From Andratx: Formula Sunset Driving Tour

The best part of this Mallorca sunset tour is that you do not simply sit and watch the coast go by. You drive it yourself in a three-wheeled Slingshot, following the road from Paguera toward Palma, then returning through the hills to Port Andratx for sunset. I like the mix of open-air driving and proper sightseeing, especially the Palma Cathedral views and the stop at Malgratz. I also like that guides such as Javier and Alex have been singled out for clear instruction and strong road leadership.

The main catch is simple: these cars have manual gearboxes, and the primary driver must be at least 21 with two years of driving experience. The extra driver insurance costs 30 euros and carries a 350 euro excess, so you should count that into the price before booking. If you cannot drive a stick shift, this is not the right outing for you.

Key points at a glance

• Drive a three-wheeled Slingshot: The car is the attraction, not just transport between viewpoints.
• Follow a varied coastal route: You travel from Paguera past Malgratz and Palma, then return through Camp de Mar.
• See Palma from the road: The route passes the Nautical Club and the Cathedral before stopping at Dique del Oeste.
• Save the sunset for Port Andratx: The third stop is timed for sunset, giving the tour its strongest scenic moment.
• Expect a lively but managed drive: Guides allow a spirited pace when suitable while keeping slower drivers with the group.
• Budget for insurance: Driver cover costs 30 euros and includes a 350 euro excess.

Why this two-hour drive is different

Mallorca has plenty of boat trips, bus excursions, and lookout points. This experience takes another route: it turns the road itself into the main event. You sit low in a three-wheeled car, work the clutch and gears, and feel the bends rather than watching them through a coach window.

That makes the experience more involving than a standard sightseeing tour. You still get planned stops and a guide-led route, but you also have the fun of learning how the Slingshot handles. The cars are described as enjoyable on the road, and the strongest praise has focused on the driving itself, the scenery, and the quality of the guides.

I would think of the tour as part scenic drive, part supervised motoring experience. It is not a racing session, and it is not a quiet sunset transfer. The pace can feel exciting on curving roads, but the guide leads the group and makes sure slower drivers are not abandoned.

The timing also works well. You begin in the afternoon, see Mallorca in daylight, pass through Palma, and reach Port Andratx for the island’s evening colors. The short two-hour format gives you a taste of several areas without taking up an entire day.

Starting in Paguera with a short orientation

You meet at the Formula Tours office and should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start. That extra time matters because you need to handle the practical steps before driving, including the briefing and any insurance arrangements.

The guide gives you a short orientation before the group sets off. This is where you should pay close attention to the car controls, the route instructions, and the driving expectations. If you have not driven a manual car for a while, use this time to get comfortable with the clutch and gear changes.

The cars are manual. That requirement is firm. You need to know how to operate a stick shift before arriving, since the tour is not suitable for someone who can only drive an automatic. The minimum age for the driver is 21, and you need at least two years of driving experience.

A second person can ride as copilot from age three. If two people book together, they share one car and can change drivers during the route. If you want two separate cars, each person must make an individual booking. That is an important distinction for couples or friends who both want the full driving time.

The tour includes a helmet, and a child seat is available if needed. You also receive one cold drink per person. Food is not included, so eat beforehand if you know you will be hungry after a hands-on drive.

Malgratz brings the first coastal views

The route leaves Paguera and follows the coast of Calvià toward Palma. The first stop is at the beautiful island of Malgratz, giving you an early break from the car and a chance to take in the sea views.

This opening section is useful because it eases you into the experience. You get the excitement of the Slingshot, but you are not locked into continuous driving for the full two hours. The planned stop lets you reset, take photographs, and enjoy the setting before the route becomes more urban around Palma.

I like this balance. A driving tour can become tiring if it offers no pause, especially in a vehicle that asks more of you than a normal car. Malgratz gives the trip a scenic anchor early on, while the coastal road provides the first sense of Mallorca as a place to drive rather than simply observe.

Do not expect a long visit at each stop. This is a compact outing with several points of interest, so the stops are designed for views and photographs rather than a full walking visit. If your main goal is a slow beach day, this tour will feel busy. If you want several different views in a short period, the rhythm works well.

Passing Palma and the Cathedral

The route continues toward Palma, Mallorca’s capital. You pass the Nautical Club and drive in front of the Cathedral, giving you a memorable city view from the road.

This part adds variety. The tour is not limited to mountain bends or remote coastal roads. You also see the capital’s waterfront and one of its defining landmarks. The Cathedral is especially effective from this angle because you get the contrast of historic architecture, harbor activity, and the open road.

You should treat this as a drive-by sight rather than a Cathedral visit. There is no time built in for entering the building, exploring the old town, or stopping for a meal. If you want to see Palma properly, plan a separate visit on another day.

Still, the route gives you a useful first look at the city without sacrificing the main purpose of the tour. I like that you get a slice of Palma while remaining in the Slingshot and keeping the outing focused on movement.

The photo stop at Dique del Oeste

The second stop is at the marine area of Dique del Oeste. This is the designated photo break after the Palma section, and it gives you another chance to step out, stretch, and take pictures before the return route.

The stop matters because the views change again. Malgratz provides a more open coastal setting, while Dique del Oeste places you closer to Palma’s waterfront and harbor environment. Together, the two stops help the tour feel like a broad look at southwestern Mallorca rather than a single scenic road.

Bring your phone or camera, but keep your belongings secure and practical. You will also want sunglasses, particularly if the afternoon light is strong. The company asks you to bring a passport or ID card and a credit card, so do not arrive with only a phone wallet and no identification.

This is not a food stop. Food is excluded, and the schedule is built around driving, scenery, and the later sunset stop. A snack before departure is sensible.

Port Andratx saves the best light for last

The third stop is Port Andratx, where you watch the sunset. This is the emotional center of the tour and the reason the late departure works so well.

Port Andratx has a strong setting for evening views, and arriving there after the coastal and city sections gives the stop a feeling of payoff. You have already driven the Slingshot, seen Malgratz, passed Palma, and paused at Dique del Oeste. Now the pace slows and the focus shifts to the changing light.

The sunset is weather dependent, of course. Clear conditions should give you the best chance of seeing the colors, while cloud or haze can change the effect. Warm clothing is worth bringing even in summer, since the air can feel cooler after the sun drops and the open cars provide little shelter.

This is also a good point to remember that the tour is more than an adrenaline activity. The driving gets you to the views, but the sunset asks you to stop and enjoy them. I like that the itinerary does not treat scenery as something to glance at while rushing from one road to the next.

Returning through Camp de Mar

After Port Andratx, the group returns to the Formula Tours office by way of the mountains. The route includes views over the golf courses of Camp de Mar, adding a final change of scenery before the tour ends.

The return section should appeal most to people who enjoy curving roads. Several comments about the experience have highlighted the mountain drive, the handling of the cars, and the fun of putting the Slingshot through bends. Guides lead the group and keep the pace suitable for the drivers, rather than allowing the fastest person to disappear ahead.

That group management is important. A driving tour can become stressful if you feel pressured to match a stronger driver. Here, the guide can let confident drivers enjoy a livelier pace while making sure slower participants remain part of the convoy.

You should still expect to concentrate. This is not a passive ride, and Mallorca’s mountain roads require attention. If you are nervous behind the wheel, you can enjoy the copilot seat instead, provided the driver meets the age and experience rules. The activity lets you share the car, so one person can drive while the other takes in the scenery.

How the Slingshot feels on the road

The three-wheeled layout is the key novelty. You are not handling a normal rental car, and the open design makes the road and weather feel more immediate. The experience is likely to appeal to anyone who enjoys trying unusual vehicles rather than simply hiring a familiar car.

The manual transmission adds to the involvement. You have to coordinate clutch, throttle, gears, steering, and the road ahead. For someone who has driven a stick shift recently, that can feel natural and rewarding. One person who had not driven a manual car for nearly seven years still found the old muscle memory returned quickly, but you should not rely on that if you have little or no manual experience.

The guides also appear to adjust the experience to driving ability. Stronger drivers may be allowed to make more of the car’s potential on the tighter turns, while less confident drivers can keep to a calmer pace. You should never treat that as permission to drive recklessly. The guide’s job is to keep the group safe and together.

The vehicle is part of the reason this tour costs more than a basic viewpoint visit. You are paying for the car, instruction, guided route, helmet, group logistics, and a planned sunset stop. At $69 per person, I consider it fair value for someone who wants an active experience. It is less attractive if you only want photographs, since many of the same coastal views can be seen through other activities.

The extra insurance and what the price really covers

The advertised price is $69 per person. Driver insurance is not included and costs an additional 30 euros at the office. The policy is full insurance with a 350 euro excess.

You should read that condition carefully before booking. Full insurance does not mean there is no financial responsibility. The excess is the amount you could still be liable for under the stated terms, so ask the office to explain the coverage if you are unsure.

The price includes the live guide, helmet, child seat when necessary, and one cold drink. Food is not included, and there is no promise of hotel transport in the information provided, so plan your way to and from the Formula Tours office.

The reserve-now-and-pay-later option can help if your schedule is still changing. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the available start times before booking because the exact departure time will affect the sunset portion.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it most strongly to confident manual drivers who want a scenic activity with some excitement. Couples are a good match, especially if they want to share one car and switch drivers along the way. Friends can also enjoy it, provided everyone understands that two people booking together receive one vehicle.

It suits adults and families with children aged three and older, but the child will ride as a copilot rather than a driver. Families should consider the open-air format, the helmet, the road time, and the need for closed-toe shoes before booking.

You should choose another activity if you cannot drive a manual car, dislike curving roads, or want a relaxed sightseeing trip with no driving responsibility. You should also think twice if the extra 30 euro insurance cost and 350 euro excess do not fit your budget.

The language choice is a useful plus. Guides can conduct the tour in Spanish, Dutch, French, German, or English. Names such as Javier and Alex have been connected with particularly strong guiding on this experience, though guide assignments can change.

What to bring and what to wear

Bring your passport or ID card, credit card, sunglasses, closed-toe shoes, warm clothing, and a towel. The towel may be useful if you want an extra practical item for the coastal outing, though the supplied information does not specify a particular water activity.

Open-toed shoes, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed. Wear shoes that give you secure control of the pedals and clothes that will be comfortable in a moving open car.

Warm clothing is not just a winter tip. The tour ends around sunset, and the return through the hills may feel cooler than the afternoon departure. You will have a better time if you can focus on the road and views instead of wishing you had packed another layer.

Should you book the Formula Sunset Driving Tour?

Book it if you want Mallorca sightseeing with your hands on the wheel. The route combines Malgratz, Palma, Dique del Oeste, Port Andratx, and Camp de Mar in two hours, while the Slingshot gives the trip a genuine sense of occasion.

I especially like the way the tour combines mountain driving and sunset views. The guides have earned strong praise for being friendly, capable, and attentive to different driving speeds, and the activity has a high rating of 4.8 from 176 reviews.

Skip it if you need an automatic car, want a long stop at Palma Cathedral, or prefer a quiet coach-style excursion. For the right driver, though, $69 per person is a sensible price for a guided coastal drive, an unusual vehicle, and a sunset at Port Andratx, provided you also budget for the insurance.

FAQ

How long is the Formula Sunset Driving Tour?

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

Where does the tour meet?

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

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $69 per person. Driver insurance costs an additional 30 euros and includes a 350 euro excess.

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

Yes. The cars have manual gearboxes, and you cannot join as a driver if you cannot operate a manual or stick shift car.

What is the minimum age to drive?

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

Can children ride in the car?

Yes. The minimum age for a copilot is three years old, and a child seat is available if necessary. Children under three are not suitable for the activity.

Can two people share one car?

Yes. If two people book together, they receive one car and can change drivers during the route.

Can two people book separate cars?

Yes, but each person must make a separate booking for one person if they want two different cars.

What languages are available?

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