Mallorca: Formula Car Tour

You do not simply sit back and look at Mallorca on this tour. You steer a low, three-wheeled formula-style car along the southwest coast, with the sea, mountains, marinas, and winding roads doing most of the scenery work. The route links Paguera, Palma, and Port Andratx in two lively hours.

I like the unusual cars, which make even familiar coastal roads feel new. I also like the mix of driving and sightseeing, with stops at Malgratz Island, Dique del Oeste, and possibly Port Andratx for photos. The main thing to consider is the manual gearbox and the pace of the group. One person found the mountain section too fast, so this is not the best pick if winding roads make you nervous.

Key points to know before booking

• Three-wheeled cars: These are the main event, offering an open-air, sporty way to see Mallorca.
• A proper coastal route: You travel from Paguera toward Palma, then return through Port Andratx and the Camp de Mar area.
• Manual transmission only: You need to drive a stick-shift car confidently.
• Several photo stops: Malgratz Island, Dique del Oeste, Palma’s waterfront, and possibly Port Andratx are built into the route.
• Extra insurance cost: Driver insurance costs €30 at the office, and the vehicle has a €350 excess.
• Good for families with older children: The minimum age for a copilot is three, and child seats are included.

Why this unusual car changes the experience

Mallorca has plenty of scenic drives, but few involve a small three-wheeled car that looks part formula racer, part road-going curiosity. The cars are low and exposed, so you get a much stronger sense of the road and the weather than you would from a standard rental car.

The point is not top speed. The appeal comes from the combination of mechanical involvement and open views. You change gears, follow the guide, take corners, and feel the air as you pass the coast. Several cars have distinctive styling, and one booking even included a Batmobile-style vehicle, depending on availability.

The cars have also been described as slingshots and formulas, so do not expect a single uniform model in the way you might with a standard fleet. Their condition can vary slightly. One driver found a particular car noisy around the gearbox, although it still performed properly. That is worth keeping in mind if you expect a polished sports-car experience.

You should also expect some engine and road noise. This is part of the fun for many people, but it means the tour is less refined than a comfortable sightseeing vehicle. I would choose it for the sense of occasion, not for silence or luxury.

Starting in Paguera and heading along the southwest coast

The tour begins at the Formula Tours office in Paguera. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure for registration, the driving explanation, and equipment. The guide speaks Spanish, English, French, or German, which helps if you need the instructions explained clearly before setting off.

The guide leads the group rather than leaving you to work out the route alone. That is useful if driving in Mallorca is unfamiliar. One first-time driver from the United Kingdom found it easy to adjust to the roads while following the guide, particularly at junctions and roundabouts.

This guided format also keeps the group together. You are not free to choose your own speed or pull over whenever you like. That makes the experience more orderly, but it also means the pace depends partly on the group in front of you and the traffic on the day.

From Paguera, the route follows the coast of Calvià toward Palma. You pass points of interest in the southwest before reaching the first scheduled stop. The road itself is part of the attraction, with coastal views and sections that become more winding as the route moves through the island’s hillier terrain.

If you are an experienced manual driver, you will probably enjoy the extra work of the car. If you have only driven automatics, this is not the place to learn. The operator states clearly that anyone unable to drive a manual car cannot take part.

Malgratz Island gives the first photo break

The first stop is at the beautiful Island of Malgratz, one of the coastal points included on the route. The stop breaks up the driving and gives you a chance to take in the water and surrounding coast without trying to look sideways while changing gear.

This is an important part of the tour’s design. Two hours behind the wheel can feel repetitive if you never stop, especially in a small car. The photo pauses give the experience a sightseeing rhythm: drive, stop, look around, and continue.

Do not expect a long visit at each stop. The tour has several areas to cover, and the exact timing can change with traffic and the pace of the group. Bring your phone or camera, but keep your expectations practical. You are getting short scenic breaks rather than a full guided visit at each location.

The open cars also make clothing matter. Sunglasses are useful, and the operator recommends warm clothing, comfortable closed-toe shoes, and a towel. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Even on a warm Mallorca day, wind can make the car feel cooler than expected.

Palma brings the tour into the city

After Malgratz, the route continues toward Palma, Mallorca’s capital. You pass the Nautical Club and travel in front of the Cathedral, giving you a quick view of two of the city’s best-known waterfront sights.

This section is less about fast driving and more about seeing Palma from a different angle. You will not have time to tour the cathedral or explore the old center on foot, so think of this as a moving introduction rather than a city visit.

The group then reaches the marina at Dique del Oeste for another photo stop. This is a sensible place to pause because the marina gives you room to get out, stretch, and photograph the cars with Palma’s waterfront setting behind them.

Traffic can affect the route and timing. The operator notes that the third stop depends on the available time and traffic, so you should not treat every stop as guaranteed for the same length of time. The two-hour duration is fixed, but the balance between city roads, scenic driving, and stops can shift.

That uncertainty is one of the few planning drawbacks. A poster or sample route may not match the exact path on your day. The best approach is to see the listed places as the intended route, while accepting that road conditions can change the order or length of stops.

The return to Port Andratx and Camp de Mar

After Dique del Oeste, you return along the Paseo Maritimo in the direction of Port Andratx. This gives you another stretch beside the water before the route turns back toward the southwest.

If time and traffic allow, the third stop is in Port Andratx. This is one of the more exclusive and attractive areas in the southwest of Mallorca, with a marina setting and a change of mood from the open coast and city waterfront.

Port Andratx is also a useful final stop because it gives you another chance to take photographs before the return leg. Still, it is the optional part of the advertised route. If seeing Port Andratx is especially important to you, ask the office about the day’s route before departure.

The final section passes through the mountains, with views toward the golf courses around Camp de Mar. This is where the tour can feel most like a driving adventure rather than a sightseeing circuit. The bends and changing elevation add interest, but they may not suit everyone.

You should be comfortable with winding roads and with keeping a steady position behind the guide. The lead driver sets the pace, and one participant felt the mountain section was too fast. If you are nervous, tell the guide before setting off. The staff have been praised for being attentive and for checking how people are doing, but it is still wise to be honest about your comfort level.

What the two-hour format really offers

Two hours is long enough to make the outing feel like a proper excursion, but short enough to fit into a busy Mallorca holiday. You get a coastal drive, a city pass through Palma, several scenic stops, and a mountain return without giving up an entire day.

The tradeoff is that the tour covers a lot of ground quickly. You will not spend long at Malgratz, Palma, Dique del Oeste, or Port Andratx. I see this as a highlight reel of the southwest rather than a slow scenic drive.

The route also has a practical advantage for visitors based in Paguera or nearby parts of Calvià. You can see several major sights without renting a conventional car and planning the roads yourself. The guide handles navigation, and the group route removes much of the stress of finding the right turns.

Still, you are doing the driving. That matters. If you want to relax completely and take photographs from the passenger seat, choose a different excursion. If you like having a direct role in the outing, the two-hour length works well.

Sharing a car or booking your own

If two people book together, they receive one car and can change drivers during the route. This is a good arrangement for couples or friends who both want a turn, though you will need to decide when to swap.

If you want two separate cars, you must make two separate bookings, one person per booking. That costs more, but it gives each driver the full experience and avoids having to share the controls.

The minimum age for the pilot is 21, and the driver must have at least two years of driving experience. The minimum age for a copilot is three years. Child seats are included, which makes the activity more workable for families, although the adult driver still needs to be fully comfortable with a manual car and the road conditions.

The cars are not a fit for someone who cannot drive stick shift. This requirement is firm, not a minor preference. You need to be able to start, stop, change gears, and manage hills and bends without constant help.

Price, insurance, and what you receive

At $69 per person, the tour offers fair value if you want both a vehicle experience and a sightseeing route. You are paying for the car, guide, helmet rental, child seat if needed, and one drink, along with two hours on the road.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise rent a car or book a separate coastal excursion. You get the thrill of driving and a guided route through several parts of southwest Mallorca in one activity.

The advertised price does not include driver insurance. You pay an additional €30 at the office, and the cars have full insurance with an excess of €350. Read that condition carefully before booking, since it changes the real cost and your financial responsibility.

One drink per person is included, though you should not expect extensive refreshments. One participant suggested that more cold water would improve the support arrangements. Bring your own water if you know you will want more, as long as it fits the operator’s rules.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Mallorca schedule is still moving around.

The guide, safety, and group pace

The guide gives an explanation before departure and leads the route. The multilingual setup covers Spanish, English, French, and German. Staff have been praised for being friendly, helpful, and professional, with Robin specifically receiving strong praise for guiding the drive.

The guide’s role matters here more than on a standard bus tour. You need to follow the route, handle the car, watch the road, and remain aware of the group. Clear instructions and a calm lead driver make a real difference.

The tour is not presented as a race, even though the cars and the phrase put the pedal to the metal give it a sporty feel. Your actual pace depends on the guide, traffic, and the group. Some sections may feel quick, especially on mountain roads.

Tell the staff if you are uneasy before departure, not halfway through a bend. You should also arrive early enough to ask about the route, the car, the insurance excess, and when drivers can swap.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this tour to:

• Confident manual drivers aged 21 or older
• Couples or friends who want to share one car
• Families with children aged three or above
• Visitors who want to combine Palma and the southwest coast
• People who enjoy winding roads and a hands-on activity
• Anyone looking for a short excursion rather than a full-day tour

I would be cautious if you dislike exposed vehicles, engine noise, mountain bends, or group-led driving. It is also the wrong choice if you only drive automatic cars.

The activity can work for children as copilots, but the child must be at least three. The child seat inclusion is helpful, but the adult still carries the responsibility of driving a manual vehicle on a route that includes city streets and winding roads.

Should you book the Mallorca Formula Car Tour?

Book it if you want a lively way to see Mallorca’s southwest coast and you are already comfortable with a manual car. The best parts are the unusual three-wheeled vehicles, the route from Paguera through Palma to Port Andratx, and the mix of driving with short photo stops.

Skip it if you want a quiet sightseeing trip, need an automatic transmission, or feel tense on mountain roads. Also budget for the €30 driver insurance and remember the €350 excess.

For the right driver, $69 per person is a sensible price for two hours of scenery, city views, and hands-on fun. I would ask about the exact route and expected pace before paying, then bring closed shoes, sunglasses, warm layers, and a camera.

FAQ

How long does the Mallorca Formula Car Tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is the Formula Tours office in Paguera. You should arrive 30 minutes before the activity starts.

What driving license and experience do I need?

The pilot must be at least 21 years old and have two years of driving experience. You must also be able to drive a manual, or stick-shift, car.

Can two people share one car?

Yes. If you book for two people, you receive one car and can change drivers during the route. To use two separate cars, you need two bookings, one for each person.

Can children ride as copilots?

Yes. The minimum age for a copilot is three years, and child seats are included.

What insurance costs extra?

Driver insurance costs €30 at the office. The cars have full insurance with an excess of €350.