Formentera

Formentera is a small Spanish island in the Balearics, about 6 km south of Ibiza, with white sand beaches and flat cycle tracks. Most visitors arrive by a ferry from Ibiza port, a crossing of about 30 minutes.

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Formentera is a small Spanish island in the Balearic Islands, about 6 km south of Ibiza across the Freus strait. It is the smallest inhabited island of the Balearics and the southernmost one. The island is flat and has white sand beaches: Ses Illetes, Cala Saona and Es Migjorn have the most sand and the calmest water, and families visit them often. The capital is Sant Francesc Xavier, and the island forms one municipality. Its history runs from Carthaginian and Roman traces to a permanent resettlement by people from Ibiza in 1695.

The island has no airport, so you reach it by boat. The most common route is the ferry from Ibiza port, a crossing of about 30 minutes, with departures every half hour in high season. Ferries land at La Savina, the island's only port. Buses link the port with the main villages and beaches, but many visitors rent mopeds or bicycles, and cars can be hired at the port. The climate is semi-arid, with hot, very dry summers and about 2,883 hours of sunshine a year. Plan a day trip for the main beaches, or stay overnight to reach the quieter coves.

Formentera in five

Book the ferry from Ibiza before you book anything elseFast boats run from Ibiza Town to La Savina, and midday and evening sailings sell out in July and August. Pick a return time with a margin, especially before a flight home.Ibiza Town travel guide
Hire a bike or scooter, not a carThe island is roughly 20 km end to end and mostly flat, with signed bike lanes. Check the island council's current rules for bringing or renting vehicles in summer before you commit to a car.Getting around Spain
Reach Ses Illetes before 10am or after 5pmThe northern peninsula with Ses Illetes and Llevant is the postcard stretch and fills by late morning in peak season. Migjorn, on the south coast, is longer and easier to find a spot on.
Stay a night to see the island after the day boats leaveDay-trippers head back on the late ferries. A night in Es Pujols, La Savina or Sant Ferran gives you a quiet sunset at the La Mola lighthouse or Cap de Barbaria.
Budget for the Balearic tourist tax if you stayOvernight stays carry the Balearic tourist tax on top of the room rate, and it is not always shown in the headline price. Our guide explains how it works.Tourist taxes in Europe

Things to do in Formentera

See all attractions in Formentera

photography of five yacht on shore during daytime

Beach · FormenteraPlatja de Ses Illetes

Sight · FormenteraSes Salines de Formentera

Sight · FormenteraS'Espalmador

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to FormenteraPut the places you like in Formentera on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: None; fly to Ibiza (IBZ), then take the ferry to La Savina
Getting there: Fast ferry from Ibiza Town, about 30–40 minutes
Getting around: Bicycle, scooter, local bus or taxi; the island is flat and about 20 km long
Best base: Es Pujols for evenings, La Savina for the port, Sant Ferran for quiet
Time needed: A day trip covers the north beaches; 2–3 nights lets you slow down

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Mostly closed
FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Mostly closed
MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Reopening
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh18°Low14°Cool, quiet
MayClear4 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Warm, open
JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Beach season
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low24°Peak, boats full
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Peak, crowded
SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Warm sea, calm
OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh23°Low20°Closing for winter
NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh19°Low16°Mostly closed
DecemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh16°Low14°Mostly closed

Average daily high and low in Sant Francesc, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Formentera

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 16°
Humidity: 57%
Wind: 17 km/h
Chance of rain: 15%

Formentera

09:46 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today20°18°15%Monday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 15%.
Tue20°17°65%Tuesday: Rain. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 65%.
Wed19°17°48%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 48%.
Thu20°18°50%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 50%.
Fri21°18°23%Friday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 23%.
Sat21°17°8%Saturday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sun22°19°5%Sunday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 5%.

Updated 09:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Formentera

Where to sleep on FormenteraEs Pujols, La Savina or Sant FerranCheck availability

Boat trips around the PitiusasDay cruises from Ibiza and La SavinaCompare boat trips

eSIM for FormenteraMaps and ferry tickets on the islandRead the guide

Insurance for the islandsFerry delays and rental-bike mishapsRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Formentera, checked

Spain is in the Schengen Area, and Formentera is reached only by sea from Ibiza or Dénia. Check your entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you travel.
Non-EU travellers may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's EES page for current rules.
Formentera has no airport. Check the ferry operator's rules on cars and luggage before you book, since fast and slow boats run from different Ibiza ports.
Call 112 in Spain for police, ambulance or fire. Some anchorages may not suit sailboats in poor weather, so check the forecast before you anchor.

Plan around Formentera

All of Spain

Cities, islands and trains beyond the Balearics

Read the guide Ibiza

The gateway island: airport, ferries and where to base

Read the guide Ibiza Town

Dalt Vila and the port where the Formentera boats leave

Read the guide Menorca

Another Balearic island with calm coves and small towns

Read the guide Tourist taxes in Europe

How the nightly charge on Balearic stays works

Read the guide

Formentera FAQ

Is Formentera worth visiting from Ibiza?

Yes, if beaches matter more than nightlife. Formentera has long white-sand beaches, clear shallow water and almost no clubs, so it suits a calm day or two after Ibiza's busier coast.

Can you do Formentera as a day trip from Ibiza?

Yes. The fast ferry takes about 30–40 minutes each way, which leaves time for Ses Illetes plus one more beach. Check the last return sailing before you plan a long lunch.

Do you need a car on Formentera?

No. Most visitors use a bicycle, scooter or the local bus, and taxis cover the rest. Vehicle rules can change in summer, so check the island council's page before you book a car or bring one on the ferry.

When is the best time to visit Formentera?

Late May to June and September, when the sea is warm and the island is open but not at its peak. Many restaurants and hotels close from November to April, so check opening dates for winter trips.

Does Formentera have an airport?

No. Flights land at Ibiza, and you continue by ferry from Ibiza Town to La Savina. Allow a margin between a morning ferry and a flight home, since boats can be delayed in wind.