Traveling to the island of Formentera with children can undoubtedly be a fantastic family experience, especially during the summer holidays in Spain or a vacation near Ibiza or the Balearic Islands.
Best of all, Formentera —that fantastic gem of the Mediterranean—can be visited at any time of year, since each season has a completely different atmosphere (and, for example, visiting Formentera in winter is becoming increasingly common).
However, if you want to enjoy the sea with your family and have the best days at the beach, summer is the ideal season. Still not sure why this is the perfect destination for you and your family—and why Formentera is also an ideal island for kids? We’ll tell you why you shouldn’t miss it for anything in the world.
Why visit Formentera with kids?
Formentera is known as an ideal destination for couples, but also for families looking to spend their vacation in an enviable setting. The crystal-clear, pristine waters, combined with the natural landscape, make this place truly iconic.
What’s more, Formentera’s warm climate makes it the perfect destination any time of year. Another advantage of the island is that most of its beaches are quiet, with hardly any waves. Of course, you’ll need to take the wind into account on certain days to decide which part of the island to visit.
If you’re looking for a peaceful place where you can immerse yourself in nature, unwind, and spend a few days with your family—including children of all ages—Formentera might be the perfect choice. Discover all the reasons why visiting the island with the little ones is a great idea.
Playgrounds for children
- La Savina Marina Playground: Opened in 2021, this playground is located at the La Savina marina. It features an open area for children to run right in front of it, as well as various play structures, including a slide, a swing, and several climbing frames.
- Sant Francesc Playground: The Sant Francesc Playground is located across from IES Marc Ferrer High School. It is one of the largest on the island and features slides, swings, a seesaw, and two playhouses with different play areas. The best part is that the entire ground is padded for the safety of the little ones.
- La Savina Playground: This second playground is located in La Savina, specifically at Plaça de les Illes Pitiüses. Although it is smaller than the other playgrounds on the island, it has plenty of equipment for children to have a great time.
- Es Pujols Playground: The fourth playground on Formentera is located in Es Pujols. It’s a truly unique playground, as it’s set within a forest. Its ample shaded areas make it ideal for seeking refuge from the heat during the hottest hours of the day in the middle of summer. The ground is fully padded, and kids can enjoy slides, swings, a balance beam, as well as a play castle for climbing.
- Sant Ferran Playground: The fifth and final playground worth mentioning is the one in Sant Ferran, the liveliest town on Formentera at night. It was also recently opened (in 2021). It features a fence to keep little ones from running into the street, as well as various play structures.
Flea markets that organize activities for children
Although Formentera’s street markets are known as charming places to shop for handmade items, art, and souvenirs from the island, they’re also a great place to visit with children.
In fact, two of the island’s most famous street markets host various activities for children, such as concerts and events designed exclusively for them.
These two flea markets are as follows:
- Sant Ferran Art Market: This market brings together the island’s best artists in painting, illustration, sculpture, ceramics, and more. What few people know is that art workshops for children are held on Mondays.
Thanks to these workshops, children will have the opportunity to explore different disciplines, tools, and techniques, helping them develop their creative abilities and become true artists. - La Mola Market: Known as the quintessential hippie market, the La Mola Market is the most famous in Formentera. You’ll have the chance to take a trip back in time to the wonderful 1960s. In addition, this market also features storytelling sessions, concerts, and various activities so that the little ones can have fun.
Other activities in Formentera for kids
If you’re planning to visit Formentera with kids and want to give them some extra things to do, here are a few ideas.
Bicycle Routes
Another way to explore the most secluded and unique spots on the island of Formentera is by bike.
The short distances make it the perfect and most economical mode of transportation you’ll find.
Plus, it’s something the little ones will love, making it the perfect family activity. In fact, there are several bike routes around the island that are perfectly suited for every member of the family, avoiding sections that might be too challenging for the little ones.
Thanks to these bike rides, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the island’s most beautiful scenery, featuring lush vegetation, sand dunes, and even various species of birds, allowing you to connect with nature in its purest form.
Horseback riding trails
Another great way to enjoy the island when traveling with children—and a really fun activity for them—is horseback riding.
Thanks to the parks, trails, and unique landscapes, you’ll be able to enjoy this experience like nowhere else.
In addition, the trails are specifically designed to be less crowded than other parts of the island and are perfectly suited for people of all ages to enjoy.
Water activities
As you might expect, other activities you can enjoy with children on the island of Formentera include all kinds of water activities.
The incredible beaches that stretch along the entire coastline make Formentera the perfect setting for water sports and other activities, whether in the sea or on the sand.
Some of the activities available include kayaking, snorkeling, and renting small boats to explore the area and enjoy the sea.
Field Trips
Of course, excursions are another of Formentera’s standout attractions.
Among the various options available, a highlight is the hike along the ancient Roman road, known locally as Camí de Sa Pujada.
This historic road connects La Mola with other parts of the island, and owes its name to the cobblestones that evoke the ancient roads of Roman times. This excursion will take you into the island’s interior, where you can enjoy exceptional scenery and incredible views.
Green Routes
Formentera also has 20 green routes, which were created by the island’s own Island Council.
These are various trails that will allow you to connect with the natural landscape of the region and discover the most rural side of Formentera.
Some of the routes we mentioned earlier, which were designed for cycling, are part of these greenways, although the rest are perfectly suitable for walking.
Best beaches for kids
Without a doubt, Formentera’s beaches are the true highlight of any visit to the island.
But not all of Formentera’s beaches and coves are suitable for children, so here are the ones we think are the best options for little ones.
The criteria we used to determine whether a beach is perfect for children or not are:
- Easy access
- Nearby parking area
- Lifeguard
- Easy access to water and no rocks, or very few
- Light swell
- No sudden changes in depth
In our opinion, these are the best beaches in Formentera for kids:
Although all the beaches are suitable for families and children, we recommend three in particular for their amenities, easy access, and very calm waters:
- Platja des Copinar: This is the easternmost of Migjorn’s beaches. In reality, it consists of three beaches separated by reefs, creating a natural division of the swimming areas. In fact, these reefs make it ideal for snorkeling. It is considered one of the best beaches for families with children, as the water depth increases very gradually and it offers easy access from the parking lot or on foot. There is also a bus that stops at the beach and a wooden walkway that allows you to move comfortably from one swimming area to another.
- Es Arenals Beach: Right next to Platja des Copinar lies the neighboring beach, Es Arenals. It features a stretch of fine white sand and a wide variety of restaurants and beach bars, making it ideal for families with young children. This beach is also one of the most popular and well-known on the island, which is hardly surprising given its great beauty and spectacular scenery. Es Arenals is also known for its easy access via a paved road.
- Ses Xalanes Beach (Illetas): This is the beach with the calmest and shallowest waters in the entire Illetas area, as it is protected by a natural reef of islands and Posidonia meadows. That’s why it’s also the perfect beach for kids to enjoy a day of swimming.
- Ses Platjetes: This is an area of easily accessible, very quiet beaches in the Es Caló area. In some spots, you have to navigate around a few rocks to get into the water, but other than that, it has all the necessary amenities, including a lifeguard and access walkways, and it’s right next to the main road.
- Cala Saona is another beach we’ve added to our list of Formentera beaches that are perfect for kids. It’s a large beach with a wide stretch of sand, easy access, ample parking, and all the amenities you could need.
Recommended for children: Cap de Barbaria Lighthouse and Cova Foradada
In addition to visiting the island’s beautiful beaches and coves, there are other iconic spotsthat are must-sees when visiting Formentera.
If you want your kids to have a blast, you should definitely take them to visit the famous Cap de Barbaria Lighthouse and the Cova Foradada cave right next to it:
- Cap de Barbaria Lighthouse: Without a doubt, the Cap de Barbaria Lighthouse is the most iconic spot in Formentera. And as soon as you arrive, the sight of a nearly desert-like landscape, a narrow road, and the lighthouse in the distance, surrounded by the blue sea, is hard to put into words.
- Cova Foradada: Cova Foradada is one of the many caves found on the island and, without a doubt, the most famous of them all. Its circular entrance leads down a staircase to a completely natural opening in the cliff. You can visit this iconic spot in the Cap de Barbaria area, about 100 meters west of the lighthouse—a must-see stop during your visit. Why not take the opportunity to watch the sunset? We guarantee it’s a unique and unforgettable experience.
Where to stay in Formentera with kids?
One of the biggest questions that comes up when traveling with children is what kind of accommodation to choose.
On the island, you’ll find hotels, private rooms, apartments, and country homes. In these cases, we recommend choosing a country home or an apartment, as they offer much more space and greater privacy.
In addition, a house or apartment will provide all the necessary amenities, such as a kitchen where you can prepare your own meals if you and your family are traveling with a baby.
This is something to keep in mind, in case you ever want to eat at home or pack a meal to take with you for the day—which is often the best option when traveling with children.
Hotels in Formentera that are perfect for kids
The three hotels listed below are perfect if you’re visiting Formentera with children.
The Insotel Formentera Playa, the Insotel Club Maryland, and the Hotel Riu La Mola specialize in serving families with young children and offer entertainment programs and activities designed specifically for them. They also feature dedicated children’s areas, such as kiddie pools, playgrounds, and recreational spaces for the little ones.
If you’re traveling to Formentera with children—especially if you have several of them— be sure to check out these three places, as they might be the perfect hotel for your kids.
Other accommodations in Formentera for children and families
If you don’t need a hotel or accommodation that specializes in children and would like to explore other options, here are 4 more options:
These 4 accommodations are also ideal for families with children because:
- Sabina Playa Apartments offers spacious two-bedroom apartments, perfect for families of four.
- The Hotel Bahía provides cribs for families with young children or infants and is located in the port of La Savina, in a very quiet area.
- Los Pinos Paraíso Apartments offers apartments of various sizes and can also provide cribs upon request.
- The houses at Cas Saliners Natural Park are spacious and located in a very quiet area, perfect for children to enjoy the outdoors.
- Es Caló Apartments also feature spacious rooms and are a popular choice among families with children
- The Costamar Apartments offer triple rooms and an outdoor pool, and are a great choice for families.
And remember that you can find a variety of accommodations in our specialized directory (you can filter by whether or not they accept children):
Where can you eat in Formentera with kids?
Another major advantage the island offers is the wide variety of dining options available. You’ll find authentic Mediterranean cuisine that reflects the traditional way of life still practiced on the island.
If you’re at the beach, the most common option is to eat at the beachside food stalls or at local restaurants and bars. Any of them will be happy to welcome children.
It’s true that prices are quite high, so we recommend taking advantage of your accommodations to save money by cooking there a few days. Plus, this gives you a lot of flexibility, especially when traveling with very young children who have specific needs.
