Ses Illetes, Formentera | Top 150 Bikini Destinations
FORMENTERA, BALEARIC ISLANDS / SPAIN
A narrow spit between two seas
Ses Illetes.
Start at the ferry port, follow the salt ponds north, and spend the morning on the pale sand of Es Trucadors.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 150 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / BALEARIC ISLANDS
Formentera,
on two shores.
Ses Illetes follows the west side of the Es Trucadors peninsula. Across the dunes, Platja de Llevant faces east. The strip between the two narrows as you go north.
The peninsula is within the Ses Salines Natural Park. Start early if you’re arriving in summer, use marked approaches, and keep the dunes clear.
ON THE WORLD MAP
Between two shores.
Ses Illetes, Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain
01 / GETTING THERE
Start in La Savina.
Arrive in La Savina
The island’s ferry port is the starting point for the route to Ses Illetes.
Photo: Ana Ulin · CC BY-SA 2.0Get around Formentera
Follow signed paths from La Savina and allow time for the last return bus or ferry. Take a bike lock and use the designated parking areas.
On the beach
Check the park’s vehicle rules and stay on the boardwalks and marked approaches. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
Ses Illetes has more than one access point along the narrow spit. Pack for a walk over sand and little natural shade.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
From La Savina along the salt ponds
Cycle from the port or check seasonal buses and taxis. Cars and motorbikes are subject to controlled access and a park charge.
Check island transport ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
Marked approaches through the dunes
Keep to designated paths. Loose sand and uneven ground can make the approach difficult. Check assisted bathing locations ↗. Es Pujols and Es Arenals are listed for amphibious chairs.
03 / THE SAND
Fine sand and patches of rock
The pale sand is soft in places. Bring footwear for hot paths and rockier sections, and check the water before wading in.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Fill your bottle in town
A few seasonal restaurants serve the peninsula. Bring water and a snack, especially if walking toward the narrower northern end.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Shade is scarce
Bring a hat and portable shade where permitted. Ask operators about current rental availability and fees at the entrance.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Facilities vary by section
Check the nearest open toilets and lifeguard post at the access point. Confirm restaurant restroom access if you plan to rely on it.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Ses Illetes.
From the sand at Ses Illetes
The west-facing side of the spit opens toward the waters between Formentera and Ibiza.
Photo: Vriullop · CC BY-SA 3.001 / EARLY
Follow the salt ponds north
Leave the port before the middle of the day and park your bike in a signed area near a beach approach.
02 / IN THE WATER
Read the flags first
Swim only where conditions allow. Keep clear of boat traffic, and stay in designated swimming areas.
03 / MIDDAY
Make time for shade
The dunes offer little cover. Take a water break or head back toward La Savina for lunch.
04 / LATE DAY
Walk back along the spit
Use the marked paths. If you’re crossing from the west shore toward Llevant, check the wind and keep off the dune vegetation.
Do not wade across to S’Espalmador. Channels can carry strong currents, and boats pass between the islands.
04 / NEARBY BEACHES
Four more beaches nearby.
Cross the spit to Llevant or make a separate trip to the south and west coasts. Distances are approximate straight-line measurements.
Platja de Llevant
The other side of Es Trucadors faces east, so conditions can differ from Ses Illetes on the same day.
- Best for
- A walk across the peninsula on marked paths
- Facilities
- Seasonal services and controlled parking
- Good to know
- Check the flags before swimming, especially with an east wind.
Es Pujols
A village beach with a promenade, shallow stretches and rocky corners.
- Best for
- A swim with food and shops close by
- Facilities
- Seasonal lifeguards, assisted bathing and restaurants
- Good to know
- Ask about the amphibious chair at the designated access point.
Es Arenals, Platja de Migjorn
A sandy section of the south coast, with rock shelves and beach services nearby.
- Best for
- A separate south-coast beach day
- Facilities
- Seasonal dining, lifeguards and assisted bathing
- Good to know
- Check the flags and locate the assisted-bathing point on arrival.
Distances are straight-line from Ses Illetes. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
05 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Three ways to see Formentera.
01 / ES TRUCADORS
Walk the green route
The official 4.6 km route links Es Pujols and Ses Illetes. Leave time for sandy sections and bring water. It’s exposed in summer.
Es Pujols to Ses Illetes ↗02 / SANT FRANCESC XAVIER
Visit the island capital
Start in the main square and walk the lanes around the church. Check the ethnographic collection’s opening hours before going.
Sant Francesc village guide ↗03 / EL PILAR DE LA MOLA
See the craft market
In the warmer months, the market brings island makers to the village square. Continue to the lighthouse if conditions and daylight allow.
La Mola craft market ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Ses Illetes and northern Formentera.
The marker is on the west side of Es Trucadors. Zoom out for La Savina, the salt ponds and Es Pujols.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
From salt ponds to lighthouses.
The island’s capital, salt ponds and two headlands make for three very different detours from the shore.
Sant Francesc Xavier
The town hall faces the main square in the island’s capital.
Photo: Fabian Hurst · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ses Salines
The salt ponds sit just inland from the route toward Ses Illetes.
Photo: Formesar · CC BY-SA 4.0
Far de la Mola
The lighthouse stands near the eastern end of the island.
Photo: shaorang · CC BY-SA 2.0
Cap de Barbaria
The southwest headland looks out over open water.
Photo: Ireireire · CC BY-SA 3.006 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
SANT FERRAN
Hostal Illes Pitiüses
$ Budget · From about €50 nightly, sampled on the property’s direct rate feed
A small family-run base in the middle of the island. Stay here for easy access to Sant Ferran’s village lanes and onward transport to either coast.
Hostal Illes Pitiüses official site ↗ES PUJOLS VILLAGE
Blanco Hotel Formentera
$ Budget · From about €94 nightly on the local direct-booking listing
The hotel is a short walk from the village waterfront and a base for the signed route toward Llevant. Check room occupancy and the hotel’s current guest-age policy when comparing rates.
Blanco Hotel Formentera official site ↗LA SAVINA
Hotel Bahía
$$ Mid-Range · About €204 nightly, sampled on the hotel’s direct rate feed
Stay beside the harbor for a short walk from the ferry and a head start on the cycling route north. Ask about luggage storage if you arrive before check-in.
Hotel Bahía official site ↗ES CALÓ COUNTRYSIDE
Agroturismo Es Pas
$$ Mid-Range · €150–€300 nightly for a double on the published seasonal tariff
The rural setting puts Es Caló and the east end of Migjorn within reach. Breakfast is included in the published tariff. Confirm the local visitor tax and your room type before booking.
Agroturismo Es Pas official site ↗ES PUJOLS NORTH
Five Flowers Hotel & Spa
$$$ Upscale · About €263 nightly, sampled on the hotel’s direct rate feed
Base yourself at the north end of Es Pujols near the waterfront. The hotel has a rooftop terrace and spa. Check which facilities are open in your travel month.
Five Flowers Hotel & Spa official site ↗ES MAL PAS
Villas Paraíso de los Pinos
$$$$ Luxury · About US$500–$595 nightly on sampled official rates
The villas are inland from western Migjorn, with terraces and self-catering space. Compare each villa’s capacity and outdoor setup if traveling with family.
Villas Paraíso de los Pinos official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
Late spring and early fall can be easier for cycling and walking. Many stays and restaurants run seasonally. Check ferry and bus times around your arrival and return. Climate normals ↗
07 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
Es Caló’s fishing harbor
Wooden slipways line the little harbor below the village.
Photo: Fabian Hurst · CC BY-SA 4.0What to order
Try ensalada payesa with dried fish and bread, or order rice for the table. Ask how seafood sold by weight is priced before you order.
Local habits
Some kitchens close between lunch and dinner, and many places are seasonal. Bring a shirt or cover-up for the table.
A LITTLE CATALAN
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Bon dia
- Good morning
- Gràcies
- Thank you
- Si us plau
- Please
- El compte, si us plau
- The bill, please
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
SANT FRANCESC XAVIER
Sa Pizza
$ Budget · €3.50 for a slice or €6.50–€12 for selected whole pizzas
Order a slice if you’re passing through the capital or pick up a whole pizza to share. The online menu includes simple toppings and small calzones.
Sa Pizza official site ↗LA SAVINA PORT
Hostal La Savina Café
$ Budget · €5–€13 per person for selected breakfast orders
Stop near the harbor for a pastry with coffee or a fuller breakfast before the bike ride. The posted menu also has savory sandwiches.
Hostal La Savina Café official site ↗ES PUJOLS
Capri Restaurant
$$ Mid-Range · €15–€35 per person for a salad or a main dish
Start with the Formentera salad or try squid prepared in the local style. Ask for the current price before ordering a seafood dish marked at market price.
Capri Restaurant official site ↗ES CA MARÍ, MIGJORN
Blue Bar
$$ Mid-Range · €22–€30 per person for selected individual dishes
Take a daytime table by the south coast for fish or a seasonal salad. The kitchen has a separate sunset service, so check which menu is running.
Blue Bar official site ↗ES CALÓ
Restaurant Es Caló
$$$ Upscale · €33–€50 per person for selected paellas or fish stew
Share a paella or try bullit de peix, a fish stew served with rice. The official menu lists minimum orders and whether seafood is priced by weight.
Restaurant Es Caló official site ↗CALA SAONA
Ramón Freixa at Cala Saona
$$$$ Luxury · €70–€110 per person for a shared seafood meal, depending on weight
Consider a grilled fish and a starter to share. Lobster and whole fish are sold by weight, so confirm the size and total price before ordering.
Ramón Freixa at Cala Saona official site ↗08 / FORMENTERA AFTER DARK
Three bars.
Café del Lago
Go for an aperitif or a coffee by Estany des Peix. Leave enough time to walk back to the ferry terminal. Café del Lago aperitif menu ↗
Capri Restaurant
The terrace is a place to sit down for a drink and a shared plate after a beach walk. Capri menu ↗
Ramón Freixa at Cala Saona
Stop by the cove for an early evening drink with food. Check seasonal opening hours and have a plan to get back to your accommodation. Cala Saona menu ↗
Check the last bus and ferry before deciding to stay out past dinner. Arrange a taxi in advance if you are based away from the main villages.
09 / FORMENTERA EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Sant Jaume
In midsummer, Sant Francesc hosts the island’s Sant Jaume celebrations. Check the current program for concerts and public events.
Island festival guide official site ↗Virgen del Carmen
In summer, La Savina and Es Pujols mark the seafaring festival. Check the island calendar for the processions and waterfront events.
Island festival guide ↗Currency / Euro
Spain uses the euro (EUR, €). Bring a little cash in case a seasonal kiosk or other small business has limited card service.
Euro-area countries ↗10 / WHAT TO WEAR
Pack for sun and a sandy walk.
THE FORMENTERA BEACH KIT
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Formentera Orchid bikini with a lightweight cover-up, water, and a hat. Take footwear that can handle hot sand and small rocks.
On the island
Bring a bike lock if you are cycling and use the marked parking areas. Pack a bag for anything you carry onto the beach.
In town
Wear dry clothes for the ferry, a meal, or a village visit. Bring a light layer for the crossing if it is windy.
11 / BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
How do I get to Formentera?
Fly to Ibiza and transfer to the port in Ibiza Town for a ferry to La Savina. The fast crossing commonly takes about half an hour.
Does it cost anything to go to Ses Illetes?
The public beach can be reached on foot or by bike. The park controls access by car and motorbike and charges for motor vehicle entry.
What if I need assisted bathing?
The island lists amphibious chairs at Es Pujols and Es Arenals. Check current operating hours and the access point in advance.
Can I walk to Llevant?
Yes. Stay on the marked paths across the narrow spit. The two sides face different directions, so check the flags again.
Can I wade to S’Espalmador?
Plan to visit by boat. The channel carries currents and boat traffic.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Purple and mint.
Worn at Ses Illetes.
Mint sprigs on a purple triangle top, paired with diagonal-striped tie-side bottoms. The gallery features the Formentera Orchid set at Ses Illetes and around the island.
Explore the Formentera Orchid bikini ↗
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