Tucked just off the coast of Ibiza lies the fourth largest island in Balearics and is often overshadowed by its neighbours.
Formentera is just four miles south of Ibiza and is actually split into two, with the island of S’Espalmador separated from the main island by a shallow sandbar.
The island doesn’t have an airport, so the only way you’ll be able to reach it is by boat from it’s party-island neighbour.
You can expect highs of 30 degrees in August but enviable temperatures in the spring too.
Without the craziness of Ibiza, you’ll find an abundance of white sand beaches on the island, making it a prime relaxation spot for sun worshippers.
Playa de Ses Illetes beach was voted the Best of the Best by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards, which make you feel like you’re in an “exotic film set.”
But don’t worry, there are plenty more beaches on the island to choose from, so you’ll never run out of sand to sunbathe on.
Other top rated beaches on Formentera include Cala Saona, Calo Des Mort and Platja de Migjorn - which all won TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Award last year.
If you’re looking to do some island exploring, you can head to one of the lighthouses and lookout points, including Far de la Mola.
The lighthouse stands on the edge of a cliff 120 metres above sea level, on the Mola plateau, where you can also find the highest point on the island - Sa Talaiassa, which stands 192 metres above sea level.
One of the island’s most iconic landmarks is the lighthouse of Cap de Barbaria, which is the southernmost location of all the Balearic Islands.
It’s also the closest point to the African coasts.
Near the lighthouse you’ll find the Foradada cave, a grotto that leads to a stunning natural viewpoint.
Formentera’s major villages include San Francesc Xavier, Sant Ferran de ses Roques, El Pilar de la Mola and La Savina.
In the island’s ‘capital village’ of San Francesc Xaviar you’ll find the Sanctuary and Castle of Javiar, as well as a main square, a Trumptontown hall, and plenty of restaurants and cafes serving toast with tomato and olive oil.
The village also has a market everyday with stalls selling sarongs and handmade jewellery.
Plenty of famous faces have walked along the island’s shores, including singer Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan who used to live in the Cap de Barbaria lighthouse.
You’ll also find Formentera boasting some top rated eateries, serving everything from freshly caught seafood, Mediterranean and authentic Spanish and Catalan cuisine.
At La Mariterranea Formentera you can experience a true “taste of Spain” with dishes such as traditional paellas (or their take on a creative paella, if you’re feeling adventurous), Beef sirloin with Iberian ham and truffle parmentier, and Dulce de Choco pops for dessert.
So if you’re looking to go off the beaten track for your next getaway, Formentera might be the place to go.
How to get there
You can fly directly from London City Airport to Ibiza, before getting the ferry across to Formentera.
Or if you'd prefer the drive, it'll 23 hours and 45 minutes.
Ever wondered which countries provide the best retirement for their elderly? Developed by Natixis Investment Managers and CoreData Research, the Global Retirement Index (GRI) ranks 44 countries based on 18 indicators within four sub-indexes.
The ranking considers a wide range of factors, rating everything from income-per-capita and inflation to life expectancy and healthcare spending. So which countries are the best to spend the golden years of retirement? Read on to discover the top 25.
Out of the 44 countries analysed, India has the poorest overall score, while France has retained its position as the lowest-rated among the top 25 for the second year running.
In terms of the GRI's four sub-indexes – Health, Quality of Life, Material Wellbeing, and Finances in Retirement – France has a mixed bag of results. It scores well for Health, sitting in fourth place, which is little wonder given its excellent healthcare system, yet is one of the lowest-ranked on the Finances sub-index. This is due to its high taxes being a major drag on retirees' incomes.
Estonia is also a non-mover, remaining in 24th position in the latest index. It ranks best in the Finances sub-index, which encompass inflation, tax pressure, interest rates, and more, with the nation placing seventh of those ranked.
On the flipside, Estonia has the poorest score in the top 25 for Material Wellbeing – which covers income equality, income-per-capita, and unemployment – as well as the second-lowest for Quality of Life.
Moving down one place is South Korea. While it sat at position 22 last year, the country's tumble is due in part to the dubious honour of having the lowest score of the top 25 in the Quality of Life sub-index. South Korea scores poorly in three of the indicators: biodiversity, happiness, and environmental.
The Asian nation is also rated relatively poorly for Health but redeems itself in terms of the Finances sub-index, coming in fifth place for the latter. Its senior citizens get a better deal than those in many other countries, especially when factoring in the likes of taxes and inflation.
Japan, which has moved up one position in this year's edition of the GRI, tops the Health sub-index. This makes sense given that it's the country with the greatest life expectancy (85.03 years, according to Worldometers), as well as having an exemplary healthcare system.
Japan is also joint number one for employment. Its weaker areas, however, are the Quality of Life and Finances sub-indexes. It scores the lowest out of all the 44 nations covered for old-age dependency since it has the oldest population on the planet, meaning fewer people of working age and a greater strain on the state to look after its elderly.
Belgium retains its 21st position, although its overall score is slightly lower compared to 2020.
The country performs best in the Health sub-index (it's still a dip though, and ranks 16th) and worst in Finances. As is the case with neighbouring France, taxes can be punishing for Belgian seniors, and its population is ageing fast, which dents its total score.
Likewise, Malta is a non-mover in terms of its ranking but has still scored lower in the most recent edition of the GRI.
The island nation, which is located in the central Mediterranean Sea, has decent, albeit unspectacular, ratings in three of the four sub-indexes. For Material Wellbeing, however, it's landed in at an impressive seventh place thanks to its high levels of income equality and low unemployment rates.
Israel, which has moved down one spot, excels when it comes to Finances, even though its score in this sub-index is lower compared to the previous GRI.
The country also scores well in terms of Material Wellbeing. Its ratings for Quality of Life and Health, meanwhile, are stable but certainly nothing to write home about when compared to other nations in the top 25.
The UK is sliding down in the rankings, having dropped one spot in the 2020 edition of the GRI and yet another in this year's. It now sits in 18th place, compared to 16th in 2019.
The country's best sub-index score is for Quality of Life, where it comes seventh overall, thanks to top scores for water and sanitation. However, Finances definitely aren't its strongest point, with the nation placed 29th due to tax pressures and debt.
The US has also moved down one position this year, losing points in three out of four sub-indexes. Most notable is the dip in Health, with the country seeing a dramatic decrease in life expectancy due to the impact of COVID-19.
America's highest-rated sub-index is Finances, for which it's placed 11th, while its poorest is Material Wellbeing. Although income-per-capita is high, income inequality is rife across the country.
The highest climber in the latest index, Slovenia has moved up three spots, with improved scores across the Material Wellbeing, Quality of Life, and Health sub-indexes.
In contrast to the US, the Central European country has an exceptional income equality score, ranking third. Other notable achievements include its biodiversity, with the nation ranked second in the world for it in the GRI.
Sticking in 15th place, Finland is sits first in the Quality of Life sub-index. It's ranked the happiest country in the world, and has also garnered exceptionally high scores for air quality, water, and sanitation.
Where the Scandinavian country does fall short, however, is in the Finances sub-index. This is partly due to its ageing population, as well as the heavy tax burden it imposes on its senior citizens.
The Czech Republic is another non-mover. Its overriding strength is Material Wellbeing, for which it scores the joint-highest out of all countries included in the index for employment. It also scores fourth for income equality.
This is offset by relatively low ratings in the Health and Quality of Life sub-indexes. The country's environmental indicator, for example, is the 10th-lowest among all GRI nations.
Although still a great location for retirees, Sweden has actually slipped two positions down the rankings this year. This drop is nothing, however, compared to the nine positions it has dropped since 2019, when it ranked 4th.
Quality of Life is its strongest area, for which the Nordic nation is placed fifth, while its weakest is Finances, where its score has plummeted in the past two years due to its high rates of taxation and low interest rates.
Austria has maintained its position as the 12th best country, even managing to improve on its overall score in the latest GRI.
The country makes the top 10 when it comes to the Material Wellbeing and Quality of Life sub-indexes. However, it's placed at 14th in the Health sub-index, and scrapes into 35th for Finances thanks to its high taxes for senior citizens.
The tiny principality of Luxembourg has risen two spots in the latest index. The Health sub-index is its top-scorer, with the country placed third in the world on account of its superlative health system and long life expectancy.
Like many wealthy European countries, however, the tax burden on older people is high in Luxembourg, which detrimentally impacts its ranking in the Finances sub-index.
Back to North America. Canada easily beats its southern neighbour, making it a better place for retirees to reside when compared to the USA.
That said, Canada has still moved down two spots in the rankings compared to 2020. Despite this, it maintains respectable scores across all four sub-indexes, with the highest awarded for Finances in Retirement and the lowest for Material Wellbeing.
Although it's a non-mover in terms of its 9th place ranking, which it has retained since 2019, Denmark has still scored fractionally higher in the latest GRI.
Again, like the majority of affluent European countries, particularly those in Scandinavia, the nation shines in three of the sub-indexes but is let down by Finances as a result of its high levels of taxation.
Germany has shot up two spots in the latest index, landing higher scores in three of its four sub-indexes.
Material Wellbeing is its greatest strength, the country is placed fifth courtesy of its high levels of employment, while Finances is its weakest due to high taxes on seniors.
Moving Down Under, Australia maintains its position as the 7th best place for retirees, a position it has held since 2019. As opposed to the bulk of European countries that dominate the top 25, Finances is Australia's strongest sub-index thanks to its lower tax burden on seniors, although its score has dropped in the latest GRI.
Health is also highly rated, while Material Wellbeing has the worst score: Australia ranks 23rd within this sub-index.
New Zealand has also held on to its plum position of 6th place. The country is ranked even higher than Australia in the Finances sub-index, landing the third-best position against Australia's fourth.
It also comfortably outpaces its neighbour in Quality of Life due to its air quality, happiness, and environmental factors being particularly good, but scores lower in terms of both Health and Material Wellbeing.
Another non-mover, the Netherlands' highest-ranked sub-index is Material Wellbeing – the country is placed joint-first for employment, eighth for income equality and ninth for income-per-capita.
Health is also highly rated, as is Quality of Life. When it comes to Finances, however, the country ranks 28th. This is due to high taxes, which help to guarantee robust income equality as well as fund the public services necessary for superior living standards.
An excellent all-rounder, Ireland has maintained its 2020 position in the 2021 edition of the GRI, making it the fourth-best country for retirees.
It enjoys high rankings across all four sub-indexes, in contrast to the many European nations that drop points due to high tax rates. The nation lands in the top 10 for Health, Finances and Material Wellbeing, and is placed 11th for Quality of Life.
A wonderful place for retirees, non-mover Norway clearly has much to offer senior citizens. After all, the country placed an impressive second in three of its sub-indexes: Health, Material Wellbeing and Quality of Life.
The only fly in the ointment is the country's comparatively low score in the Finances sub-index, for which it scrapes into 25th place. Again, the nation's steep taxes are to blame for this fairly poor showing.
Conversely, fellow non-mover Switzerland performs fantastically in the Finances sub-index, bagging 2nd place within the sub-index. (Singapore actually topped this sub-index but falls seriously short on other indicators, hence why it failed to make the overall top 25.)
Wealthy Switzerland has also picked up generous scores for Quality of Life and Health, placing 4th and 5th respectively. Its Material Wellbeing ranking could be better, landing an unremarkable 14th place.
Iceland pretty much ticks all the retirement security boxes, and has held on to its top-spot ranking for the third year running.
The country is ranked 12th for Health, with health expenditure especially strong. It's the world's highest-scorer for Material Wellbeing, while its scores for Quality of Life and Finances place it in the top 10 in both sub-indexes. Just don't forget to pack your thermals...
Europe is known for its busy, culture-driven cities like
Rome and Paris. But between all the landmarks and selfie-taking tourists,
you'll find literally hundreds of charming little towns with populations
smaller than the line for the Eiffel Tower. Whether it's a lakeside hamlet in
Austria or an eerily beautiful village in Romania, these storybook towns are
the stuff European vacations dream about. Hint: Get ready for a lot of bell
towers and cobblestoned streets.
Ronda, Spain
Population: 33,978
One of the highlights of traveling around Andalusia is the seemingly endless supply of pueblos blancos ("white towns," named for the uniform color of the houses). While there are many that exhibit the Moorish architecture and labyrinthine streets that define the region, there's something extra special about Ronda—namely, its location. Set high in the mountains on the edge of a 400-foot cliff, the views of the valley below are stunning and the three bridges that span the canyon are mind-boggling feats of engineering.
Ribe, Denmark
Population: 8,168
Dating back more than 1,300 years, Ribe is the oldest town in Denmark—and, in fact, in all of Scandinavia. The city was established in the early eighth century, and while you can't find any structures that date back to that time still standing today, the picturesque cathedrals and half-timbered houses on cobblestoned streets are well-worth a visit.
Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Population: 2,480
The Isle of Skye is known for its sublime natural beauty, but it also happens to house one of the U.K.'s most charming little towns. Situated on the edge of Loch Portree, the capital city has rows of pastel-colored homes and pubs, with a flotilla of bright fishing and lobster boats stirring peacefully at the harbor outside.
Giethoorn, Netherlands
Population: 2,620
Affectionately referred to as the "Venice of the Netherlands," this village has no roads—just bike lanes and canals. Explore Giethoorn's roof farmhouses and wooden arch bridges by boat, or by ice skating on the canals during the frozen winter months.
Hallstatt, Austria
Population: 779
There's something special about Hallstatt, made evident when you pull up by ferry across the glassy lake, with mist rolling down from the towering Dachstein mountains. Within the UNESCO World Heritage town are churches that date to the 12th century, a buzzing market square, and plenty of cozy, candlelit restaurants. Bonus: Hallstatt is only an hour’s drive from Salzburg and three from Vienna, making it a relatively easy day trip from Austria’s larger and more touristed cities.
Hvar, Croatia
Population: 3,771
One of the country’s most popular islands for sunbathers and oenophiles, Hvar is renowned for its sunny beaches, lavender fields, and lush vineyards. It also features a beautiful city center, complete with Gothic palaces and marble stone streets. (Bonus: Many of those streets are car-free.)
Rye, England
Population: 9,041
An important shipping center since Roman times, Rye in East Sussex was once entirely surrounded by sea. The best views of the hodge-podge of medieval terra cotta roofs and and timbered walls are from St. Mary's Parish Church tower or the Ypres Tower, the two oldest buildings in town. If you're visiting in late winter/early spring, don't miss the annual Bay Scallop Week (the next one will be from February 22 to March 1, 2020). Rye is a scenic, two-hour train journey from London St. Pancras International, making it an easy day trip.
Assos, Greece
Population: 88
The charming, bloom-filled village of Assos on Kefalonia is one of the most compelling reasons to visit the Greek Islands. The tiny hamlet sits at the bottom of a hill, surrounded by the strikingly blue Mediterranean Sea on three sides. Spend some time on the village's pebble beach before loading up on Greek food in one of the traditional restaurants lining the marina. Seriously, do vacations get any better than that?
Albarracín, Spain
Population: 1,016
Pink, orange, and red houses fill this isolated mountain town, set in a rocky valley on a bend of the Guadalaviar River in Spain's Aragon region. After it was all but destroyed in the Spanish Civil War, the government rebuilt houses and streets in medieval and Moorish styles, as seen in the bell towers' tiled roofs, iron bars in windows, and 12th-century Castle of Albarracín.
Kotor, Montenegro
Population: 13,510
At turns reminiscent of Norwegian fjords and Lake Como, the Bay of Kotor is lined with ancient, picturesque towns—including Kotor. Backed by steep limestone cliffs, Kotor's UNESCO-protected Old Town draws visitors for its scenic location, but also for its history. Getting lost here is not only encouraged, but expected: Centuries ago, Old Kotor was built like a maze to confuse invaders.
Ísafjörður, Iceland
Population: 2,571
Located in Iceland's unbelievably gorgeous Westfjords peninsula, the tiny town of Ísafjörður is nearly swallowed by the towering mountains surrounding it. (Does anyone else feel extremely underwhelmed by their tiny backyard right now?) With winter temperatures dipping down to the 20 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures rarely reaching above the mid-50s, Ísafjörður is pretty much the opposite of your go-to Italian and Greek resort towns—and therein lies its appeal, especially if you prefer your vacations more rugged than ritzy.
Reine, Lofoten Islands
Population: 314
The beauty of the Lofoten Islands, just off of Norway's northwestern coast, is truly unparalleled: think majestic fjords, frozen beaches dotted with surfers, and colorful fishing villages. Reine on the island of Moskenesøya is one such village, located above the Arctic Circle, about 190 miles southwest of Tromsø. The town's yellow, stilted buildings surrounded by jagged mountains and icy waters is about as awesome as vistas get.
Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
Population: 13,083
Tucked between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean (and politically part of Denmark), the Faroe Islands have enough puffins and grass-roofed houses to keep travelers happy for days. The capital of Tórshavn is also the largest city on the archipelago, settled behind a busy harbor on the east coast of Streymoy Island. Within the 66.8-square-mile city are 18th-century churches, a handful of museums, a tiny Old Town, and rows of houses painted black and red.
Vernazza, Italy
Population: 852
Vernazza is the steepest and loveliest of the Cinque Terre villages, making it the ideal spot for a low-key romantic getaway. Its streets are lined with signature candy-colored houses and plenty of gelaterias; the town slopes down to a small, sandy beach and Cinque Terre's only natural harbor.
Kastraki, Greece
Population: 560
The idyllic, red-roofed town of Kastraki has one of the best backdrops imaginable: the famous Meteora monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by wildflower-filled countryside on mainland Greece. It's hard to imagine a more impressive "room with a view" than opening your blinds and seeing medieval buildings situated on pillars of rock stretching a thousand feet into the sky.
Cobh, Ireland
Population: 12,800
Cobh redefines charming with its rows of candy-colored homes along the water and towering cathedral standing sentry over the harbor. This town is particularly popular with cruise-lovers—about 60 ships stop there every year. In fact, Cobh was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic, and a commemorative museum stands in the city today.
Bled, Slovenia
Population: 8,171
There's a reason Lake Bled is one of Slovenia's most popular sites. With its emerald waters, church-dotted islet, views of the Julien Alps, and 12th-century castle on a hill, you won't be short of picture-perfect views. The surrounding town of Bled is just as charming, with candlelit restaurants and traditional wooden rowboats just waiting for visitors.
Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
Population: 35,402
Further proof that the Azores is one of the most beautiful places on the planet: Angra do Heroísmo, one of the archipelago's three capital cities. Aside from the green hills and blue ocean surrounding the town, Angra do Heroísmo stands out for its lovely town square and 18th-century churches and forts.
Sighișoara, Romania
Population: 26,370
If you like your Eastern European towns to come with a fear factor, then the Transylvanian city of Sighișoara is for you. The historic town is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the vicious Prince of Wallachia who inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. For the best thrills, you can tour his childhood home (which includes a tiny torture museum) or brave Holy Trinity Church's eerie and creaky stairwell after dark. Not a fan of the macabre? Sighișoara's UNESCO-protected historic center and streets lined with colorful houses provide a nice fairytale vibe—minus the bad guys.
Dinant, Belgium
Population: 13,544
Nestled snugly in a cliff face on the Meuse River in Belgium’s Wallonia region, the tiny town of Dinant looks like the setting of a Disney movie—complete with skyline-defining Gothic cathedral and 16th-century castle (hedge maze included). Fun fact: Dinant also happens to be the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the—you guessed it—saxophone.
Castelluccio, Italy
Population: <150
Located atop a steep hill 5,000 feet above sea level, Castellucio is the highest village in the Appenine Mountain Range—and arguably the most beautiful. On one side, the village is backed by snow-capped mountains, and on the other, lush, fertile plains that blossom with red poppies, violets, and rapeseed in the spring (time your visit to the “Flowering,” from late May to early June). Sadly, a 2016 earthquake rendered the village virtually uninhabitable, but some remaining residents have re-opened shops and restaurants that are currently open to visitors.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Population: 5,319
Known for its stunning lakes and old timber houses, the Swiss town of Interlaken also happens to be a mecca for adventure travelers. Aside from sledging and kayaking, the town has one of the world's most epic skydiving experiences: a 20-minute flight over the mountains, then a 45-second free fall drop before your instructor deploys the parachute. We can't think of a more thrilling way to view the Swiss Alps.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Population: 10,930
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, known for its preserved medieval Old Town, draws millions of tourists each year with its made-for-Instagram multicolored facades. If you can swing it, plan your visit for December, when the town transforms into a winter wonderland with snow-dusted rooftops, glowing storefronts, and cozy taverns. And don't forget about the Reiterlesmarkt, one of the best Christmas markets in the entire country.
Flåm, Norway
Population: 350
Undoubtedly one of Europe's most beautiful cruise ports, the tiny village of Flåm welcomes ships passing through western Norway's vast Sognefjord. The town is scattered with boldly colored houses and surrounded by unblemished green hills, but it's perhaps best known for housing Flamsbana—the world's steepest railway. Hop on the train in Flåm, which will take you past waterfalls and snow-capped peaks to the summit of Myrdal Mountain.
Kaysersberg, France
Population: 4,677
France has no shortage of beautiful small towns and villages to choose from, but we're big fans of Kayersberg in Alsace—and the French people tend to agree. In 2017, the tiny, cobblestoned village was voted the country's favorite village in Village préféré des Français, a TV program that polls citizens every year to crown a winner. Kayersberg continues to win over locals and travelers alike with its friendly locals, walkable streets, and diverse architecture, like the 14th-century Oberhof Chapel and historic Château de Kaysersberg.
