Getting Between Stops
Everything hinges on the fast ferry between Ibiza Town and La Savina on Formentera. The crossing takes about 30 to 35 minutes and several companies run it many times a day in season. You do not need to book far ahead outside August, but a return ticket saves time at the port.
On Ibiza, a rental car or a private driver is close to essential, since many coves and country hotels are far from bus routes. Roads are easy, but parking near popular beaches fills up in summer. Leave the car on Ibiza when you cross.
Formentera is small and flat. A scooter or electric bike is the classic way to get around, with buses linking the port, villages and main beaches. Midday heat in July and August can be intense on a bike, so ride early and late. Taxis are limited, so ask your hotel to book one for dinners.
Where to Stay
On Ibiza, the north around Sant Joan de Labritja, Sant Miquel and Portinatx is the quietest and greenest. Six Senses Ibiza sits above Cala Xarraca with rooms looking over the water. Hacienda Na Xamena clings to cliffs near Sant Miquel with famous sunset views. Atzaró, an agroturismo set among orange groves inland, has a spa and pools. Ibiza Town suits couples who want Dalt Vila dinners on foot. Avoid Sant Antoni unless you came for the clubs.
On Formentera, book early because the supply is modest. Gecko Hotel and Beach Club has 30 rooms, a seafront pool and Migjorn's long beach at the end of the garden. Hotel Cala Saona & Spa watches the sun drop into the sea each evening. Es Marès Hotel & Spa is in Sant Francesc. Many couples also rent a private villa with a pool, especially around La Mola.
When to Go
June and September are the best months for this route. The sea is warm, restaurants and beach clubs are open and crowds are smaller than in high summer. September often has the warmest water of the year.
Late May and early October work well too, with lower prices and quieter beaches, though the sea is cooler and some places keep shorter hours. July and August bring heat, peak prices and busy beaches on both islands, with Formentera's day boats filling Ses Illetes by late morning.
Avoid November to April for this trip. Many hotels and restaurants on Formentera close for the season and Ibiza's north coast goes very quiet. The islands are pleasant for walking then, but this itinerary is built around swimming and long beach lunches, which need summer conditions.
What It Costs
The Balearics are not cheap in summer. As an approximate guide, good boutique hotels on both islands run about $300 to $700 a night for two in season, with Six Senses Ibiza starting around $950 and private villas higher. Formentera's Gecko, Cala Saona and Es Marès start roughly in the $350 to $450 range. Prices drop noticeably in May and early October.
Beach restaurants with tables in the sand can be expensive, especially for whole fish sold by weight, so ask the price before you order. Ferries, scooters and bikes are reasonable.
The experience worth spending on is a skippered boat day, either along Ibiza's north coast or around Formentera's coves. A shared boat costs less than a private charter and still gets you to the quiet anchorages.
Tips for the Two of You
Sun is the main hazard here. Pack hats, reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes for rocky coves. Plan the middle of the day around shade and lunch. Scooter riders should wear helmets and avoid riding after long wine lunches.
On Formentera, the shallow channel between Ses Illetes and the Espalmador islet can look easy to wade, but currents and depth change with wind and swell. Only cross in calm conditions and follow local advice.
The islands give each of you room. One partner might spend a morning snorkeling or paddleboarding while the other books a spa treatment at Es Marès or Six Senses, then meet for lunch on the sand. Dress codes are relaxed, though Dalt Vila restaurants and nicer hotels expect smart casual clothes for both of you in the evening. Late-night taxis on Ibiza are in short supply in August, so book rides home ahead.
Make It Shorter or Longer
With a week, spend three nights on Ibiza and four on Formentera, or stay on Formentera only and visit Ibiza Town for one evening by ferry.
With two weeks, start in Barcelona for three nights before flying to Ibiza, which gives you a city at the start and island time at the end. Or add Mallorca, a short flight from Ibiza, for four nights in the Tramuntana mountains before the beaches.
Couples who want more variety could finish on Menorca, the calmest of the larger Balearic islands, with turquoise coves and little nightlife. Flights between the islands are short but not always frequent, so check schedules before you commit to a three-island route.
