From Andratx: Formula Sunset Driving Tour

The best part of this Mallorca outing is the car itself. You sit low in a three-wheeled Slingshot, feel every bend in the road, and still have time to stop for the sunset at Port Andratx. I like the mix of driving and sightseeing, and I like that the route reaches Palma’s Cathedral and the mountain roads near Camp de Mar in one compact trip. The catch is simple: you must drive a manual car confidently, and the driver must be at least 21 with two years of experience.

I also like the timing. The afternoon route gives you bright coastal views first, then softer light around Palma and Port Andratx. The €69 price is fair for a guided two-hour outing with a helmet and drink, though you should add the €30 driver insurance fee and remember that the excess is €350.

Key points at a glance

• Manual Slingshot driving: You need real stick-shift experience, not just an automatic license.
• Four worthwhile stops: See Malgratz Island, Palma Cathedral and the Nautical Club, Dique del Oeste, and Port Andratx.
• Sunset finish: The final stop is timed for views across Port Andratx before the return through the mountains.
• Two people, one car: A booking for two people includes one car, with the option to change drivers during the route.
• Multilingual guides: Tours are offered in English, Spanish, Dutch, French, and German.
• Extra insurance cost: Driver insurance costs €30 at the office and includes full cover with a €350 excess.

The Slingshot is the real attraction

This is not a standard sightseeing ride in a minibus. You control a low, open three-wheeled car, so the bends, hills, sea views, and changing light all feel close at hand. The driving is the point, not just the way you move between stops.

The cars use manual gearboxes. That requirement is easy to overlook when booking, but it is the main suitability test. If you cannot drive a manual or stick-shift car, you cannot take part as a pilot. The route includes curving mountain roads, and the guides adjust the pace so quicker drivers can enjoy the cars without leaving slower drivers behind.

You get a short orientation before setting off. That matters here. A Slingshot is different from an ordinary car, and a quick briefing helps you understand the controls and the driving rhythm before you reach the open road.

The driving has been praised for feeling exciting without turning into a race. The guides lead from the front and manage the group from the road, allowing a spirited pace where appropriate while keeping the convoy together. Your experience will still depend on traffic, weather, and your own comfort with the car.

From Paguera to the coast near Calvià

The tour begins at the Formula Tours office, with arrival requested 30 minutes before departure. The starting area is Paguera, on the coast of Calvià, and the route heads toward Palma.

The opening stretch gives you a chance to settle into the Slingshot. You pass coastal points around southwestern Mallorca, with the sea and rocky shoreline providing the first scenic backdrop. Since this is a guided convoy, you are not left to work out the route or worry about missing the next stop.

The first planned stop is at Malgratz Island, a small island near the coast. It is a useful early pause because it breaks up the drive before Palma and gives you a chance to take in the water and shoreline without having to keep your hands on the wheel.

Do not expect a long visit at each stop. This is a two-hour tour, so the schedule is designed for short views and photographs rather than a slow visit. The appeal is the changing sequence: coast, city, marina, sunset harbor, and mountain roads.

Palma brings a city view to the route

The tour continues toward Palma, Mallorca’s capital. Instead of taking you inland for a museum visit, it keeps to the waterfront, passing the Nautical Club and the Cathedral.

Seeing Palma from the road gives you a different angle than a walking tour of the old center. You get the broad city setting, the waterfront, and the Cathedral’s famous outline without spending the afternoon on foot. It is a quick look rather than a full introduction to Palma, so plan a separate visit if the city is a major reason for your trip.

This part of the route also shows why the Slingshot works well for sightseeing. You can cover ground between coastal towns and Palma while still feeling connected to the surroundings. The car is open and exposed, so sunglasses are useful in bright conditions, and warm clothing becomes important once the sun drops.

Dique del Oeste is the photo stop

The second stop is at the Dique del Oeste marina area. This is where you get time for photographs before the route turns back along the Paseo Maritimo toward Port Andratx.

The stop adds a practical pause to the itinerary. After the first section of driving, you can step out, take photos, and enjoy the waterfront without trying to photograph through a moving vehicle. It also gives you a chance to check your clothing and belongings before the cooler evening section.

The route is photo-friendly, but you should keep your expectations in proportion. The activity is built around driving, not extended sightseeing at each landmark. If you want long time around Palma’s Cathedral or a proper marina meal, this outing will feel too brisk. If you want several strong views with minimal planning, the pace makes sense.

Port Andratx provides the sunset moment

The third stop is Port Andratx, the emotional high point of the outing. The tour is scheduled to reach the port for Mallorca’s sunset, giving you a final scenic pause before the return leg.

Port Andratx is especially well suited to this timing. The harbor, boats, and surrounding hills give the sunset more depth than an open roadside viewpoint. You are also seeing it after a full sequence of driving, so the stop feels like a reward rather than just another photo break.

Bring a warm layer. The supplied information specifically advises warm clothing, and that is sensible for an open vehicle after sunset. Sunglasses help during the earlier drive, while a towel is also listed among the suggested items. A cold drink for each person is included, but food is not, so do not count on a meal during the stop.

The sunset time is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour over a daytime drive. You get the same basic thrill of the car, but with changing light across the coast and a more memorable finish. The tradeoff is that the exact mood depends on the day’s conditions.

The return crosses the Camp de Mar mountains

After Port Andratx, the route returns to the office through the mountains, with views toward the golf courses of Camp de Mar. This gives the final section a different character from the coastal roads and city waterfront.

The mountain portion is where the Slingshot’s handling becomes most noticeable. Curves and elevation changes make the drive more active, while the guides keep the group moving together. Drivers with recent manual experience may find this the most enjoyable part. If you have not driven a stick shift for years, the first few bends may require concentration.

One driver described returning to manual driving after almost seven years and finding that the old skill came back quickly. That is encouraging, but it should not persuade you to book if you are genuinely uncertain. You need to be able to start, shift, slow, and corner safely in a group setting.

The route is not presented as a driving competition. Your guide decides how much freedom suits the group and your ability. Strong drivers can enjoy the cars, while less confident drivers can focus on the views and steady progress.

What the $69 price really covers

At $69 per person, the tour sits in a reasonable range for a short, equipment-based activity. You are paying for the car experience, guide, helmet, child seat if needed, and one cold drink. You also receive a planned route that links several southwestern Mallorca sights without arranging your own navigation.

The price looks different depending on how you book. Two people share one car, and you can change drivers along the way. That makes the cost more attractive for a couple who both want a turn behind the wheel. If you want two separate cars, you must make two bookings, each for one person, so the total rises quickly.

The required driver insurance adds €30 at the office. It is full insurance with a €350 excess. Include that fee in your budget rather than treating it as an optional surprise. Food is not included, and the activity lasts only two hours, so you may want to eat before or after, depending on your start time.

The strongest value comes from the combination of a distinctive vehicle and a guided route. If you only want to see Palma or Port Andratx, cheaper ways exist. If you want to drive an unusual car through coastal and mountain roads, the fee is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy it most

I would choose this for a confident manual driver who wants more than a passive sightseeing tour. It suits couples and friends particularly well because two people can share one car and swap drivers during the outing.

It also works for someone who has visited Mallorca before and wants to see familiar places from a new angle. The route is short, but it packs in the coast, Palma, a marina, Port Andratx, and Camp de Mar. Several people who had been coming to the island for years only discovered this activity later, so it can add something fresh to a repeat visit.

The minimum age for a pilot is 21, with at least two years of driving experience. A copilot can be as young as three, but children under three are not accepted. A child seat is available if necessary.

This is not the right choice for anyone who dislikes open vehicles, cannot drive manual transmission, or wants a relaxed meal-and-sightseeing afternoon. You will be operating a car, not simply sitting in one.

Practical details that can make or break the outing

Arrive at the Formula Tours office 30 minutes early. Bring your passport or ID card and credit card, along with sunglasses, closed-toe shoes, and warm clothing. Open-toed shoes, sandals, and flip flops are not allowed.

The guide languages are English, Spanish, Dutch, French, and German. Guides including Javier and Alex have been praised for clear instruction, friendly handling of the group, and strong driving skills. Staff performance matters here because the guide controls the convoy and helps set the tone for the road sections.

You receive a helmet, but the supplied information does not specify other protective clothing. Wear practical clothes that you can sit and drive in comfortably, and remember that the vehicle is exposed to the evening air.

The activity has a 4.8 rating from 176 reviews, with especially strong praise for the cars, scenery, route timing, and staff. I would give the most weight to the repeated comments about the driving itself and the guides. Those are the parts that define the experience and are most likely to affect your enjoyment.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Starting times vary, so check availability against the sunset hour when booking.

Should you book the Formula Sunset Driving Tour?

Book it if you can drive a manual car, want genuine time behind the wheel, and like the idea of finishing at Port Andratx as the light fades. The mix of coastal views, Palma landmarks, marina photos, mountain curves, and a distinctive three-wheeled car gives the two hours a clear sense of purpose.

Skip it if you need a fully relaxed sightseeing trip, cannot drive stick shift, or dislike paying an extra insurance fee. For the right driver, the €69 base price is solid value, especially when two people share one car and swap turns. Add the €30 insurance cost, arrive prepared, and this becomes one of the more unusual ways to spend a Mallorca afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the Formula Sunset Driving Tour start?

The tour starts at the Formula Tours office. You should arrive 30 minutes before the activity begins.

How long does the tour last?

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

Do I need to drive a manual car?

Yes. The Slingshots have manual gearboxes, and you cannot take the tour as a pilot if you cannot drive a manual or stick-shift car.

How old must the driver be?

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

Can two people share one car?

Yes. A booking for two people includes one car, and you can change drivers during the route. If you want two separate cars, you must make two individual bookings.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a guide, helmet, child seat if necessary, and one cold drink per person. Driver insurance costs an additional €30 at the office and includes a €350 excess. Food is not included.