Formentera

Day 1: Ses Illetes, Llevant and first sunsets A gentle start that immediately shows you why Formentera is called the Caribbean of the Med. Aim to move early and light, using bikes or the bus to glide past vehicle quotas and parking stress.

• Morning: Ferry into La Savina, pick up a bicycle/e‑bike or scooter, and ride to the Ses Salines park entrance for Ses Illetes before 10:00. Motorised vehicles pay an entry fee and spaces are limited in high season; bikes and pedestrians sail through. Use the boardwalks, keep off the dunes, and pack reef‑safe sunscreen and plenty of water.
• Midday: Cross the narrow peninsula on foot to Platja de Llevant for more breeze and space; naturism is common here (follow local etiquette and avoid photography of people). Picnic in the shade of a parasol or pre‑book a table; shade is scarce. Check the beach flags and, if jellyfish are present on one side, swap to the other.
• Afternoon: Optional boat hop to the islet of S’Espalmador from La Savina (no facilities; mud baths are prohibited). If you’re on a charter, insist on anchoring only over sand to protect Posidonia; fines for seagrass damage are hefty.
• Evening: Drift back to Es Pujols for an easy beachfront stroll and dinner; in summer, parts of the centre are pedestrianised at night. If you prefer quieter vibes, dine in Sant Francesc and turn in early for tomorrow’s coastal roam.

Day 2: Caló des Mort and the long curve of Migjorn Today is about the island’s wild‑meets‑laid‑back soul: tiny coves at dawn, lazy lunches, and a west‑coast sunset finale. Winds and crowds shape your choices; be flexible and move with the conditions.

• Morning: Reach Caló des Mort at first light (sturdy shoes; access is a short, steep path) and enjoy a quiet swim before the crowds. Continue along the Migjorn coast to claim a sandy cove; naturism is normal along stretches here. In winter you may see banks of washed‑up Posidonia—these protect the beach and are left in place.
• Midday: Long, feet‑in‑the‑sand lunch around Es Arenals or Ca Marí, or bring a picnic to keep costs down. Some classic chiringuitos have been affected by coastal regulations—check what’s open this season.
• Afternoon: Coves‑and‑swims hop along Migjorn; aqua shoes help on flat rock shelves. Use the wooden walkways over dunes, watch the flag system (currents can pick up), and if an easterly wind builds, pivot earlier to sheltered Cala Saona.
• Evening: Sunset at Cala Saona: arrive by late afternoon to park and explore the fishermen’s boathouses. Stay for dinner with the sky on fire; pre‑book taxis in July–August when demand spikes.

Day 3: Es Caló, Ses Platgetes, and lighthouse high drama A quieter, local‑feeling morning gives way to dramatic cliffs and iconic roads. You’ll blend swims, small‑village life, and Formentera’s big‑sky horizons.

• Morning: Breakfast in Es Caló, then swim and snorkel at Ses Platgetes’ linked little coves with rocky shelves and bright sand. Respect the fishermen’s slipways and gear; facilities are minimal and the water is crystal clear.
• Midday: For an adventurous dip, head to Cala en Baster (scrambly path, no lifeguard or services). Alternatively, cycle one of the flat green routes and lunch back in Es Caló on simple, maritime fare like peix sec salad.
• Afternoon: Drive or ride up to La Mola lighthouse for wind‑scoured cliffs and huge views that inspired literary lore; stay behind barriers as gusts can be strong. Then continue to Cap de Barbaria: vehicles are restricted near the end—walk the final stretch for the cinematic approach.
• Evening: Golden hour and stargazing at Cap de Barbaria make a perfect finale—bring a torch for the walk back. Return to Sant Francesc for a relaxed dinner in the square; if visiting June–September, ensure your formentera.eco vehicle permit is in order for tomorrow’s departure.

By Air

• Formentera has no airport. Fly to Ibiza Airport (IBZ), then continue by ferry to La Savina (Formentera).
• Ibiza Airport to Ibiza Town ferry terminal (Estació Marítima de Formentera): taxi 15–20 minutes; bus L10 about 25–30 minutes.
• Ferries Ibiza–Formentera run year-round, typically every 30–60 minutes; crossing 25–35 minutes on fast boats (up to ~60 minutes on slower services).
• Flight options: year-round via Madrid, Barcelona and Palma; seasonal direct flights from many European cities (including London and Manchester).

By Ferry

• Ibiza Town (Eivissa) to La Savina: year-round; frequent daily services operated by Trasmapi, Baleària and others. Journey 25–60 minutes depending on vessel.
• Denia (mainland) to La Savina: direct fast ferries operate seasonally (late spring–early autumn) with Baleària; typical crossing ~2–3 hours. Year-round you can sail Denia/Valencia/Barcelona to Ibiza, then connect to Formentera.
• Book ahead in July–August; allow extra time in bad sea conditions.

By Train

• No rail on Ibiza/Formentera. Travel by train to mainland hubs, then connect to ferries:
  • Barcelona Sants: ferries to Ibiza (often overnight, ~8–9 hours), then Ibiza–Formentera.
  • Valencia Joaquín Sorolla: onward by coach to Denia (≈2.5–3 hours) for seasonal direct Denia–Formentera, or ferry to Ibiza then connect.
  • Madrid Atocha/Chamartín: high-speed trains to Valencia/Alicante, then coach/TRAM to Denia for ferries.

By Bus

• Ibiza Airport to ferry: EMT Ibiza bus L10 links the airport and Ibiza Town ferry terminal (about 25–30 minutes, frequent).
• Mainland long-distance coaches to Denia from Valencia (≈2–3 hours) and Madrid (≈5–6 hours), then ferry to Formentera.

By Car

• Drive to ferry ports:
  • Denia: seasonal direct ferries to Formentera; year-round to Ibiza with onward connection.
  • Valencia/Barcelona: ferries to Ibiza, then connect to Formentera.
• Vehicle transport on ferries is possible, but bringing a car/motorbike to Formentera in summer (1 June–30 September) requires a prior permit under the formentera.eco scheme (daily fee and quotas; reserve in advance at formentera.eco).