REVIEW · MALLORCA
Mallorca: Formula Car Tour to Sa Foradada
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Formula Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Three wheels and a view that makes you slow down. This 4-hour Mallorca formula car tour turns sightseeing into hands-on driving, rolling from the coast into the Sierra de Tramuntana for big northern-coast panoramas. You’ll also get guided stops for photos, including Puerto Portals and Palma’s cathedral area.
I really like the combination of scenic viewpoints and the “you’re actually driving” part. I also like that the stop at Sa Foradada isn’t just a quick photo moment; you can pause for a drink and breathe in the mountain air before heading back.
One real consideration: these are manual cars, and if you can’t drive stick, you’re not able to do the tour. Also note the extra driver insurance cost of 30€ with a 350€ excess that’s not included in the base price.
In This Review
- Key highlights to look for
- Why drive a formula car through Mallorca’s Tramuntana?
- The coast-to-city stretch: Puerto Portals and Palma in one loop
- Up toward Soller and Deia: where the views start to hit
- Sa Foradada viewpoint: the pause that turns the drive into a story
- The return loop: Valldemossa, Calvià, and Cala Fornells
- Cars, rules, and what it really means that it’s manual
- Price and the add-on you need to budget for
- Who should book this tour (and who should skip it)
- Practical tips for a smooth 4 hours
- Should you book the Mallorca Formula Car Tour to Sa Foradada?
- FAQ
- What is the duration of the Mallorca Formula Car Tour to Sa Foradada?
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- What is included in the price?
- What is not included?
- Is the car automatic or manual?
- How old does the pilot and copilot need to be?
- What languages are the live guides?
Key highlights to look for
- Formula car thrill on winding mountain roads with a real guided route
- Puerto Portals and Palma photo stops, including the cathedral area
- Sa Foradada viewpoint break with time for coffee and photos
- Northern-coast viewpoints toward Soller and Deia for dramatic scenery
- Helmet and child seat included, plus a bilingual live guide
- Guide support that can keep the ride moving smoothly, even if nerves hit early
Why drive a formula car through Mallorca’s Tramuntana?
Mallorca is famous for beaches, sure. But this tour is about the other side of the island: the roads that rise, curve, and suddenly reveal long stretches of coast far below. When you’re driving a three-wheeled formula-style car, those turns feel more intense than they do in a normal car, and that’s exactly the point.
I like that the experience is guided, not random. You get an explanation in multiple languages, then the route keeps you moving between places that make sense geographically: coast, city, then up toward the Tramuntana viewpoints. The result is a day that feels like you saw more than you would from a bus window.
And yes, the pictures are part of it. You’re set up for classic postcard angles around Puerto Portals and Palma, then for higher-elevation views on the northern side of the island.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Mallorca.
The coast-to-city stretch: Puerto Portals and Palma in one loop
The tour starts with you meeting at the Formula Tours office/garage, then heading out toward Valldemossa and Soller. You’ll leave Paguera, pass along the Calvià coastline, and start picking up those best road-and-view moments right away.
One of the first stops is Puerto Portals, the upscale marina area many people only see from a distance. Here you get time for photos before the drive keeps going toward the island’s capital. If you like clean scenery with boats, stone, and coastal light, this stop is a good warm-up.
From there you move into Palma, passing the Nautical Club area and driving in front of the cathedral. The key value for your time is that you’re not just driving through; you’re being shown where the most photogenic areas sit along the route. After that, you take the Paseo Maritimo northward, which sets you up for the mountain side of the tour.
Up toward Soller and Deia: where the views start to hit
Once you leave Palma’s immediate area and point north, the driving gets more interesting. The scenery shifts from urban coastline to roads that feel made for speed control and concentration. This is also where the viewpoints start to matter, because you can’t really appreciate the Tramuntana from sea level.
The tour heads in the direction of Soller and Deya, and you’ll have time to take in the best overlooks along the way. What I like about this is how the stops are paced: enough time to breathe and frame a photo, without killing the momentum of a 4-hour outing.
This section is also a reminder that a formula car ride is about more than adrenaline. You’re constantly making small speed and steering decisions on curves, so you’re fully present. If you’ve been wanting a Mallorca experience that feels like an event, not just a checklist, this is where it starts to feel real.
Sa Foradada viewpoint: the pause that turns the drive into a story
At Sa Foradada, you get your second stop. This is the kind of viewpoint that makes you automatically slow down your thoughts and look for angles. You can also have a coffee here, which matters because the tour has long driving segments and you don’t want to burn out before the return.
I find viewpoint stops like this are where the tour earns its name. Driving the Tramuntana is fun, but the reason it feels special is the moment you stop and realize you’re looking at something that took the road, elevation, and weather to create. When you add the coffee break, it turns into a small memory you’ll actually remember later.
One practical note: dress for cool air even if the coast feels warm. You’ll be up in higher areas, and helmets plus mountain breezes can make temperatures feel different than you expect.
The return loop: Valldemossa, Calvià, and Cala Fornells
On the way back, the tour loops through Valldemossa and Calvià. The return matters because it keeps your route varied, instead of retracing the exact same road. You still get to enjoy the driving without feeling like you’re just heading home.
Then you enter Cala Fornells to see the cove. This isn’t the most time-consuming stop, but it’s a nice contrast after the mountain viewpoints. You go from high overlooks back to something smaller and coastal, with that classic Mallorca feel where the shoreline seems tucked into the rock.
You’ll ultimately return to Paguera and end the tour. Overall, this loop gives you both the postcard-marina moments and the “I can’t believe this is on an island that also has beaches” moments from the north.
Cars, rules, and what it really means that it’s manual
Let’s talk about the most important detail: the cars are manual gear. If you can’t drive stick, you’re not able to do the tour. This isn’t a minor technicality; it’s the foundation of the experience, because the driving itself is the attraction.
Other key rules:
- Minimum age for the pilot is 21 years, with 2 years of experience
- Minimum age for the copilot is 3 years old
- If you book for 2 people, you’ll have one car, and you can change drivers along the way
- If you want two different cars, you need to book two separate slots
You also get helmets, and there’s a child seat option, so the tour is set up to handle mixed ages. The ride is designed around safety and controlled driving rather than reckless behavior, but it still feels exciting because the car type changes how you experience speed and turns.
Music is a small factor, but I’ll mention it because it can affect your enjoyment. One guide team (Gio and Alex were named in a positive review) was described as fun and helpful, but the music selection on the system was not everyone’s favorite. If you care about the vibe, assume you may have whatever’s playing in the car setup rather than your own playlist.
Price and the add-on you need to budget for
The price is 93€ per person, and for a 4-hour guided drive with photo stops, that can be good value—especially because you’re not paying extra for the helmet, water, or bilingual guide. You also get the water bottle per person, which sounds small until you’re out on a warm coastal day in gear.
What’s not included:
- Hotel pickup
- Food
- A driver insurance add-on: 30€ to pay in the office, with a 350€ excess
That last part is the one you should plan around. Even if nothing goes wrong, it’s better to know the cost than to feel surprised later. One review described an early low-speed accident and then having to pay an additional amount related to the excess. The takeaway for you is simple: bring a credit card, be ready for the driver insurance process, and treat the excess as real budget risk.
So is it worth it at 93€? If you can drive manual and you want a guided, driver-focused Tramuntana outing, it’s an easy yes. If you’re hoping for a stress-free ride where you don’t need driving skill, the manual requirement can make it a no.
Who should book this tour (and who should skip it)
This is best for people who enjoy driving, don’t mind concentrating, and want a mix of coast + mountains in a single half-day. You’ll get the most satisfaction if you’re comfortable with stick shift and you like the idea of stopping for views that are actually photo-worthy.
You should skip it if:
- You cannot drive manual transmission
- You want hotel pickup as part of the deal (it’s not included)
- You need a fully relaxed, no-effort outing (this is a hands-on driving experience)
It can work well for couples too, since booking two people can mean driver swaps in the same car. And if you’re traveling with a younger copilot, there’s a minimum copilot age of 3, plus a child seat is provided.
Practical tips for a smooth 4 hours
Plan your gear before you go. The tour asks for:
- Passport or ID card
- Driver’s license
- Sunglasses
- Closed-toe shoes only (no open-toed shoes, no sandals/flip-flops)
- Warm clothing
- Towel
- Credit card (important given the insurance add-on)
A helmet is included, but your clothing still matters. Closed-toe shoes help with comfort and foot control, and warm layers help when you’re up higher. Also, if you’re bringing a towel, that’s a hint the tour expects you to get warm and active; it’s a smart, not fussy requirement.
Arrive early: you should be at the meeting point 30 minutes before the tour starts. This isn’t just formalities; you’ll want time to get checked, get your helmet fitted, and feel ready before the driving begins.
Finally, if you’re anxious about driving a manual car on twisty roads, it helps to treat the first minutes as practice. The tour is built to include instruction before you start, and the overall pace isn’t just leave-and-go.
Should you book the Mallorca Formula Car Tour to Sa Foradada?
If you can drive a manual car and you want Mallorca from the inside out—coast, city edges, then Tramuntana viewpoints—this is an excellent booking. You get real driving time, guided structure, photo stops at Puerto Portals and Palma area, and a standout viewpoint break at Sa Foradada with the option for coffee.
I’d hesitate only if you’re hoping it will be mostly a passenger experience. The driving is central, and the manual requirement is non-negotiable. And make sure you budget for the 30€ driver insurance add-on with the 350€ excess, even if you’re hoping for a smooth ride the whole way.
FAQ
What is the duration of the Mallorca Formula Car Tour to Sa Foradada?
The tour lasts about 4 hours.
Where do I meet for the tour?
You meet at the Formula Tours office/garage. You should arrive 30 minutes before the start time.
What is included in the price?
Included are a bottle of water per person, helmets, a child seat, and a bilingual live guide.
What is not included?
Hotel pickup and food are not included. There is also a driver insurance payment of 30€ that you pay in the office, with a 350€ excess.
Is the car automatic or manual?
The cars are manual gear. If you cannot drive manual transmission, you cannot do the tour.
How old does the pilot and copilot need to be?
The minimum age for the pilot is 21 with 2 years of experience. The minimum age for a copilot is 3 years old.
What languages are the live guides?
The live tour guide is available in English, German, French, and Spanish.
