A three-wheeled thrill in the Tramuntana mountains. This Formula car tour is a fun way to experience Mallorca’s northern coast, mixing real driving with major viewpoint stops like Sa Foradada. I like the tight focus on scenery you can actually enjoy from the road, and I really like the built-in photo moments at Puerto Portals and around Palma’s cathedral area. One thing to consider: the cars are manual, so if you can’t drive stick shift, you’re out.

You’ll start from the Formula Tours garage/office in Paguera and head out with a bilingual guide who explains things in multiple languages. Over about 4 hours, you’ll get a guided route, helmets, a bottle of water, and time to pause for a drink at the second big stop. The overall vibe is outdoorsy and scenic, with a small dose of responsibility because you’re the driver.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Fast

• Manual Formula car driving on twisty Sierra de Tramuntana roads (real thrill, real focus)
• Sa Foradada viewpoint stop for coffee and postcard photos
• Photo-friendly timing for Puerto Portals and Palma’s cathedral area
• Scenic northern route toward Soller and Deia with multiple lookouts
• Helmets + child seat included, plus multilingual guidance
• Cala Fornells cove as a calm finish before returning to Paguera

A Formula Car on Mallorca: Why This Feels Different

This tour is not about buses. It’s about the road. When you drive in the Sierra de Tramuntana, the experience stays active the whole time: you’re steering, braking, and watching the scenery roll by in a way that feels more personal than sightseeing from a passenger window.

The other reason it works is that Mallorca’s north side is packed with payoff views. You’re not just passing through; you’re stopping at meaningful spots, including a viewpoint named Sa Foradada. That’s where the tour turns from driving fun into full-on scenery appreciation.

One more practical win: you don’t need to plan anything beyond showing up with the right documents and gear. Water and helmets are included, and the guide handles the route and stops.

Driver Requirements and Meeting at the Formula Tours Garage

Plan to arrive 30 minutes early at the Formula Tours office/garage. That extra time matters because the tour starts with an explanation from your guide in several languages.

Here’s the big rule you need to respect: the cars are manual. The tour also has age requirements—minimum age for the pilot is 21 with 2 years of driving experience. If you’re traveling with a child, there’s a child seat included, and the minimum age for a copilot is 3.

If you’re booking for two people, you should know how the cars work:

• You’ll have one car for the two bookings, and it’s possible to change the driver on the way.
• If you want two different cars, you need to make two separate bookings.

That setup is great for couples and friends who are comfortable sharing the wheel, but it can be disappointing if you were expecting two cars for a pair.

Morning Route in a Nutshell: Paguera, Calvià, and Puerto Portals

After leaving Paguera (bordering the coast of Calvià), the route keeps things moving and scenic. You’ll pass areas with points of interest and head toward one of the more famous stops: Puerto Portals.

Puerto Portals is known for its “exclusive” feel, and on this tour it’s more than just a quick drive-by. You get an actual stop there, which is a big help because it gives you time to reset and take photos without the pressure of keeping up with traffic.

From there, you’ll continue onward to the capital—Palma—with sightseeing moments that are designed for short pauses rather than long walks. That matters because the total tour time is only about 4 hours.

Palma Stops: Nautical Club, the Cathedral Area, and Passeig Moments

Palma is where the tour briefly switches gears from coast-and-mountains to city icons. You’ll pass the Nautical Club and also go in front of Palma’s cathedral, giving you a visual hit even if you don’t have time for a full museum or guided history session.

You’ll also travel along the Passeo Maritimo, which is a smart choice for a driving tour. It’s a straightforward way to get sea-and-city views in a short window.

What I like about this part: you’re not stuck waiting for a parking situation or trying to cram a long urban day into a half day. The city moments are brief but well placed, so the rest of the tour can focus on what you actually came for—driving and viewpoints.

The Main Event: Sierra de Tramuntana Toward Soller and Deia

Once you head north from Palma toward Soller and Deia, the driving becomes the point. This is where Sierra de Tramuntana earns its reputation. The roads offer plenty of fun turns, and the route is set up so you get to take in views from the best areas rather than only seeing them from one angle.

You’ll also get chances to stop and look. These pauses are useful because they turn driving effort into instant scenery reward. Instead of watching the mountains while you focus on the road, you get moments to breathe and frame photos without rushing.

A small detail that can affect your comfort: this is an outdoor, mountain-style ride. Even if it’s warm when you start, you’ll be better off with warm clothing on hand. The tour instructions explicitly call for it, and you’ll appreciate that guidance once you’re up in the north.

Also, keep expectations realistic about the car experience beyond driving. One rider noted the music system choice could be better. If you care about your soundtrack, it’s worth coming with a mindset that this is about the route, not a top-tier stereo playlist.

Sa Foradada Viewpoint: Coffee Time and Big Photo Energy

Your second major stop is at the Sa Foradada viewpoint. This is the signature moment for a reason: it’s a named lookout, and the tour gives you time to enjoy it.

The schedule includes the possibility of having a coffee at the viewpoint and visiting the viewpoint area. That break is genuinely important. After hours of driving focus, a stop here lets you shift from steering mode to scenery mode.

From a photo standpoint, you’ll get one of those “pause now, don’t rush” moments. The tour is positioned so you’re in the right area to see Mallorca’s northern coast and mountains, and Sa Foradada is where those views become the highlight.

If you’re the type who likes golden-hour photos, this is also the kind of stop where timing can make a difference. Even on a short tour, having a defined viewpoint stop gives you something you can work with.

The Return Loop: Valdemossa, Calvià, and Cala Fornells

On the way back, you’ll go through Valdemossa and Calvià before heading into Cala Fornells. Cala Fornells is where the tour slows down again with a cove stop—exactly the kind of contrast that makes the whole day feel balanced.

Coves can be busy at peak times, so what helps here is that you’re seeing it as part of a route rather than as a standalone long beach day. You don’t need to plan a full beach schedule. You just get the viewpoint/setting moment and then the ride back to Paguera.

By the time you’re finishing around Paguera, the day feels like a loop of experiences: sea glances in Palma, mountain driving with lookout stops, a signature viewpoint with coffee, and then a calmer coastal finish.

Price and Insurance Reality: Getting Value Without Surprises

The listed price is $93 per person for a roughly 4-hour experience. For that money, you get several real perks:

• Helmets
• One bottle of water per person
• Bilingual guide
• Child seat (where needed)
• A guided route that hits major picture stops

What’s not included is also important for budgeting: food is not included, and there’s no hotel pickup. So think of this as a driving + viewpoints tour, not a meal plan.

Now, the big caution: insurance. You’ll pay 30€ insurance for the driver in the office. The note says it’s a full insurance with an excess of 350€. In plain terms, there’s a potential cost if something happens and the excess applies.

One rider experienced an accident right after starting, and later reported an additional 350€ charge. The takeaway for you is simple: before you go out, ask the team at the office to explain how the 350€ excess works in practice. Get clarity in writing or in plain language before you sign anything.

This is the difference between feeling confident and feeling blindsided. The tour can still be worth it—just treat the insurance part like a mandatory checklist item, not a footnote.

What to Bring for Comfort (and What to Wear)

The tour is outdoors and mountain-adjacent, so bring practical things.

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Driver’s license
• Credit card (required in the info list)
• Sunglasses
• Closed-toe shoes
• Warm clothing
• Towel

Don’t bring:

• Open-toed shoes
• Sandals or flip flops

It’s not just about rules. Closed-toe shoes help with driving comfort and foot protection, especially on a manual car where your feet need to work.

Also, pack light but smart. You’ll be stopping for viewpoints and photos, so having your essentials ready (ID/license, sunglasses, a layer) beats scrambling once you’re on the road.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip)

This is a great fit if you:

• Can drive manual and want a hands-on way to see Mallorca
• Love mountain roads and viewpoints more than museum time
• Want a half-day that mixes sea, city stops, and a signature lookout
• Travel with someone who can share driving (the tour allows swapping drivers when two people book for one car)

It’s not a great fit if you:

• Can’t drive manual transmission
• Expect food included
• Want hotel pickup or a fully guided city walking itinerary

If you’re traveling with kids, the tour includes a child seat, and the minimum copilot age is 3, so it can work for families who don’t mind an active ride and short stops.

Should You Book the Formula Car Tour to Sa Foradada?

If you want Mallorca to feel active—roads, steering, viewpoints, and photo stops—this is a strong choice. The combination of Sierra de Tramuntana driving, a named stop at Sa Foradada, and quick hits in Puerto Portals and Palma makes the half-day feel packed without being chaotic.

My recommendation comes with two “do this first” tips: confirm you’re comfortable driving a manual car, and ask the office to spell out the 30€ insurance and the 350€ excess so there are no surprises later.

Book it if you’re the type who likes being out there, not just looking out. Skip it if manual driving is not in your comfort zone or if you’re hoping for a meal-inclusive, low-responsibility outing.

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