If you are thinking of seeing Formentera in 1 week and discovering all that this island has to offer, you are in luck: we have prepared a guide to Formentera in a week with recommendations of visits for each day. Formentera, enveloped by the ancient waters of the Mediterranean Sea, carries on its back stories, landscapes and moments that you can make your own during your visit to this island.
In Formentera there are 5 warm villages sheltered by memory, each of them with many sites and places to visit that will make you want to come back to this dreamy place once you leave.
We have prepared this guide divided by days, so that you can make the most of each day of your week on the island.
Monday: day at Espalmador
The island of Espalmador is only accessible by boat, so if you are going to spend a week in Formentera we recommend that you set aside at least one day to visit this nearby islet. The island of Espalmador has one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Mediterranean: Playa de s’Alga.
If you have enough time during your week in Formentera, we strongly recommend that you visit the islet of Espalmador for at least one day. It is a totally protected natural environment with no services of any kind, offering a natural environment of unparalleled beauty. Its most famous beach is the beach of s’Alga, a bay facing southeast and protected by many reefs and posidonia meadows, which makes its waters are extraordinarily clear and almost always calm.
The island of Espalmador is privately owned, but declared of public utility, so you can visit it without problems as long as you do not enter the grounds of the private house on it. If you are interested in history, on the island of Esplamador you will find the oldest watchtower of Formentera: the tower of Sa Guardiola.
Highlights in Espalmador
Tuesday: day in Illetas and La Savina
During your visit to Formentera it is mandatory that you reserve a day to spend in Illetas. This area of Formentera is included within the Natural Park of the Salinas de Ibiza and Formentera, has regulated access and its main beach has been selected within the Top 5 best beaches in Europe for several consecutive years.
Highlights in Illetas
The area of Illetas is included in the Natural Park of the Salt Flats of Ibiza and Formentera, and is one of the most spectacular natural environments in the Mediterranean Sea. Access to the Illetas area is regulated, and during the bathing season, which normally runs from May to September, you will have to pay to access with your car or motorcycle to the different parking lots and parking areas of Illetas. If you want to skip the line and get in for free, you can do so by driving an electric car, entering by bicycle or on foot.
Of all the beaches of Formentera the best known and most popular are undoubtedly those in the area of Illetas. We recommend that you arrive early in the morning to find a place to plant the umbrella.
Finally, all the beaches of Illetas are facing west (except Levante beach, which is facing east), and therefore are one of the best places to enjoy an authentic sunset in Formentera.
Wednesday: Es Caló and visit to La Mola and its flea market.
Wednesdays and Sundays are the days when the most famous flea market of Formentera is organized: the flea market of La Mola. Therefore we recommend that, to avoid unnecessary trips, you spend the day in the eastern part of the island, which offers many beautiful beach areas, and in the afternoon you are already halfway to the village of El Pilar de la Mola.
The small village of Es Caló offers a very picturesque pier and a very nice beach area: Ses Platjetes. You can spend the day here or visit the nearby and famous Caló des Mort, or Es Copinar beach, and then in the afternoon go up to the village of La Mola.
In the area of La Mola, the Faro de la Mola, is undoubtedly on the list of the 3 lighthouses to see in Formentera in 1 week: it is the oldest lighthouse on the island. The environment around the lighthouse, located on top of the cliffs, is so spectacular that it inspired the French writer Jules Verne in his novel “The Lighthouse at the End of the World”.
La Mola Lighthouse was built in 1871 and is located on the eastern cliffs of Formentera, whose views are fascinating. If you decide to visit it, you will be able to get to know its interior and delight yourself with its recently opened museum, where you will learn more about the history of the island of FormenteraThe lighthouse is located in the lighthouse courtyard, where you can also enjoy cultural activities such as concerts, plays, art exhibits, among others.
The most emblematic mill of Formentera is the Molí Vell de la Mola. This site is in the village of El Pilar de La Mola and can be visited during the summer months. It is perfect to learn more about the traditions and history of Formentera, because it is in an excellent state of preservation, is an Asset of Cultural Interest protected by the Consell de Formentera and maintains to date the original machinery, which is inside. On the other hand, the Molí d’en Botigues is another of the mills on La Mola, but it is abandoned, being the last of those that began operating in Formentera when it started its activities in 1893.
Finally, the best known event of El Pilar de la Mola is its famous hippy market that is organized every Wednesday and Sunday.
Highlights near Es Caló and in La Mola
Thursday: Cala Saona and sunset at Punta Rasa
The beach of Cala Saona is one of the quietest beaches in Formentera. Although it is usually quite crowded, it is very wide and always offers space for everyone. In addition, access to Cala Saona is not regulated, as it is in the case of Illetas, so access and parking with your own car or motorcycle to reach Cala Saona is very easy.
Cala Saona is a quiet family beach and perfect for everyone. In addition, the beach itself and the area of the cliffs known as Punta Rasa, are two of the favorite places to enjoy an authentic sunset. Spending a day at Cala Saona beach and enjoying the sunset is a must during your week in Formentera.
Highlights in Cala Saona
Friday: La Savina and Can Marroig
The village of La Savina, port of entry and exit of Formentera, offers a daily flea market right in front of the maritime station. It is also very close to the nearest beach in the Illetas area, the beach of Es Cavall d’en Borras. If you want to enjoy a quieter day away from the hustle and bustle and crowds, we recommend that you move to the area of Can Marroig, a perfect area for snorkeling, enjoy its natural pools, and sunbathe on the cliffs.
Highlights near La Savina and Can Marroig
In the village of La Savina you can enjoy a very interesting daily flea market. To escape from the hustle and bustle, we recommend that you move to the area of Can Marroig, in the western part of the island. Can Marroig is about ten minutes drive from La Savina. It is a publicly owned property protected by the Urban Planning Law of Formentera, which means that nothing can be built on it. In the cliffs of this area of Formentera, marés stone was extracted for many years to build the different buildings on the island. These abandoned quarries have created natural pools and very interesting shapes in the rocks, which you cannot miss during your week in Formentera.
Saturday: Migjorn, Sant Francesc and Cap de Barbaria
Sant Francesc is the capital of Formentera and is the town that offers the most services. We have placed the visit to the village of Sant Francesc on Saturday because that day is the one on which the second hand market of Sant Francesc is organized. From Sant Francesc you are close to several beaches of Migjorn, and then you can move to the area of Cap de Barbaria.
The church of Sant Francesc is the oldest church in Formentera and its origin dates back to 1738, characterized by the fact that, in addition to being a building of worship for the inhabitants of Sant Francesc, it also served for the defense of these citizens. The church of Sant Francesc had in the roof and above its door some loopholes (which today do not exist) in which there were pieces of artillery and cannons.
If you want to take an original souvenir of Formentera you should take a look at the second hand market of Sant Francesc, which is organized on Saturday mornings behind the church.
After breakfast in one of the cafes of Sant Francesc you can head towards Migjorn, as you are very close to several of the beaches of Migjorn, such as the beach of Es Mal Pas and Es Ca Marí.
In the afternoon a must visit is the area of Cap de Barbaria, with its famous lighthouse of Barbaria, the defense tower des Garroveret, and the Cova Foradada. Cap de Barbaria is also a very popular place to enjoy the sunset.
Highlights in Migjorn, Sant Francesc and Barbaria
Sunday: day in Es Pujols and Sant Ferran
The villages of es Pujols and Sant Ferran are separated by just three kilometers, so if you want to make the most of the trips it makes sense to visit both areas during the same day. That is why in this guide we have included places from both areas.
The area of Es Pujols and Sant Ferran may go unnoticed in any guide to Formentera, but it really offers very interesting places and beaches. To begin with, of the five defense towers of Formentera, the largest of them all is located in this area, the tower of Punta Prima. It is located on the cliffs of the area with the same name, and offers spectacular views of La Mola and the island of Ibiza. The area of Es Pujols also offers several bathing areas and a great gastronomic offer.
On the other hand, the village of San Ferran is known for its art market, and for one of the most beautiful coves of all Formentera: Cala en Baster.
Highlights in Es Pujols and Sant Ferran
What to see in Formentera in 1 week with children?
If you are wondering what to see in Formentera in 1 week with kids, we have also prepared a brief guide with tips and places where the little ones can have a great time. To go to this island is to fall in love with its beaches and what better if you make a family trip, offering these little ones some perfect beaches for them such as Es Copinar and Es Arenals.
In Formentera there are also several playgrounds, so they can run and jump when they have a lot of energy. The markets of La Mola and Sant Ferran also offer activities for children.
