While Ibiza pulses with nightlife, Formentera stands out as a serene escape along its 69 km coastline, boasting azure waters and pristine white sands—no high-rises or discos in sight. This Balearic gem offers diverse landscapes and activities for all ages. Its cuisine shines with fresh, local specialties like honey, wine, figs, cheese, pa de xeixa (dried bread), peix sec (dried fish), liquid salt, and herbal liqueurs such as frigola (thyme-based). Traditional dishes include ensalada payesa (farmer's salad with stockfish), frit de polp (fried octopus), and sofrit pagès (meat stew with potatoes and saffron). For more, view the Dutch brochure Gastronomy of Formentera.
Peix Sec
Fish drying is an ancient Formentera tradition. Local fishermen use traditional llauts boats, brine or salt their catch, then hang it to dry in the wind and sun—often on resilient sabina tree branches. Capture this in photos at Es Caló de Sant Agustí and Torrent de S'Alga fishing spots. Souvenir tip: Find peix sec preserved in olive oil jars.
Honey
Renowned brand Es Morer produces exquisite thyme and rosemary honeys, widely available in island shops.
Liquid Salt – The White Gold
Salt production predated tourism here. The Ses Salines nature reserve, with its UNESCO-listed salt lakes, yields Posidonia salt low in sodium. Try Lico Puro de Sal de Ses Salines in spray bottles at local supermarkets and markets.
Flaó Dessert
Iconic ensalada payesa features dried fish, peppers, tomatoes, and pa de xeixa. Favorites also include calamares a la bruta (squid), frit de bestiar (lamb chops), and calamars a la bruta. Desserts like flaó (fresh cheese and mint cheesecake) and greixonera (snail-shell pastry) delight. Recipes await in the Gastronomy folder.
Wine
Formentera boasts two vineyards: Cap de Barbaria and Bodega Terramoll. Near Faro de la Mola, the Arantxa Moll family crafts six unique wines with passion. Enjoy guided tours and tastings Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from May to September. Sun-soaked vines, minimal rain, and sea breezes yield less sweet, distinctive flavors. Visit www.terramoll.es and www.capdebarberia.com.
Slow Food
The tourist office provides a map highlighting spots for local fruit, meat, fish, olive oil, wine, and vegetables.
Gastronomic Weekend 2021
Annually on the first weekends of May and October, Formentera hosts menus (20, 25, 30 euros) using only local ingredients at select restaurants. Canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, expected to resume in 2021.
