From Andratx: Formula Sunset Driving Tour

The best part of this sunset drive is the car itself. A three-wheeled Slingshot sits much closer to the road than a normal tour vehicle, so Mallorca’s coast, tight bends, and mountain views feel immediate. You start near Paguera, run toward Palma, then return through Port Andratx as the light softens.

I like the smart route, which combines Malgratz, Palma Cathedral, Dique del Oeste, and Port Andratx in one short outing. I also like the guide team’s balance: drivers who want a spirited run can enjoy the bends, while the lead vehicles keep slower drivers with the group. The catch is important: you must be at least 21, have two years of driving experience, and know how to use a manual gearbox.

Key points to know before booking

• Manual Slingshots make the drive part of the attraction: Automatic-only drivers cannot take part.
• The route mixes coast, city, harbor, and mountains: You see far more than one sunset viewpoint.
• Port Andratx is the main evening stop: The tour is timed to reach this harbor for sunset.
• Two people share one car: You may change drivers during the route, but two cars require separate one-person bookings.
• The basic price is $69 per person: A full driver insurance option costs an additional €30 and has a €350 excess.
• Closed shoes and warm clothing matter: Sandals are not allowed, and the open car can feel cool after sunset.

What this Mallorca driving tour is really like

This is not a sightseeing trip where you sit behind glass and wait for the next viewpoint. You are part of the action, handling a manual three-wheeled vehicle while a guide leads the group along the southwest coast.

That changes the pace and the feel. You need to watch the road, shift gears, follow the group, and leave room to enjoy the views. The Slingshot gives the route its edge, but it also means you should arrive ready to drive rather than simply ride.

The tour lasts two hours and costs $69 per person. For that price, you receive the guide, helmet, one cold drink, and a route that links several popular parts of southwest Mallorca. The main extra cost is the driver insurance, priced at €30 at the office, with a €350 excess.

I see the price as fair for someone who wants an activity rather than a standard coastal transfer. You are paying for the vehicle, guide support, route planning, and sunset timing. It is less attractive if your main aim is a long, quiet look at Palma or a relaxed meal by the water, since much of your attention goes to driving.

Getting ready at the Formula Tours office

You need to arrive at the Formula Tours office 30 minutes before the scheduled start. That extra time is useful because the guide must give you an orientation before the vehicles leave.

Bring your passport or ID card and a credit card. You also need closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, and warm clothing. A towel is listed among the recommended items, though the supplied details do not explain exactly when you will use it.

The footwear rule is firm. Open-toed shoes, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed. This is sensible for a manual car, where you need secure foot control, but it can catch you out if you have spent the day at the beach.

The cars use manual gearboxes. If you cannot drive a stick shift, you cannot take the tour. This is not the place to relearn clutch control from scratch, especially with a group route and mountain roads ahead.

The minimum age for a driver is 21, with at least two years of driving experience. A copilot can be as young as three, so families can use the passenger seat if the child meets the age requirement. Children under three cannot take part.

Sharing the Slingshot with a second person

A booking for two people gives you one car. You can change drivers along the way, which makes the price easier to justify for a couple or two friends who both want time behind the wheel.

If you want two separate cars, you must make two separate bookings, each for one person. This detail matters. A two-person booking does not automatically mean two vehicles.

The supplied information does not specify how long each person drives or exactly where the driver change takes place. Ask the office or guide at the start if sharing the wheel is central to your plans.

The group also appears to include different driving abilities. The guides lead the faster drivers through the bends while making sure slower participants do not get left behind. That is a good setup for a mixed group, but you should not expect a private, all-out sports drive.

From Paguera toward Malgratz

After the briefing, the group leaves Paguera and follows the coast through the Calvià area toward Palma. The first section gives you time to settle into the Slingshot, get used to its three-wheel handling, and find a comfortable rhythm with the manual gearbox.

The first stop is at the beautiful island of Malgratz. This is the first chance to pause and take in the coastal setting rather than concentrate only on the road.

The appeal here is variety. You are not spending the full two hours on one straight coastal road. The route uses the coast as a thread between several different stops, so the drive itself becomes part of the sightseeing.

Still, the timetable is tight. The tour includes three main stops and a return through the mountains in only two hours. You should expect brief photo and viewing breaks, not long periods at each location.

Palma’s Cathedral and the Dique del Oeste

The route continues into Palma, passing the Nautical Club and going in front of the Cathedral. This gives you a quick city highlight without turning the experience into a walking tour.

Seeing the Cathedral from the Slingshot is useful if you want a taste of Palma during a wider southwest Mallorca outing. You will not have time to explore the old town, go inside the Cathedral, or linger around the city. Think of this as a moving city view and a route marker, not a cultural visit.

The second stop is at the marine area of Dique del Oeste. Here, you can get out and take photos. The stop adds a different mood to the outing, with boats, harbor views, and the city nearby.

I like this pause because driving a small open vehicle can make you focus on the mechanics of the route. A photo stop lets you slow down and actually record the places you have passed. If you are hoping for a detailed Palma photo session, though, this will feel short.

Port Andratx at sunset

The third stop is Port Andratx, the main reason to choose this departure time. The tour is designed to reach the harbor as the sun goes down, giving you a viewpoint that feels very different from a regular beach sunset.

Port Andratx is also a natural point in the route. After the city and harbor section, the group turns back toward the starting office, with the late light now changing the coast and hills around you.

Sunset timing can vary with the season, so check the available starting time when you book. The key point is that the tour is built around an evening arrival at Port Andratx, not simply a fixed drive that happens to finish after dark.

Bring a warm layer. The open design and evening air can feel much cooler after the sun drops, even if the afternoon began warm. Sunglasses are useful earlier in the route, while warm clothing becomes more important during the return.

The mountain return through Camp de Mar

After Port Andratx, the route returns through the mountains, with views toward the golf courses of Camp de Mar. This is where the driving side of the experience becomes especially important.

The roads are described as curvy and challenging, and the feedback about the tour repeatedly highlights the mountain section. Drivers who enjoy bends and responsive vehicles will likely find this the most exciting part. You get to use the Slingshot in a setting that feels more active than a simple coastal cruise.

The word challenging should not be ignored. You need to be comfortable with a manual car and attentive on winding roads. The guides set the pace and keep the group together, but you remain responsible for driving within your ability.

One useful feature of the guide system is that it can accommodate different skill levels. The lead drivers let capable participants enjoy the car’s potential while avoiding a situation where a less confident driver has to race to keep up. Your experience may depend partly on how the guide assesses your driving.

How much driving excitement should you expect?

The Slingshot is the star, but this is still a guided road tour. You follow the route and the lead vehicles rather than choosing your own roads or stopping whenever you wish.

The car’s three-wheel design gives it a distinct feel. You sit low, the vehicle feels exposed compared with a normal car, and the road becomes more engaging. That helps explain why the tour appeals to people who already have some driving experience and want something unusual to operate.

The guides are central to the experience. Javier is specifically praised for his work, and Alex is also singled out as friendly and helpful. The guide team speaks Spanish, Dutch, French, German, and English, so you can request the language that suits you when checking availability.

The driving style is not identical for everyone. Your pace may be affected by the rest of the group, road conditions, and the guide’s judgment of your ability. That is a positive safety feature, but anyone expecting a private performance drive should adjust their expectations.

Insurance, value, and the real cost

The advertised price is $69 per person. It includes the tour guide, helmet, a child seat if needed, and one cold drink per person.

Driver insurance is not included. You can pay €30 at the office for full insurance with a €350 excess. Because the excess remains substantial, read the terms carefully before you decide. The supplied details do not give further information about deposits, damage procedures, or other possible charges, so ask before setting off.

For two people sharing one Slingshot, the basic cost is $138 total, plus any insurance chosen for the driver. That is reasonable if both of you value the driving and the scenic route. It is not a bargain sightseeing bus, and you should compare it with other Mallorca activities based on how much you want to drive.

The included cold drink is a small benefit, not a meal replacement. Food is not included, so eat beforehand if you do not want to spend the two hours hungry. The route includes stops, but no food break is listed.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to:

• Drivers aged 21 or older who are comfortable with manual cars
• Couples or friends who want to share one unusual vehicle
• Visitors staying around Paguera, Calvià, Palma, or Port Andratx
• People who want scenery and a hands-on activity in the same outing
• Families with children aged three or older who can ride as copilots
• Anyone who enjoys curvy roads and does not mind a guided group pace

I would look elsewhere if you cannot drive a manual car, dislike winding roads, or want a calm sunset with no driving duties. It is also not ideal if you are staying in northern Mallorca and do not want to make the trip south. One participant drove down from the Alcúdia area and found the journey worthwhile, but the route is based in the southwest, so location matters.

Practical tips for a smoother drive

Arrive 30 minutes early. Use that time to complete any office arrangements, discuss the insurance, and ask about changing drivers.

Wear secure closed shoes with soles that give you good pedal control. Pack a warm layer even in summer, and keep sunglasses handy for the brighter first part of the route.

If you are sharing the car, agree in advance who wants the first and final driving sections. The supplied details allow a driver change during the route but do not promise a particular change point.

Do not treat the tour as a race. The guides have received strong praise for managing both enthusiastic and slower drivers, and the best experience comes from enjoying the road without pushing beyond your skill.

Check the start time carefully. The tour’s appeal depends on reaching Port Andratx near sunset, and the exact light changes through the year.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mallorca schedule is still shifting.

Should you book the Formula Sunset Driving Tour?

Book it if you want Mallorca sightseeing with a steering wheel in your hands. The route packs coast, Malgratz, Palma, Dique del Oeste, Port Andratx, and mountain roads into two hours, and the sunset stop gives the outing a clear sense of purpose.

The strongest reasons to go are the unusual three-wheeled car, the varied southwest route, and the guide team’s ability to handle different driving speeds. Javier and Alex are names worth remembering if you want to ask for the guide team at the office.

Skip it if you need an automatic car, a long stop at Palma Cathedral, or a quiet sunset without roadwork. Also budget for the €30 insurance option if you want the extra cover, and remember the €350 excess.

For the right driver, $69 is a fair price for a short, memorable Mallorca activity. It is not just a sunset viewpoint. It is a sunset reached by manual gearbox, coastal roads, and a return through the hills.

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 driving tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $69 per person.

Is driver insurance included?

No. Driver insurance costs €30 at the office. It is full insurance with a €350 excess.

What type of vehicle will I drive?

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

Can I join if I cannot drive a manual car?

No. The cars have manual gearboxes, and people who cannot drive a stick shift cannot take the tour.

How old must the driver be?

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

Can a child ride as a copilot?

Yes. The minimum copilot age is three years old, and a child seat is available if needed. Children under three cannot join.

Can two people share one car?

Yes. A booking for two people provides one car, and you may change drivers during the route. Two separate cars require two separate one-person bookings.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring a passport or ID card, sunglasses, a credit card, closed-toe shoes, warm clothing, and a towel. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.

Which languages are available?

The live guides speak Spanish, Dutch, French, German, and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.