The best of Formentera, the ultimate list
Just as ideal skirt lengths and popular beard growth constantly fluctuate, so does general opinion Ibiza up and down. Not so for me: I have always loved and loved Ibiza and not a year goes by that we don't visit the island. Although it must be said: since we left the small neighboring island Formentera discovered, we are even more in love with the tranquility, the azure blue silent sea and the snow-white beaches of this island. None here party people of flat plebs. No, Formentera feels like for the Happy few, a bit like what St. Barths must feel like (I think, who will take me there?), but more accessible. And much more affordable too, in the 'cream of the crop' way. The fastest way to get there is by ferry from Ibiza (from Deniá, on the mainland, it is also possible, but it just takes a little longer). Good to know: during the high season (new) cars are no longer allowed on the island. Don't let it be a hassle: bike or scooter and you will discover everything in a few days.
The former Casa Pacha has been transformed into Casa Formentera. You will find this spot on the magical beach of Calo d'Es Mort to take a break reset button clicking. But… Perhaps the best thing about Casa Formentera is that you are the first (30 years old!) chiringuito finds. A beach bar where you can dine with your feet in the sand. Read more.
If possible, you sleep near a pleasant place Hotel Casbah. The hotel is centrally located on the island (always a good idea), on the south side (I repeat: always a good idea) and close to Gecko Hotel & Beach Club (also a good idea). The main reason we like it here so much is because of the structure of the resort: low-rise buildings where each 'room' is a house around the swimming pool, creating a mini-village. Tip: if you see a hotel with this setup, book immediately. Always a success. But the central location and cozy layout are not the only reason why we like coming here: within five minutes you are on the main beach of Formentera, Playa Migjorn and because it is surrounded by trees, everything feels very intimate. There are 29 rooms and light and fresh are the magic words.
Anyone who visits a place more often will have their real favorites, something I firmly believe in. Get some sleep Hotel Kasbah (do it! The uncomplicated Marrakech-hippie-Ibiza vibe is wonderful), then it is less than a ten-minute bike ride to San Francisco Javier, the main village of the island (or rent a scooter!). That village is a pearl with the best restaurants on the island. And although it may seem simple from a distance, a breakfast at Café Matinal is actually a must: make sure you get there before 10 am (otherwise it is often very busy) and take one of the breakfast formulas: the jam is probably the best you've ever had. The cafe is run by a married couple and their four sons – very cozy.
If you cycle just ten minutes in the other direction, to Sant Ferran de Ses Roques, then a breakfast at Bar Blat Picat will be your pot of gold at the end of the ride. Bar de vegatals is the caption, so you already know: fruit and vegetables available in a small yellow wooden shop. Toast with avocado, bowls and smoothies full of fruit, home-made granola, good coffee (they are proud of it) and a THINK of a chocolate cake – vegan that is.
Not to be missed. Not literally or figuratively. First of all, the literal thing: when you enter the village, you immediately see the white wall with the tasteful terrace of vintage armchairs, chairs, rugs, plants and tables in front of it. The fun continues inside: at Mama Carmen you can dine among the cacti at Mama Carmen from the early evening, when the last sun comes through the semi-roof. But, for a good brunch you have certainly come to the right place. By light and fresh dishes to real authentic Carmen Toasts. You enjoy brunch here like a god. For dining, there is also a decent menu waiting for you. Snacks from the fryer, such as Iberian Ham croquettas, but of course also real dishes such as tacos Salmon Tartare, with avocado.
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There are pine trees, idyllic views over the Mediterranean, a few luxurious four-poster beds and many places have a chic and inviting swimming pool. Formentera expensive? Yes. Sorry. The top, however, are three beautiful apartments Can Tres, back to the middle of Formentera, a stone's throw from Playa Migjorn. Although it could just be that you just have to look at it: the place is always fully booked. But hey, forewarned counts for two and there is certainly still room for the summer of 2028. Moreover, the costs appear to be not too bad: for two of the three apartments you pay 140 euros per night and there is room for four people. The largest is slightly more attractive and costs you 205 euros per night for four.
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Despite the somewhat overly loud music (tip: don't sit near the outdoor bar at the end of the afternoon: a slightly over-enthusiastic DJ will appear there in no time) it is still the island's beach favorite. If you don't have a car, a taxi is a must Chezz Gerdi is located in a remote location, only accessible via a long dune path. Walking & cycling is really (really!) not an option. Those photos you see on Instagram of a red Volkswagen van with the word 'Formentera' on the roof? That's right in front of the door and as soon as the light turns gold, a queue forms for a snapshot. The beach in front (or behind, depending on how you look at it) is not a beach where you necessarily lie down all day, especially since Formentera is full of beautiful beaches (of which you can see at the previous addresses). No, you go to Chezz Gerdi at the end of the afternoon to plop down in one of the long, low benches for a cocktail and, from 17.15 pm and not a minute earlier, tasty treats from the 'oven' menu. The pizza here is honestly one of the tastiest you will eat in a long time. A thin base but with a surprisingly crunchy-mealy layer that is hard to identify, but which still comes to mind from time to time. One like that. It will cost you 20 euros for a simple variant.
Later in the evening the decibels drop again (nice) and the tables (and there are many!) are always full. That's not without reason: Chezz Gerdi is cozy, that's all I can say, and the pizzas, pastas and Argentinian beef (so it's not all Italian) are something to write home about. Pricey again, yes, but we were used to that by now, right?
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Although Spain is not bad with beautiful beaches, clear blue water and soft white sand, of everything I saw I thought the beaches on Formentera were the most beautiful. I say that with a knife to my throat, but sincerely. Moreover, Formentera, and also Ibiza, have that wonderful beach club culture that we Dutch love so much. No business in Formentara with pumping beats, less dancing and banter than in Ibiza and a lot less glitter. Relax though. Beach Club 10.7 is a nice but sleek tent, the perfect place for those who deserve a beer after a dip at Mitgjorn. Beautiful beach, fine Mediterranean delicacies with an Asian influence (the sushi here has been voted the best on the island) on simple but comfortable white chairs under an idyllic string of lights and a view of an incredible sunset. That sunset will be celebrated extensively during the weekend - wait for it...!
People Bar Formentera
Those who don't know any better might label the extensive family-friendly beach between the Es Pujols resort and the impressive Hotel Roca Bella on Formentera as too touristy. And then ignore it. It's a shame because then you miss the cool little one chiringuito overlooking the sand and the sea. People bar Formentera is basically just a simple wooden box with bar stools on three sides and a few white bean bags, folding tables and straw umbrellas in front of it which can all be lifted away without leaving a dent in the sand. Nice and sustainable indeed. The Mojitos are excellent and the white tuna salad is perhaps the tastiest on the island. Which also applies to the strawberry Caipiroskas, smoothies and scoops of raspberry, vanilla and chocolate ice cream. It is a seriously easy going spot with nice warm and shallow water, a beautiful sunset and a handful of Formentera regulars.
What won't make your bank jump (unlike some of the hotels in this book) is a day of lambing in the area of Chiringuito Bartolo, a simple shack on the beach, a few chairs with tables and umbrellas in front of them – it doesn't get any better than that. Also nice: the island's lighthouse, for your tourist snapshot at home. And okay, also a café-restaurant Code Luna under the lighthouse. There is no WiFi: they do 'connecting people' here, and simple but tasty tapas while you sit on white director's chairs and the sun peeks through the thatched roofs. Especially nice if you also visit the charming fishing village along the way Pilar de la Mola a small photogenic village dressed in white where you have the feeling that you have arrived somewhere completely different.
In the high season, when there is no shortage of food and typical holiday islands such as Ibiza seem overcrowded, even then you will still find complete silence on islands such as Formentera, except for the occasional cricket. Imagine that, in the months when the sun is at its best, you are lying on a veranda, on top of a cast-iron day-bed with a pile of blue-white and red-white striped cushions, a straw hat within reach, a fan gently aimed at you and in sight nothing but green trees and tasteful seating areas.
Although we rave about Platja Migjorn as the most important, we personally first go morning after morning to the northern peninsula of Formentera in the direction of Parc Natural Ses Salines and the beaches that can be found there: Platja de Llevant and subsequently Platja de Ses Illetes . A beautiful cycling route too. Beso Beach is located here; par excellence the most wonderful place for an extensive lunch – actually it is the coolest beach bar of the whole bunch. Because trendy but relaxed, and that's cool. Can we say that? Yes, we can say that. A trip to Formentera is not complete without a visit to the chiringuito style shop. You enter through a beautiful dune entrance, which alone is a treat. The business and views are stunning, the water and the vast white beach in front of the door even more beautiful, and the Mediterranean cuisine is well done. You eat there with your toes in the sand under the dried palm leaves. At the end of the day, the mojito bar is famous and loved.
Perhaps slightly less attractive, but no less acclaimed, El Tiburon is a few 'doors' further. It is also less expensive, less busy and the place opens earlier for those who want to have their breakfast on time. Moreover, the sand between your toes and the sea on your doorstep are the same.
When you think of Ibiza, you either think of Gordon-like figures dressed in slightly too tight white (sorry Gordon, but I'm guessing you're not reading this anyway) or of colorful folklore. The same colorful folklore characterizes the cozy atmosphere on the neighboring island of Formentera Blue Bar: an eccentric seaside bar and restaurant with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and the sunset. As the name suggests, the decor is dominated by blue. Less striking, but certainly not to be missed, are the quirky references to extraterrestrial life; check out the dining room, for example, where a psychedelic alien show adorns the walls. The place first opened in the 1960s when many music icons visited Formentera. Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd for example. That vibe, you have to think about that and Blue Bar prides itself on that. They also pride themselves on the music: a variety of DJs from all over the world play an eclectic sunset mix that ranges from reggae to pop, jazz and electronic music, a tradition that DJ Kaya started more than ten years ago. It is chic on the other side of the island, at El Fandango. Compared to Blue Bar it can even be called boring. But the sushi is delicious and the seating is great. Start here and then cross for the sunset.
See all those little boats coming off those big yachts? Those small boats with gentlemen and ladies that radiate money and yet have 'remained so normal'? Those boats, and those people, are definitely sailing towards John and Andrea, an iconic address in Formentera and probably the chicest seaside restaurant since it was founded in 1971 by former fisherman Juan Boned and his wife Andrea. Although 'chic' in this case is the chic of beach bars à la Le Club 55 in the South of France, with which Restaurante Juan y Andrea can be somewhat compared. At the time of its opening, you could really only get to the pristine sands of Illetes' famous beach by boat. Nowadays, bicycle and scooter are also an option, but the boat is still the way to go for those who want to spend an evening (or afternoon, but that is a bit less fancy) in Juan and Andrea's restaurant.
If you have a boat, just call and you will be picked up by our own water taxi. Of course, fresh fish and seafood are Juan and Andrea's specialty. The menu includes classic recipes such as juicy mussels served with a spicy fish sauce, and huge pans of paella. A special destination for a special day. Close, but could it be a little less whipped? Kioska Pirata a little further away is everyone's friend.
