Formentera is a wonder of Spain,a destination packed by fabulous beaches encircling a fantastic island,a more than suggested place to spend sunny holidays,that small Eden in the Mediterranean Sea,the smallest of the Balearic islands situated at south-east of the famous and lively Ibiza,with which forms the archipelago called Pitiusa.
The island is well known to be a natural Eden with beautiful sandy beaches,several kilometres of coastline with dunes,forests,salt marshes,and much more those unforgettable crystalline waters which are another superb highlight ideal and privileged place for diving lovers,but also a charming island to contemplate fantastic maritime landscapes and a destination to spend magnificent and relaxing sunny holiday.
Everything in that island retains the essence of the Mediterranean with a coast packed by spectacular coves,picturesque inlets and small tiny bays and it offers over 82,0 kilometres of coasts with white and golden sands,long and short beaches and only some metres farther clear and turquoise waters very difficult to forget.
With its approximately 9,000 inhabitants,the island is based on a tourism which promotes sustainable development and furthermore an environmental conservation of its territory.It consists in six towns such as El Pilar de la Mola,Es Pujols la Savina,Sant Francesc de Formentera,Sant Ferran de Ses Roques, and Es Caló de Sant Agustí all small centres and everyone with its own strong identity.
Formentera thanks to a clever control of the local Institutions,has limited the construction of massive Hotels,Aparthotels and Tourist Residences to a minimum and all that made it different than her busy sister Ibiza.
The best period to spend holidays in this island is June, but also September is an excellent period,July and August are really two months of very high occupation with many risks of overbooking,due to the high touristic request and obviously the island is packed by massive flows of tourism,the rest of the year is pretty peaceful and the mild climate permits to spend very peaceful stays in contact with a unique nature enjoying
a very special place.
So close geographically to Ibiza and so so far for a different as lifestyle,urbanisations and concepts of holidays,Formentera,remains silent,almost intact,no tall buildings,no Mega disco bars or huge clubs,no daily crazy parties...
The delightful climate offers an average temperature of 22º annually,white sands,the waters in a short distance of 5,0,/ 6,0 kilometres can change their tonallity of colour from azure to emerald and also deep blue,friendly people and a pleasant place with the opportunity to have a complete view on each end of the island due its small size.
The human presence in Formentera began about 4,000 years ago as happened with the other Balearic Islands,Formentera has also seen landing on its shores different civilisations,despite those achievements remain few traces in the memory,the remains of primitive people are better preserved as the tomb of Ca Na Costa a Megalithic rest dated over 2000 BC and some remains of pottery of the same period in Ca Sa Nostra in La Mola area.
Formentera and Ibiza lived parallel lifes during the explorations and rules of Greeks,Romans,Arabs,Aragons and Catalans.During the Greek period,the island was called Phityusas,which name means full of pine trees and later it was also called Ophiussa for the presence of some rectiles and visiting the island you can see many green lizards,and for that the nickname of the island is The island of lizards.
Under Roman rule the island was called Frumentaria, for the great quantity of wheat that the land produced and offered to the former markets and from the ancient Latin- Roman name derives the current name Formentera.The Romans created an important port developing the trade of wheat with the other nearest islands and they left on that land a fortress called Castell Can Pins.
That building was used mainly for defencive purposes,looking at the structure can be deduced that during a time the island had fixed a few detachments of Roman soldiers.After the Roman Empire fall, Formentera suffered several incursions by Vandals,Visigoths and pirates from North Africa and only until the Arab domination it came back to flourish.
The Moorish called the island Al Koluyunka for the presence
of sheep farms and they made a great activity on the island,which still
remains today,consisting in new systems of irrigation,pottery and ceramic activities were also transmitted to the locals,including was developed a maritime trade towards the mainland.In the year 1235 Guillermo
de Montgri, Archbishop of Tarragona, conquered Formentera and 10 years
later,Montgrí Berenguer Renart was committed to repopulate the
island.The Catalan people who started to live in the island but without to develop large villages,built a small Romanesque Chapel called Sa Tanca Vella erected in the year 1336 in the place which today there is the town of Sant Francesc Xavier.
During the 15th and 16th century,Formentera was almost uninhabited,due to the danger which meant for people,new intense attacks by ordes of pirates,who had made the island a kind of refuge and place of supply of certain foods,wood and water and the fact Formentera has four defence towers corroborates it.
In addition to the pirates,the fact that diseases and infections such as a plague which entered in the island, it made Formentera a place not too suitable as habitat.Until the year 1695 an Ibizan citizen called Marc Ferrer received from the King a territory in Formentera where to develop a village and that event can be considered the first modern stage of the island.
The descendants of those settlers who were married to that family (Ferrer) are the ancestors of most local people. Since there the island began to replenish at a good pace and in a relatively short time it reached approximately 1000 inhabitants and in the course of its history increased to the current 9000 official residents today.Traditionally, people lived on the island of livestock,agriculture,fishing and the extraction of salt,those activities were the main resources before than the advent of the tourism industry.
At the end of the 19th century began to change everything,many men chose to enlist in the liners and cargo boats decided to immigrate to America and Formentera in that period was depopulated,it was known as the Isla de Mujeres the Island of Women.
In the the last century, the island's history is more or less parallel to the rest of the country, Formentera also suffered the sad consequences of the civil war which left many things to do and to rebuild.
In the 60s the island began a new cycle,a new life with the arrival of the first tourists who delighted by such paradise decided to come back there year by year and in the 70s Formentera increased furthermore its incoming flows because it became a favorite destination of hippies in particular from Northern Europe.
The intense tourist demand due to its beautiful beaches,landscapes,virgin nature and peaceful life transformed Formentera in an island economically mainly dependent from the tourism and started to build the first structures dedicated to accomodate the guests.
Formentera offers the visitor fantastic beaches for fantastic holidays and all located in very picturesque places.Some pictures and landscapes of Formentera are often used for publicity spots,tourist networks and many times in Promotion tourism events as Fitur Madrid an important Tourism Exposition Fair celebrated every year in the Spanish capital.
It is very interesting suring a stay to know all the most important fabulous beaches,in a tour you can visit many of them encircling that magnificent island and you can start from Playa Migjorn is one of the largest beach of the island,it covers a big part of the southern coast from La Mola to Es Cap de Barbaria with a length of almost 4,5 kilometres long and an average media of 30 metres wide,the beach is a succession of rock breaks and small sandy dunes,generally the occupation of that beach is high but 2,0 kilometers far from La Mola is particularly quiet and peaceful.
The sand is excellent and beautiful at sunset with a fantastic view of Cap Barbaria.Not far you can find good restaurants and some traditional chiringuitos (kiosks) offering excellent fish,seafood and a wide range of local tapas.
Playa Ses Canyes is a very small beach,it is only 83,0 metres long and approximately 13,0 metres wide but it is pretty famous and loved by tourists who frequently come back to Formentera loving so much that small sandy line.
It is an ideal place to enjoy peace and relax, generally the occupation on that beach is very low,the sand is white and the sea is a splendid mirror of limpid crystalline waters.Due to its isolated ubication it is a nudist beach but unfortunately there are not catering establishments close to it.
Playa Es Arenals is a pretty long beach,approximately 2,8 kilometres long and 30 metres wide,the colour of the sand has a light gold tonality,just like Playa Ses Canyes,it is a nudist beach,located approximately 5,0 kilometres from La Mola.
Considered an excellent place for diving and snorkeling,its turquoise and blue waters are a great attraction at first sight,in addition it is part of the area of Special Interest of Formentera with Playa Migjorn and all the Costa Tramuntana and the occupation is very high in summer while in spring and autumn is very peaceful,one of the special features of that area is that it is beautifully flanked by pines which give further charm to that splendid corner of the island.
Cala Sahona is probably one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Formentera,with a longitude of only 200,0 metres,close to restaurants,bars and offering a fantastic view of Ibiza island.it is suggested a walk at night admiring the lights of that island and la Mola over a small rock promontory.
Not far there is Rocas de Punta Rasa the cliffs of Cap Rasa really beautiful to imortalise in several pictures for posters or tourism services and Punta Pedrera which is part of the coast forming an enchanting little peninsula.In the local area there are some bars and restaurants and the occupation is half-high during all year,except in late july and august.
Platja De Ses Illetes is the most famous beach of Formentera.Situated about 4,0 kilometres from La Savina,in the most northern point of the island it is very long,reaching approximately 4,7 kilometres in length long and about 40 metres wide.
The turquoise and transparent waters are undoubedtly a great incentive combined with its white sands making it a spectacular spot for the contrasts of colours,very suggested not only for sea lovers and divers but also for photographers and the beach is part of the area of special Interest of Ses Salines a natural area protected by Formera Tourist Institutions.
The peculiarity of the grasslands of that place furthermore have also influenced the declaration of Formentera as World Heritage by UNESCO.Another special highlight of that beach is its proximity to the Espalmador a very small islet close to the coast.In the immediate vicinity there is a good choice of restaurants,bars and and generally the occupation is very high in the summer period.
Isla Espalmador with its 3 square kilometres is only 150 metres far from the coastline.On that islet,there is one of the most famous beach called S'Algar Playa which is considered a natural harbour due to its shape an d formation.
The watchtower Sa Torre Guardiola is located in the highest point,keep abreast of the coast of the island for tourists,who must not forget that is a private nature and as such must be respected and furthermore taking in account the natural park which is considered due to the large amount of fauna and flora which live in it.For that reason there are no restaurant facilities on the island, it is totally forbidden to set fires and all that makes it even more attractive the idea of visiting that place not yet contaminated by humans.
Platja de Llevant is a famous beach although isolated,located in the northern side of Formentera and not far from Playa de Ses Illetes.Its location pretty far from urbanisation is a good reason to chose that place for many people enjoying relax and sunbaths and its longitude which reaches about 1,5 kilometres with splendid white sands is definitely a splendid choice.
Playa Tramuntana is another very nice beach situated in the central coastline of the littoral,it is an isolated beach,pretty long with its 2,0 kilometres,the composition is mixed, rocky and sandy,the sand has a splendid tonality,a white with a tendence to the golden colour and it is one of the most important places for fishing.In its western side there are only rocks.Very charming at sunset,generally the occupation is not very high,if you love to enjoy footing,it is a great place in the early morning,quiet and peaceful.
Platja es Pujols is probably the busiest beach in Formentera due to its proximity to the urban centre centre,since always for that it was one of the firsts to be developed and discovered by tourists and also one of the first to be promoted.The beach is not very long,its length is about 700 metres and the occupation is very high for the reason there are restaurants,bars and several installations very close to it.
Apart those several beaches Formentera offers the visitor,the island also has interesting places to visit,one is La Savina which is the historical harbour of the island and it is also the main access about the tourism to that Balearic island.
The development of tourism has resulted in the same way the evolution of the port, which began as a berth for a few fishing boats and it is now a harbour suitable for a large number of vessels especially in summer season.For the same reason, the urban centre grew up in La Savina and currently there are a lot of restaurants,bars, shops mainly arranged along and around the promenade, giving more life and colour to that place,also ideal to spend a pleasant dinner and in addition an interesting site for shopping.
Sant Francesc Xavier is the most important village of Formentera,situated at 3,0 kilometres from the port of La Savina,it is also the capital of the island.Very interesting is the Iglesia de Sant Francesc,the Church dedicated to Sant Francis a beautiful building erected in the 18th century,also used as fortress refuge for the inhabitants in the past as shelter to protect themselves by the attacks of pirates.That Religious building has a very "Moorish" aspect,a high white facade with an arched portal totally devoid of exterior decorations,the only architectonic detail is a small belfry on its roof topped by a cross.
Another religious building historical highlight is Sa Tanca Vella Chapel,which is a little Church erected in Romanesque style dated 14th century,developed during the period of Archbishop Montgri rule on the island.Its construction is very curious and peculiar more than a Church it seems a real fortress an imposing circular stoned towered building with small slots around its perimeter.
The village of Sant Francesc is probably the most visited area of Formentera in the day due its several bars and the famous Hippie market with numerous stalls and a multitude of objects attracting the tourists.If you are interested to know more about the island do not hesitate to visit the Museu Etnograria,opened in the year 1993,it is a very interesting exhibition to admire the traditional objects,tools and handicraft by the locals inhabitants and illustrating a short history of the island before the great development of tourism.
Sant Ferran is the village linking the port to San Francesc village.It can be considered the gate to reach the famous beaches of La Mola and Es Pujols and for many people is one of the most mystical and with more history of the island,The famous La Fonda Pepe,which in 60 years has kept its doors open to the public,furthermore all around after several years you can breathe an authentic hippy atmosphere, with jackets over the years, it is one of the few places that remain true over time.
The complex Megalithic Ca´Na Costa is one of the most emblematic symbols of the ancient times not only of Formentera but of the entire archipelago of the Balearic.It was discovered in 1974 in San Ferran,it believed to have been between 2000 and 1600 BC.From the formal point of view, has a ticket broker and various rocks distributed in radial position.
The set marks the spot where they were buried 8 people,six adult men aged from 35 to 55 years and two women aged from 20 to 35 years.If is very interesting to visit that site because it is part of the relevant local history and one of the most representative and oldest founds discovered in the area.
La Mola is is a very relaxing village,very peaceful and it is not frequented by tourists as other places in Formentera also because is the farthest point in the island.Its main attraction is the famous hippy market, which is open twice a week and another attraction of the village is its Faro the lighthouse perched on the cliffs really scenic and in beautiful position from which you can enjoy beautiful sunsets in a very peaceful and silent place place.
The lighthouse was inspiration of different artist and the famous French writer Jules Verne took inspiration from Faro de La Mola for one of his relevant works when that prominent artist created his delirious novel Hector Servadec travel and adventures through the Solar World.
You can also admire Moli Vell de la Mola the old mill built in 1778.The Catalan name means Old mill of La Mola, and currently it retains its original appearance and it is still working.
Cap de Barbaria is an archaeological site of Formentera,that historical place confirms that,the area was already populated in the prehistoric era,approximately 4000 years ago.During excavations,Formentera Government found several arifacts and objects consisting in pottery,pieces of bronze and other metals,tools and utensils.The most important attraction is of course the lighthouse of Cap Barbaria,inspiration for its fantastic views for painters and scene of movies.
Castell Can Pins is the famous fortress the Romans left in the island,the Castellum Can Pins also called Can Blai Castellum is dated 3rd century.It served during Roman rule as check point looking at the nearest island of Ibiza,it has a quadrangular perimeter,a wide courtyard and five watchtowers dominating the building,its construction was an important defencive stronghold against pirates and attacks from the sea.
Parc Natural de Ses Salines is a beautiful protected park of the island, a fantastic example of the rich Mediterranean biodiversity,containing over 180 species of different plants and natural reserve of over 200 species of birds.
Special attention should be paid to the sea grass meadows,which in 1999 were declared World Heritage by UNESCO. In addition, that space also includes the reserve called Dels Freu, a name known to the steps between the sea separating the islands of Ibiza and Formentera,worth to mention to say that in the year 2001 that area was awarded with the title of Natural Park of special interest.
The island is also linked to illustrious residents,the American singer Bob Dylan lived for a period on the island,choosing as residence an old windmill.The story related to that famed Rock Star and Formentera is very famous.In May of the year 1967 Bob Dylan celebrated his 26th birthday in the island and his decision to move there for some months escaped from success and fame from the magic atmosphere of New York but too stressful for him.
In July 1966 he suffered a motorcycle accident and that helped him to question his role in a society in which he was proclaimed spiritual guide and light of a generation.Due that accident for 18 months,the American star escaped from the media,he disappeared,and he had very few references on the island during his convalescence.
A poet and editor called Robert Graves informed him that south of Mallorca there was an island with no airport,no electricity,an ideal place to enjoy biking for his recuperation and to visit many beautiful place in some hours apart a very mild climate and captivating sunsets,a sort of dreamland as the editor illustrated to the popular singer Formentera,sun,sea,no stress,another world another reality.all that convinced that legendary artist to go there without hesitations.
Bob Dylan seemed the ideal place to get lost for a few weeks to work without pressure and change the accelerated pace of life,he decided to move there and he lived in that iconic windmill erected over two centuries ago.After those months spent in that island the Star came back more inspired than before with charged battery and a new spirit.
Also Peter Sinfield King Crimson guitarist decided to live in Formentera since 1972,the island also often hosted for short breaks for summer holidays the eccentric German Rock star Nina Hagen.
Also the Pink Floyd visited the island in several occasions in particular Syd Barrett and Roger Walters were the first members of the group to visit in several occasions that place,they started to visit the island in the year 1967 and later also David Gilmour started to appreciate the air of Formentera which was also for him deep inspiration for his third famous album On a Island.
Another British singer Chris Rea was totally inspired by the island which was the result of his great Video Clip "On the Beach" which conquered millions of fans.Formentera was also scene of a famous Spanish movie Lucia y el sexo dated 2000 by Director Julio Medel starring Paz Vega.Thanks that movie Paz Vega received the Goya Award in Madrid and the movie was awarded in the Cinema Latin Festival of Dijon in France.
Formentera's cuisine is typically Mediterranean with Catalan,Spanish and Italian influences.Fish is excellent and appears in many recipes in guisat ,cooked in a pot with potatoes or prepared with rice,or simply grilled.Other typical plates include the Cassolana a casserole of tuna with fennel and capers or traditional is also the Anfós d'bull, made with the entrails of grouper and vegetables cooked in casserole.A highlight is undoubtedly the estofafat de langosta a lobster stew in a casserole or with squid and the Marisc guisat is a casserole of seafood is another delicious recipes of the island.
Cheese produced in Formentera is of great quality, especially if accompanied by bread, prepared in the houses in the traditional way and grapes.Very typical of Formentera is the Salsa Moson,a sauce made by grinding almonds hazelnuts and pine nuts with chicken livers and cinnamon,excellent with meat or fish, but also can served as an appetiser spread on bread.
Also meat is present in particular pork and lamb the Sobrasada originally a product of Majorca is a cured raw sausage,made from selected pork meat,seasoned with salt, paprika and black pepper very common also in the local cuisine and about other sausages the Butifarrón is a kind of thick pudding, with bits of pork and blood carved up basically similar to the famous Morcilla .
The tastefully Empanadas are pastries filled with meat, fish or vegetables and the delicious Arroz Neigre black rice cooked with cuttlefish is another very tastefully speciality.Typical dessert are the traditional Ensaimada the Flaó, made by wheat flour,water,eggs,sugar, pork fat and yeast or the Greixonera a kind cheesecake with mint.Do not forget to try the Frígola,a sweet liquor whose origin lies on that island,made especially with thyme.
There are good bars restaurants on the island Cafe Martinal is very popular in the village of San Francesc Xavier and many excellent local and ethnic restaurants.Although Formentera is not like the sister Ibiza,the island offers the visitor some excellent places to enjoy very good music and a lively night.Es Pujols is the centre of the Formentera offers a lively nightlife,with many bars,restaurants and clubs.The most important place is the Xuen a disco-club partner of the famous disco Pacha in Ibiza,excellent music with famous DJ from Spain,Balearic Islands,Usa,UK and Italy .
Other places where you can find a good "marcha" (fun )is the Blue Bar and naturally the famous bohemian local La Fonda Pepe,favourite place for many artists as Bob Dylan,David Gilmore, Pink Floyd and Jimmy Page.
Shopping in Formentera offers the tourist interesting articles on the island,the Ceramic Pitorica is a very famous pottery painted by local artisans,then the famous ceramic lizards symbol of the island,furthermore you can find something interesting in the famous hippies markets with some objects like bracelets,clothes, reminding the 70s hippie generation in the island.
Formentera has not airport but you can easily reach the island with a stop-over in Ibiza and then taking a ferry from Ibiza,many ferries which connect the two islands with an output frequency of half an hour.There are several ways to reach Formentera.
There are also boats from Barcelona to Ibiza by Transmediterranean company every night.When you are in Ibiza,you can take at the Island port some ferries by different companies,the faster service is approximately 30 minutes reaching the Formentera port of La Savina.If you are in Denia,Costa Blanca there are ferries weekly to go to Formentera.Once on the island rent a car,a bicycle or a scooter is the best way to enjoy all Formentera which is not a big island and you can visit and enjoy that little paradise in a very easy way.
Rock Stars,writers,painters,artists but also common people have always been attracted by the fascinating natural charm of that island,Formentera is a small paradise,its crystalline and turquoise waters combined to the colours of its verdant vegetation,those fabulous sandy white and golden beaches encircling that island with the rays of a warm Mediterranean sun are undoubtedly all details,once visited that place so difficult to forget and to remember for ever.
Francesco Mari
Recommended Hotels in Formentera
Hotel Riu La Mola
Hotel Roca Bella
Es Mares Hotel & Spa
Hotel Cala Saona & Spa
Hotel Tahiti
Hotel Club Punta Prima
Insotel Club Maryland
Hostal La Savina
Hostal Sa Volta
Hotel Entre Pinos
www.illesbalears.es
www.formentera.es
www.guiaformentera.com
www.riu.com
www.roca-bella.com
www.hotelesmares.com
www.hotelcalasaona.com
www.tahiti.es
www.hotel-formentera.com
www.insotelhotelgroup.com
www.hostal-lasavina.com
www.savolta.com
www.hostalentrepinos.com
