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Ibiza vs Formentera

Holidays in the Balearic Islands: Ibiza or Formentera?

Choose your Holiday

The Balearic Islands

Until a few years ago the rule was Formentera by day and Ibiza by night, then the Italians in particular exported the trend of the aperitif and then carried the “movida” also in the one was considered the island of pure relaxation.

  • Warm and mild weather from April to October
  • Great beaches for all tastes
  • Beautiful sea
  • The best clubs in the world
  • Atmosphere hippie chic
  • Just 2/3 hours flight from major European capitals

The Balearic Islands

are one of the most loved destinations

in Spain and all over the Mediterranean.

Ibiza vs Formentera

Island Holidays

In general, Ibiza is suitable for younger who enjoy having fun by night, while Formentera is predominantly for adults and fun is much less frantic and closer to hippie culture, favoring happy hours on the shore sea at sunset time and the continuation of the evening at the various bars and restaurants of the island.

In the period between the closing and opening parties of the most famous clubs (from the second half of October to after Easter), Ibiza changes face and becomes the ideal place - even for families - to spend a holiday or even just a long weekend in total relaxation.

Perfect mix

Where do you want to go?

Ibiza or Formentera, perfect mix between the most feasting islands and the most relaxing islands: book your RB holiday on hunting beaches, clubs, nature and history.

Ibiza

The bustling and chaotic island of the Balearics, with huge bars, clubs and discos always in business. The climate of Ibiza is perfect from April to September, and the “off-season” months are always enjoyable.

Formentera

Formentera, which is an explosion of nature, has many gorgeous beaches, of fine and white sand, or intimate rocks coves. The climate is simply wonderful, warm but ventilated from May to October.

Shopping and Costs

Ibiza

Wine

Bodega sa Cova (in Sant Antoni 14 km from the center) is a wine company surrounded by one of the rare vineyards of the island. Perfect for a visit and then for a tasting of family wines.

Special Souvenir

The Convent de San Cristofol is a monastery in Ibiza’s old town with a shop selling sweet and savory products made by the Augustin Sisters. The products are always different and the booking is recommended (located in Carrer de San Ciriac).

Costs

Organizing a low cost holiday in Ibiza is difficult but not impossible.
A coca cola at the port of Ibiza standing outside the locals also costs 9 EUR and a disco entrance can reach 50 EUR with a drink. But walking along the marinar you can meet people and have fun with an average spend of 20 EUR per night.
The best thing is to book a Flight + Lodgings package (Hotel or Residence / Holiday Apartment) possibly all inclusive.

Formentera

Shopping

Pottery, jewelry, hand-painted clothing and paintings are the items that you can buy by going to the flea markets and the island’s shops.
The artisan tradition still suffers from the alternative culture of the ’70s, and the same hippies that live here are the creators of many objects: these little masterpieces are the fruit of those who combine the creative object with the rigor of the craft. Of particular interest is the hippie market held at La Mola every Wednesday and Sunday, from June to October.
Es Pujols, on the other hand, is the place where most traditional shops are concentrated and where, even in the evenings, you can entertain yourself in the various bars and clubs.

Costs

Formentera is the absolute most expensive of the Balearic Islands, there is no airport and half a liter of water on the beach can cost 3 EUR.
This is especially true for the high season and between flight, accommodation and services more or less necessary (or advisable) – as a means of transport with which to move on the island (scooter for example) – the total holiday cost can actually reach significant figures.
It is therefore advisable to arrange your trip in advance, taking advantage of Early Booking offers at more affordable prices.

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Residence Holidays Beaches
Beaches

Ibiza

Ses Salines is the great attraction of Ibiza. A very long and almost pink beach nature reserve with Mediterranean scrub, dunes and many more intimate coves.

Cala de Benirras in the North East is a place of peace and wonder. It is a small bay with gravel beach dominated by Mediterranean scrub and few locals, far from the chaos typical of the Spanish island.

Cala d’Hort is the most scenic beach, from where you can admire the island of Es Vedra, a rocky peak surrounded by the blue sea of Ibiza. Perfect for diving or snorkeling.

Cala Llenya with shallow backdrops and fine white sand and a large pine forest where to shelter from the sun.

Cala Mastella, one of the most romantic: it can be reached by a staircase, embedded in the rock and very tiny (about 50 meters long).

Our pick for beaches:
Can Mossènyer 9.7
Ibiza Formentera map
Migjorn
Calò des Mort
Illetes
Cala Saona
Es Pujols
Ses Salines
Cala de Benirras
Cala d’Hort
Cala Llenya
Cala Mastella

Formentera

Ses Illetes is the most famous beach in Formentera. A long and light sandy tongue stretching out both sides to the sea. The sea day ends at Beso Beach, a local among the best frequented by sunset.

Migjorn, very crowded beach.

Calò des Mort, intimate cove of low rocks, with fishermen’s homes and few people, even in August.

Cala Saona, the only beach located on the far western part of the island going towards Cap de Barbaria, is a 100 meter strip of sand covered in by cliff formations making it an excellent option for most of the season.

Es Pujols, perfect to be visited off-season as the beach itself is beautiful and very characteristic, with many fisherman’s huts around. With many restaurants and bars open for a longer period during the summer it is a great option to hang out during the off-season months.

Our pick for beaches:
Apartamentos Es Arenals 8.5

Formentera: transportation

There is only one port on the island of Formentera, which is the only access route to reach the island: La Savina, the landing point of all ferries departing from Ibiza.

There are many shipping companies who daily make the crossing that allows to reach the famous Balearic Island, some of which also specialize in the daily Ibiza – Formentera and vice versa.

An alternative service to ferries is the so-called Taximar, which is normally recommended when starting from Ibiza for Formentera is a large number of people. It is a real seaside taxi, available at the departure at any time so that tourists from Ibiza can reach Formentera without being forced to wait for the departure of the ferries.

The charter usually only starts when a minimum limit of passengers is reached, but it has a very affordable price that is much lower than the ferry.

Ibiza

Art

– Dalt Vila, the old centre UNESCO heritage
– Museu d’Art Contemporani, obtained from a barracks from Borbone
– Puig des Mulins – Necropolis Punica where to discover the history of the island and its ancient burial places
– Casa Broner, the Bavarian painter’s atelier-home on the cliff of Elvissa full of works and with a stunning view
– the village of Sant Antoni
– Ses Païses of Cala d’Hort, rural settlement of the Punic-Roman era

Flea Markets

Classic not to be missed to buy paintings, ceramics, wallets, but above all a couple of alpargates, typical rope-worn shoes. The best are:
– Saint Carles on Saturday for the Las Dalias Market held in the garden of the homonymous restaurant
– Punta Arabì on Wednesday: 500 stalls, is the largest and most famous in Ibiza for clothes, handicrafts, street food
– The Hippy Market of Punta Arabi established in Es Canar. Born in the 1970s, it is still a real attraction of the island in the months between April and October.

Formentera

Itineraries

– from Es Pujols to PlatJia de Levant that alternates sandy dunes to reefs and arrives to the homonymous beach popularly loved by naturists
– to see Formentera from above, there is the “green path” on the southern part of the Estany Pudent: it’s for the already trained, but coming to the top the panorama repairs from every effort
– the longest: Camel Vell de la Mola (3000 meters) followed by Camì de s’Estany (2700 meters) and Dalt de Porto Salè (2500 meters)
– only by foot: Camís de Sa Pedrera and Camì d’Es Cap

Salterns

In the past, Formentera’s economy was relying on salt production: a story to be discovered in the wonderful Ses Salines reserve, one of the most beautiful places on the island. And in a contemporary way, with a gourmet dinner at Es Molì de Sal: exclusive restaurant made in a mill that chopped salt.