Formentera is the small Balearic island that makes people dream with its postcard beaches and laid-back atmosphere. But how do you plan your day well when you only have a few hours there?
Here is my bike itinerary that covers the must-sees without stress in 1 day. From the legendary Ses Illetes beach to the salt flats, by way of a well-earned beer facing the harbour… This is how to turn a simple day trip into an unforgettable memory, with my favourite places. Perhaps a taste of a longer stay on the island…
Key points
- Take a ferry between 7.45am and 8.30am from Ibiza port, a 30-minute crossing to La Savina.
- On the island: e-bike or scooter hired at the port (€20 to €35 a day). The island is 20 km long, so it can all be done in a day.
- The route: Ses Illetes in the morning, lunch at a chiringuito, the salt flats and Es Pujols in the afternoon, sunset before the last ferry.
- Don’t want to organise it all? Boat trips from Ibiza (from €140) include the crossing, swimming and free time on the island.
8am – First mission: catch the ferry
From Ibiza, board the first ferry and let yourself be surprised by this 20 km island that hides plenty of treasures! I recommend taking the ferry between 7.45am and 8.30am at the latest to make the most of Formentera. The fast crossing takes 30 minutes. Go to the port and book your ticket on your phone with Baleària.
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Formentera in a day: on your own or on a tour?
This itinerary is done independently, with a ferry and a bike or scooter. If you would rather hand over the logistics, boat trips from Ibiza cover the same day, with less freedom on the island.
My pick
Independently
from €55/return
Return ferry ticket from Ibiza port, then a bike or scooter on the island.
- You follow the itinerary in this article
- Free to stay until sunset
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Bike or scooter hire extra
All-inclusive cruise
from €140/person
A day on a boat from Ibiza with VIP sunbeds, drinks and a meal.
- Transport and beach sorted
- Swim stop on the way
- 4.5/5 from more than 2,000 reviews
- Little time to explore inland
Small-group catamaran
from €142/person
Sailing to Formentera with drinks and snacks, small group.
- Calmer atmosphere
- Drinks and snacks on board
- 4.6/5 from more than 240 reviews
- Fixed schedule
9am – Bike or scooter hire
As soon as you arrive by ferry at La Savina (the port), go straight to hire a bike at the port. There are hire shops absolutely everywhere. It really is the best way to discover the island quickly in a day. If you are feeling less energetic, you can take a scooter instead.
Bring cash for the deposit, €10 or €20 on average for a bike.
9.30am – A heavenly morning at Ses Illetes beach
To get there, follow the harbour with the sea on your left and keep to the seafront all the way.
Ses Illetes is the island’s most famous beach, known for its white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. It is an absolute must (a bit like going to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower)! It is ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Europe in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice awards.
My tip: leave your bike or scooter in the free car park as far along as possible, right next to the Es Ministre restaurant. Then walk for about twenty minutes to reach the tip of the beach. You will pass the superb spot of Pas de s’Enclova (or Pas des Trucadors).
At the very end, the view is beyond words: you face the wild islets and the beginning of S’Espalmador island. Note that to cross to this unspoilt island you must go by boat: swimming across is particularly dangerous because of the currents!
The water is simply incredible! Take the time to walk back and enjoy an hour or two of swimming in this paradise setting.
Good to know: the area includes several magnificent beaches, such as Platja de Llevant, Ses Illetes and Es Trucadors. Don’t be surprised: naturism is a common, long-standing practice on the island, especially on some stretches of Llevant beach to the north.
12pm – Lunch with your feet in the sand?
The chiringuitos of Ses Illetes
Feeling peckish? Treat yourself at one of the chiringuitos (typical beach bars) of Ses Illetes. The atmosphere is idyllic, perfect for lunch with your feet in the sand facing the sea.
Bear in mind, though, that prices here are particularly high! In high season these places are in great demand: this is where people on private boats and yachts come ashore for lunch. Booking is often essential if you want a table!
The best known:
- Es Ministre, the furthest from the port (the closest to Ses Illetes). I really like it and it stays “affordable” price-wise.
- Juan y Andrea: I have never been, prices are higher
- El Pirata, a good atmosphere and good reviews!
- Es Molí de Sal: the view is incredible (and so are the prices). For a long time there was a sailing boat stranded in front of it, left by the 2024 storm.
- El Tiburón
- Beso Beach Formentera
- Cala Duo, the closest to the port. A very lively party atmosphere.
Closer to the port, much cheaper, and I love them:
- Art Cafe, a very good spot, quieter, a good Spanish address! We go every year.
Polígon de la Marina, s/n, 07870 La Savina, Balearic Islands, Spain - Panperfocaccia, Italian specialities, very good dishes.
Puerto Deportivo, 07870 La Savina, Balearic Islands, Spain
Alternatives for a cheaper lunch
For a cheaper option, you can turn back and leave the Ses Illetes peninsula. Allow around 15 to 20 minutes by bike (or just 5 to 10 minutes by scooter) to get back to the La Savina area, where prices are gentler, or head for Es Pujols, the island’s resort, which is far more affordable.
Another excellent idea is to go to Sant Francesc Xavier, the island’s charming little “capital”. You will fall for its fortified church, its picturesque lanes, its welcoming cafés and, on some days, its craft market. Stop for a coffee or an ice cream, wander around this pretty town and pick up a few local souvenirs (crafts, clothes, typical products).
If you are on a tighter budget and want to stay at Ses Illetes, the simplest and cheapest solution is to bring a sandwich or picnic, bought at La Savina port when you arrive or before you take the ferry from Ibiza.
The afternoon – discovering the island
Heading to Es Pujols through the salt flats
Get back on your bike or scooter and ride along the island’s famous salt flats. The scenery is simply magical, enhanced by unique pink reflections. With a bit of luck, you may even see flamingos.
Then head for Es Pujols, where the scenery changes completely. The wild side gives way to a former small fishing port turned into a charming resort. You will love its pretty white houses and its superb crescent of fine sand. The water here is often calmer than at Ses Illetes, which makes it ideal for one last refreshing swim before heading back.
My tip for some peace and quiet: if the main beach at Es Pujols is a little too busy for you, stop just before it at Playa de Ses Canyes. Much quieter and more intimate, this wild cove is breathtakingly beautiful.
Either way, a last swim (or a good artisan ice cream) is a must before heading calmly back to La Savina port!
The perfect scooter extension: the unmissable trio
If you opted for a scooter, you will be free to explore the south and east of the island in no time. If you really had to choose, here are the three spots not to miss:
- La Mola lighthouse: a true symbol of Formentera, this lighthouse stands majestically at the eastern tip of the island. The road up is a journey in itself: it climbs to give you a grand panoramic view over the whole landscape, the sheer cliffs and the local vineyards. At the end of the world, the view over the vast sea is breathtaking.
- Es Caló de Sant Agustí: this charming little fishing harbour has kept all its authenticity, with its wooden boat sheds and traditional wooden boats. It is the ideal place for a swim in perfectly clear water, or to sit down at one of its excellent fish restaurants.
- The Blue Bar (on the way back): our absolute favourite on the island! This legendary bar, dressed entirely in blue, has a quirky, almost extraterrestrial atmosphere. Set on a beautiful, very wild beach (Platja de Migjorn), it is the perfect spot for a drink with an incredible view before returning your scooter.
The magical finale: sunset at Café del Lago
Before boarding your return ferry, make a must-do stop at Café del Lago, right by the port in La Savina. It is the idyllic place to enjoy a cold beer or a cocktail in a paradise setting.
The ultimate experience is to book a table for dinner facing the sunset. The food is delicious, the welcome always very warm, and the view of the blazing sky is simply magical. It is our ritual on every trip and, for me, an unmissable address on the island!
Practical tip: there is no need to rush! Ferries run back to Ibiza until very late at night. So you can make the most of your evening and this last moment of your day in Formentera before sailing back to Ibiza.
What to pack in your bag for Formentera
Beach essentials:
- Sun cream (the sun is very, very strong! The UV index is very high in summer). If you plan to spend several hours on the beach, consider hiring a parasol (some bike and scooter hire shops offer them right at the port). Shade is very rare and the sun is fierce!
- Quick-dry beach towel
- Swimsuit
- Sunglasses and a cap
- Flip-flops or sandals that stay on for cycling
- 1 or 2 large bottles of water. There is a small supermarket near the port.
- A few snacks or a sandwich for when hunger strikes.
- A dry bag or plastic pouch to protect your phone from the sand.
- A camera or a fully charged phone.
- Mask and snorkel if you like swimming. The water is incredible!
- A light shirt (for the sun on the bike)
One more night?
If you want to extend the experience and spend a night on the island, I recommend choosing a hotel near La Savina port. It is the ideal solution to make the most of your time (especially to drop off your bags on arrival and pick them up easily before boarding), and prices are generally more affordable than in the rest of the island.
I recommend Hotel Bellavista, where I have stayed twice and which is very good. Otherwise, have a look at my page on hotels in Formentera or, on a tight budget, my selection of cheap hotels in Formentera.
One more night
Stay the night in Formentera
The last ferry is no longer a constraint: a night on the island lets you see Ses Illetes before the morning boats arrive. Hotels near La Savina port are the most practical.
- Free cancellation on many offers
- Hotels 5 minutes from the ferry
Want to extend the experience across both islands? It is all in our Ibiza and Formentera travel guide.
Fancy getting out on the water? Discover all the water sports in Formentera, from kitesurfing to kayaking.
Frequently asked questions: Formentera in a day
Can you visit Formentera in a day from Ibiza?
Yes. With a ferry around 8am and a return after sunset, you have time to see Ses Illetes, the salt flats, Es Pujols and a sunset. The island is 20 km long: an e-bike or a scooter is enough.
How much does a day in Formentera cost?
Allow €45 to €70 for the return fast ferry (30 minutes, the most practical for a day trip), or from €20 to €28 with the slower Aquabus, €20 to €35 to hire an e-bike or scooter, plus lunch, which varies a lot between a Ses Illetes chiringuito and a simpler place inland. An all-inclusive boat trip starts at around €140 per person.
Is it better to take the ferry or a boat trip?
The ferry for freedom: you choose your beaches and your times. The boat trip for simplicity: everything is organised, with swim stops, but free time on land is shorter and the interior of the island is often left out.
Where can you hire a bike or scooter in Formentera?
At La Savina port, as you come off the ferry: the hire shops line the quay. In July and August, book the day before or take the first ferry to have a choice.
