Formentera Overview

Whether you’re a beach bum, a cyclist, or a boutique shopper, Formentera will welcome you with open arms. Those looking for a slower pace and a breath of pure sea breeze need look no further than the silky sands, crystal clear waters, and small towns that pepper the island.

Transportation And Practical Information. Formentera is easily visited as a daytrip, and the tourist office, located in the port complex and in the town of Es Pujols, offers a list of Green Tours for hikers and cyclists. (☎971 32 20 57; www.formentera.es. Open M-F 10am-2pm and 5-7pm, Sa 10am-2pm.) Ferries drop travelers off at Port de la Savina (25-35min., depending on the boat), a simple town with a wealth of transportation rental agencies. Inexpensive charters also leave in the morning from Platja Figueretas as well as the port of Sant Antoni. Though buses run to all of the beaches, they leave infrequently (4-7 buses per day between La Savina, Es Calo, San Francisco, Es Pujols, and San Fernando, the biggest towns on the island). The easiest way to travel is by  scooter (€22-40) or bike (€8-16). For more info on transportation to Formentera, see Inter-Island Transport, .

Services in Es Pujols include a supermarket on Av. Miramar, less than a block from the beach and several scooter/bicycle rental services; signs all over town point to the pharmacy, which is in a small plaza off the main streets. 24hr medical care is available in the nearby town of San Francisco (☎971 32 28 91).

Food And Accommodations. Look for a room in Es Pujols, the most popular and lively town on the island. Try Hostal Alemania , Av. Miramar, 60, located two steps from the Platja des Pujols (☎971 32 84 36. Single rooms with two beds and bath from €25. MC/V). Es Pujols is full of restaurants that serve tapas and bratwurst, an odd pairing that nevertheless satiates the many Germans who frequent the island. A stroll along the wood boardwalk reveals a series of bars and discos, followed by several small beaches, abandoned dinghies, and sand dunes that the island is trying desperately to preserve.

Beaches. Some of the most beautiful beaches around Formentera are Platja Migjorn, a long stretch where clear water laps velvety white sands, and Es Calo, a fisherman’s village with wooden walkways and cerulean waves. Popular beaches include Platja des Illetes (30min. walk from the port), with golden sands and shallow shores, as well as the nearby Platja des Pujols, a protected expanse with deeper waters and a restaurant-filled town.