Formentera in 3 days: beaches, villages, lighthouse

Three days is the right length for Formentera. It is long enough to see the north beaches, the villages and the lighthouse at a walking pace, and short enough that you leave wanting more. Each day below has a theme and stays in one part of the island, so you spend your time on the beach and not on the road.

Day 1: the north peninsula

Start with the beaches closest to the port. Es Cavall d'en Borràs is the first beach inside the Ses Salines natural park, about 2 km from La Savina and an easy ride on foot or by bicycle. Ses Illetes and Platja de Llevant share the same stretch of the peninsula, 4 km from the port: Ses Illetes faces west over the sea and Platja de Llevant faces east. Parking inside the park is charged from 10 May to 15 October 2026, and pedestrians and bicycles are free.

In the afternoon, visit Estany des Peix, a shallow lagoon west of La Savina, no more than 3 m deep, with a narrow opening to the sea. It suits kayaks, sailing and windsurfing. End the day with dinner in La Savina.

By boat: S'Espalmador is the largest islet of the natural park. Landing is allowed only through the entry and exit channels, and anchoring only in the permitted zones and on sand. Mud baths in the lagoon are prohibited, and dogs, camping and overnight stays are not allowed in the park.

Day 2: villages and the Migjorn coast

Begin in Sant Francesc Xavier, the island's capital, with its church completed in 1738. On Tuesday and Saturday mornings the flea market runs at Jardí de ses Eres, and from May to October craft stalls fill the streets. Continue to Sant Ferran de ses Roques, where the church was inaugurated in 1889. On Friday evenings there is music in the square, and from the end of May to the end of September its craft and art markets open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 20:00 to midnight.

Spend the afternoon on the south coast at Es Arenals, part of the Platja de Migjorn. It is the busiest and best equipped stretch of the coast, about 2.8 km of sand with lifeguards, restaurants, sunbeds, water sports and free parking. Lines L2 and L7 stop at Cruilla Arenals. Finish at Es Pujols, where the beach is backed by the promenade and its restaurants.

Day 3: La Mola and the sunset

Go east to the plateau of El Pilar de la Mola, more than 100 m above sea level, with its 18th century church. On a Wednesday or Sunday from May to October the craft market runs in the afternoon. The L2 bus continues to the Far de la Mola lighthouse at the end of the road: the cliff is 120 m above the sea, the lighthouse is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays, and since 2019 it has been a cultural space. Entry is 4.50 euros (2026).

For a swim, walk to Es Caló des Mort, a small cove reached only on foot along a cliff path exposed to rockfalls, about 5 to 8 minutes from the Es Copinar car park. From 15 May to 15 October 2026 vehicle access and parking on the roads to Es Caló des Mort and Es Ram are restricted, and Es Copinar car park is the alternative.

Finish the trip at Cala Saona, the island's only sandy cove on the south-west coast, for the best sunset on Formentera. Line L5 serves it, and it has a large free car park.

Practical notes

• Getting around. See the bus page for lines and the 15 euro day pass. A bicycle is enough for day 1.
• Vehicles. From 1 June to 30 September 2026 motor vehicles needed an authorisation under the island's quota, and a vehicle rented outside the island was not allowed in. The 2027 rules are not published yet.
• Arriving. The airport guide covers the trip from Ibiza Airport, and the ferry timetable lists every sailing.
• Short on time? Take the one day route.
• Planning your beaches? The beaches guide compares them all, and the weather page shows the wind for the day.