From Andratx: Formula Sunset Driving Tour

The best part of this sunset driving tour is the way it mixes a proper road trip with a little amusement-park thrill. You steer a three-wheeled Slingshot along Mallorca’s coast, pass through Palma, stop for photos, then reach Port Andratx as the light softens over the water. It is not a quiet sightseeing ride. You are part of the scenery, with the road, gears, bends, and wind all in the mix.

I like two things here. First, the route gives you more than one postcard view, from Malgratz and Palma to the marina at Port Andratx and the mountain roads near Camp de Mar. Second, the guides keep the group moving while allowing confident drivers to enjoy the cars. The main catch is practical: you must drive a manual car, and the €69 price does not include the €30 driver insurance or its €350 excess.

Key points at a glance

• Manual Slingshot driving: You need to be at least 21, have two years of driving experience, and know how to use a stick shift.
• A coast-to-mountains route: The two-hour trip links Paguera, Malgratz, Palma, Port Andratx, and Camp de Mar.
• Three useful photo stops: You stop at Malgratz, Dique del Oeste, and Port Andratx, with sunset as the final highlight.
• Good guide support: Javier, Alex, and the other lead drivers are praised for clear instruction, friendly help, and sensible group control.
• Two people share one car: You can swap drivers during the trip, but two separate cars require two individual bookings.
• Budget for the insurance: The tour costs $69 per person, with €30 driver insurance paid at the office and a €350 excess.

A two-hour road trip with real driving

Formula Tours starts with a short orientation at its office. This matters more than it may sound. A Slingshot is not a normal rental car, and the three-wheel layout takes a moment to understand. You get your helmet, any needed child seat, and one cold drink per person before setting off.

The driving is the point, so you should arrive ready to take part rather than simply sit back. The cars have manual gearboxes. If you cannot drive a stick shift car, you cannot join the tour as a driver. The minimum pilot age is 21, with at least two years of driving experience.

If you book for two people, you receive one car and can change drivers along the route. That is a fair setup for a couple or friends who both want time behind the wheel. If you want two cars running side by side, you need two separate bookings, each for one person. That detail is easy to miss and worth sorting out before you pay.

The guide leads from the front, and the group follows. The pace can feel exciting on the curving roads, but the guides also keep slower drivers from being left behind. That balance is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Confident drivers can enjoy the Slingshot’s handling, while less practiced drivers can focus on staying comfortable and safe.

From Paguera to the coast near Malgratz

The route leaves Paguera and follows the coast around Calvià toward Palma. This first part gives you time to settle into the car, get used to the pedals, and find a smooth rhythm with the manual transmission.

A three-wheeled car makes ordinary road scenes feel more immediate. You sit exposed to the air, hear more of the road, and feel bends in a way you would not in a standard coach or enclosed rental car. That is also the trade-off. The ride is less sheltered, so sunglasses, closed shoes, and suitable clothing make a difference.

The first stop is at the beautiful island of Malgratz. The stop breaks up the drive and gives you a chance to take in the coast without concentrating on gears and traffic. It is also a useful early pause if you need to settle your nerves before the more demanding parts of the route.

You should not expect a long guided visit at every stop. This is a driving experience first, with sightseeing built around it. The appeal is the sequence of views and the change of scenery, not an extended talk at one landmark.

Palma from the driver’s seat

From Malgratz, the route continues toward Palma. You pass the Nautical Club and drive in front of Palma Cathedral, bringing the tour briefly into the island’s urban center.

This section gives the trip a welcome change of pace. The coast and mountain roads supply the drama, but Palma adds recognizable city sights and a sense of place. Seeing the Cathedral from an open Slingshot is a more memorable approach than viewing it through a bus window, even though you will not have time for an interior visit.

The route then reaches Dique del Oeste, where you make the second stop for photographs. This is a practical photo break rather than a full attraction visit. You can capture the cars, marina, and city setting, then get back on the road without losing the evening light.

If your main goal is to explore Palma’s museums, old streets, or Cathedral interior, this tour will not replace a city visit. You get a quick visual sample of the capital, not a cultural tour. I see that as a strength for people who want driving and scenery, but a limitation for anyone hoping to spend the afternoon on foot.

The Paseo Maritimo and the run to Port Andratx

After Dique del Oeste, you return along the Paseo Maritimo in the direction of Port Andratx. This stretch links the city portion of the tour with its main evening reward.

The route works well because you do not simply drive out and back over the same road. You get coast, city, marina, and mountain scenery within two hours. The variety helps the outing feel like a compact Mallorca sampler rather than a short test drive around one neighborhood.

The timing is important. The start time changes according to availability, so you need to check the exact departure when booking. The operator schedules the experience to include the sunset, but the precise color and visibility will depend on the season and the day. Bring warm clothing even in summer. Once the sun drops, an open vehicle can feel cool.

At this point, the Slingshot becomes less about speed and more about the setting. You are moving through Mallorca with a broad view around you, but still need to pay attention to the road. Sunglasses help with glare, and closed-toe shoes give you better control of the pedals. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed.

Sunset at Port Andratx

The third stop is Port Andratx, where you pause for Mallorca’s sunset. This is the emotional center of the tour and the reason the later departure time is worth choosing.

Port Andratx gives you a marina setting for the final light, while the open vehicle adds an unusual viewing position. You are not standing at a crowded overlook or watching through a restaurant window. You arrive as part of a small convoy of distinctive three-wheeled cars, then have time to stop and take in the view.

The sunset is not guaranteed to look the same each day, of course. Clouds, season, and timing all matter. Still, the structure of the route puts the final stop in the right place at the right part of the evening, which is more useful than hoping to find a viewpoint on your own.

This is also where you should keep expectations sensible. The tour lasts two hours, so the Port Andratx stop cannot become a long dinner or extended marina visit. Food is not included, and the tour supplies only one cold drink per person. If you want a meal afterward, plan it separately.

Mountain roads and Camp de Mar on the return

The return route passes through the mountains, with views toward the golf courses of Camp de Mar. After the calm of the sunset stop, this final section brings back the driving element.

Curving roads are where experienced manual drivers may enjoy the Slingshot most. The car feels lively, and the open design makes the bends more noticeable. You do not need to be a professional driver, but you should be comfortable changing gears, judging corners, and following the guide.

The guides adjust the group to different driving abilities. That is helpful if one person in your party is excited to push on while another is still learning the car. You should not assume that the whole group will travel at a single fast pace. The aim is to enjoy the route together, not turn it into a race.

The mountain section also explains why closed shoes and warm layers are on the packing list. The vehicle offers little protection from evening air, and the temperature may feel different once you leave the coast.

What the guide team adds

A good guide is essential on this experience. The lead driver needs to explain the car, set a clear route, watch the group, and make sure the driving remains manageable for different skill levels.

Javier is specifically praised for his work, and Alex is also singled out as friendly and helpful. The wider guide team is described as skilled, informative, and good at handling the group. That fits the needs of this tour: you want enough direction to feel secure, but not so much control that the driving becomes dull.

The language choice is another practical benefit. Guides operate in Spanish, Dutch, French, German, and English. If you have questions about the manual gearbox or route, being able to communicate clearly matters more here than it would on a simple coach ride.

The guides also assess how confidently each person drives. A strong driver may get more freedom to enjoy the car on suitable roads, while someone less experienced can take a calmer approach. You should treat that as a safety feature, not a promise of high speed.

Is $69 good value?

At $69 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a guided two-hour driving experience, especially because it includes the Slingshot, helmet, guide, child seat if needed, and one cold drink. You also receive a route that covers several parts of southwest Mallorca rather than a short circuit near the office.

The extra insurance changes the calculation. Driver insurance costs €30 at the office and comes with a €350 excess. You should include that amount in your budget before deciding the tour is a $69 activity. Food is not included, and there is no indication that hotel transport is included, so you also need to make your own way to the Formula Tours office.

For two people sharing one car, the price can feel better because both people may change drivers during the route. If you want two cars, the cost rises because you need two bookings. That choice may suit friends who want individual driving time, but it is not the cheapest option.

I think the price works best for someone who values the driving itself. If you only want sunset photos, a viewpoint or marina visit may cost less and give you more time at the final stop. Here, you are paying for the vehicle, the route, the guide support, and the novelty of driving a three-wheeled car.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to confident manual drivers who want an active afternoon rather than a passive sightseeing trip. Couples can share one car, and families can bring a child from age three as a copilot, provided the setup suits them and a child seat is needed.

It also suits repeat visitors to Mallorca who want a different way to see the southwest. One person who had visited the island for years only discovered this activity after staying in Alcúdia and found the drive south worthwhile. That is useful context: the tour is based around the southwest, so it is most convenient if you are already near Paguera, Calvià, Palma, or Port Andratx.

I would be cautious if you dislike manual cars, feel anxious on curving roads, or want a relaxed sunset outing with no driving duties. The car is the attraction, but it is also the responsibility. You need to pay attention for much of the two hours.

Bring your passport or ID card, credit card, sunglasses, closed-toe shoes, warm clothing, and a towel. The towel is an unusual item on the list, but it is better to have it than wonder why you left it behind. Arrive at the office 30 minutes before departure so the orientation and paperwork do not cut into your road time.

My verdict: book it for the car, stay for the sunset

I would book this tour if I wanted to drive something unusual and see several southwest Mallorca highlights in one compact outing. The strongest features are the lively Slingshots, the varied route, the sunset stop at Port Andratx, and guides such as Javier and Alex who help different driving abilities fit into one group.

I would skip it if I could not drive a manual transmission or if my main goal was a long, quiet sunset stop. Before booking, check the start time, add the €30 insurance to the budget, and decide if one shared car is enough. For the right driver, this is a memorable way to connect Palma, the coast, and the mountains in a single evening.

FAQ

How long does the Formula Sunset Driving Tour last?

The tour lasts two hours, including the driving route and stops at Malgratz, Dique del Oeste, and Port Andratx.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the Formula Tours Office. You should arrive 30 minutes before the activity starts.

What age must the driver be?

The pilot must be at least 21 years old and have two years of driving experience.

Can children ride in the Slingshot?

The minimum age for a copilot is three years old. A child seat is included if necessary.

Do I need to know how to drive a manual car?

Yes. The cars have manual gearboxes, and you cannot take the tour as a driver if you cannot drive a stick shift car.

Can two people share one car?

Yes. A booking for two people includes one car, and you can change drivers during the route.

How can I book two separate cars?

You need to make two bookings, with each booking made for one person.

Is insurance included in the price?

No. Driver insurance costs €30 and is paid at the office. The full insurance has an excess of €350.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring your passport or ID card, sunglasses, credit card, closed-toe shoes, warm clothing, and a towel. Open-toe shoes, sandals, and flip flops are not allowed.