The overlooked Spanish island that's just as beautiful as Ibiza - but MUCH cheaper and less crowded over the summer
With its gorgeous white sand beaches, world renowned clubs and pine-carpeted forests, it's no wonder that Ibiza is one of Spain 's leading tourist destinations.
But with more than three million tourists visiting a year, many travellers are seeking something a little more peaceful.
And luckily, there's a beautiful Balearic island with stunning beaches that's much quieter than the White Isle.
Located off the south coast of Ibiza, Formentera island is just 20km (12 miles) long and 2km (1.2 miles) wide.
Lonely Planet describes the island as a 'beautifully pure, get-away-from-it-all-escape'.
The travel guide adds: 'Formentera's pace of life is blissfully languid, designed for lazy days spent lounging on some of Europe's (dare we say the world's) most exquisite beaches.'
Holidaymakers won't find Ibiza's clubbing atmosphere here but they will find a peaceful escape.
Playa de Ses Illetes is Formentera's best known beach and it's even picked up a Travellers' Choice Best of the Best award.
The beach is located within the Ses Salines National Park and has white sand with bright turquoise water.
Tourist 'Niky B' writes on Tripadvisor: 'Superb beach worthy of the Caribbean! Take a nice picnic with you and you will not regret.'
Another person says: 'It's the beach. Listed as one of the best in the world, its crystal clear waters, fine and surroundings make it undoubtedly worthy of five stars.'
Platja de Migjorn is also considered one of the island's prettiest beaches. The longest beach on the island it stretches across 5km.
Traveller 'Cathy C' writes on Tripadvisor: 'The sea here is clean and beautiful. Some areas are rocky but there are plenty of sandy areas with easy access to the sea.'
Scuba divers can explore the Don Pedro, one of the world's most famous shipwrecks. The cargo ship is over 140m long and can be visited on dives.
Just 3km from the port, Formentera's capital Sant Francesc has a crafts market and an 18th century church.
It's the ideal place to sample some of the island's local delicacies including frit de polp (fried octopus with potatoes).
How to get to Formentera
Tourists will need to fly to Ibiza to get to Formentera with direct flights available on British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2.
They can then catch a ferry from Ibiza. Ferries tend to run frequently and take around 30 minutes.
What's the weather like in Formentera
In July and August, the temperature averages 26 degrees on the island with minimal sunshine and sun for around 11 hours a day.
The average temperature is usually above 20 degrees in May, June, September and October as well.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Taking back control: Spain to gain sovereignty over British travellers to Gibraltar thanks to Brexit
UK visitors to Gibraltar could be sent home on the next plane by Spanish frontier officials – even if they have a passport valid for the British Overseas Territory. Once the post- Brexit agreement between the UK, Gibraltar, Spain and the EU is ratified, visitors to the British Overseas Territory will face two passport checks on arrival. The existing examination by Gibraltar's Borders & Coastguard Agency will be augmented by a Spanish frontier post. The deal has been constructed to allow a free flow of passengers, vehicles and goods across the land frontier between Gibraltar and Spain. In order to achieve this, Gibraltar must be treated the same as the Schengen area – the passport-free zone that includes almost all the European Union, plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Consequently, the 'third-country' rules that the Boris Johnson government negotiated for UK citizens will apply to the territory. Spain will have the final say on whether a UK traveller can enter Gibraltar. Unless they meet the 'Schengen rules' for passport validity and maximum length of stay, they will be flown back to the UK. As Spain gains control of the territory's border, officials are at pains to stress that Gibraltar will not become part of the Schengen area. The foreign secretary, David Lammy, said the settlement had tackled 'the last major unresolved issue from our decision to leave the EU, providing much-needed certainty for people and businesses in Gibraltar'. He said: 'The deal removes another obstacle to closer ties with our EU friends and, crucially, protects British sovereignty over the Rock.' But the red tape that British travellers face will face is exactly the same as any Schengen frontier post. Because the Gibraltar-Spain border controls will be removed – allowing free movement as far as the Arctic and the Baltic – there is no alternative to treating UK arrivals as entering the zone At present British visitors to Gibraltar must simply have a valid passport. The only rule: 'Your passport must not expire during your planned visit to Gibraltar.' When the agreement takes effect, British passports will need to meet two stricter requirements: Initially, British travellers will be stamped in and out. Once the EU's much-delayed entry-exit system takes effect, they will need to provide a facial biometric and fingerprints. Customs rules for the European Union will also be applied, meaning that no dairy or meat products can be taken from the UK into Gibraltar. In addition, the special status of Gibraltar to enable extended stays in the Mediterranean will end. At present, British holidaymakers can remain as long as they wish in the territory. Time spent in Gibraltar does not count towards the '90 days in any 180 days' limit that the UK negotiated for British travellers after Brexit. UK citizens who are nearing the maximum 90-day stay in Spain or elsewhere can currently cross the land border into Gibraltar and continue to enjoy Mediterranean life until the calendar permits them to return to the Schengen area. This option will cease, and could mean that UK long-stayers travel across to Morocco instead.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful European seaside city named 'Dubai dupe' but with cheap £87 flights
This small seaside hospot is perfect for those who want to jet away but keep the costs down - and it's based right on the picturesque coast, perfect for catching some sunrays If you are dreaming of a summer holiday but don't want to fork out thousands, this gorgeous European city might be your answer. With summer in full swing, you may be thinking about jetting off, and now this Turkish city has been labelled as a 'Dubai dupe'. With flights to Antalya for a five day trip costing around £640, it's much more convenient than the same trip to Dubai costing a huge £896. The sunny spot is located on Turkey's picturesque Turquoise Coast, and is the largest city on Turkey's western Mediterranean coastline, which is both classically beautiful and stylishly modern. Spanning across West Asia and Southeast Europe, Turkey (Türkiye) boasts a balmy climate, sugar-like sand, cobalt waters, and acclaimed water parks - making it a great seaside resort for tourists. Travel site Lonely Plant said Antalya is "very much a destination in it's own right and said: "The old city wraps around a splendid Roman-era harbour with clifftop views of hazy-blue mountain silhouettes that are worth raising a toast to. Just outside of the central city are two beaches and one of Turkey's finest museums." One of the most popular and best-rated attractions on Tripadvisor is Kaleci, its seafront historic district that dates back to the Roman era. Lonely Planet said it "offers atmospheric accommodation in the finely restored Ottoman houses on its winding lanes." And within its windy streets, visitors will come across Hadrian's Gate, the city's clock tower and the Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Cami, an Ottoman-era mosque. But aside from the attractions, what makes Antalya so special are the beautiful beaches, and tourists can explore the best of the Turquoise Coast's spectacular views. Konyaalti Beach is the region's best-rated on Tripadvisor, where holidamakes can enjoy crystal-clear water and gorgeous views of the mountains. Whle another popular area on the Turquoise Coast is Lara Beach, which is renowned for its golden sand and stretches for 8km long. It's an easy destination to get to, with Jet2, British Airways, easyJet, Pegasus and TUI all offering direct flights from the UK to Antalya and the duration is around four and a half hours long. If you're a true savvy bargain hunter you can get the flights for anywhere between £70-£90. There is also another spot in Turkey that is quickly becoming a bucket list hotspot four tourists. Goreme, a small town with just over 2,000 residents, is located in the Cappadocia region of central Turkey. It's close to other notable cities like Nevsehir, Urgup, and Avanos. Despite its modest population, Goreme attracts over a million visitors annually, making it a popular destination for those seeking something different.
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The overlooked Spanish island that's just as beautiful as Ibiza - but MUCH cheaper and less crowded over the summer
With its gorgeous white sand beaches, world renowned clubs and pine-carpeted forests, it's no wonder that Ibiza is one of Spain 's leading tourist destinations. But with more than three million tourists visiting a year, many travellers are seeking something a little more peaceful. And luckily, there's a beautiful Balearic island with stunning beaches that's much quieter than the White Isle. Located off the south coast of Ibiza, Formentera island is just 20km (12 miles) long and 2km (1.2 miles) wide. Lonely Planet describes the island as a 'beautifully pure, get-away-from-it-all-escape'. The travel guide adds: 'Formentera's pace of life is blissfully languid, designed for lazy days spent lounging on some of Europe's (dare we say the world's) most exquisite beaches.' Holidaymakers won't find Ibiza's clubbing atmosphere here but they will find a peaceful escape. Playa de Ses Illetes is Formentera's best known beach and it's even picked up a Travellers' Choice Best of the Best award. The beach is located within the Ses Salines National Park and has white sand with bright turquoise water. Tourist 'Niky B' writes on Tripadvisor: 'Superb beach worthy of the Caribbean! Take a nice picnic with you and you will not regret.' Another person says: 'It's the beach. Listed as one of the best in the world, its crystal clear waters, fine and surroundings make it undoubtedly worthy of five stars.' Platja de Migjorn is also considered one of the island's prettiest beaches. The longest beach on the island it stretches across 5km. Traveller 'Cathy C' writes on Tripadvisor: 'The sea here is clean and beautiful. Some areas are rocky but there are plenty of sandy areas with easy access to the sea.' Scuba divers can explore the Don Pedro, one of the world's most famous shipwrecks. The cargo ship is over 140m long and can be visited on dives. Just 3km from the port, Formentera's capital Sant Francesc has a crafts market and an 18th century church. It's the ideal place to sample some of the island's local delicacies including frit de polp (fried octopus with potatoes). How to get to Formentera Tourists will need to fly to Ibiza to get to Formentera with direct flights available on British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2. They can then catch a ferry from Ibiza. Ferries tend to run frequently and take around 30 minutes. What's the weather like in Formentera In July and August, the temperature averages 26 degrees on the island with minimal sunshine and sun for around 11 hours a day. The average temperature is usually above 20 degrees in May, June, September and October as well.
