Formentera is not the most budget-friendly destination. The accommodation options are limited, and the price-quality ratio is worse than on most other Spanish islands. If you’re traveling on a budget, you might want to consider visiting the island only during the off-season.
On the other hand, people searching for romantic destinations in Spain year-round (except for winter, which is cold and humid on the Balearic Islands) or looking for an exclusive vacation spot to enjoy during the summer months won’t be disappointed with Formentera.
On the other hand, people searching for romantic places in Spain year-round (except for the winter, which is cold and humid on the Balearic island), or looking for an exclusive vacation spot to enjoy with friends during the summer months, won’t be disappointed with Formentera.

How to get to Formentera
By plane
The island of Formentera does not have an airport. The closest airport is in Ibiza. However, all of the Balearic Islands are interconnected by ferries year-round. Depending on the flight deals you find, you can still reach Formentera from any of the other islands in the Balearic Archipelago.
By ferry
An alternative way to reach Formentera is by taking a ferry from Denia. During the summer months, there are also ferry services from Valencia and Barcelona.
For my trip to Formentera, I was particularly curious to try the ferry from Denia. The main advantage for me was avoiding the time lost at the airport due to security checks. However, since we visited in November, we had to change our return tickets because of a sea storm. This meant we had to make a stop in Ibiza to board a larger boat to reach the mainland. So, I suppose this is the only drawback to consider when traveling by ferry to Formentera, especially during the off-season.

Best time to visit Formentera
My initial plan was to enjoy a weekend in Formentera sometime around September or the beginning of October, when the average temperature is around 24°C (75°F) and the water is still at 26°C (79°F). For me, it’s my favorite season to explore the Balearic Islands. The weather is still perfect for a beach getaway, but the summer crowds have already gone. Unfortunately, we were only able to visit in November (and decided it was better than waiting until next year). November was a bit chilly, with average temperatures from 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F), but still pleasant for walking around. You couldn’t swim, but the sunsets and the quiet, lonely vibe of the island during this time felt really magical.
However, if you’re particularly looking for the island buzz, consider visiting Formentera in the summer. The island’s beaches are known for their magical crystal-clear waters, and the average temperatures reach around 30°C (86°F). Additionally, many trendy cafes and restaurants open exclusively for the peak season. So, if you’re looking to splurge on a vacation, Formentera is definitely worth experiencing in July or August.
Best Hotels in Formentera
The hotels I like the most on Formentera are Gecko Hotel & Beach Club and Blanco Hotel, as well as the Mediterranean-style accommodations, like Can Aisha or La Masía de Formentera.
Weekend in Formentera: Things to see and do
1. Puerto de la Savina

Formentera’s port, Puerto de la Savina, is a charming little harbor, filled with luxurious yachts and trendy bars during the peak season. In November, however, it was very quiet. Most of the places had already closed for the season until the following year. Nevertheless, the area still looked beautiful, so we took a stroll towards the local lighthouse, Faro de la Savina.
2. Sunset at Ses Illetes Beach

While Ibiza’s Es Vedra is often hailed as one of the most beautiful sunset spots in the world, Ses Illetes Beach in Formentera felt even more unique to me. During the summer months, this beach is considered one of the top Spanish beaches and is often referred to as “the Spanish Caribbean.”
During my weekend in Formentera, the weather was a bit too cold for swimming. However, a few years ago, I had the chance to enjoy summer-like weather at the beach in Benicassim (and swim) as late as early November. While the beach season in September is almost guaranteed, in October it has about a 70% chance, and by November, you might forget about taking a dip.
Nonetheless, we enjoyed a long walk on Ses Illetes Beach to watch the sunset (which I wouldn’t trade for anything). In some places, the sea on both sides almost surrounded the beach. With such a beautiful end to the day, the colors and reflections in the water made the experience feel truly surreal.
3. Faro de la Mola

On Saturday morning, we headed to one of the most magical cliffs in Spain – Faro de la Mola. It’s the highest point on the island, offering the most stunning views of the Mediterranean. Inside the lighthouse, you’ll find a small exhibition and a balcony with jaw-dropping views. Check it out via my IG Reels and Tiktok.
4. Playa Es Calo – exploring the white-sand beaches of Formentera

Formentera is one of my favorite places in Spain for a reason. If you love the sea breeze, emerald-blue waters, and white sands, you’ll be spoiled for choice here. While it was too cold for swimming, we made a few stops to explore the local beaches. There’s no weekend in Formentera without having your Caribbean moment. In fact, I enjoyed the beaches in Formentera much more than those of the famous Mayan Riviera.
I really loved Playa Es Caló, where I got to rock my bikini and soak up the last rays of sun for the year (for a short while, though – as I mentioned, it was already November).
Here’s an ultimate list of the best Formentera beaches – you can also save it via this post on Instagram or via Google maps here.
4. San Francesc

While most restaurants in Formentera are closed during the off-season, we really enjoyed an Italian lunch at El Giovale in the small town of San Francesc. Afterwards, we tried to visit the local Museo de Etnografía de Formentera, but unfortunately, it was closed. The museum is only open in the mornings, from Tuesday to Friday.
San Francesc has a local market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Although Formentera’s most popular hippie market is the Mercat Hippie del Pilar de la Mola, it is only open during the summer season.
Also, near San Francesc, you’ll find one of the three ancient mills of Formentera. The other two are located in Sant Ferran and La Mola.
5. Torre de Sa Gavina – Formentera´s Watch Towers

Formentera still has five 18th-century watchtowers, which were originally built to defend the island from pirates of North Africa. During our weekend in Formentera, we had the chance to visit two of them: Sa Gavina and Des Garroveret. However, you’ll definitely love the others as well: Punta Prima and S’Espalmor.
6. Cap de Barbaria
We ended our weekend in Formentera by visiting another lighthouse, Cap de Barbaria. On Sunday morning, our travel plans were slightly altered. Originally, we were supposed to take a ferry from Formentera back to Denia, but due to the weather conditions, our boat was canceled. As a result, the ferry company exchanged our tickets for a different route, taking a boat from Formentera to Ibiza, and then from Ibiza to Denia. I guess that’s one of the drawbacks of taking a ferry from mainland Spain – the weather can be quite unpredictable in the off season. The larger boats, which are less impacted by weather conditions, mostly head to Ibiza and Mallorca.
Yet, by and large, I loved the ferry option for traveling between Spain and the Balearic Islands, since your vacations and transfers always revolve around the coastal areas, which are far more beautiful and relaxing than airports.
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Looks like such a beautiful place to recharge, thanks for all the helpful info. This guide will make planning a trip much easier
I have never heard of Formentera before, but wow it looks beautiful! That sunset is unreal!
Okay you’ve officially piqued my interest! I’ve never heard of Formentera before, but it will definitely be on my list now. It seems much more peaceful than some of the other places I’ve visited in Spain.