TripAdvisor has named Playa Illetes beach on Formentera as the best beach in Europe, as voted for by travellers that use the website. Playa Illetes also made it into the top ten best beaches worldwide, weighing in at a highly respectable number seven.
The travellers that responded to the TripAdvisor survey, were asked to vote on the most picturesque and beautiful stretches of sand anywhere on the planet, with Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean being named the number one beach worldwide.
Playa Illetes is one of the nearest beaches to Formentera's only port of La Savina, making it very popular in summer; it attracts a big international crowd of tourists, celebrities and the glitterati as well as locals topping up their tans. The northern end of the beach is the most quiet and is also an official nudist reserve.
This long narrow strip of sparkling white sand stretches far into the distance and has crystal clear and pure waters with the touch of the Caribbean that the island has become well known for. The safeness of the shallow water make it very popular with families with kids and with the beach facing west, it has become a top destination to watch the sun set.
Formentera's large stretches of unspoilt beaches have long been legendary and the island of only 7000 inhabitants draws in vast number of tourists in summer to come and see them, especially in the peak months of July and August. There is no airport; so all people wishing to visit the island must do so by boat either by taking one of the regular half-hour-long services and excursions from Ibiza or by taking a slow boat from mainland Spain.
Glitter and glamour await you at Europe'e best beach. If staying in Ibiza, make sure you have booked your hotel, apartment or villa accommodation in advance.
WORDS: Julian Heathcote
