Formentera – Is This Spain's Best Kept Secret?
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
If someone had shown me a photo of Formentera before our holiday, I'd have sworn it was somewhere in the Caribbean.
Turquoise water so clear you can count the fish swimming around your feet. Powder-soft white sand. Beach bars overlooking water that seems almost unreal. Yet this little slice of paradise is only a 30-minute ferry ride from Ibiza.
Despite being Ibiza's quieter neighbour, Formentera couldn't feel more different. With no airport and access only by sea, it's escaped the crowds that many Mediterranean islands now attract, keeping its laid-back, bohemian charm firmly intact.
We spent a few days here in May 2026, and honestly... we fell completely in love with it.
At just 12 miles long and around 2 miles wide, it's an island that's incredibly easy to explore. We hired a little Fiat Panda (which soon became part of the adventure!) and discovered that nowhere was ever too far away.
Here's how our Formentera adventure unfolded...
Every great holiday starts with a hire car...
Well, ours started with Mr Cager attempting to drive a manual abroad for the first time in over twenty years!
There may have been a few nervous laughs leaving the car park, while I somehow found myself promoted to chief navigator. Thankfully, the roads on Formentera are wonderfully quiet, making it the perfect place to ease back into driving on the right-hand side.
With the windows down and the Mediterranean sunshine already warming the car, we were off.
Sant Francesc Xavier – The Heart of the Island
Our first proper stop was the island's capital, Sant Francesc Xavier.
Straight away, it had exactly the sort of atmosphere we love. Whitewashed buildings, tiny cobbled streets, boutique shops, cafés spilling onto pretty squares and absolutely no rush anywhere.
The centrepiece is the beautiful Church of Sant Francesc Xavier, an 18th-century church that once doubled as a fortress to defend islanders from pirate attacks. Standing in the main square with people chatting over coffee, it's hard to imagine pirates ever arriving here!
Of course... I was only planning to browse the shops.
That lasted all of five minutes.
A lovely swimwear boutique somehow convinced me I needed a few holiday essentials, and before I knew it we'd added another bag to carry around for the day!
If you're visiting between May and October, don't miss the artisan market, where local traders sell handmade jewellery, leather goods and artwork.
We also spotted some gorgeous cafés and restaurants tucked away down side streets that would be perfect for a long, lazy lunch.
La Mola Lighthouse – The View That Took Our Breath Away
Next, we headed east to the famous La Mola Lighthouse.
The drive alone was worth it.
As the road climbed higher, the views became more spectacular until eventually we reached the lighthouse, perched dramatically on cliffs over 120 metres above the sea.
Standing there, looking out over endless blue Mediterranean water, it felt like we were standing at the edge of the world.
It's one of those places where you don't need to do anything.
No attractions.
No entertainment.
Just stand quietly and take it all in.
Nearby you'll also find a monument dedicated to Jules Verne, who was inspired by this very spot while writing Hector Servadac.
Platja des Arenals – Our Favourite Beach
If someone asked us which beach we'd return to first...
Platja des Arenals would probably win.
The water here is honestly ridiculous.
Crystal clear.
Warm.
Calm.
And so shallow that you can wander out for ages without it getting much deeper than your waist.
Looking down, we could see shoals of tiny fish swimming around us as if we were snorkelling without actually needing one.
Although this beach is one of the busier spots on the island, it never felt overcrowded. There was still plenty of room to spread out, relax and even squeeze in an impromptu game of cricket on the sand.
Lunch was at Beach Club 10.7, where we enjoyed delicious food with uninterrupted sea views.
Not a bad office for the afternoon.
Our Boat Trip – The Highlight of the Holiday 🚤
If you're visiting Formentera, this is the one thing I'd recommend above everything else.
We booked a four-hour boat trip departing from La Savina at midday, and from the moment we left the harbour it felt like we were seeing the island from an entirely different perspective.
Our first stop was the dramatic cliffs of Es Cap de Barbaria before heading to Cala Saona for a swim in some of the clearest water we've ever experienced.
Lunch was served onboard before sailing towards the famous Ses Illetes for another swim stop.
Meanwhile, Elliott had only one mission...
Jump off the boat.
Climb back on.
Go down the slide.
Repeat.
I lost count of how many times he did it, but safe to say he had the time of his life!
Before we knew it, we were back in La Savina wondering where the last four hours had disappeared.
Dinner in Sant Francesc
That evening we caught the local bus back into Sant Francesc for dinner.
One thing we quickly discovered about Formentera is just how easy it is to get around. The buses are inexpensive, reliable and connect most of the island's main resorts and beaches.
We found a lovely Mexican restaurant called Mama Carmens before wandering through the beautifully lit streets after dark.
When we realised the buses only run once an hour, we grabbed a taxi home instead.
The bus had cost just €6 for the three of us, while the taxi back was only €11, making transport on the island surprisingly affordable.
Would We Return?
Without a second thought.
Formentera completely exceeded every expectation we had.
It's the sort of place where life slows down. Days revolve around beaches, long lunches, beautiful sunsets and crystal-clear water rather than ticking attractions off a list.
If you're searching for somewhere that combines Caribbean-looking beaches with Mediterranean charm, I honestly can't recommend Formentera enough.
We arrived expecting a lovely beach holiday.
We left wondering why we'd never visited sooner... and already talking about when we can come back.
