Mallorca: Formula Car Tour

You do not simply sit back and watch Mallorca’s southwest coast on this tour. You drive it in a low, open-feeling three-wheeled formula car, following a guide from Paguera toward Palma, then back through the hills toward Port Andratx. The cars look playful, sound lively, and turn an ordinary sightseeing route into an active outing.

I like the mix of coastal views and driving fun, especially the stops at Malgratz Island and Palma’s Dique del Oeste marina. I also like that the route gives you a real taste of Mallorca, from the seafront and cathedral to mountain roads and the golf areas near Camp de Mar. The catch is important: the cars have manual gearboxes, and one speed-focused review found the mountain section too fast. You need to be comfortable with a stick shift and winding roads.

Key points before you book

• Manual transmission is required: You cannot take the tour if you cannot drive a stick-shift car.
• Drivers must be at least 21: You also need at least two years of driving experience.
• The route covers a lot in two hours: Expect Paguera, the Calvià coast, Malgratz Island, Palma, and possibly Port Andratx.
• Two people share one car: You can change drivers during the tour, but two separate cars require two separate one-person bookings.
• The insurance costs extra: Driver insurance is €30 at the office, and the car has a €350 excess.
• Closed shoes are essential: Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.

A sporty way to see Mallorca’s southwest coast

At $69 per person, the tour sits in the moderate price range for a two-hour Mallorca activity. The value comes from combining transport, sightseeing, a guide, a vehicle, helmet rental, a drink, and several photo stops in one short outing.

The extra €30 driver insurance changes the calculation. If you are driving, your advertised cost becomes $69 plus €30, with a stated excess of €350 on the vehicle. That does not make the tour poor value, but you should include it when comparing activities. A passenger does not appear to need the driver insurance, though the booking information specifically identifies it as insurance for the driver.

I like that the tour is not just a quick spin around one neighborhood. You cover several parts of the island and get both city and country roads. In two hours, you can see the coast around Calvià, the approach to Palma, the waterfront near the cathedral, the marina at Dique del Oeste, and the hills around Camp de Mar.

The tradeoff is that this is a guided convoy, not a free-form road trip. You follow the lead car, and the guide sets the pace. That helps at roundabouts and junctions, especially if you are driving on the right side of the road for the first time, but it also means you cannot choose your own speed or stop whenever you wish.

Starting in Paguera and along the Calvià coast

You meet at the Formula Tours office in Paguera and should arrive 30 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because you need to handle the practical steps before the wheels turn, including the driver requirements and insurance payment.

The guide begins with an explanation of the cars and the tour. The language choices are Spanish, English, French, and German, so you can receive the briefing in one of those four languages. The activity information does not give a fixed guide name, but Robin has been praised specifically for handling the route well. Your guide leads the group and checks on how you are doing along the way.

From Paguera, the route follows the coast of Calvià in the direction of Palma. This is where the cars begin to change the feel of the trip. In a normal rental car, you would watch the scenery through glass. In these compact three-wheelers, you are much more exposed to the road, the turns, and the surrounding views.

That openness is part of the appeal, but it also makes clothing and footwear practical concerns rather than afterthoughts. Wear closed, comfortable shoes. Bring sunglasses, warm clothing, and a towel. The list may seem odd for a driving tour, but the instructions clearly rule out sandals and flip-flops, and conditions can feel cooler on an exposed vehicle.

The cars use manual gearboxes. If you learned to drive an automatic car only, this is not the place to practice for the first time. You need to be able to manage the clutch, gears, turns, and traffic while following the group.

First stop at Malgratz Island

The first scheduled stop is at the beautiful Island of Malgratz. This gives you a chance to get out, look around, and take in one of the coastal points along the route rather than treating the whole outing as a nonstop drive.

The stop also breaks up the first stretch of driving. That is useful if you need a few minutes to settle into the car. Some people get comfortable quickly, while others need time to adjust to the three-wheel layout, manual gearbox, and position in the convoy.

I would not think of Malgratz as a long sightseeing visit. The tour lasts only two hours and includes several sections of road, so the stop is part of a moving itinerary rather than a full island visit. You get a scenic pause, not an extended walk or a separate guided visit.

That short format can work well for families and friends who want an active break from beach time. A child can ride as a copilot from age three, and child seats are included. Still, the driver must meet the age and experience rules, and the activity is not suitable for anyone who cannot drive a manual car.

Palma, the cathedral, and the Dique del Oeste

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 waterfront view of one of the island’s best-known city sights.

This part adds useful variety. The tour is not limited to rural bends or seaside roads. You get a look at Palma’s urban waterfront, boats, and cathedral setting while handling the car in a city environment.

The second stop is at the Dique del Oeste marina. It is mainly a photo stop, so have your camera or phone ready before you arrive. You can take pictures of the cars, the marina setting, and your group before returning to the road.

I see this as one of the strongest parts of the route for people who want both an activity and photographs. The cars themselves are designed to attract attention. One car was described as having a Batmobile look, and the vehicles are clearly part of the visual fun. They may look more dramatic than they feel mechanically, however. One car was reported to be noisy and to sound as if its gearbox needed attention, although it still performed properly. That suggests the machines can differ in sound and character.

The cars are described as well kept and in good condition overall, but you should expect a bit of mechanical noise. This is not a silent electric sightseeing ride. It is a small, exposed, manual vehicle with an engine and gearbox beneath you.

Returning along the Paseo Maritimo

After the marina stop, you return along Palma’s Paseo Maritimo in the direction of Port Andratx. This section gives you another look at Palma from the waterfront and lets the group settle back into its rhythm after the photo break.

The route is designed to keep moving, so do not expect long periods at each location. The appeal is the sequence: drive, stop, take pictures, then continue to the next part of Mallorca. If you want a slow day built around one landmark, this is the wrong format. If you want a brisk introduction to several areas, the pace makes sense.

The guide remains at the front, and the convoy format provides reassurance at junctions and roundabouts. That was especially helpful for one driver who was nervous about driving outside the United Kingdom. Following the guide made the road layout easier to manage, and the driver became comfortable with the car quickly.

Still, the guide’s pace may feel quick if you prefer relaxed driving. One person found the mountain portion unsafe because the lead car moved too fast. I would tell a cautious driver to say so early and clearly. The tour is meant to feel exciting, but you should never feel pressured to match a speed that makes you uncomfortable.

Port Andratx and the mountain return

The third stop may be Port Andratx, depending on the time and traffic. The wording matters: this stop is not guaranteed in every departure. If the route runs behind schedule, the guide may need to shorten or skip that section.

Port Andratx is an exclusive area in the southwest of Mallorca, and it gives the tour another coastal setting before the return. It is a pleasant contrast to Palma’s larger waterfront. You are seeing a more polished marina area, then turning inland toward the hills.

The final section passes through the mountains with views toward the golf courses around Camp de Mar. This is likely the most exciting driving portion. The roads are winding, and the changes in elevation give you a different view of the island than the flatter coastal stretches.

This is also the part where you need the most confidence. The tour is not suitable for someone who dislikes bends, manual driving, or a quicker convoy pace. If you enjoy driving winding roads, it may be the highlight. If you are nervous, the same roads may make the activity stressful.

The return to the Formula Tours office completes the two-hour outing. Timing can vary with traffic, especially because the route passes through Palma and includes the optional Port Andratx section. Treat the stated duration as a useful guide rather than a promise that every stop will receive the same amount of time.

Sharing a car and choosing your booking

If you book for two people, you receive one car. You can change drivers during the route, which is a good arrangement for couples or friends who both want a turn.

If you want two separate cars, you need to make two bookings, each for one person. This distinction is easy to miss and affects the whole experience. Sharing gives you a more social ride and keeps the price lower per pair, while separate cars let both people drive at the same time.

The copilot minimum age is three. Child seats are included, which makes the activity possible for some families, but the driver still needs to be 21 or older with two years of experience. The information provided does not state a maximum passenger age or height, so check directly with Formula Tours if your group has a specific seating concern.

Each person receives one drink. That is a small inclusion, but useful on a two-hour outdoor activity. Bring your own water needs into account, since one person specifically wished there had been more cold water available from the support car.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Bring your passport or ID card and your driver’s license. You also need comfortable closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, warm clothing, and a towel.

Do not arrive in sandals or flip-flops. They are not allowed, and open footwear is a poor match for a manual car where you need clear control of the pedals.

A few simple choices will make the outing easier:

• Wear shoes that let you feel the clutch and brake pedals.
• Bring sunglasses for the exposed road sections.
• Pack a warm layer because the cars are open to the air.
• Keep your phone or camera easy to reach for the marina stop.
• Arrive 30 minutes early so the briefing does not feel rushed.

The tour includes helmet rental, though the supplied information does not explain when helmets are worn or what other protective equipment is provided. Follow the guide’s instructions at the office.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this activity for friends, couples, and families who want something more active than a standard sightseeing drive. It works especially well if you have already spent time on Mallorca’s beaches and want to see the coast, city, and hills in a single outing.

It also suits drivers who enjoy a bit of theater. The cars are eye-catching, and the novelty is a major part of the experience. The route gives you a reason to stop and take pictures, not just a vehicle to rent for two hours.

You should think twice if you are uncomfortable with manual transmission, winding roads, or a group ride led at someone else’s pace. The minimum driving age and experience requirement also rule out younger or newly licensed drivers.

Passengers can enjoy the scenery without handling the gearbox, and children from age three can ride with a child seat. But the activity remains built around the driver. If your group includes someone who wants only a calm sightseeing trip, a regular guided excursion may be a better match.

Is the Mallorca Formula Car Tour worth $69?

For $69 per person, I think the tour offers good value if you want driving to be the main event. You receive two hours on the road, a guide in four language options, a helmet, a drink, child seats, and a route that covers a large part of southwest Mallorca.

The €30 driver insurance fee and €350 excess make the final cost less simple. Add those expenses before booking, especially if you are comparing this with a boat trip, rental car, or other paid excursion.

The strongest reasons to book are the unusual cars, the range of scenery, the Palma waterfront stop, and the chance to share the driving. The main reasons to skip it are the manual gearbox, possible quick pace, and the fact that the Port Andratx stop depends on time and traffic.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can drive a manual car, enjoy winding roads, and want Mallorca sightseeing with a pulse. You will see more than one small corner of the island, and the cars turn familiar coastal views into a memorable outing.

Skip it if you need automatic transmission or prefer a slow, controlled tour with long visits at each stop. For the right driver, this is a playful and scenic way to connect Paguera, Palma, Port Andratx, and the Camp de Mar hills in two hours.

FAQ

Where does the Mallorca Formula Car Tour start?

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

How long does the tour last?

The driving experience lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $69 per person. Driver insurance costs an additional €30 at the office.

Is driver insurance included?

No. Driver insurance costs €30 and is paid at the office. The cars have full insurance with a €350 excess.

Do I need a manual driving license?

You must be able to drive a manual, or stick-shift, car. The tour is not suitable for people who cannot drive manual transmission.

What is the minimum age to drive?

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

How old must a passenger be?

The minimum age for a copilot is three years old. Child seats are included.

Can two people share one car?

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

Can two people book separate cars?

Yes, but you need two separate bookings, both for one person.

Which languages are available?

The live guide is available in Spanish, English, French, and German.