Beach Kiosks in Formentera

Chiringuitos Formentera
From 2024 Onwards

The summer of 2024 marked a new chapter on Formentera’s beaches with the opening of the new beach kiosks at different points along the coastline and, given the impact of this type of business, a chapter that affects the entire island.
With the new awarding of concessions, the chiringuitos we knew and enjoyed until the summer of 2023 made way for new proposals. And although the locations of the new kiosks are the same as those previously occupied by the old chiringuitos of Formentera, the management and the style of each one of them (with the exception of Chiringuito de Bartolo) are completely different.

Looking ahead to the summer of 2026, doubts surrounding the management of the current chiringuitos in Formentera, together with threats from government bodies at both island and regional level, continue to cast a shadow of uncertainty over what the future will hold for these iconic businesses, so important to both visitors and residents.
News on this issue has been constant and does not clarify what the medium-term situation of these facilities and their current operators will be. You can follow our Formentera News section if you want to stay up to date on this matter and many others related to Formentera throughout the year.

Beach Kiosks in Formentera
The Concession Holders

At the end of the 2021 season, a public tender was launched to award the management of beach facilities, such as the rental of umbrellas and sunbeds, sailing schools, and beach chiringuitos.

After numerous legal, political, and administrative issues, the former beach chiringuito concession holders were granted a two-year extension to their permits, covering the summers of 2022 and 2023.

Finally, after overcoming multiple administrative hurdles, the winners of the tender for the beach kiosks saw the results confirmed and began work on setting up their respective chiringuitos.

By the end of June 2024, none of the chiringuitos were open yet, but it was expected that the first ones would begin offering service during the first half of July, which is ultimately what happened, with the last to open being Chiringuito KM11, which replaced the iconic Pirata Bus.

Current Chiringuitos in Formentera

Compared to the chiringuitos that existed prior to 2024, there are now a series of circumstances that have put an end to the distinctive and recognizable character that the former chiringuitos of Formentera once had.

I will try to list each of the circumstances that currently surround them:

• Uniform Dimensions: All chiringuitos must have the same dimensions, exactly 60 square meters. This surface area is divided between the food and drink service area, the shaded terrace area, and the bathroom facilities.

• Quality Standards: Although each chiringuito may have a different exterior design, all of them must comply with the same quality standards regarding the materials used in their construction.

• Freedom of Design and Exterior Appearance: There is no single model that must be replicated across all concessions. Each new winner of a beach chiringuito in Formentera has been free to design the exterior appearance of their kiosk, as long as it stays within the parameters established by the public tender.

It is worth mentioning that Chiringuito de Bartolo was forced to completely change its appearance, as it was not allowed to reinstall the wooden structure with its bright colors that made it so recognizable over all these years. It was a very significant aesthetic change for those of us who had enjoyed that beach kiosk for many years.

Beach Kiosks in Formentera 2026
History on our Blog

If you’re curious to read in more detail about how the circumstances surrounding the controversial Beach Kiosk competition in Formentera unfolded, we provide a series of links where you can find all the information we gathered at each stage on our blog.

22 March 2024: The decision remains up in the air

9 April 2024: News at Bartolo’s Beach Kiosk

24 April 2024: Recusal of the President

29 April 2024: Beach Kiosks 2024 – Final Decisionl

18 June 2024: Formentera Beach Kiosks – New Delays

28 May 2024: Nostalgia and waiting time

23 June 2024: Formentera Beach Kiosks -Construction Begins

1 November 2024: End of 2024 Summer Season – Chiringuitos

13 March 2025: Between the penalty and the savings

10 January 2026: Over €55,000 in Fines

19  January 2026: Defying the Dismantling Order