Postcard-perfect coves, white sand beaches and a host A-list stars. No, this is not California, but a much-loved Spanish holiday island.
This is Formentera – the Balearics’ smallest inhabited islet and arguably its best-kept secret.
Nicknamed the ‘Spanish Polynesia’, this Mediterranean beauty delivers turquoise waters and untouched landscapes that wouldn’t look out of place 15,000 kilometres away in the South Pacific.
Just a short boat ride from Ibiza, Formentera has long lured those in search of simplicity and beauty, including major stars such as Katy Moss, Madonna and Will Smith. Last year, pals Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire were pictured visiting the island.
Once inhabited by Phoenicians and Romans, the island took on new life in the 20th century as a sanctuary for artists, free spirits and anyone trying to escape the clamor of modern life. Today, that peaceful vibe remains very much intact.
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At the heart of Formentera’s appeal is its spectacular 20km coastline. Ses Illetes, in the north, is often hailed as the island’s crown jewel.
Located on the Es Trucadors peninsula and flanked by calm, shallow waters, the beach offers a front-row seat to Ibiza’s silhouette on the horizon. Its fine white sand and crystalline sea echo the very best of the tropics.
Over on the west coast, Cala Saona is framed by red cliffs and pine forests, offering both serenity and sunsets worth writing home about.
Further south, Migjorn Beach stretches for five kilometres, broken up by tiny coves and dotted with rustic beach bars serving fresh fish and local wine.
Elsewhere, the Ses Salines Natural Park, a protected area spanning from Ibiza’s southern tip to Formentera’s north, is home to flamingos, herons, and other migratory birds.
Inland, the island’s modest size means you can explore its villages, viewpoints and hidden corners in a single day.
The Cap de Barbaria lighthouse, perched above dramatic cliffs at the island’s southernmost point, is a favourite spot for watching the sun sink into the sea.
At the other end of the island sits the La Mola Lighthouse, best visited at dawn. Both are connected by a single main road.
The island’s capital, Sant Francesc Xavier, serves as its administrative hub and features a mix of traditional architecture, artisan boutiques and local history. Highlights include the Sa Tanca Vella chapel and the Fossar Vell cemetery.
Just north of Formentera lies Espalmador, an uninhabited island that’s part of the same natural park. Reachable only by boat or a long swim at low tide, it features mud baths, pristine beaches, and saltwater lagoons like S’Espalmador.
Beneath the waves, the island’s waters are home to the world’s largest Posidonia oceanica meadow – a UNESCO World Heritage Site vital for maintaining marine biodiversity.
Formentera doesn’t have an airport. Visitors arrive by ferry from Ibiza, with crossings taking between 25 and 60 minutes.
