Formentera is an island that needs no introduction: its intrinsic beauty has made it famous throughout the world. White sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and unspoiled nature make this small strip of land a true jewel. With a surface area of only 82 km² and a length of 19 km from one end to the other, it is the ideal place to explore by bicycle.
Its predominantly flat conformation makes it a perfect destination for lovers of bucolic atmospheres and for anyone wishing to escape the chaos of the city.

The island offers numerous cycle paths and alternative trails that allow you to reach most of Formentera’s most iconic places. The only slightly more challenging area to reach is El Pilar de la Mola (located about 200 meters above sea level), but this location is also easily explored with the aid of an electric bicycle. A further advantage of visiting Formentera by bicycle is the ease of rental: unlike cars and motorcycles, which are available in limited numbers, bicycles are always readily available.

Living on the island with zero environmental impact is a priceless experience: the slow pace of cycling allows you to fully immerse yourself in Formentera’s evocative landscapes, amplifying the benefits of an environmentally conscious choice. To further encourage the use of bicycles, fascinating alternative routes have been created that avoid the main paved and busy roads. This is a network of 32 green routes (rutas verdes in Spanish), itineraries designed to discover the most authentic Formentera, made of ancient dry stone walls, dirt roads and unspoiled nature.

Where to rent a bicycle in Formentera

Renting a bicycle in Formentera is very simple: you can do it online, from the comfort of your home even before arriving on the island, or directly on site, at one of the many car and motorbike rentals that offer this service. Usually, online booking offers more advantageous prices and the possibility to select the arrival time for picking up the vehicle.

Bike rental shops are located in the main towns of the island: you will find them in Es Pujols, Sant Ferran, Playa de Migjorn and of course also in La Savina. The latter, home to the port, is frequented by those who, coming from Ibiza, decide to rent a bicycle to visit Formentera for the day before taking the ferry back. Regardless of the area where you choose to rent an apartment in Formentera, you can be sure to find a bike rental shop in the immediate vicinity.

Which kind of bicycle to choose

Choosing the right bike for your build is essential to fully enjoy the Formentera experience, without overly straining your legs and being able to easily tackle the island’s various routes. Many paths, in fact, are dirt roads and a city bike could make it difficult to travel. Fortunately, rentals offer different kinds of bicycles, most of which are suitable for the island’s uneven terrain.

If you’re looking for a practical way to reach the beautiful beaches of Formentera and visit the various towns, a bicycle with gears, also suitable for dirt and rougher roads, is the ideal choice. Its comfortable design and ease of use make it a favorite among tourists.

For adventure lovers, ready to tackle even the most challenging terrains, mountain bikes, equipped with gears and suspension systems, are the most suitable model. This kind of bicycle guarantees excellent performance on any terrain on Formentera.

Another option is the pedal-assist electric bicycle: equipped with an electric motor with a maximum power of 250W, it facilitates pedaling, especially when starting and uphill. Electric bicycles are available in various versions, from the simplest to the most sophisticated models. Choosing the model that best suits your needs can make a difference for a zero-impact holiday.

How much does it cost to rent a bike

The cost of renting a bicycle varies depending on the kind of bike chosen. For traditional mountain bikes with gears, the price is around €15 per day. For an electric bicycle, on the other hand, the cost is around €30. Finally, for the highest-performance electric mountain bikes, the daily price can reach €45.
Of course, if you opt for renting a bicycle for a whole week, the daily cost is considerably reduced.

To ensure safety during island excursions, the bike rental service provides a lock, lights, and helmet free of charge. The only requirement for renting electric bikes is being 18 years of age or older.

The most scenic routes

Depending on your cycling experience level, whether you are expert or beginner, the available routes vary in difficulty and length. Each of them has clear signage that allows cyclists to orient themselves at any point in the territory: the easily readable icons facilitate the use of the different itineraries.

One of the easiest excursions is undoubtedly the one that leads from the port of La Savina to the marvelous beach of Ses Illetes. The route, of only 3.3 km completely flat, offers the opportunity to discover important historical sites. Thanks to the cycle path, you can skirt the salt flats of Formentera, once the island’s main source of income before the advent of tourism. Continuing, you can admire the Sa Sequi canal with its incredibly crystalline waters and, a little further on, entering a path rich in shrubs and aromatic plants, you will come across Es Molí de Sal, an old mill used for salt preservation and now transformed into a luxury restaurant.
To reach the beach of Ses Illetes, you need to access the Ses Salines Natural Park and pass the entrance, where there is a toll for cars and motorcycles. Access is free for those arriving by bicycle. From there, continue along the dirt road that leads to the end of the peninsula. The journey, without interruptions, lasts about 15 minutes.

It’s always a very pleasant and evocative experience to follow the itinerary that starts from the village of Sant Ferran and reaches the enchanting (and little-known) Cala En Baster, before concluding on Migjorn beach, in the south of the island. After visiting the small church overlooking the village square and stopping at the famous Fonda Pepe (a historical venue for the hippie community that frequented Formentera in the 1970s), you continue towards Playa de Tramuntana, on the north side of the island; here you’ll find Cala En Baster, a true natural gem where the sea wedges itself between high reddish rocks. The atmospheric agents, with the strong winds that lash the island especially in winter, have shaped the sandstone cliffs, creating a unique landscape.
Also noteworthy are the boat shelters still present, often carved into actual caves. If the sea is calm, taking a swim in Cala En Baster is one of the most exciting experiences you can have in Formentera. The route ends on Migjorn beach, which occupies the entire southern coast of the island. This journey covers a distance of about 4 km and can be covered by bicycle in about 20 minutes (excluding stops).

For those who are fit and wish to explore Formentera by bicycle, a medium-difficulty route starts from the town of Es Pujols and arrives at Ca Marí beach. Cycling, you cross the island from one coast to the other, reaching the access point that leads to the Migjorn coastline. Along this itinerary, you can admire the typical island houses called fincas, the fig trees pruned according to the traditional Formentera style, and the cultivated fields, where it is not uncommon to encounter peaceful grazing goats.
Just before reaching the beach, it is advisable to stop and admire one of the five watchtowers on the island: the torre des Pi de Català, a building dating back to the 18th century and recently restored. The total distance between the starting and arrival points is about 5 kilometers, and the estimated travel time by bicycle is 35 minutes.

The route connecting the Es Mal Pas area to the Cap de Barbaria lighthouse is certainly the most demanding in terms of time and distance, but it leads to an iconic place, a must-see stop on any Formentera vacation. The starting point is at the Casbah restaurant, one of the most elegant venues on the island, located in the rural area of Es Mal Pas. From here, the signs guide you towards one of the least frequented areas of Formentera, where you will find a small cove called Torrent de S’Alga.
In this evocative place, you can observe fish drying in the sun, hanging from the arid branches of juniper trees according to ancient island tradition, and admire the numerous boat shelters, where fishermen keep their equipment for their sea trips. From this point, you can enjoy a splendid panoramic view not only of the Migjorn coast, but also as far as the La Mola lighthouse.
The route continues through typical island houses, vineyards, cultivated fields and the characteristic dry stone walls that delimit the properties and protect grazing animals. The last stretch, on a paved road, leads directly to the majestic Cap de Barbaria lighthouse, an imposing and evocative place from which you can admire magnificent sunsets. The entire journey, just over 9 kilometers, can be completed in about 60 minutes by bicycle.

The best time to discover Formentera by bicycle

Although there isn’t a specific period for renting a bicycle in Formentera, spring, with its mild temperatures, is certainly an excellent season. The favorable climate allows for pleasant and uninterrupted cycling, avoiding the discomfort of excessive heat. Furthermore, the lower tourist influx compared to summer makes bicycle excursions more peaceful and safe, especially considering that sometimes the cycle paths are located on paved roads. The reduction in car traffic decreases the risk of accidents. In spring, you can also admire expanses of verdant nature, not yet affected by the summer heat.

This period, just like autumn, is also ideal for birdwatching, an activity that perfectly complements the leisurely pace of cycling on the island. Thanks to its strategic position between Europe and Africa, Formentera is located in the center of one of the main bird migration routes.
September and October are also ideal months for renting a bicycle in Formentera. During this period, however, it is advisable to bring a jacket or sweatshirt, especially if you plan to cycle after sunset.

Of course, with the necessary precautions, such as choosing the cooler hours and making sure you are in good physical condition, it is possible to use a bicycle even during the summer months. Many tourists choose this means of transport to easily move between the island’s various beaches.

Practical Information

Cycling always requires a series of precautions that should not be underestimated. Wearing a helmet is definitely the first rule to follow for safe travel on the island; comfortable clothing (including footwear) is another fundamental requirement for safe cycling: a common mistake is to wear scarves that are not properly knotted around the neck, which, due to the wind and speed, risk getting caught in the spokes of the wheels.

In summer, a hat, sunscreen, and at least a bottle of water are also essential. When renting a bike in Formentera, also make sure the vehicle is in good condition: take a test ride and check which model is best suited to your needs. Always check the brakes, the lights (although it is strongly discouraged to use the bicycle in the evening), and ask for a lock to secure it when you are not using it.

Cycling races in Formentera

If you are passionate about cycling and love Formentera, you cannot miss the three races that take place on the island at different times of the year.

The Volta Cicloturistica BTT Formentera, organized by the Consell Insular and the Espalmador Sports Group, is an event open to all two-wheel enthusiasts, not a competition for professionals. The last edition was held on April 13th and 14th, 2024, while the 2025 edition is scheduled for March 22nd and 23rd. The race is divided into two stages of 72 kilometers each, covering the perimeter of the island on both days, with the opposite direction on the second day. The organization provides GPS tracks, and the minimum age to participate is 15 years old. Registration, costing €70, is done online through the website www.elitechip.net.

The BTT La Mola took place on October 20, 2024, with a race dedicated to children the day before. For 2025, the adult competition is scheduled for Saturday, October 19th. Registrations are made on the website www.ciclismepitius.com.

Finally, for the most prepared athletes, Formentera hosts the Triathlon every year. The last edition was held on September 21, 2024, attracting numerous athletes from all over Europe. The cycling distances vary from 20 to 40 kilometers depending on the kind of race: Sprint Triathlon or Olympic Triathlon. For more information, please visit www.unisportconsulting.com.

Conclusions

To fully appreciate the island’s nature and enjoy all its beauty, renting a bicycle in Formentera is undoubtedly the ideal choice. Promoting zero-impact tourism is one of the main objectives that the Consell Insular has been working on for years: reducing pollution caused by motor vehicles is, in fact, one of the most important challenges to face.

A first step towards greater awareness in this regard is represented by the establishment of the eco-tax: a mandatory contribution, introduced by the Consell Insular a few years ago, for anyone who owns a means of transport on the island and intends to circulate there from June 1st to September 30th. This tariff, which guarantees the population of Formentera economic and environmental stability, allows for the regulation of the influx of cars during the high season.
The tranquility resulting from a limited number of cars is perfectly reconciled with the aim of reducing the polluting impact on such a delicate ecosystem. Choosing to travel by bicycle in Formentera is the greatest act of respect and love that can be done towards this wonderful island.