Where to stay in Formentera? This small and beautiful island need good choice about the areas to sleep in order to conveniently get around the island or meet your goals during your stay. (Do you already know how to get to Formentera? 🙂 )
Where to stay in Formentera – map
Unlike other islands, this time the map is less relevant than usual, we’ll find out why below. It is certainly useful to know the location of the port (the only way to reach the island) and the main urban centers of Formentera, marked in blue. In yellow instead some of the most beautiful beaches to visit.
La Savina
Pros: Close to the port, services, can get around by bus, Ses Illetes is also reachable by bike.
Cons: Not particularly typical area.
La Savina is the urban centre closest to the port that you can choose to stay in Formentera if you need to minimize the time to reach the ferry and be relatively close to the most popular beaches of Formentera.
You might also be interested in: How to get around Formentera
Although being a transit area, it is a fairly well-kept and nice neighborhood for walking, with some bars and restaurants, supermarkets, as well as the majority of car, scooter, and bike rentals on the island, so you won’t miss anything. You’ll also find some small gems to photograph:
The area also stands out for the largest number of markets and supermarkets on the island: not super low prices here, but in other urban centers you might find only 1 or 2 mini-markets with even more unpredictable prices.
Staying near the port of Formentera is recommended:
- for those planning to move only by bus (here more info about the bus network: although it doesn’t cover the entire island, you can move around the northeast and reach some of the most beautiful beaches);
- for those who have ferries at inconvenient times and prefer to stay close to the port;
- for those who want a good selection of markets and supermarkets;
- also those who want to frequently visit the Ses Illetes area (the northern tip with many beautiful beaches and the protected area) connected to La Savina by this lovely pedestrian and bike path:
I would not recommend staying in this area of Formentera to those who want to immerse themselves in total relaxation, since it is a bit busy, or to those looking for a more typical place.
- Hostal La Savina: 2-star seafront rooms with private beach, room service, bar, 24h reception;
- Sabina Playa: a complex of elegant apartments with kitchenette, lagoon view, a pool, and luggage storage service.
Es Pujols
Pros: The most famous and charming center for evening strolls, close to the sea, a decent evening life;
Cons: The most expensive and “VIP” area in high season, it almost feels like being in Italy.
Es Pujols is the urban center of Formentera most “famous” from the point of view of evening life, due to the presence of numerous bars (like the much-photographed Chezz Gerdi), sea-view restaurants, services, and shops.
It is often referred to as the capital of Formentera’s “nightlife”, but don’t be fooled if you’re looking for clubbing: nowadays there are no more discos or nightclubs, the most action you’ll find is in the cocktail bars. And while in the peak of summer the pedestrian areas can be crowded with people, in quieter times like late May or June you might find just a few people or half-empty bars/restaurants.
Staying in Formentera in this area also offers you a promenade among the nicest to stroll along in the evening, where there is often a local market for those who enjoy that kind of thing.
However, Es Pujols is also one of the most crowded and expensive areas on the island both in accommodations and in the restaurant or street food offerings. You’ll find a couple of mini-markets, one of which has some baked goods available in the morning if you like to bring a packed lunch and get lost in the beautiful beaches of Formentera.
This town in particular is the most full of italians — you’ll even find some signs and names of venues in Italian. Not that the rest of the island is immune, but if you don’t particularly enjoy this aspect, Es Pujols might not be for you.
Also, if you have a car you might experience some difficulty finding parking (although in my opinion a car is not the right vehicle to explore Formentera, but we’ll talk about that in more detail in another guide).
I recommend staying in Formentera in the Es Pujols area:
- for those looking for a place with some evening life and a nice promenade;
- if you want to sleep in the island’s most “chic” spot;
I do not recommend Es Pujols if you:
- have a car with you;
- are traveling on a budget;
- are looking to immerse yourself in nature or a typical place.
- Apartamentos Verde Mar: apartments with very high reviews, for groups of up to 4 people, with wifi, a/c, kitchen, and free parking;
- Hotel Tahiti: superior rooms, some with sea view, located in the pedestrian area;
- Hostal Capri: budget rooms for 1 to 3 people with private bathroom, breakfast, among the lowest prices in the area.
Sant Ferran de Ses Roques
Pros: Typical and less touristy urban center, good location for exploring the island, more parking than average;
Cons: No evening life unless in peak season.
Staying in Formentera in the Sant Ferran area is a good compromise for those looking for both a good base to explore the whole island and a less touristy place. There’s also a historic center here where you might come across local festivals or community celebrations, like this children’s event on a late May afternoon:
Sant Ferran is located a few kilometers from the sea, easily reachable even with just an electric bike. Buses also pass through here.
The downside of this area could be the lack of evening life, at least in the less hot periods. However, you might find more genuine restaurants.
Sant Francesc de Xavier
Pros: main historic center, public transport;
Cons: increasing distance from the sea.
Sant Francesc de Xavier is the largest urban center in Formentera. The same considerations just made for Sant Ferran apply here, with the only difference being that it is a few kilometers further from the sea.
Where do I recommend staying in Formentera?
We just saw the characteristics of the main urban centers in Formentera, but this time, unlike other destinations, the best place to choose accommodation on this island might be… none of these! 😀
Let me explain better: The island is relatively small, so for getting around it doesn’t make much difference where you are, as long as you stay within the red box area on the map at the beginning of the guide.
Formentera is full of green areas, cycling and walking paths that go around the salt flats or lead to the beaches, peaceful and quiet areas perfect for disconnecting and enjoying some relaxation away from the city chaos.
To get around the island, yes, you need a vehicle, but that could easily be a scooter or even better an electric bike. We’ll see why better when we talk about the transport options in Formentera. Among many reasons, with a bike you enter Ses Illetes park for free and use several bike-only trails closed to scooters.
For this reason, my suggestion is to open the full map of Formentera and search in the north/west area for a place with the amenities you prefer or the most affordable price (since staying in Formentera is generally expensive!) and you’ll always be just 10 minutes away from the nearest services and beaches, with the added benefit of enjoying a super relaxed area!
Where to stay in Formentera for young people?
If you’re young and looking for nightlife, you might want to aim for another in the Balearic island like Ibiza or Mallorca. But if you’re not into extremes, the best places for you are:
- Es Pujols with its bars in the center or the iconic Chezz Gerdi on the beach,
- the surroundings of La Savina to visit the most famous chiringuitos along the north coast for music-filled afternoon aperitifs like at Beso Beach or Tiburon; people even arrive here by boat from Ibiza in the afternoon and return in the evening after the party. A valid option only if you’ve got a fat wallet: prices here are not kind.
Where to stay in Formentera with children
In this case, almost the whole island is suitable: just avoid the areas with elevation or sea cliffs (that is, the southeast tip and much of the southern coast except for the Playa Migjorn area), to stay in sandy, sea-level coastal zones without slopes or hazards.
Where to stay in Formentera on a budget?
Finding cheap accommodation in Formentera is not easy, especially if traveling in summer. The most budget-friendly solutions are usually those a bit outside the main centers, without fear of being too isolated, as I mentioned earlier in the article.
Try opening this page and entering your dates to see the cheapest options.
Now that you know everything about where it’s worth staying in Formentera… it’s also time to find a cheap flight to the nearest airport (Ibiza) with the box below.
Finally, to get from Ibiza airport to the port you’ll need to take a bus or a transfer (don’t miss the guide on how to get to Formentera to see all options and prices), and then the ferry. If you don’t feel like planning it all, check out here or here to see if an all-in-one transfer is available for your dates.
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