Mallorca: Formula Car Tour to Sa Foradada

The fun here is not simply getting from Paguera to Sa Foradada. You drive a three-wheeled formula car along Mallorca’s coast and mountain roads, with a guide leading the way. The route takes in Portals, Palma Cathedral, and the Tramuntana before a stop at the Sa Foradada viewpoint.

I like two things in particular: you get the pleasure of driving rather than watching the island pass from a tour bus, and the route links coastal sights with mountain scenery in a single four-hour outing. A drink stop at Sa Foradada also gives you time to step out, breathe the air, and take photos.

The main consideration is the car itself. It has a manual gearbox, so you need to be comfortable driving stick shift, and the driver must be at least 21 with two years of experience. There is also a €30 insurance charge, with a €350 excess, so clarify the terms before setting off.

• A hands-on route: You drive a three-wheeled car, rather than riding in a standard tour vehicle.
• Coast, city, and mountains: The route runs from Paguera past Portals and Palma, then north toward Sóller and Deià.
• A proper viewpoint stop: Sa Foradada is the main pause for a drink, fresh air, and photos.
• A manual-driving requirement: Drivers need to be at least 21 and have two years of experience.
• Know the insurance terms: The driver pays €30 for insurance, with a €350 excess.
• Plan for the four-hour outing: Hotel pickup is not included, and you should arrive at the garage 30 minutes early.

A formula car makes the drive part of the day

This tour is for you if the road itself sounds like a good part of the holiday. You set off in a compact, three-wheeled formula car, following a guide through Mallorca rather than sitting back in a coach. The car’s manual gearbox makes the experience more involved, and that is precisely why the driving rules matter. If you cannot drive a stick shift, this is not the tour to book.

The route starts in Paguera and covers a surprising range of scenery for a four-hour trip. You begin along the Calvià coast, pass the marina at Puerto Portals, go through Palma by the Nautical Club and cathedral, and then head north toward Sóller and Deià. Sa Foradada is the main viewpoint stop, before the return through Valldemossa, Calvià, and Cala Fornells.

The formula car is the attraction, but it also shapes the day. You will be more exposed to the air and weather than in a closed vehicle, so sunglasses and warm clothing are sensible. Closed-toe shoes are required. A bottle of water and helmets are included, and a child seat is listed among the inclusions.

From Paguera to Portals along the coast

You meet at the Formula Tours office and garage in Paguera. Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start for the guide’s explanation and to get ready. The tour operates with live guides in English, German, French, and Spanish.

The first stretch follows the Calvià coastline toward Puerto Portals, an exclusive marina and an early photo stop of sorts as you pass through one of Mallorca’s best-known coastal areas. The itinerary identifies this as the first stop, though it does not specify how long you spend there. Think of it as a chance to see the harbor and surroundings, not a long visit with time to explore at length.

Before you book, consider how you feel about driving in a group. The guide leads the route, and you follow in your formula car. That means you get the satisfaction of steering yourself, but the outing is not an open-ended drive where you choose your own pace or stops.

Palma Cathedral and the Paseo Marítimo

From Portals, the route enters Palma, passing the Nautical Club and going in front of the cathedral. This is a useful way to connect the coastal drive with the island’s capital, and the cathedral makes a striking landmark for photos. The tour also advertises views of Palma Cathedral and the harbor area.

Palma is a city worth more than a quick pass, so set expectations accordingly. This is not a walking tour, and you will not have a separate block of time to visit the cathedral or wander the old town. The pleasure is in seeing the city as part of a larger drive, with the waterfront and the cathedral providing a change of scene before you head north.

That distinction matters when weighing the price. If your main goal is to explore Palma’s interior, choose a separate visit. If you like the idea of seeing city, coast, and mountains in one guided outing, the route makes better use of your time.

North toward Sóller, Deià, and the Tramuntana

After the Paseo Marítimo, you turn north toward Sóller and Deià, entering the mountain region of the Serra de Tramuntana. The route is billed for its scenic roads and viewpoints, and the formula car turns those roads into an active part of the experience. You are not just looking out at the scenery; you are driving through it.

The tour emphasizes the northern coast and mountain views, with several viewpoints along the way. Exact stop locations beyond Sa Foradada are not specified, so do not count on a set number of photo breaks. The appeal is the combination of changing views and the road itself, rather than a detailed visit to each town.

One practical point: the trip is four hours from start to finish, including the guide’s explanation and stops. The schedule is therefore built around the drive, not lengthy visits in Sóller or Deià. If you want time to explore either town, plan a separate outing.

Sa Foradada is the key pause

At Sa Foradada, you stop at the viewpoint. You can take in the scenery, get some fresh air, and have a coffee if you wish. The stop provides a welcome break from the driving and the day’s main chance to pause and take photos at leisure.

The viewpoint is the natural centerpiece of the tour, but food is not included. A drink may be available to buy, and you should not expect a meal or a long sit-down break. Bring a towel as advised, though the tour details do not explain exactly when you might use it. Pack only what you need for a four-hour drive, and keep essentials secure in the car.

If photos are important to you, the route also offers chances to photograph Portals, Palma Cathedral, and the northern coast. The exact light and views depend on the time of day and conditions, so treat the advertised photo opportunities as possibilities, not guaranteed postcard weather.

The return through Valldemossa and Cala Fornells

After Sa Foradada, the route heads back through Valldemossa and Calvià, then enters Cala Fornells to see the cove before returning to Paguera. This return leg adds a different coastal stop to the mountain route and avoids simply retracing the way you came.

Valldemossa is another place where it helps to keep expectations in check. You pass through it as part of the drive, but the itinerary does not promise a dedicated walking visit. The same applies to Cala Fornells: you go in to see the cove, but the length of that stop is not specified.

By the end, you will have covered a lot of ground without needing to arrange separate transport between these areas. The trade-off is that each place gets a brief look. If you prefer fewer stops and more time on foot, a slower, town-based excursion may suit you better.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The listed price is $93 per person for four hours. That buys a guided route in a distinctive vehicle, helmets, one bottle of water per person, and a child seat. The value depends on how much you want the driving experience itself. If a three-wheeled car and mountain roads are the point, this is a more memorable way to see the island than simply booking transport between sights.

Budget for the extra €30 insurance payment for the driver, paid at the office. The insurance is described as full cover with a €350 excess. In practical terms, an excess is the amount you may still have to pay if damage occurs, so ask the staff to explain the coverage and liability clearly before you drive. A low-speed accident can still lead to an excess charge, so do not treat the €30 as a guarantee that every repair is covered without further cost.

Food and hotel pickup are not included. You also need to bring a credit card, passport or ID card, and driver’s license. Those items are listed as required, so check that you have them before leaving your accommodation.

The driving rules are not small print

The pilot must be at least 21 years old and have at least two years of driving experience. The cars have manual gears. If you cannot drive a manual car, you are not eligible to drive on the tour.

If two people book together, you share one car and can switch drivers along the way. If you each want a separate car, you need to make two separate bookings, each for one person. That can affect the total cost, so decide in advance whether one driver is enough for your pair.

The minimum age for a copilot is three. A child seat is included, but check that the child’s needs suit the vehicle and the four-hour route before booking. The provided information does not give further details about passenger size limits or storage space, so ask Formula Tours if either point matters to you.

Wear closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and sunglasses are worth bringing for the open-air drive. Warm clothing is also on the suggested packing list, a sensible precaution for a route that includes mountain viewpoints. You are asked to bring a towel, though the tour details do not specify a planned swimming stop.

Guide, music, and the feel of the outing

The guide explains the tour in several languages, and the advertised languages are English, German, French, and Spanish. Gio and Alex have been named as fun and helpful guides, though you should not assume you will have the same pair on your departure. A guide who keeps the group informed and organized is especially useful on a route that moves between busy city streets and scenic mountain roads.

The car’s music system is a small detail, but one worth setting your expectations around. The soundtrack can be part of the fun, yet the music selection may not suit everyone. The central appeal is the drive and the scenery, not a polished audio experience.

The overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 56 reviews, which points to broad satisfaction but does not remove the need to read the conditions carefully. One important caution concerns the €350 excess after an accident. Treat the insurance explanation as part of your pre-drive briefing, and make sure you understand what you could owe before setting off.

Is this the right Mallorca tour for you?

Book it if you enjoy driving, can handle a manual gearbox, and want a guided outing that mixes coastal views, Palma landmarks, and mountain roads. It is particularly appealing if you have already spent time exploring towns on foot and want a more active way to see a wider section of Mallorca.

Skip it if you cannot drive stick shift, want a relaxed bus ride, or hope to spend hours exploring Palma, Sóller, Deià, or Valldemossa. Before paying, confirm the €30 insurance charge and €350 excess, and make sure the driver meets the age and experience rules. Those checks make the difference between a fun road outing and an expensive surprise.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts four hours.

Where does the tour start?

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

Do I need to know how to drive a manual car?

Yes. The formula cars have manual gearboxes, and people who cannot drive a manual car are not able to take the tour as drivers.

What are the minimum age and experience requirements for the driver?

The driver must be at least 21 years old and have at least two years of driving experience. The minimum age for a copilot is three.

Is insurance included in the listed price?

A €30 insurance payment is due at the office for the driver. The insurance is described as full insurance with a €350 excess.

Can two people share a car?

Yes. If you book for two people, you receive one car and can switch drivers along the way. To have two separate cars, make two bookings, each for one person.