Formentera
The Enchanting Island
Formentera is the smallest and most southerly of the Spanish
Balearics. It is just 12 miles long. Formentera is unspoiled
by tourism and the natural beauty is still preserved. See
our Formentera
Maps for maps of Es Pujols and Formentera. Cycling is
the ideal way to see Formentera.
Formentera Places of Interest
- San Francisco church - eighteenth century fortified
church built to oppose pirate sieges.
- Windmill at La Mola - also eighteenth century, once
used for grinding corn
- Jules Verne monument - situated on the southernmost
headland
- Can Blai - Roman encampment near Es Calo dating back
at least 4,000 years.
- Sunday Market - handicraft market at La Mola
- Ses Salinas nature reserve - Birds and other wild life
Formentera Festivals
- 30th May - Sant Feran
- 16th July - Nostra Senyora del Carme
- 25th July - Sant Jaume, patron saint of Formentera
- 5th August - Santa Maria
- 12th October - El Pilar
- 3rd December - Sant Francesc Xavier
Formentera Culture
The long and varied history of Formentera has resulted
in a rich and interesting culture.
The ball pagè is the island folk dance and the traditional
music is called musica de raices.
Fish is a major feature of Formentera gastronomy. Guisat
is a fish stew with potatoes. Goats cheese is a Formentera
speciality. Try the loaclly baked bread too.
Formentera Climate
The climate in Formentera is typically mediterranean with
temperatures reaching the 80s in the high season. A cooling
sea breeze means that the heat is never stifling. Spring
and Autumn are also very pleasant. See our Average
Temperature Chart for more detailed information.
Naturists on Formentera
Formentera's uncrowded sandy beaches have long been a paradise
for naturists. See Formentera
Naturist Beaches for more details.
Formentera Geography
Formentera is made up of two low plateaux, Barbaria in the west and La mola to the east.
There are coastal lagoons and old salt pans in the north.
The main road from the port of La Sabina connects to the western tip, Cap de Barbaria,
the eastern tip at Punta des Far and the small resort of Es Pujols.
Formentera History
Megalithic tombs discovered in Ca na Costa in 1974 has
proved that there has been a human presence in Formentera
for almost four millennia. Both Phoenician and Roman remains
attest to Formentera's interesting history. The Greek Historian
Strabon, refers to Formentera as Ophiusa. Other authors
refer to the Balearics as Pitiuses, the islands of pines.
Espalmador was an important port on the western Mediterranean
trade route. Formentera was conquered by the Vandals and
the Byzantine troops, then the Moors before the Catalan
troops of Guillem de Montgri arrived. By the end of the
fourteenth century there was no permanent population on
Formentera because of the constant Berber raids. It was
not until 1697 that the people of Ibiza repopulated Formentera.
Formentera Facts
- Area - 83.2 square kilometers
- Coastline - 69 kilometers
- Highest point - 192 m at La Mola
- Average annual temperature - 18.6 °C
- Population - 6,875
Formentera Apartment in Es Pujols
For information about Isla de Calma
Apartment in Es Pujols.
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