Formentera's Beaches: Which to Choose and How to Get There
Ferries, bike lanes and the difference between Ses Illetes and a crowded afternoon at Es Pujols.
Getting to Formentera from Ibiza
Almost every visitor reaches Formentera by ferry from Ibiza. The fast boats leave from the Estació Marítima in Ibiza Town, a short walk from the Dalt Vila walls, and take roughly 30 to 35 minutes to reach La Savina, the island's only port. Crossings run frequently from April to October and thin out sharply in winter. Return tickets bought online in advance usually cost less than turning up at the quay, and morning departures are calmer than the 11am crush in July and August.
If you are staying on Menorca, Formentera is a long day: a flight or fast ferry to Ibiza first, then the connection from Ibiza Town. It works as an overnight rather than a day trip. From Menorca's port at Maó, the quickest sensible plan is a morning flight to Ibiza, a midday crossing to La Savina and a night on Formentera. Trying to do it in one day leaves you with two hours on the sand and a lot of waiting around.
Ses Illetes and Llevant: the northern tip
Ses Illetes sits at the end of a narrow spit north of La Savina, reachable by a 15-minute cycle along the flat road or by the small shuttle bus that runs in season. The water is shallow, glass-clear and shelving, with sandbars you can wade between. Two beach bars serve lunch, and a car park fills by mid-morning in August. It is the island's most photographed beach, and it earns the reputation, but go before 10am or after 5pm to have it nearly to yourself.
Continue another ten minutes on foot past the rocks and you reach Llevant, the next cove along, which is quieter and has no buildings at all. There is no shade and no facilities, so bring water. Between the two lies a small naturist stretch that is well established and unremarkable to locals. If you only have one beach day on Formentera and want the postcard version, book Ses Illetes and walk to Llevant for the afternoon.
Migjorn, Es Caló and the south coast
Platja de Migjorn is the long south-facing beach that runs for several kilometres between Es Mal Pas and Es Caló. It is less sheltered than the north, so it catches more swell and often has a breeze, which makes it bearable in August. Access is by the road from Sant Francesc, with parking spots at intervals and a handful of chiringuitos. The sections near Es Ca Marí are the busiest; walk ten minutes either way and the crowd thins considerably.
Es Caló, further east, is a small fishing hamlet with wooden boat sheds and a couple of restaurants rather than a resort. It is a good base if you want to eat well and sleep quietly. Cala Saona, on the west coast below Sant Francesc, is a compact cove backed by low cliffs and popular with families, though the single beach club takes most of the sand in high season. For a calm swim and a shorter cycle, I would choose Cala Saona over Es Pujols.
Es Pujols, Illetes access and practical logistics
Es Pujols is the island's main tourist centre: a grid of small hotels, restaurants and hire shops behind a curved beach. It is convenient rather than beautiful, and the beach gets packed in July and August. Its advantage is that everything is walkable and the bus and bike routes to La Savina and Ses Illetes start here. If you want nightlife and no need for a car, this is the place to book; if you want quiet, look at Es Caló or the lanes around Sant Francesc.
Bikes are the best way around Formentera: the island is flat, the lanes are signed, and a day's hire from La Savina or Es Pujols is the standard way to link three beaches in one day. Buses run between the port, Es Pujols and the main beaches but are infrequent and crowded in August. A hire car is useful only if you have luggage or small children. Avoid bringing a car on the ferry in high season; parking near Ses Illetes is limited and fills early.
Questions, answered
How long is the ferry from Ibiza to Formentera?
Fast ferries from Ibiza Town to La Savina take around 30 to 35 minutes. Slower car ferries take closer to an hour. Services run frequently from April to October and reduce in winter, so check the timetable before planning a day trip in the shoulder months.
Can you visit Formentera as a day trip from Menorca?
It is possible but rushed. You would need a flight from Maó to Ibiza, then a ferry to La Savina, which leaves little beach time. Staying one night on Formentera makes far more sense, and it is worth checking hotel availability in Es Caló or Sant Francesc before you commit.
Which Formentera beach is best for families?
Cala Saona and the western end of Platja de Migjorn suit families best: shallow entry, some shade and easy parking. Ses Illetes is beautiful but has less shade and gets busy. Es Pujols is convenient if you want facilities close at hand, though the beach is crowded in August.
Do you need a car on Formentera?
No. The island is flat and cycling is the standard way to move between beaches. Buses link La Savina, Es Pujols and the main beaches, though they are infrequent and crowded in high season. A car helps with luggage or small children, but parking near Ses Illetes is tight.
When is the best time to visit Formentera's beaches?
Late May, June and September offer warm water, open beach bars and far fewer people than July and August. August is hot, busy and expensive, and Ses Illetes fills by mid-morning. May can still be breezy, and some chiringuitos do not open until late in the month.
Is Ses Illetes worth the hype?
Yes, with timing. The water is genuinely extraordinary and the sandbars are unusual. Go before 10am or after 5pm to avoid the peak crowd, and walk on to Llevant for a quieter afternoon. Bring water and shade, since facilities are limited beyond the two beach bars.
How do you get from La Savina to the beaches?
La Savina is small, and the bike hire shops and bus stops are right by the ferry terminal. Ses Illetes is a 15-minute cycle north; Es Pujols is about 20 minutes east on foot or five by bike. Platja de Migjorn is a longer ride or a short bus journey via Sant Francesc.
Where should I stay on Formentera for a quiet trip?
Es Caló and the lanes around Sant Francesc are the quietest options, with good restaurants and easy access to Migjorn and the east coast. Es Pujols suits travellers who want nightlife and everything walkable. Book well ahead for June and September, when small hotels fill fastest.
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