If you have spent a week on Ibiza and still have a free day, the best thing you can do with it is leave. A Formentera day trip from Ibiza takes barely half an hour each way, and in autumn it is at its best: the water is still warm, the ferries are calmer, and the little island's famously pale sand belongs to far fewer people than in August.
This guide covers how to get there, which beaches to choose, how to get around once you land, and what to eat. It is written for October, but most of it holds from May right through to the end of the season.
Getting there: the ferry from Ibiza Town
Ferries to Formentera leave from the Estació Marítima in Ibiza Town and arrive at La Savina, the island's only real port. Several companies run the route, including Baleària, Trasmapi, Aquabus and Formentera Lines, and booking sites such as Ferryhopper and Direct Ferries let you compare them side by side.
The fast boats take roughly 30 to 35 minutes, while the slower standard ferries take about an hour. Expect to pay somewhere around €25–35 each way per adult, or roughly €50–60 for a return, with discounts for children and free travel for the very young. Prices move with the season and the operator, so treat those figures as a guide and check at booking.
In July and August the boats sell out, so people book days ahead. In October you have much more breathing room, although it is still wise to reserve your outbound crossing the day before, especially at weekends. Arrive at the port at least half an hour early, and, most importantly, check the time of the last ferry back before you wander off to the beach. Autumn timetables are thinner than summer ones, and the last boat is the one deadline you cannot miss.
Beach one: Ses Illetes, the postcard
Ses Illetes, on the northern tip of the island, is the beach you have seen in every photograph of Formentera: shallow, glassy turquoise water over white sand, with the smaller islets of the nature reserve lying just offshore. It is also the busiest beach on the island, and in high summer it fills up by late morning.
October changes that. Go early, take the bus or a bike from La Savina, and you can have a long stretch of shoreline almost to yourself. The water here is calm and shallow, so it is good for a slow swim, and the colours are best when the sun is higher, between late morning and mid-afternoon.
Beach two: Migjorn, the long quiet one
If Ses Illetes is the postcard, Migjorn is the exhale. This long beach on the south coast runs for kilometres, with space to spread out and a handful of relaxed beach restaurants along the way. It is more open to the sea than the northern coast, so the water can be livelier on windy days, but on a still autumn afternoon it is wonderful for walking barefoot along the waterline.
For something with more facilities, Es Pujols is the island's main resort village, with shops, cafés and an easy atmosphere. It is less wild than the other two, but handy if you want a coffee and a bit of life around you.
Cap de Barbaria: sunset at the end of the island
Formentera is flat, but not boring. In the far south, Cap de Barbaria is a dramatic, windswept headland with a lighthouse and wide views over the open Mediterranean. It is a favourite spot to watch the light change, and in autumn the sun sets early enough that you can see it and still make a sensible ferry home if you plan carefully.
Be honest with yourself about timing here. Cap de Barbaria is a long way from the port by bike, so if you want to include it, hire a scooter or arrange a ride, and check the return ferry before committing.
Getting around once you land
Formentera is small and mostly flat, which makes it ideal for cycling. Bikes are typically around €10–15 per day, and you will see rental shops right by the port in La Savina. If you want to cover more ground, including the south, scooters cost roughly €30–40 per day. Public buses exist but are infrequent, so do not build a tight schedule around them.
A simple plan for a day: land at La Savina, collect your bike, ride north to Ses Illetes for the morning, head back through the village of Sant Francesc Xavier for lunch, and spend the afternoon on Migjorn before returning your bike and catching the evening boat.
What to eat
Beach restaurants, known locally as chiringuitos, are the heart of a Formentera day. Expect to spend around €20–40 per person including drinks, depending on where you sit and what you order. Fresh fish, grilled seafood and simple rice dishes are the classics, and many places close or reduce hours as the season winds down, so it is worth checking that your chosen spot is still open in October.
If you are travelling on a budget, a picnic from a supermarket in Sant Francesc Xavier is a perfectly good plan, and eating it on a quiet beach is hard to beat.
Practical tips for a smooth day
- Book the early ferry out and a later one back, so you get a full day on the island.
- Pack light: a small bag, a towel, water and a hat is enough.
- Bring high-SPF sunscreen: the October sun is gentler but the reflection off white sand is not.
- Check last ferry times before you leave La Savina in the morning.
- Carry some cash in case a small beach bar does not take cards.
- Respect the nature reserve: the seagrass beds around Ses Illetes are protected, so follow local signs about anchoring and walking.
Make it your day
A day on Formentera is the easiest way to feel like you have properly left the island without needing a suitcase. Pair it with a quiet morning in Ibiza Town beforehand, or save it for the day after a busy night out. Whichever way you do it, October is a lovely month for the crossing.
Looking for more to do while you are here? Browse the full Ibiza Calendar for what is on this week, from village fiestas to open-air concerts and exhibitions.
