Mallorca: Formula Car Tour

Mallorca looks better from a three-wheeler. This two-hour Formula Car Tour mixes open-air coastal views with the odd, noisy pleasure of driving a low-slung three-wheeled car toward Palma. I like the unusual route, which links Paguera, Malgratz, Palma, and Port Andratx, and I like that you stop for photos instead of simply racing past the scenery. The main catch is important: the cars use manual transmission, and the €30 driver insurance fee is paid separately.

You need to be at the Formula Tours office 30 minutes early with your passport or ID and driving license. The minimum driver age is 21, with two years of driving experience. If winding roads make you uneasy, or you only drive automatic cars, this is not the right outing for you.

Quick takeaways

• A rare way to see Mallorca: You drive a three-wheeled formula-style car rather than sitting in a standard tour vehicle.
• The route covers southwest Mallorca: Expect coastal Calvià, Malgratz, Palma, the Paseo Maritimo, and possibly Port Andratx.
• Three planned photo stops: Malgratz, Dique del Oeste in Palma, and Port Andratx if time and traffic allow.
• Manual driving is essential: The cars are stick shift, with no automatic option stated.
• Good for pairs: Two people booking together share one car and may change drivers during the tour.
• Budget for extra insurance: The tour costs $69 per person, plus €30 driver insurance and a €350 excess.

What makes the Mallorca Formula Car Tour different

Mallorca offers plenty of ways to see the coast, but this tour turns sightseeing into the main event. You are not simply looking through a bus window or following a guide on foot. You sit close to the road in a small three-wheeled machine, with the wind, engine noise, and bends all part of the fun.

The cars are styled to look like miniature formula racers. One even has a Batmobile appearance, depending on which vehicle you receive. That visual appeal matters here. You will attract attention, feel more exposed to the scenery, and get a much stronger sense of the road than you would in an ordinary car.

I would not confuse this with a racetrack session. The guide leads the group along public roads, including coastal routes, city streets, and mountain roads. The pleasure comes from the combination of driving, scenery, and novelty, not from setting a lap time.

The trip has a strong reputation, with a current rating of 4.7 from 506 bookings. Praise focuses on the friendly staff, clear instructions, well-kept cars, and beautiful views. One useful caution also appears: the guide’s pace can feel too fast on mountain roads for anyone who is nervous behind the wheel.

Starting in Paguera and along the Calvià coast

The tour begins at the Formula Tours office in Paguera. Arrive 30 minutes before departure, since you need time for the briefing, paperwork, insurance, and vehicle preparation. Your guide explains how the three-wheeler works before you set off.

That introduction is especially useful if you are not used to the car’s handling. The controls are familiar to anyone comfortable with a manual car, but the vehicle itself is not. Take the briefing seriously, and use the first part of the ride to get used to the steering, gear changes, and position on the road.

You leave Paguera and follow the coast through the Calvià area toward Palma. This opening section gives you an immediate taste of the tour’s appeal. You get sea views, bends, and the unusual feeling of piloting something that sits much closer to the road than a normal car.

The guide leads the group, which helps at junctions and roundabouts. That can make driving abroad less stressful, especially if you are used to driving on the other side of the road. Still, you remain responsible for driving your own vehicle, so confidence matters.

The cars are manual. This is not a minor detail buried in the fine print. If you cannot drive a stick shift car, you cannot take part as a driver. The minimum age is 21, and you must have at least two years of driving experience.

First stop at Malgratz Island

The first stop is at the beautiful Island of Malgratz, near the coast of Calvià. The pause breaks up the driving and gives you time to take in the setting without also watching the road.

This stop is a good reminder that the tour is not only about speed. The cars provide the excitement, but Mallorca supplies the scenery. You get a coastal viewpoint early in the route, before the tour moves toward the island’s capital.

The exact amount of time at each stop can vary because traffic affects the schedule. That means you should not expect a long guided visit or a detailed walk around each location. Think of Malgratz as a scenic pause and photo opportunity rather than a full sightseeing stop.

The vehicle itself is likely to become part of your photographs. Its unusual shape gives the stop a playful quality, and this is one reason the tour works well for friends, couples, and families with an eligible adult driver.

Reaching Palma and the Cathedral

From Malgratz, the group continues toward Palma. The route passes the Nautical Club and goes in front of Palma Cathedral, giving you a quick view of two of the capital’s best-known waterfront sights.

This section changes the mood. Earlier, you are enjoying the coast and open roads. In Palma, you are moving through a busier urban setting, with more traffic and a more active road environment. The guide’s lead position is helpful here, but you should stay alert and keep a sensible distance from the vehicle ahead.

The Cathedral view is brief rather than a formal visit. You do not get time to enter the building or explore the surrounding old town during this two-hour trip. Still, passing directly in front of it gives the outing a useful city landmark and helps connect the coastal drive with Mallorca’s cultural center.

If you want an in-depth Palma sightseeing day, book a separate visit. If you want a memorable drive that includes a quick look at the capital, this route delivers enough to make the stop worthwhile.

Photos at Dique del Oeste

The second planned stop is at the Dique del Oeste marina area. This is the designated place for photographs, and you should take advantage of it. The waterfront setting, the group of distinctive cars, and the open views make it one of the more practical pauses on the route.

Bring sunglasses and a phone or camera that you can handle easily. You are told to bring comfortable, closed-toe shoes, and sandals or flip-flops are not allowed. That rule makes sense for a driving activity, especially when you need secure footing around pedals.

The tour includes one drink per person. It is a small inclusion, but welcome on an open-air ride. One useful improvement would be more cold water in the support car, particularly on warmer days. Bring your own water if you know you drink often, but do not count on details beyond the included drink.

The marina stop also gives you a chance to settle down after the city portion of the drive. You can check in with the guide, take photographs, and enjoy the view before returning along the Paseo Maritimo.

Along the Paseo Maritimo toward Port Andratx

The return route follows the Paseo Maritimo in the direction of Port Andratx. This gives you another coastal stretch, but the ride is not simply a repeat of the outbound journey. You now have a better feel for the vehicle, so the driving itself may become more enjoyable.

You should expect a mix of scenic sections and ordinary road travel. The tour needs to connect several parts of southwest Mallorca, and traffic can shape the pace. The guides are praised for being friendly and attentive, with Robin singled out for providing a particularly good experience.

A guide-led convoy offers reassurance, but it does not remove every challenge. One driver found the mountain pace too fast and felt unsafe. That is worth taking seriously. If you are nervous, tell the guide early and do not feel pressured to match a speed that makes you uncomfortable.

The cars can sound mechanical and loud. One vehicle was described as noisy, with a gearbox that sounded worn, although it still performed properly. The fleet is generally described as well kept, but you should expect engine noise and some variation between individual cars.

The optional Port Andratx stop and mountain return

The third stop may be in Port Andratx, depending on time and traffic. Port Andratx is one of the southwest’s more exclusive coastal areas, with a strong marina setting and attractive surroundings.

Because this stop is conditional, do not book the tour solely for time in Port Andratx. You might stop there, or the schedule might require the group to return directly. The route information shown at the office may also differ from the actual route on the day, so ask the staff which version is planned before setting off.

From Port Andratx, or from the return point if the stop is skipped, the group heads back toward the office through the mountains. The road offers views over the golf courses around Camp de Mar and gives the tour a final change of scenery.

This mountain section is probably the most exciting part for a confident manual driver. The curves make the three-wheeler feel lively, while the higher views open up the southwest. For a cautious driver, it may be the least comfortable part. You need to be able to manage bends, gear changes, and the guide’s pace without panic.

Driving the cars: fun, but not for everyone

The three-wheelers are the star of the outing. They look dramatic, sit low, and make a normal coastal drive feel like a small adventure. Several people found them easy to get used to, even when driving abroad for the first time.

That said, the cars are not automatic. If you have only driven automatic vehicles, this activity is unsuitable. You also need confidence on winding roads, since the route includes mountain sections and bends.

The minimum age for a pilot is 21, with two years of driving experience. A copilot can be as young as three. That makes the tour possible for families, but a young passenger still needs to be comfortable in the open, lively setting.

If two people book together, you receive one car and can change drivers during the route. This is a good value choice for couples or friends who both want to drive. If you want two separate cars, each person must make a separate booking for one person.

The €30 driver insurance charge is not included in the $69 price. The cars have full insurance with a €350 excess. Add that cost before comparing this tour with other Mallorca activities. The base price is fair for two hours of guided driving, but the actual cost is higher once the required driver insurance is included.

What to bring and what to wear

The required and recommended items are straightforward:

• Passport or ID card
• Valid driving license
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes
• Sunglasses
• Warm clothing
• Towel

Warm clothing is sensible even when the forecast looks pleasant, since you are exposed to the air during the ride. The towel may be useful if you combine the tour with time near the coast, though its specific use is not explained.

Do not wear sandals or flip-flops. They are not permitted. Secure shoes are particularly important in a manual vehicle, where you need reliable control of the pedals.

The guide can provide help in Spanish, English, French, or German. Helmets are included, as are child seats. You also receive one drink per person.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you enjoy driving, want a different view of Mallorca, and feel comfortable with manual cars. It is especially appealing for couples or friends who want to share a vehicle and swap drivers along the way.

Families can also enjoy it, since copilots can be as young as three and child seats are included. The adult driver must still meet the age and experience rules, and the child needs to be comfortable with the open-air, engine-powered format.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet sightseeing trip, a long stop at each attraction, or a relaxed drive at your own pace. You follow the guide and the group, and traffic can alter the route. The tour also may not suit anyone who feels unsafe on mountain roads.

The strongest parts are the friendly instruction, the striking cars, and the mix of coast, city, marina, and mountain views. The weaker points are the extra insurance fee, manual gearbox, possible vehicle noise, and the chance that Port Andratx receives only a short stop or no stop at all.

Should you book the Mallorca Formula Car Tour?

Book it if the car matters as much to you as the destination. At $69 per person for two hours, it offers good value for an active sightseeing outing, especially when two people can share one vehicle and trade drivers. Just remember to add the €30 driver insurance cost and consider the €350 excess.

You will get the most from it if you drive manual cars regularly and enjoy winding roads. Ask about the day’s route before departure, arrive early, wear proper shoes, and speak up if the pace feels too quick. For confident drivers, this is a lively way to connect Paguera, Palma, Malgratz, Port Andratx, and Camp de Mar in one compact outing.

FAQ

How long is the Mallorca Formula Car Tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

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

Where does the tour start?

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

What driving license and experience do I need?

The pilot must be at least 21 years old and have at least two years of driving experience. You also need a valid driving license.

Can I drive if I only know how to use an automatic car?

No. The cars have manual gearboxes, so you must be able to drive a stick shift car.

Can two people share one car?

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

Can a child ride as a copilot?

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

What languages are available for the guide?

Guides are available in Spanish, English, French, and German.