Ibiza & Formentera
Ibiza and Formentera travel guide the local guide to combining the two islands
Ibiza and Formentera are neighbouring Balearic islands, 30 minutes apart on the Ibiza to Formentera ferry, but with opposite moods: Ibiza for variety (coves, villages, nightlife, design hotels), Formentera for its unspoilt turquoise beaches and calm. Most travellers combine both in one trip. This guide helps you choose, plan your itinerary and find the right places, away from the tourist trail.
Activities
Top hotels
Your guide
Welcome to the Balearics
Who am I
I am Sonia, and for 15 years I have been exploring these islands for their wild beauty and authenticity. Here I help you plan a trip that suits you, away from the crowds. I focus mostly on calm, nature and local activities: you will find very little about clubs and parties, which I happily swap for unspoilt landscapes.
Why these two islands?
I fell in love with these islands on my first trip in 2010. I have gone back every year since, and more and more travellers were asking me for advice, so I started this site. Whether you dream of secret coves, design hotels or decor ideas, you are in the right place.
Ibiza
Travel to Ibiza
Boat hire in Ibiza and Formentera: licence, skipper, prices
Ibiza’s must-sees
Luxury boutique hotels in Ibiza
Things to do in Ibiza
Our favourite outings
Ibiza: Half-Day Island Tour with Iconic Photo Spots From €95 4,9/5 
Secret Cove Yoga and Cava Experience in Ibiza's Crystal Waters From €39 4,9/5 
Ibiza: Coastal Quad Tour Past Beaches & Cliffs From €90 4,8/5 
Ibiza: Sea & Caves Kayaking Tour with Snorkelling From €50 4,8/5 
Until 4 November Ibiza Highlights 4x4 Tour by Land Rover Defender From €130 4,8/5 
Ibiza: Guided Buggy Tour with Beach Stops From €240 4,8/5 
Ibiza: Hot Air Balloon Ride over Ibiza at Sunrise From €250 4,8/5 
San Antonio: Cala Salada & Cala Gracio Sunset Boat Trip From €80 4,7/5 No activity matches these filters for now.
Formentera
Travel to Formentera
Things to do in Formentera
Formentera trip budget
What to do with one day in Formentera?
Things to do in Formentera
Our favourites in Formentera
Until 1 November From Formentera: Private Boat Trip to Espalmador & Illetes From €130 5,0/5 
Formentera: Kayak Rental with Optional Route to Espalmador From €20 5,0/5 
Formentera: Stand-Up Paddleboard Rental From €25 5,0/5 
Until 31 October Formentera: 2-Hour Boat Tour with Snorkeling & Cliff Jumping From €90 5,0/5 
Formentera tour: s'Espalmador and Illetes. 9-metre boat. Capacity: 12 people. From €95 4,5/5 
Until 31 October DISCOVER THE UNDERWATER WORLD, Scuba Diving Experience From €95 4,2/5 
Until 29 October IBIZA day trip to Formetera by bike From €97 2,9/5 
Formentera: Wing Foiling 3h Trial Course From €180 No activity matches these filters for now.
Choosing
Ibiza or Formentera: which island should you choose?
It is the first question everyone asks, and the answer is not “they are as good as each other”. Ibiza and Formentera are neighbours but they are not in the same league. Ibiza is the complete island: superb beaches, a UNESCO-listed old town, restaurants everywhere, world-famous nightlife and plenty to do even when the weather turns. Formentera is the opposite of the bustle: no airport, Caribbean-style turquoise water, cycle paths and a slowness you no longer find elsewhere in the Mediterranean.
In practice, choose Ibiza if it is your first visit, if you want plenty of choice for going out and places to stay, or if you are travelling as a group with different tastes. Choose Formentera if you are mainly after the beach, calm and switching off, as a couple or with young children. On budget, Formentera is not the cheap option people imagine: everything is shipped in, so it costs more. We go into it in our guide to the cost of a trip to Formentera.
My advice after years of going back and forth: do not choose. The two islands are thirty minutes apart by ferry, and that combination is exactly what makes the trip memorable. Spend most of your time in Ibiza for logistics and activities, and treat yourself to Formentera for a day or two for the beaches. That is what travelling to “Ibiza and Formentera” rather than one or the other really means.
Itinerary
Combining Ibiza and Formentera: which itinerary for how many days?
The good news is that the islands are close enough to see everything, even on a short trip. It is all about the balance. Here is how I split the time depending on the number of days, so you do not spend your holiday on ferries or miss the essentials.
For 4 to 5 days, base yourself in Ibiza and keep one full day for Formentera. Catch the first ferry in the morning from Ibiza Town or Playa d’en Bossa, hire a scooter or bike on arrival, and do Ses Illetes, Migjorn and a lunch by the water before heading back at sunset. Our guide to one day in Formentera has the exact timing.
For a week, the right balance is four or five nights in Ibiza and two in Formentera. Sleeping on Formentera changes everything: you get the beaches early in the morning and late in the day, once the day-trippers have gone, in a silence they never experience. For ten days or more, you have the luxury of exploring Ibiza’s wild north, its hidden coves and markets, then properly slowing down in Formentera without rushing.
Whatever you choose, time your trip right: the weather, sea temperature and crowds change hugely from one month to the next. It is all in our guide on when to go to Ibiza and Formentera, month by month. For a 2026 trip, May, June and September remain the best balance of sunshine, warm sea and reasonable prices.
FAQ
FAQ: holidays in Ibiza and Formentera
The answers to the questions we get asked most for a successful trip to Ibiza and Formentera
What are the Balearic Islands?
The Balearic archipelago is made up of four main islands, Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, about 200 km off the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean. Together they form an autonomous region of Spain, and the currency is the euro.
People speak Spanish and Balearic Catalan, which varies from island to island. The name comes from the ancient Balearic warriors, famous in antiquity for their skill with the sling.
Each island has its own character: Mallorca the largest, Menorca the most protected, Formentera the wildest and Ibiza the most famous for partying (but Ibiza is much more than that).
When is the best time to visit Ibiza and Formentera?
For swimming and water sports, go between May and October. June and September are the sweet spot, warm without the July and August crowds.
For the detail season by season, see our guide on when to go to Ibiza and Formentera.
What is the weather like in Ibiza?
The climate is Mediterranean and very pleasant. In summer expect 25 to 30 °C with sea temperatures of 24 to 26 °C. Spring and autumn are mild at 18 to 25 °C with the odd shower, and even winter stays between 10 and 18 °C with plenty of sunny days.
Which Balearic island should I choose?
Mallorca is the biggest, with the Tramuntana mountains, coves, culture and resorts for every taste. Menorca is the nature option, ideal for walking and wild beaches. Ibiza mixes water sports, design hotels, walking, traditional villages and nightlife. Formentera is pure relaxation, with white sand, crystal-clear water and a very slow pace, and you can only reach it by boat.
Plenty of travellers combine two islands, thanks to the regular ferries.
Which is the most beautiful Balearic island?
Hard to say, each has its own charm. Formentera, with its white sand and incredible turquoise water, is pure magic. Ibiza mixes breathtaking landscapes with a cosmopolitan energy you feel everywhere. In the end it depends on your mood, what you are looking for and your budget.
Which Balearic island is best for families?
Mallorca is often the most practical, with shallow beaches, water parks and plenty for young children. Menorca suits families looking for calm and protected beaches. Ibiza has a family side many people do not expect, with sheltered coves and family hotels. Formentera suits families with slightly older children who will appreciate its beaches and tranquillity, reached by ferry from Ibiza.
What is the most beautiful beach in the Balearics?
It is subjective, but here are my favourites: Cala d’Hort in Ibiza, facing Es Vedrà, one of my favourite beaches; Cala Comte in Ibiza for its sunsets over the islets; Ses Illetes in Formentera, with Caribbean-style water; Cala Saona in Formentera, framed by ochre cliffs; Cala Mondragó in Mallorca and Cala Pregonda in Menorca.
