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A long weekend with friends in the Balearics can mix Ibiza’s famed sun-and-party vibe with Formentera’s laid-back charm. In Ibiza, explore historic sites, beaches, and clubs; in Formentera, enjoy pristine sands and quiet coves. Below are our detailed recommendations, complete with insider tips and must-try local specialties.
Top Attractions in Ibiza
- Dalt Vila (Ibiza Old Town) – UNESCO-listed fortified old town with cobbled streets, hilltop cathedral and panoramic harbour views. Wander the maze of alleys and sip coffee on a plaza.
- Beaches – Cala Comte and Cala Salada are classic blue-water bays with soft sand. Cala d’Hort is famous for its view of the mystical Es Vedrà islet. Even if you’re not sunbathing, sunsets here are spectacular.
- Hippy Markets – The Las Dalias (San Carles) and Punta Arabí (Es Canar) markets are iconic. Browse handmade jewelry, local crafts and sample street food amid a bohemian atmosphere.
- Scenic Views – Drive or hike to Mirador de San Carlos and other viewpoints for unforgettable vistas. Sunset spots like Café Mambo or Café del Mar in San Antonio are popular places to toast the golden hour.
Top Attractions in Formentera
- Ses Illetes & Llevant Beach – Often ranked among Europe’s best beaches, these contiguous shores have powdery white sand and turquoise water. The protected Ses Salines park behind them creates mirror-like salt flats that make for stunning photos.
- Es Pujols & Migjorn – Es Pujols is the island’s main beach town, lively by day with restaurants and bars. Nearby Playa Migjorn offers a long stretch of sand that feels more tranquil, dotted with casual chiringuitos.
- Cap de Barbaria & La Mola – In the south, the Cap de Barbaria lighthouse perches on dramatic cliffs; it’s renowned for epic sunsets. Further inland, the windmill Molí Vell near La Mola village makes a photogenic stop. Each Wednesday and Sunday (May–Oct) a craft market at La Mola showcases local artisans.
- Sant Francesc and Es Caló – The picturesque capital Sant Francesc has a lovely 18th-century church and shady plazas. The tiny fishing cove of Es Caló de Sant Agustí is equally scenic: see its turquoise waters and traditional fishermen’s huts. Nearby hilltop El Pilar de La Mola adds charm with its stone church.
Foods to Try (Ibiza & Formentera)
- Bullit de Peix – A classic Ibizan fish stew cooked with potatoes and garlic, served with garlicky aioli. A true local experience is enjoying it seaside; the rustic Es Bigotes restaurant in Cala Mastella is famed for this dish.
- Arroz de Matanza – A hearty rice dish with pork, beans and saffron, traditionally prepared after the autumn pig slaughter. Look for it at family-run tavernas or country inns.
- Sobrassada – This red paprika-spiced cured pork sausage is a Balearic specialty. Try sobrassada spread on bread or with honey for a sweet-savory bite. Many restaurants and markets offer it (and in Formentera too, as noted below).
- Paella and Fideuà – Ibiza’s beach clubs and seaside restaurants serve excellent seafood paellas and fideuà (a similar dish made with short noodles) cooked over open flames. They make for festive group meals.
- Flaó and Orelletes – For dessert, sample flaó (an Ibizan cheesecake with mint) or orelletes (thin crispy fritters with honey/sugar). And don’t miss a cold glass of horchata made from tiger nuts if you stumble on it at a summer cafe.
- Formentera Specialties: Island cuisine centers on ultra-fresh seafood and rustic fare. Restaurants like Can Rafalet (Es Caló, with sea views) have been iconic for seafood for decades. Sa Platjeta (on Migjorn beach) is another top choice for paella and grilled fish. Local ingredients include the island’s famous red prawns (“gamba roja”), locally caught fish, and sobrasada and cured meats. (An initiative there even certifies dishes made with Formentera amb molt de gust local ingredients.)
Local Recommendations & Hidden Gems
- Ibiza Boat Parties: A quintessential Ibiza experience is a daytime boat party Ibiza. As one insider notes, thousands flock each year to these floating festivals, which “blend nightlife, adventure, and community” on the water. Boats depart from San Antonio or Playa d’en Bossa with DJs, open bars and dancing. A popular variation is an sunset boat party Ibiza cruise – imagine toasting the sinking sun with cava and tunes on deck.
- Secret Beaches: Locals know of secluded coves like Atlantis (Sa Pedrera) – an otherworldly rocky shoreline perfect for snorkeling and photos. The pirate-era watchtower Torre des Savinar near Es Vedrà offers dramatic ocean panoramas. Similarly, Cala Llentrisca and Cala San Vicente in the north are quiet hideouts.
- Hippy Markets and Markets: The famous Punta Arabí and Las Dalias markets (daytime festivals in Es Canar and San Carlos) reflect Ibiza’s hippie heritage. Even in smaller towns, weekend markets sell crafts and local foods.
- Active Adventures: For a change of pace, try cycling or horseback riding. In Formentera, e-bike tours through dune trails reveal the island’s interior (look for that 20m-wide iconic fig tree). Snorkeling off Ses Illetes or paddleboarding around Es Caló’s coves are also great ways to explore hidden corners.
- Wellness and Chill: If you need downtime, Ibiza is famed for yoga and wellness retreats. Morning beach yoga at Amante or private yoga sessions on a villa terrace are popular. For a spa day, Ibiza’s hilltop Atzaró Agroturismo Spa and Na Xamena’s cliffside Hammam both offer tranquility.
Best Photo Spots
- Cala d’Hort / Es Vedrà: Arguably Ibiza’s most iconic photo: the wooden jetty on Cala d’Hort beach framing the rocky islet Es Vedrà. (Legends swirl that Es Vedrà has mystical powers – either way, it’s photogenic.)
- Atlantis (Sa Pedrera): This hidden cliff-area (“Sa Pedrera”) looks like a sunken city with terraces of volcanic rock descending to the sea. It’s a bit of a hike to reach, but yields surreal water and rock formations.
- Torre des Savinar (Sunset Tower): The 18th-century lookout tower on a hill above Cala d’Hort gives sweeping views of Es Vedrà and the sunset.
- Puertas de Can Soleil: A pair of white doors standing alone on a countryside path (a gift by the Cirque du Soleil founder) near Cap Martinet. It’s an arty “door to nowhere” that looks magical at dusk.
- Ses Salines (Ibiza): The salt flats at the southern end of the island produce surreal pastel reflections. Nearby trails and dunes offer many photo ops.
- Formentera Views: The whole island is a photographer’s dream. The pink salt ponds of Ses Salines (Formentera) are supremely picturesque. The quaint village of Es Caló (whitewashed fishermen’s huts and a little pier) is “highly Instagrammable” with its brightest turquoise waters. Cap de Barbaria’s lighthouse and the adjacent Cova Foradada (a hole carved through the cliffs) feel cinematic at sunset. And on any boat ride you’ll see Ses Illetes – miles of white-sand beaches and translucent seas, where the water is so clear you might even spot dolphins.
Quiet, Relaxing Spots
Even in summer you can find tranquility: Ibiza and Formentera each have peaceful corners away from the main crowds. For example, Ibiza’s north coast around Portinatx offers a trio of family-friendly coves with turquoise water (ideal for swimming and unwinding). The laid-back bays of Port de Sant Miguel and hidden Cala d’Hort (despite its views) are much calmer than the south coast party beaches. Inland villages like Sant Josep and San Juan have quiet farm-to-table restaurants and shady plazas perfect for a lazy lunch.
Similarly, Formentera feels like Ibiza’s chill little sister. Its small coves are famously serene: El Tiburón (between Illetes and La Savina) remains quiet even in high summer. Playa Tramuntana and Sa Roqueta on the south coast are narrow white-sand bays framed by rocks, popular with families and nudists seeking a calm swim. Even busy beach bars here have a relaxed vibe – for instance, Blue Bar on the west coast is known for bohemian sunsets rather than EDM. In Formentera you can easily cycle from one peaceful spot to another, stopping for a sangria as the waves lullaby in the background.