Yes: if you're staying in La Mola, in practice you'll need a car or a scooter. La Mola is the plateau at the eastern end of Formentera, and from here the nearest beaches, at Es Caló and Migjorn, are about 10 minutes away by car, with the port of La Savina about 25. There's a bus, and cycling works really well up on the plateau, but for a week of beaches, shopping and dinners out, without your own wheels you'll feel tied down. The easiest option is usually to rent on the island and pick it up in La Savina when you arrive.
It's a question we get a lot before people book our house, so here's the full answer.
Why you need wheels in La Mola
Formentera is small, but La Mola has two quirks. First, it's high up: to reach any beach you have to drive down the La Mola hill, and to get home, back up again. Second, almost the whole coastline of the plateau is cliffs, and the sandy beaches are down below, at Es Caló, Ses Platgetes or Migjorn.
A typical day here: beach in the morning, back for lunch or the pool during the hottest hours, then the lighthouse, the village or dinner out in the evening. Short trips, but several a day: with a car or scooter, 5 or 10 minutes each; without one, every trip turns into a project.
These are the driving times we use from our house, according to Google Maps:
- El Pilar de la Mola village: 2 minutes.
- La Mola lighthouse: 5 minutes.
- Es Caló and Migjorn: about 10 minutes.
- La Savina port: about 25 minutes.
Car or scooter: which to choose
Car
This is what we recommend for families and groups: everything fits (parasol, cool box, shopping, kids' car seats) and it keeps you out of the sun at the hottest times. If you're six adults, you'll probably need two vehicles or a large car.
Motorbike or scooter
Lovely for couples: easier to park and more than enough to get from the beach to the house. That said, with bags, wind or the odd rainy day in spring and autumn, you'll miss having a roof.
Rent on the island or bring your own
The simplest option is usually to rent in Formentera and pick it up in La Savina as you get off the boat. We usually recommend Proauto to our guests, though any of the rental companies at the port works well. In summer, book before you travel: in July and August availability runs out.
If you'd rather bring your own car on the ferry, bear in mind that from 1 June to 30 September Formentera limits the number of visitor vehicles and you need prior authorisation, which you apply for on the Consell's official portal, formentera.eco. We explain it in more detail in our post on how to get to Formentera and La Mola.
The alternatives: bus, bike, walking and taxi
Bus
Formentera's official tourism website recommends the bus for longer journeys such as the climb up to La Mola. Line 2 connects the port of La Savina with El Pilar de la Mola via Sant Francesc, Sant Ferran, Es Pujols, Ca Marí, Es Caló and Es Copinar, and in season there are some express services between La Mola and the port.
It's fine for arrival day or the odd trip, but for day-to-day life from La Mola it falls short: services are limited, even fewer out of season, and the stops don't always leave you close to where you want to go. Check the Consell's timetables before relying on it.
Bicycle
Here, cycling has two sides. Up on the La Mola plateau it's perfect: quiet lanes, little traffic and short distances, ideal for the village, the lighthouse or the market. Getting down to the beach and back, though, the La Mola climb is a serious one, and in July heat almost nobody fancies it. Our advice: bikes for getting around up top, an engine for going down.
Our house has bicycles for guests (and bikes with stabilisers for the little ones), so there's no need to rent them.
On foot
If you enjoy walking, you can go down to Es Caló on foot along the Camí de sa Pujada, the old path up to La Mola, which many people call the Camí Romà (Roman Road). It's about 4 km, and Formentera's tourism website puts it at around 80 minutes. There's a climb, but it isn't hard: we've done it with our daughters when they were little, and also to go down for a swim at Es Caló and walk back up. It's a beautiful walk. Best early in the morning or late in the afternoon, not in full sun.
From the plateau there are also paths down between the cliffs to small swimming spots on the north coast, such as Sa Cala. If you know the way they're easy going, so if you fancy it, just ask us and we'll explain how to get there.
Taxi
Handy for the port transfer or a particular dinner; for day-to-day trips from La Mola it gets expensive, and in high season there isn't always one available.
A few tips from your hosts
- On your way down from La Mola, stop at El Mirador. It's a restaurant halfway down with views over both coasts. On windy days, look from there to see which side has fewer waves and pick your beach. It's our trick for windy days.
- In the evening, leave the car behind. You can walk to the village from our house: it's about 800 metres along a pleasant lane, and halfway you can stop at Es Molí Vell de La Mola, a restored 18th-century windmill. The lighthouse is an easy bike ride: here, time slows down.
- Parking at the house is no problem. The plot is over 15,000 m², so there's plenty of room for all the cars and scooters you bring.
What you get in return
Needing a car is the trade-off for staying in La Mola, and we'd rather say so plainly. In return, you get the quietest part of the island, silent nights, the lighthouse next door and beaches ten minutes away. We tell you about them in quiet beaches near El Pilar de la Mola, and if you're starting to plan your trip, our page on Formentera island has more ideas.
Can Javi de Palma is our family home in El Pilar de la Mola, with three double bedrooms, a private pool and a garden, for up to six adults (tourist licence ET6047). If you already have dates in mind, you can check availability here.
FAQ
Can you stay in La Mola without a car?
You can, but we don't recommend it for a beach holiday. There's a bus (line 2), cycling works very well on the plateau and, if you enjoy walking, you can go down to Es Caló along the Camí de sa Pujada, a beautiful walk, though it gets long for everyday trips. With a car or scooter, everything is less than 25 minutes away.
Is it better to rent a car or a scooter in Formentera?
For families and groups, a car: everything fits and it keeps you out of the sun. For couples, a motorbike or scooter is very practical. From La Mola, both work.
Can I bring my car to Formentera in summer?
Yes, but between 1 June and 30 September you need prior authorisation at formentera.eco, and there's a daily quota for visitor vehicles. Apply before you buy your ferry ticket.
Is there a bus to El Pilar de la Mola?
Yes. Line 2 connects La Savina with El Pilar de la Mola, via Sant Francesc, Es Pujols and Es Caló. Timetables change with the season, so check them before you travel.
