Is Formentera safe?
Very safe, with low crime. Scooter accidents, heat and swimming away from guarded beaches are the real risks.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-11.
- Homicide rate in Spain: 0.7 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Spain: 3.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Formentera at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Occasional theft from bikes, scooters and beach bags in summer; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Es Pujols has summer bars until late; elsewhere is quiet. Roads are dark, so use lights if cycling. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women; the island is small and relaxed. Usual care with drinks at beach parties. |
| Other risks | Scooter crashes on sandy roads; Sun and heat in July–August; Strong currents and jellyfish at some beaches |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Rental shops charging for pre-existing scratches; photograph scooters and bikes first
- Overpriced beach-club minimum spends
Take care
- Scooters on gravel and sandy roads
- Swimming far from shore in wind or currents
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking alcohol in the street is banned in many cities, with on-the-spot fines.
- Wearing swimwear or going shirtless away from the beach is fined in Barcelona and many resorts.
- Police can ask for photo ID at any time and hold you until it's confirmed; carry it.
How Formentera compares in Spain
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| San Sebastián | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bilbao | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Córdoba | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Menorca | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Toledo | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Santiago de Compostela | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Formentera | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Barcelona | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Madrid | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Seville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Valencia | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Málaga | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mallorca | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ibiza | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tenerife | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gran Canaria | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Granada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palma | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Palmas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lanzarote | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alicante | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fuerteventura | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marbella | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cádiz | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Benidorm | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maspalomas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sitges | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Formentera safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women; the island is small and relaxed. Usual care with drinks at beach parties.
Is Formentera safe at night?
Es Pujols has summer bars until late; elsewhere is quiet. Roads are dark, so use lights if cycling.
What is the crime rate in Formentera?
Occasional theft from bikes, scooters and beach bags in summer; violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Spain records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Formentera?
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Formentera
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Baleària ferries
- Formentera tourism
- Ibiza Airport (Aena)
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.