Formentera is a very rewarding island to visit with children: it's small, almost flat and has sandy beaches with shallow water. When choosing where to stay, what matters most is the kind of holiday you want: if you're looking for services on your doorstep, the more touristy areas make it easy; if you're looking for calm, space and your own pool, a house inland or in La Mola is a better fit, with one condition: you'll need a car. And for the beach, the go-to choice with children is Migjorn, on the south coast, and specifically Es Arenals.
Here's how to choose, plainly, from our experience as a family that lives the island and shares its home.
Which area to choose when staying with children
There's no perfect area; it depends on your priorities:
- Es Pujols: the most touristy part of the island, with more services, restaurants and activity. Convenient if you want to do everything on foot, less so if you're looking for quiet.
- Migjorn: the south coast, with Formentera's longest beach. If your accommodation is near one of its access points, the beach is right there.
- La Savina and Sant Francesc: the island's port and its main town, practical for getting around and for shopping.
- La Mola: the highest and quietest part of the island, with the lighthouse, the country paths and the village of El Pilar de la Mola. It's where our house is. The honest trade-off: there are no beaches within walking distance here and you'll need a car or a scooter. The beaches at Es Caló and Migjorn are about ten minutes away by car.
What to look for in your accommodation when travelling with children
More than the area, with children what really counts is the place where you sleep:
- Room to move. A garden or terrace where they can play while you make lunch changes the whole day.
- A private pool, ideally with a shallow area. A private pool lets you plan swims at your own pace, with no timetables or strangers around, and with the children always in sight. If it also has a part where little ones can stand, even better.
- Separate bedrooms. Being able to put the little ones to bed early and carry on chatting after dinner without waking them is a real luxury.
- A full kitchen. Breakfasts, early dinners and meals at children's times, without depending on restaurant hours.
- The practical things. Ask beforehand about cots, high chairs and anything else that saves you packing.
The easiest beaches with children
Es Arenals, in Migjorn
If we could recommend only one beach for small children, it would be this one. Formentera's official tourism website describes it as having shallow water where you can stand for many metres, lifeguards, restaurants, beach bars, sunbeds, kayaks and free parking. The downside is that it's one of the busiest parts of Migjorn: it pays to arrive early.
The rest of Migjorn
Migjorn has about five kilometres of coastline with several sandy stretches, such as Ca Marí, Es Arenals and Es Copinar, with sandy seabeds and shallow water. It is also usually sheltered from the prevailing summer winds, which makes it the most reliable coast for families. Our favourite stretch is at kilometre 11 of the main road, where the old Pirata Bus used to be.
Estany des Peix
This is the lagoon next to La Savina: small beaches with very little depth, warm water and practically no waves. Ideal for an afternoon at the beach with the youngest ones. There are no services, so bring water and something to eat.
A word about the wind
On the north coast, where Es Caló and Ses Platgetes are, the sea gets rough on days of strong tramontana. With children, head south on those days. A tip of ours: on the way down from La Mola, stop at the El Mirador restaurant, halfway down, where you can see both coasts, and decide there.
There's more detail in our post about quiet beaches near El Pilar de la Mola.
Quiet plans with children near La Mola
- La Mola lighthouse. At the end of the road, on top of the cliff. Children are impressed by the place, and at sunset it's special. We tell you all about it in our post about La Mola lighthouse.
- The El Pilar de la Mola craft market. Held in the village square since 1984. Check the season's days with the tourist office before you go.
- Es Caló and its boats. The small fishing harbour of Es Caló, with its wooden boat huts, is a good place for a quiet swim and a fish lunch.
- By bike. Formentera has 32 signposted green routes and is almost flat; the only serious climb is precisely the one up to La Mola. With children, choose routes on the flat part of the island and leave the climb to the grown-ups.
Getting around the island with children
From La Mola, in practice, you need a car or a scooter. These are the times we go by, from Google Maps:
- La Savina port: about 25 minutes.
- Es Caló and Migjorn: about 10 minutes.
- The village of El Pilar de la Mola: 2 minutes.
- La Mola lighthouse: 5 minutes.
For short trips with children, these are very manageable distances.
Our house, made for families
Can Javi de Palma is our family home in El Pilar de la Mola, about 800 metres from the village, and we've set it up with children in mind:
- Its own play area, with a swing and a slide.
- A private pool with a shallow area of about 2 x 2 metres and 20-30 centimetres deep, ideal for the little ones (and for grown-ups who like to sit in the water without swimming).
- Two cots and three high chairs for babies, and bikes with stabilisers for those learning to ride.
- A garden to run around in and an outdoor shower to rinse off the sand after the beach.
- Three double bedrooms, two full bathrooms (one en suite) and an outdoor guest toilet by the pool, a fully equipped kitchen and a barbecue.
- Bikes and beach gear for our guests.
Maximum capacity is six adults (tourist licence ET6047). If you'd like to know whether your dates are free, you can check availability here.
And if you'd like more ideas for your days in Formentera, our page about Formentera island shares the corners we love most.
FAQ
What is the best area of Formentera for families with children?
It depends on what you're after. Es Pujols has more services within walking distance; Migjorn has the most child-friendly beach; La Mola is the quietest area, with more space, but you'll need a car.
Which beach in Formentera is best for small children?
Es Arenals, in Migjorn: shallow water for many metres, lifeguards and services. For very quiet afternoons, Estany des Peix, next to La Savina, has almost no waves, though no services either.
Do you need a car in Formentera with children?
If you're staying in La Mola or inland, yes, or at least a scooter. From La Mola, the beaches are about ten minutes away by car.
What can you do in Formentera with children on a non-beach day?
Visit La Mola lighthouse, wander around Es Caló and its boats, go for a bike ride on one of the flat green routes, or visit the El Pilar de la Mola craft market in season.
Does Can Javi de Palma have things for children?
Yes: a play area with a swing and a slide, a garden, a private pool with a shallow area 20-30 centimetres deep, two cots, three high chairs and bikes with stabilisers.
