Formentera's most popular beaches are a sublime treat and all are easily accessible. With great beach bars and restaurants, sunbeds and parasols for rent, their facilities are among the very best to be found anywhere. Many make great spots for snorkelling, with some offering water-sports activities too.
Whilst these well-loved stretches of sand can attract a lot of visitors at the height of summer, a quick stroll away from the busiest parts will reveal less populated areas of beach that are perfect if you require a place with more solitude. It's recommended to take something to shade yourself with as these more isolated parts will not offer this type of facility for rent.
PLAYA ILLETES
When you arrive at Playa Illetes, you will feel like you have temporarily stepped out of the Mediterranean and into a Caribbean idyll. It comes as no surprise when you get there that this beach was voted the best in Europe and ranked number six in the world's top ten beaches.
Along the whole west side of a narrow peninsula stretching for miles, you will find fine white sand, beautiful blue skies and the most crystalline waters you have possibly ever seen, which combine to make it Formentera's very own piece of paradise. Just 5 km from the port of La Savina, you can easily get there on bicycle, bus, taxi, scooter or car.
Illetes means ‘islets' and you will see a series of these along this stretch of sand which you can swim between and even walk to through the water. The farther along you walk, the less crowded it becomes, especially when you reach the nudist area which is wilder and free of sunbeds. You can learn about our favourite beach choices for nudists on Formentera and Ibiza in our article.
At the end of this small peninsula, you can see the little neighbouring island of Espalmador. Although it appears to be very near and easy to reach, please do not try to swim or walk to it through the water, even if others are doing so. The water has very strong currents here and it is very dangerous. Warn anyone else that looks like they are attempting this crossing. The safest and easiest way to get to this islet is to take the small La Bahia ferry from La Savina, which also stops at Illetes beach.
There are lots of beach restaurants along the beach serving wonderful food, especially fish dishes with notable names like Juan y Andrea, Beso Beach and El Pirata. Many more abound on this stretch: it's worth noting that they are very high-end, expensive places to eat. They offer amazing fresh fish dishes and the atmosphere is incredible; however, if your budget does not stretch to very dear meals, even for a one-off, then you might want to avoid eating in them. If you do, note that tables need to be booked well in advance in high season.
To avoid getting caught out, once at Playa Illetes, get your food supplies in one of the supermarkets in La Savina, which will be a lot easier on your pocket. There are no beach huts or kiosks on the beach selling reasonably-priced food and drinks, so it makes sense to stock up.
All sorts of people come to this beautiful beach, holidaymakers, locals and the rich and famous, who moor their yachts here. Many of the beach restaurants offer a yacht service, ferrying over their gorgeous food or picking up the rich clientele. A beach that really is for all and that has many rewards. You will love Playa Illetes!
Note: A small fee has to be paid when you access the small peninsula where Illetes, Levante and El Tiburón beaches are located by car or scooter. Access is limited, meaning that when all the parking places are full, they don't let you through anymore, so go early. Quad bikes don't have access at all.
PLAYA DE LEVANTE
On the eastern side of the narrow peninsula where you find Playa Illetes is the long, broad, sandy beach of Playa de Levante. Here you will find quiet bays and small rocky areas where you can enjoy peace and privacy. The tranquility of Playa de Levante makes it a popular spot for nudists with the backdrop of sand dunes making sweet spots to bare it all as nature intended.
Playa de Levante tends to get the full force of any strong winds, so do be aware that it can be very windy with strong water currents and high waves at times. Whilst this makes the beach much less frequented during the summer, if you like waves, then this is the beach for you.
Playa Illetes is mostly flat, with gentle rippling waves, though should the wind blow from the other direction, walk the few steps over to the other side of the peninsula to Playa de Levante, where the waves and wind will be low and calm.
If you want to get away from it all, this beach is ideal. There are amazing views across the water to Ibiza from here.
Note: A small fee has to be paid when you access the small peninsula where Illetes, Levante and El Tiburón beaches are located by car or scooter. The access is limited, when all parking places are full, they don't let you through anymore, so go early. Quad bikes don't have access at all.
PLAYA ES PUJOLS
At the island's only resort, you will find a charming broad, sandy beach, backed by sand dunes with some little rocky islands offshore and beautiful vistas. Sited in a a lively tourist location, it retains its charm with fishermen's huts at either end of it. Suitable for the whole family, it also accommodates disabled people, having ramp access into the water. Furthermore, it is a smoke-free beach, please respect this.
A lovely promenade lined with lots of tempting places to eat overlooks the beach. More eateries are dotted along the streets behind.
If you are into active fun, a whole host of watersports can be enjoyed with rental of all kinds of equipment available. Shops and bars are close, and from early evening you can enjoy a small hippy market on the promenade of Es Pujols.
PLAYA MIGJORN
On the south coast of the island lies this white-sand beach, covering an area of over five km. By far the island's longest and shaped in a long half-moon, it is home to delightful small coves, scattered rocks and golden beaches. Unsurprisingly, it's popular with tourists, and chiringuitos (traditional rustic beach bars) and beach clubs abound along this glorious stretch of sand. Many restaurants serving up an array of fabulous food also line Playa Migjorn.
You will find a very hippy, cosmopolitan vibe here and those beautiful clear blue waters are just ideal for snorkelling. Clothing is optional here on all points of the beach, so don't be surprised to see people stripping off - it's a really easygoing beach. In some parts of Playa Migjorn, especially on the north-western end, the seabed is rocky, which is great for snorkelling, but bathing shoes are recommended here.
PLAYA ES ARENALS
At the south-eastern end of Playa Migjorn is this white sandy beach, boasting its own diving and windsurfing school, the first of its kind on the Balearic Islands. You won't feel crowded here but you will feel a bit closer to civilisation than on Playa Migjorn as there are sun loungers, parasols and pedalos.
CALA SAONA
This small, picturesque cove is a wonderful beach to go to for peace and quiet. Fantastic views of Ibiza can be had from here and its westerly position makes it ideal to catch one of Formentera's magical sunsets. As well as a couple of beach restaurants offering great food, the beach is overlooked by Hotel Cala Saona, also blessed with great views. A small kiosk offers drinks and snacks for the day.
There is some parking right at the beach and a large car park when you pass the hotel. A portion of the beach has sunbeds and umbrellas or you can simply lie on the soft white sands and soak up the sun for free.
The clear waters are beautiful for bathing and perfect for snorkelling, especially around the edges next to the rising rocks and the small number of fishermen's huts dotted around them. Backed by red rocks and with small rocky inlets around the cove, it has plenty of spots for private bathing.
If you are staying for a few days on Formentera, you should definitely add this place to your list, just for its utter beauty.
If you want absolute solitude or simply want to try something else for a day, check out Formentera's small and secluded beaches.
