The Pine Islands

The Pine Islands of Eivissa and Formentera are two beautiful Spanish islands that bask in the Mediterranean Sea. They are part of the four Balearic Islands, which also include Mallorca (Majorca) and Menorca. The Pine Islands are known as the Islas Pitiusas in Spanish, and the name derives from the Greek word pitya, or pine tree. Once you visit the islands you will understand how they got their name – there are pine trees everywhere!

Weather on the islands is appreciated by sun seekers, and in the summer months there is a cloudless sky and temperatures hitting the high thirties (centigrade). Even in the winter months the climate is fine enough to enjoy outdoor activities, although some find the sea a bit cold from November through to February. 

The modern history of the islands can be traced back to the early 1960s when the political opponents of Franco settled on Ibiza. They were followed by a wave of hippies and beatniks, and both islands retain a bohemian character to this day, with plenty of hippie and ethnic markets.

The main parts of Ibiza are: Ibiza Town, Sant Antoni, Santa Eularia, Northern Ibiza, and Southern Ibiza. Ibiza Town is a port rich in history, and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dalt Vila – massive medieval walls that wrap around a castle and cathedral. Sant Antoni is the hedonist’s dream and home to a vibrant club scene. If you thought most of the women in bikinis were on the beach, think again. A contrast to this is Santa Eularia which is a small seaside port with a group of historic buildings set on top of a hill, and a handful of cove beaches. When you explore the terrain of the island you will find that the north is fairly barren with plenty of hiking, biking and pine trees, whereas the south is the place to go to enjoy stunning coastline.

The Pine Islands second island of Formentera is the smallest of the Balearics, but due to its elongated shape still enjoys 82 kilometers of coastline, much of which is beautiful white sand beaches. The main village are those of Sant Francesc and Sant Ferran, and the island has just one resort-style area which is Es Pujols. When you are there you can take your pick of beaches: Ses Illetes, Llevant, Cavall d’en Borras, Tramuntana, Ses Platgetes, Migjorn or Cala Saona. Whichever it is one of the features of Formentera is naturism – it isn’t obligatory, but you will see plenty of it whether you partake or not.

Over two million people visit the islands each year, and beyond the blue oceans and white sand beaches there are plenty of places of interest. Ibiza Town’s Dalt Vila is a renaissance fortification which is well worth exploring inside. In addition to the cathedral and castle you should take note that the town hall is a former sixteenth century monastery. The first monks came to Ibiza in 1580, and they took refuge from pirates behind Dalt Vila. There are a number of museums to explore, and plenty of cafes and restaurants to relax in once you have taken in the culture.

Formentera also has its share of historic and cultural sites, one of the most interesting of which is the defense towers. These were put up to protect the island from the pirates that came from Turkey, France, Spain, and even other Balearic islands. What makes these an enjoyable site is not only the stunning views they offer, but also the landscapes of the island that you travel through to get to them. You will find defense towers at Pi des Catala, Punta de sa Gavina, Punta Prima and Cap de Barbaria.

If you can’t make it over to enjoy the natural beauty of Formentera then the south of Ibiza is has plenty to offer. It has a range of terrains, from the saltpans to the highest peak of the island (Sa Talaiassa). There are three resorts to consider if you want to make this area your base: Cala Vedella, Cala Tarida and Platja d’en Bossa. Whichever, you decide to be based on then you will certainly want to visit Sang Jose – this valley town is 200 meters above sea level and has the beautiful church Esglesia de Sant Josep, which dates back to 1726.

When you visit the Pine Islands you will be able to get around the island just fine with Spanish, although the local dialect of Catlanan (Eivissenc) is traditionally the main language. Most of the shop and restaurant owners do speak some English, but on Formentera this is less so. When it comes to getting around the local buses are cheap and punctual, and motor vehicles are easy to rent. However, when it comes to Formentera you really should use a bicycle. It’s a small island of natural beauty, and the best way to explore it without causing any damage is in two wheels.