On Formentera’s south coast, Es Arenals is one of the most beautiful stretches of the long Migjorn beach. Very fine white sand, shallow turquoise water where you walk fifty metres before it gets deep, full services and legendary chiringuitos such as Piratabus: it is the southern beach that manages to combine nature and comfort.
Es Arenals is a section of Platja de Migjorn, in the south-east of the island. It is one of the most popular and beautiful parts of this huge beach, famous for its white sand and crystal-clear water. The gentle slope and sandy bottom make it particularly reassuring for families with children.
About Es Arenals
Es Arenals ticks a lot of boxes: fine sand dotted with shells, water that stays shallow for a good distance, a relaxed atmosphere. It is the ideal combination for a family beach day, with added safety, as it is the only stretch of the south coast with lifeguards all summer.
Unlike the wildest parts of Migjorn, Es Arenals offers real comfort without losing the charm of the south coast. To explore the rest of this huge beach and its varied atmospheres, see our page on Platja de Migjorn, of which Es Arenals is one of the finest sections.
The chiringuitos of Es Arenals
This is one of the beach’s strong points: you can spend the whole day there without getting back in the car. The places are mostly at the eastern end.
- Piratabus: the local star, an old 1970s wooden bus turned into a kiosk. Famous mojitos and an atmosphere you will not find anywhere else on the island.
- Chiringuito Bartolo: running since 1976, set on the rocks by the water. A wooden terrace with your feet almost in the sea.
- Gitana: right at the eastern end, a laid-back atmosphere and one of the best views in the area.
- La Fragata: the classic restaurant formula, tables set facing the sea, for a proper lunch or dinner.
Between these places, several more modest kiosks complete the offer: somewhere to have a drink or a snack without leaving the sand.
Access, services and good practice
Parking is fairly plentiful and free, spread over several areas, the largest at the end of the surfaced road leading straight to the beach. One honest caveat: the car parks are not always in good condition, with a few potholes, but parking is not too hard.
For services, Es Arenals has everything you need: sunbed and parasol hire, kiosks, restaurants for lunch and dinner, and lifeguards in season. If you are coming from Ibiza, our complete guide to the Ibiza-Formentera ferry helps you plan the crossing.
Staying close to Es Arenals
Es Arenals is one of the few spots in Formentera where you can stay a few metres from the sand. Two places share the area, with very different profiles.
Insotel Club Maryland plays the family card: club formula, two pools facing the sea, entertainment and direct beach access. It is the logical choice if you are travelling with children and want to limit journeys, especially as Es Arenals is the only stretch of the south coast with lifeguards.
For a quieter, more upmarket stay, Hotel Riu Palace La Mola occupies the other end of the area, set back in the pine woods. Spacious rooms, spa and restaurants on site: it is more of a place for couples or a quiet stay than for entertainment.
A third, more discreet option: Teranka, a small boutique hotel in the pine woods just above the beach. It is the white building you can see from the sand, two minutes’ walk from the chiringuitos. Less entertainment, more privacy, and a place that suits the spirit of the south coast well.
Finally, Hannah Formentera has apartments with kitchens a few dozen metres from the sand. It is the most flexible option if you are staying several days or prefer to cook rather than depend on the chiringuitos, which close out of season.
To round off your stay on the south coast, our guide to activities in Formentera and our Formentera hotel guide bring together the best ideas and places in the area.
For opening hours and practical information about the south coast, the official Formentera tourism website remains the most reliable source.
