From Andratx: Formula Sunset Driving Tour

The best part of this Mallorca outing is the machine itself: a low, open-feeling three-wheeled Slingshot that turns a coastal sightseeing trip into a hands-on drive. You follow a guide from Paguera toward Palma, stop for photos, then finish at Port Andratx as the sun drops over the island.

I like the mix of curvy mountain roads and sea views, and I like that the route gives you real stops instead of keeping you strapped in for two straight hours. The catch is important: the cars have manual gearboxes, and the driver must be at least 21 with two years of driving experience. If you only drive automatic cars, this is not the right tour.

Key points to know before you book

• Manual driving is essential: You must be comfortable with a stick shift to pilot the Slingshot.
• The sunset stop is in Port Andratx: The route also includes Malgratz, Palma Cathedral, Dique del Oeste, and the Paseo Maritimo.
• Two people can share one car: Driver changes are possible during the route, but two separate cars require two separate one-person bookings.
• The $69 price has an extra insurance cost: Driver insurance costs €30 at the office and includes a €350 excess.
• Bring the right gear: Closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, a passport or ID card, a credit card, and warm clothing are required or strongly advised by the operator.
• Guides speak five languages: Tours are available in Spanish, Dutch, French, German, and English.

What the Formula Sunset Driving Tour is really like

This is part scenic drive, part driving lesson, and part sunset outing. You are not simply sitting in a sightseeing vehicle while someone else handles the road. After a short orientation, you take the wheel of a Slingshot and follow the guide along Mallorca’s southwest coast.

The route lasts two hours, which is long enough to reach several notable points without turning the afternoon into a full-day commitment. I see this as a useful length for a first experience in an unusual vehicle. You get a proper taste of the car, but you still have time before dinner or an evening back in your resort.

The tour begins at the Formula Tours office. Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start, not at the last minute. You will need time for the briefing, paperwork, and any driver insurance arrangements before the cars leave.

The tour provider supplies a helmet, a cold drink, and a child seat if needed. Food is not included, so eat beforehand if you tend to get hungry during active outings. Bring a credit card because the €30 driver insurance payment is made at the office.

Getting comfortable in a three-wheeled Slingshot

The car is the main reason to choose this experience. A Slingshot does not feel like a normal rental car or a standard sightseeing vehicle. Its three-wheeled design gives the outing a sporty feel, while the open style puts the road and views much closer to you.

That also means the drive asks more of you than a passive tour. The cars use manual gearboxes, and this rule is firm. If you cannot drive a manual or stick-shift car, you cannot take the tour. I would not book this as a chance to relearn from scratch. You need to arrive already able to control the clutch, gears, steering, and traffic safely.

The minimum driver age is 21, with at least two years of driving experience. A child can ride as copilot from age three, with a child seat available if necessary. Children under three cannot join.

If two people book together, they receive one car and may change drivers along the way. This is a good arrangement for couples or friends who both want a turn. If you want two separate cars, you must make two separate bookings, each for one person. That detail matters because booking for two does not mean you automatically receive two vehicles.

From Paguera to Malgratz along the Calvià coast

The driving portion leaves Paguera and heads along the coast of Calvià toward Palma. This gives you an immediate sense of the route’s character: coastal roads, changing views, and the extra concentration that comes with driving an unfamiliar vehicle.

The first scheduled stop is at the Island of Malgratz. The stop breaks up the driving and gives you a chance to look around rather than treating the scenery as something that flashes past at road speed. It is also a practical moment to settle into the rhythm of the tour before the route continues toward Palma.

I like this structure. A drive without stops might deliver more road time, but it would make the outing feel like a vehicle rental with a guide. Malgratz helps turn it into a sightseeing route as well as a driving activity.

The exact time of the stop and the sunset depend on the day’s starting time. Check availability carefully when booking, since this is designed around late afternoon and evening light. Warm clothing is worth packing even in summer. You are exposed to the air more than you would be in a closed car, and the supplied information specifically lists warm clothing among the things to bring.

Palma’s waterfront and the Cathedral view

The route continues toward Palma, Mallorca’s capital. You pass the Nautical Club and drive in front of the Cathedral, giving you a quick but memorable look at the city’s waterfront setting.

This is not a cathedral tour or a long city walk. You should think of Palma here as a scenic section of the drive, viewed from the road rather than explored on foot. That distinction is important. If your main goal is to enter the Cathedral, wander the old town, or spend time in Palma’s museums, book a separate city visit.

The benefit is momentum. You can see one of Palma’s signature sights without giving up the coastal and mountain sections that define the rest of the trip. The driving route keeps changing, so the two-hour experience does not stay locked into one type of view.

For photographers, the moving route and short stops make sunglasses and a phone or camera useful. The operator asks you to bring a passport or ID card, and I would keep it with you rather than leaving it behind at your accommodation.

Dique del Oeste: the main photo break

The second stop takes place at the marine area of Dique del Oeste. This is the designated photo stop after Palma, so you have a chance to get out, stretch, and take pictures before heading back along the Paseo Maritimo.

This pause is valuable for anyone who wants more than a driving thrill. The Slingshots are part of the visual appeal, and a stop lets you photograph the vehicles with the waterfront setting rather than trying to take pictures while moving.

It also gives you a useful reset. Two hours in a sporty vehicle, concentrating on a manual gearbox and following a guide, can be more tiring than the short duration suggests. A planned stop makes the experience easier to enjoy, especially if you are sharing the driving and want to swap places.

The route now turns back in the direction of Port Andratx. You continue along the Paseo Maritimo before leaving the city and heading toward the sunset stop.

Port Andratx at sunset

Port Andratx is the emotional high point of the outing. The tour’s third stop is timed for sunset, giving you a different view of Mallorca from the one you get at a beach bar or hotel terrace. The Slingshot gets you there, but the reward is the pause beside the harbor and coast as the light changes.

I like that the sunset is built into the route rather than treated as an accidental bonus. The whole outing has a clear sense of direction: begin with the car, add coastal views and Palma, then finish at Port Andratx when the day is ending.

Do not expect a guaranteed postcard sky. Sunset color depends on weather and visibility, and no tour can control that. The value remains in the setting and the timing, even on a less dramatic evening.

This stop is also where the tour feels most suitable for couples, friends, and small groups looking for a shared memory. One person can drive, the other can enjoy the views, and you can change drivers during the route. Just remember that the passenger must be at least three years old.

Returning through the mountains and Camp de Mar

After Port Andratx, the route returns to the Formula Tours office through the mountains. You get views toward the golf courses of Camp de Mar on this final section.

The mountain roads are a major part of the appeal for confident drivers. Several people describe the route as exciting, with curving roads and enough challenge to make the driving feel meaningful. One useful detail is that the guides adjust the pace to the group. The lead drivers allow confident participants to enjoy the car while making sure slower drivers are not left behind.

That balance matters. A tour like this could easily become uncomfortable if the pace is set only for the fastest driver. The guide-led format gives you a planned route and support, rather than leaving you to find the most interesting roads yourself.

At the same time, you should not confuse spirited driving with a private racing session. You are on public roads, following a guide, and sharing the experience with other participants. The fun comes from handling the vehicle through Mallorca’s turns and scenery, not from trying to beat anyone.

Guides, languages, and the pace of the outing

The tour operates with live guides in Spanish, Dutch, French, German, and English. Names noted in the supplied information include Javier and Alex, both associated with especially positive comments about the briefing, route leadership, and friendly approach.

The guide has several jobs beyond showing the way. You need an orientation before setting off, help understanding the Slingshot, and a driver at the front who can keep the group together. The guide also judges how much freedom each driver can handle. That is why the experience can suit both an experienced manual driver and someone who is comfortable but not especially sporty.

The pace may vary depending on the group. Confident drivers may find some sections exciting, while cautious drivers can enjoy the views without feeling pushed to drive beyond their comfort level. If you want total control over the route and speed, rent a vehicle privately instead. If you want someone else to handle the navigation and structure the outing, the guided format is a strong advantage.

Price, insurance, and overall value

The listed price is $69 per person for two hours. That includes the guide, helmet, one cold drink, and a child seat when necessary. For a standard sightseeing drive, that would be a high hourly rate. For a guided experience in a distinctive three-wheeled vehicle, with a coastal route, photo stops, Palma views, and a timed sunset, the price is easier to justify.

You also need to budget for the €30 driver insurance charge paid at the office. The insurance is full insurance with a €350 excess. That means you still have financial responsibility up to that excess if a covered incident occurs, so read the terms carefully before driving.

Food is not included. The tour is only two hours, so this is not a major issue, but plan a meal or snack separately if your timing runs close to dinner.

For value, the strongest part is the combination of activity and sightseeing. You could spend two hours looking at Mallorca from a regular vehicle, or you can make the drive itself the attraction. The price makes the most sense for someone who genuinely wants to drive the Slingshot, not for someone who only wants to see Port Andratx at sunset.

What to bring and what can spoil the experience

Wear closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes, sandals, and flip flops are not allowed, and unsuitable footwear can stop you from driving.

Bring sunglasses, a passport or ID card, a credit card, warm clothing, and a towel. The towel is included in the operator’s suggested packing list, so follow that request even if you are not sure why it will be needed. A helmet is supplied.

Your biggest preparation task is honest self-assessment. If you have not driven a manual car in years, you might need a few minutes to get your timing back. One driver described returning to manual driving after almost seven years and finding the skill came back quickly, but that will not be true for everyone. If clutch control is rusty, practice before booking.

The tour has a 4.8 rating from 176 reviews, with especially strong praise for the cars, route, scenery, staff, and guide organization. The repeated pattern is clear: people who enjoy driving tend to value this experience highly. The main restriction is not a minor detail, it is the deciding factor.

Who should book this Mallorca drive

I would recommend it to:

• Confident manual drivers aged 21 or older
• Couples or friends who want to share one unusual vehicle
• People who want coastal and mountain scenery without committing to a full-day tour
• Visitors staying near Paguera, Calvià, Port Andratx, or the southwest of Mallorca
• Anyone who prefers an active outing to a standard sunset viewpoint
• Families with children aged three or older who can safely ride as copilots

I would skip it if you only drive automatic cars, dislike curvy roads, or want a slow and quiet sunset experience. It is also less useful if your main sightseeing goal is a long visit inside Palma, since the city section is viewed from the road and does not include extended time at the Cathedral.

The activity is based at the Formula Tours office, and you should arrive 30 minutes early. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can 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 the idea of driving a manual Slingshot along Mallorca’s coast sounds more exciting than simply watching the sunset. You get a well-shaped route, several worthwhile viewpoints, a Palma waterfront section, mountain roads, and a sunset stop at Port Andratx.

Before paying, confirm three things: you can drive stick, you meet the age and experience rules, and you are comfortable with the extra €30 insurance cost and €350 excess. If all three work for you, this is a lively and scenic way to spend two hours in southwest Mallorca, with enough driving to feel like an activity and enough stops to feel like sightseeing.

FAQ

How long is the Formula Sunset Driving Tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Formula Tours office. You should arrive 30 minutes before the activity begins.

Do I need to drive a manual car?

Yes. The Slingshots have manual gearboxes. People who cannot drive a manual or stick-shift car cannot take the tour as drivers.

How old must the driver be?

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

Can two people share one Slingshot?

Yes. If you book for two people, you receive one car, and the drivers can change during the route. Two separate cars require two separate bookings, each for one person.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a tour guide, helmet, child seat if necessary, and one cold drink per person. Food is not included, and driver insurance costs €30 at the office with a €350 excess.