Formentera has more than naked sunbathing!

Formentera tourism was given a mighty boost in the arm by the Estrella Damm commercial of 2009, which showed a bunch of neo-hippies arriving at the port of La Savina, and then going on to enjoy days of sun, sea, topless bathing, mud baths, and beautiful countryside. But this is an island that has been attracting tourists long before a kitschy beer commercial, and with good reason: it has stunning beaches, a nature park with over 200 species of birds, diving to rival the Caribbean, rustic getaways, and a far more relaxed atmosphere than the other Balearic islands. The locals perpetuate the rumor that the Seychelles tourism tourist board uses a photo of a Formentera beach in its advertising, and once you have visited the island you might just believe that it is true!

Starting with the beaches, you have over eighty kilometers of coastline, of which more than thirty kilometers are white sand beaches. Cycling along the coastline roads you will find multiple chances to turn off onto beaches; with the geography of the island, the narrow isthmus than joins two plateaus, you are never far from a beautiful stretch of ocean. The most popular beaches are those of: Cala Saona, Platja de Migjorn, Llevany, Ses Illetes, Cavall d’en Borras, Tramuntana and Ses Platgetes. There is also s’Espalmador, which is a private island north of Formentera famed for its mud baths.

Beyond sun and sea Formentera has a number of charming villages which have decent restaurants, bars, ceramics stores, bakeries, and a few points of architectural interest, but it’s more about soaking up the atmosphere than anything else. In addition to the port of La Savina, there is the island’s ‘capital’ just up the road. This capital, Sant Francesc, is famed for its church with a facade built with practicality rather than aesthetics in mind, that is to say that if you find it ugly just remember how good it is at defending the island from pirates! Other villages to explore are: Sant Ferran, Es Calo, Es Pujols and El Pilar. Just remember to take a bottle of water if you are heading to El Pilar by bicycle, and don’t drink to much alcohol the night before, as it has a steep hill. Of course, the views across the rest of the island, and out to the Mediterranean are well worth it if you make the effort.

There are a number of local festivals throughout the year, and if you there is one during your stay you should certainly attend. They feature traditional dances, with the men dressed in white with the red sash dancing around ladies displaying the emprendada and enjoying the castanets. Some of the festivals are:

• 30th May, Feast day of patron saint Sant Ferran
• 24th June, St. Johns day
• 16th July, Feast of Virgin del Carmen
• 25th July, Feat of St. James
• 5th August, The patron saint of the Pitius Islands, Virgin de les Neus, is celebrated
• 12th October, Celebration of Virgin del Pilar
• 5th December, Feast day of Sant Francesc

The best village at which to celebrate the festival at will depend on which of the festivals it is, so you should check when you are on the island.

Formentera tourism also benefits from its Circuits Verds, or green tours. These are twenty designated cycling and walking paths that are a fantastic way to explore the island. They lead you through some of the best countryside en route to the main sights. You can link a number of the routes together to create a one day trip, with a break for a picnic at some cliff top location. The route around Estany des Peix is a great one to start with, as you take in this beautiful lagoon and then break off the path to head to Can Marroig.