'''Formentera''' is the smallest and most southerly of the Balearic Islands of Spain. From September 1st to the 7th Formentera hosted the 2007 Techno 293 OD '''World Championships!'''
Regions
The island of Formentera is split in to 14 districts, which are called ''vendas'' on the island. The ''vendas'', in order from north to south, are:
Ses Salines
Es Brolls
Es Moli-s`Estany
Porto Sale
Sa Mirada-Cala Saona
Es Cap
Es Pi des Catala
Sa Punta
Ses Roques
Es Ca Mari-Migjorn
Es Carnatge
Ses Clotades
Es Monastir
Sa Talaiassa
Cities
La Savina
Es Pujols
Sant Francesc Xavier or San Francisco /Formentera
Sant Ferran or San Fernando
Es Calo or also Calo des Sant Agusti
El Pilar
Other destinations
The only other destinations on Formentera are the almost Caribbean beaches. Generally they are pretty empty (especially compared to Ibiza), with clean sands and clean, transparent water. Please note that most people sunbath nude on Formentera. The sun can be very strong on the island.
Some good beaches:
Platja Llevant
Platja de ses Illetes
Cala Saona
Platja Migjorn
Platja Es Arenals
Platja Tramuntana
Espalmador - an island to the north of Platja de ses Illetes
When choosing a beach for the day, consider the wind direction - some beaches may be rough while others are calm. Since the island is small it's not difficult to change your plans at short notice.
Formentera also has two large lagoons, the Estany de Peix and Estany Pudent (Fish lagoon and Stinking lagoon). It's possible to swim on the south side of the Estany de Peix; the north is a boat harbour.
For the energetic traveller Formentera has a network of cycle tracks and green lanes, both around the lagoons and beaches, and going to the more wild upland areas of the Cap de Barbaria and la Mola.
General remark
With a population of just over 7000 and no airport, Formentera is usually quieter than its neighbor Ibiza. However, in the peak season of July-August, it draws huge numbers of tourists. The overwhelming majority are Italian and the Italian language is heard more often than any other. Some are independent travellers, but many come on package holidays. In peak season, advance booking for hotels is absolutely essential. The hotels on the island are mostly small and independently owned. The majority are in the one- and two-star categories. There are also many small apartment developments. There are no high rise buildings on Formentera. The island is flat and sandy with magnificent, unspoilt beaches. It is perfect for cycling, walking, snorkelling and sailing. However, it has very few cultural or historical attractions such as museums, castles, churches or art galleries. Outside the peak season when the tourists are high spenders, Formentera has an atmosphere of simplicity and back-to-nature that is the heritage of its past hippy phase.
Talk
On Formentera the Catalan dialect ''formenterenq'' is the main language, but Standard Spanish is spoken by everyone as well.
Get in
Getting to Formentera is quite easy, as you can catch a boat from the Spanish mainland with your car from either Barcelona or Denia to Ibiza (''Eivissa'') and from there catch another ferry to Formentera. Alternatively, you can fly to Ibiza and Formentera can be reached by regular ferries from the Estacion Maritima in Ibiza Town and by tourist ferries from other parts of Ibiza during high season. The boat from Ibiza (Eivissa) to Formentera takes around half an hour, and leaves every half hour in the summer. The boat trip costs around ? 41 per person for a single trip. You can buy the ticket on the boat, and you do not need to reserve.
Get around
Regular buses during the summer season go to all parts of the island from the port, where most visitors arrive by ferry, but are less frequent during the winter months. Normally they leave every half hour. When planning your bus trip, make sure that you check that the bus stops at your destination, because strangely each bus stops at different stops.
The bus charges a fixed fee of between ? 1 and ? 2, independently of where you get on or off. You can pay cash. All buses are tourbuses, so you can easily put your (big) travelling luggage in the bottom of the bus.
See
On Formentera you must see under water. All of the waters are perfectly transparent, and with goggles and a snorkel you can see all the beautiful fish and the bottom of the waters. You can buy a set of goggles and a snorkel everywhere on the island, for a price ranging between ? 10 and ? 20.
Do
Renting a moped is what most people do, so you can easily and quickly get to your preferred beach.
Rent a bicycle and cycle around the island at the pace it should be taken at.
Snorkel in the crystal clear waters. Beware of poor quality snorkel and goggles.
Relax and chill out in one of the birth places of the hippie movement.
Formentera has a strong nude beach culture. Try it out, it's actually pretty nice!
Eat
Formentera has many, many small restaurants, varying in price and quality. Most are run by hippies, and are very cheap with medium quality.
'''Cafe de Lago''' in La Savina the best choice in the island
'''Sud''' on the road to Cala Sahona
'''No Stress''', main street Es Pujols, next to Banana
Drink
'''Casa Paco''' at night, by the port in La Savina
'''Big Sur''' on the beach just east of La Savina for watching the sunset
'''The beach bar''' in Cala Sahona
'''Xueno''' in Es Pujols, the island's only club
'''Blanco''' Migjorn beach
'''10.7''' Migjorn beach, exit on km 10.7 of La Mola road
Stay safe
There appears to be very little crime on Formentera (especially compared to Ibiza). You do not have to worry about leaving your bag on the beach when you take a swim, or worry about leaving your moped out on the street.
Be careful with walking on the (asphalt) road in the dark. The island is notorious for people (tourists) drinking and driving. In general the car driving style on the island is not very subtle.
Get out