From Andratx: Formula Sunset Driving Tour

Mallorca looks different from behind the wheel. This two-hour Formula Sunset Driving Tour takes you from Paguera along the coast toward Palma in a three-wheeled Slingshot, with stops at Malgratz Island, Dique del Oeste, and Port Andratx. You get a lively road outing, sea views, mountain roads, and a sunset finish rather than a standard sightseeing bus ride.

I like the mix of open-road driving and coastal scenery, especially since the route includes both Palma’s waterfront and the mountain roads near Camp de Mar. I also like that the tour keeps the sightseeing moving: you stop for photos, then get back in the car before the afternoon turns into a long wait. The main catch is important: the cars have manual gearboxes, so you need to drive stick shift confidently.

The price is $69 per person, with a guide, helmet, child seat when needed, and one cold drink included. You must also pay €30 for driver insurance at the office, with a €350 excess. That extra cost is easy to miss when comparing prices, so include it in your budget.

Key points before you book

• Manual driving is essential: If you cannot drive a stick shift car, you cannot take part as a driver.
• The route covers several sides of southwest Mallorca: You pass the coast of Calvià, Malgratz Island, Palma’s Cathedral area, Dique del Oeste, Port Andratx, and the Camp de Mar mountains.
• Two people share one car: If you book for two, you get one Slingshot and may change drivers during the route.
• The sunset stop is at Port Andratx: This gives the tour a clear finish and a scenic reason for its late-afternoon timing.
• The driver must be at least 21: You also need two years of driving experience. Copilots can be as young as three.
• Bring proper clothing: Closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, warm clothing, and a passport or ID card are required or recommended for the outing.

Why the three-wheeled Slingshot changes the outing

A Slingshot is not a normal rental car and not quite a motorcycle. The three-wheeled design gives you a low, exposed driving position, which makes the scenery feel close and keeps the road itself part of the fun. You wear a helmet, and the vehicle is designed for the driver and copilot arrangement described by Formula Tours.

The appeal is the directness of it. You are not looking through a coach window while someone else handles the bends. You shift gears, manage the car, and follow the guide along the route. That makes even familiar parts of Mallorca feel more active.

The tradeoff is that this is a driving activity first and a sightseeing tour second. If you want a quiet sunset excursion with no concentration required, choose a boat trip or a standard coastal tour instead. You need to pay attention to the road, the gears, and the vehicles ahead.

The manual transmission rule deserves special attention. The minimum age is 21, and the driver must have at least two years of experience. You do not need to be a racing driver, but you should be comfortable starting, shifting, slowing, and handling winding roads. One useful feature is that the guide can judge how confidently you drive, and the pace can suit different skill levels within the group.

Starting in Paguera and following the Calvià coast

The tour begins at the Formula Tours office. Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start so there is time for the orientation, equipment, and vehicle arrangements. The guide explains how the Slingshot works before you set off toward Palma.

The first stretch leaves Paguera and follows the coast bordering Calvià. This is a good opening because you get a quick change of scenery: resort areas give way to open coastal views, and the three-wheeler makes the road feel more engaging than it would from a regular car.

Your guide leads the group, which matters on unfamiliar roads. The pace is intended to let confident drivers enjoy the cars while keeping slower drivers with the group. That balance is one of the strongest practical features of the tour. You should still expect some concentration, particularly if you have not driven a manual car for years.

The route is not simply a point-to-point transfer. It is planned around views and stopping places, so you get time outside the car as well as time behind the wheel. The supplied drink is useful, but food is not included. Eat beforehand if you know a late afternoon drive will leave you hungry.

First stop: Malgratz Island and the southwest shore

The first stop is at beautiful Malgratz Island. The pause gives you a chance to get out, take in the sea, and reset before the longer run toward Palma.

This stop works well early in the tour because it breaks up the driving before you reach the capital. You can take photographs and enjoy the view without trying to frame a picture while wearing a helmet or watching the road. The exact amount of time at each stop is not specified, so do not treat this as a long beach visit or a swimming break.

Bring sunglasses. The open design and coastal light can be hard on your eyes, especially when the sun is low. A towel is also listed among the suggested items, though no swimming activity is promised. Warm clothing is sensible too, since sunset air can feel cooler once the car is moving.

Palma by Slingshot: the Nautical Club and Cathedral

After Malgratz, the route continues toward Palma, Mallorca’s capital. You pass the Nautical Club and go in front of the Cathedral, giving you a fast but memorable view of the city’s waterfront and landmark architecture.

This part adds variety. The tour is not only about empty roads and mountain bends. You also get a city section, with Palma’s marina and Cathedral providing a strong contrast to the coast outside the capital. If you have not yet seen Palma from the road, this can be a useful orientation.

Do not expect a full guided visit to the Cathedral. You will pass in front of it rather than go inside, and the tour remains focused on driving. The value here is the combination of movement and views. You see a major landmark without spending the whole afternoon in a historic center.

Because this is an active vehicle tour, your attention remains divided between the surroundings and the road. If getting the perfect architectural photograph is your priority, the dedicated photo stop later in the route will be more useful.

Second stop: Dique del Oeste for photographs

The second stop takes place at the marine area of Dique del Oeste. This is the planned photo break in Palma, so have your camera or phone ready before you arrive.

A marina stop gives you a different angle on the city. Instead of viewing Palma only from busy streets, you see the waterfront, boats, and the open side of the capital. It is also a sensible point for photographs because you can leave the vehicle and take pictures without handling the car.

The stop is brief enough that you should keep your belongings organized. There is no food included, and the tour does not promise a meal or extended free time. Think of Dique del Oeste as a scenic pause, not a separate Palma sightseeing session.

From here, you return along the Paseo Maritimo in the direction of Port Andratx. This return leg links the city portion to the sunset section, so the route feels like a loop rather than a simple ride out and back on the same small roads.

Third stop: sunset at Port Andratx

Port Andratx is the main payoff of the timing. The tour schedules its third stop for sunset, giving you a chance to watch the changing light from the port before the final drive back.

The setting makes sense for the end of the tour. You have already had the adrenaline of the car, the city views around Palma, and the coastal run. At Port Andratx, you can slow down and enjoy the scene instead of trying to take it in while shifting gears.

Sunset times change through the year, so check the available start time for your date. The tour is described as a two-hour outing, which means the departure is arranged around the light, but the exact clock time is not fixed in the information provided.

Port Andratx is also the point where the tour feels most suited to couples and friends sharing a car. One person can drive the route, then you can switch during the outing if your booking is for two people. If you want two separate Slingshots, you need two separate one-person bookings. That distinction matters for couples who assume each person automatically gets a vehicle.

The mountain return through Camp de Mar

After the sunset stop, the route returns to the Formula Tours office through the mountains. You pass views toward the golf courses of Camp de Mar, giving the final section a different character from the coastal roads and Palma waterfront.

The mountain roads are a major reason to choose this activity over a basic sightseeing drive. Winding roads make the Slingshot feel purposeful, and several people have described the driving as exciting, challenging, and fun. At the same time, challenging should not be read as permission to drive recklessly. You follow the guide and remain responsible for the vehicle.

The guide leads at a pace that allows the group to stay together. That is especially helpful when drivers have different levels of manual-transmission confidence. A strong driver may find the pace controlled rather than all-out, while a less experienced driver should find it less stressful than navigating the roads alone.

The return section also gives you mountain views after the sunset stop, rather than ending the activity immediately at the port. You finish with another scenic drive, not just a short transfer back to the office.

Guides, pace, and how much driving you get

Formula Tours provides a live guide in Spanish, Dutch, French, German, or English. Javier and Alex are two guide names associated with especially positive experiences, and the guide team is described as friendly, skilled, and helpful during the orientation and drive.

The guide’s role goes beyond pointing out the route. You need someone to lead a group of unusual vehicles through city streets, coastal roads, and mountain bends. The guide also helps assess driving ability and keeps the group together. That is valuable if one person in your group is returning to manual driving after a long break.

If you book for two people, you have one car and can change drivers along the way. Decide before departure who wants the coastal section, who wants the mountain roads, and who wants to drive near sunset. The information allows a driver change, but it does not promise a particular switching location or equal driving time.

If you want the full benefit of the activity, arrive ready to drive. This is not a ride where the guide does all the work while you sit back. As a passenger, you get the views and the thrill of the car, but the driver gets the central part of the experience.

What the $69 price really includes

At $69 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a guided two-hour activity that combines a vehicle, route planning, equipment, and several scenic stops. You are paying for more than a rental period. The guide handles the route through different types of roads, and the outing includes a sunset stop that would be harder to coordinate alone.

The included helmet, child seat when necessary, and one cold drink add useful value. Food is not included, so budget for a meal before or after the drive rather than expecting refreshments beyond the drink.

The extra €30 driver insurance charge changes the final calculation. It is paid at the office and includes full insurance with a €350 excess. Read that condition carefully before booking. The advertised per-person price is not the complete driver cost, and the insurance fee applies to the person driving.

You should also consider transport to the starting point. The meeting point is the Formula Tours office, and the instructions ask you to arrive half an hour early. No pickup service is specified, so confirm your own route to the office before booking.

Who should book this Mallorca sunset tour?

I would recommend it to confident manual drivers who want an active way to see southwest Mallorca. It suits couples, friends, and small family groups that like a little adrenaline with their scenery. The route works particularly well if you want to combine coastal views, Palma landmarks, and mountain roads in one short activity.

It can also suit someone who has not driven a manual car recently but still remembers the basics. One participant had not driven stick shift for almost seven years and found the skill came back quickly. That said, you should be honest with yourself. If hill starts, tight bends, or gear changes make you nervous, you may enjoy the passenger seat more than the driver’s seat.

Children from age three can ride as copilots, provided the arrangement meets the operator’s requirements and a child seat is needed. Children under three are not suitable for the tour. Open-toed footwear is not allowed, so sandals and flip flops are out. Wear closed shoes, bring your ID or passport and credit card, and pack something warm.

The tour is less suitable for anyone seeking a slow, detailed Palma visit, a meal-based outing, or a guaranteed private drive. It is also not suitable if you cannot drive a manual transmission and want to pilot the vehicle yourself.

Booking flexibility and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is useful if your Mallorca schedule is still changing, since you do not pay at the time of booking.

Check availability for the start time because sunset departures vary. Plan to arrive at the Formula Tours office 30 minutes before departure. Bring a passport or ID card, sunglasses, a credit card, closed-toe shoes, warm clothing, and a towel.

The tour lasts two hours. A helmet and one cold drink per person are included. Food is not included, and the €30 driver insurance payment is made at the office, with a €350 excess.

Should you book the Formula Sunset Driving Tour?

Book it if you want a hands-on road adventure with Mallorca views, and you are comfortable driving a manual car. The combination of Malgratz Island, Palma’s waterfront, Dique del Oeste, Port Andratx at sunset, and the Camp de Mar mountains gives you a lot of variety in two hours.

Skip it if you want a relaxed sightseeing ride, cannot drive stick shift, or dislike the idea of an insurance excess. For the right driver, the $69 price offers good value, but remember to add the €30 insurance charge and arrive prepared for a real driving activity. The sunset is the finish, not the whole show. The fun comes from getting there.

FAQ

How long does the Formula Sunset Driving Tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $69 per person. Drivers also pay €30 for insurance at the office, with a €350 excess.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the Formula Tours office and should arrive 30 minutes before the activity begins.

What type of vehicle do I drive?

You drive a three-wheeled Slingshot-style car with a manual gearbox.

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

Yes. The cars have manual gearboxes, and you cannot drive on the tour if you cannot drive a manual or stick shift car.

What is the minimum age for the driver?

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

Can children join the tour?

Children can ride as copilots from age three. Children under three are not suitable. A child seat is available if necessary.

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, with each booking made for one person.

Which languages are available?

The live guide can provide the tour in Spanish, Dutch, French, German, or English.