Mallorca: Cabrio Sports Car Tour

Mallorca’s west is made for a car with the roof down: one moment you’re passing marinas and coastal towns, the next you’re climbing the winding roads of the Serra de Tramuntana. I like that this tour pairs the fun of driving a two-seat convertible sports car with guided stops, and that it reaches places such as Estellencs and the Ricardo Roca viewpoint in a single half-day outing.

I also like the route’s mix of coast, Palma and mountain scenery, rather than a drive that sticks to one kind of view. The main trade-off is practical: you need a manual driving licence and must meet the age and experience rules to take the wheel. The cars are two-seaters, pickup is not included, and the group leaves on time.

At a glance

• A route with variety: Portals Nous, Palma, Banyalbufar, Estellencs, Andratx and coastal towns all feature.
• The mountain section is a highlight: The route follows curving roads through the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• You drive a manual two-seater: Drivers must be over 21 and hold a valid licence for at least two years.
• The stop at Ricardo Roca viewpoint: Allow time to get out, walk up and take in the southwest coast.
• Fuel and insurance are included: So are soft drinks, a gift and a glass of cava.
• Plan your own way to the start: Meet at Via Puig des Teix, 6, in Santa Ponsa, 30 minutes before departure.

A sports car route from Santa Ponsa to the Tramuntana

This 4.5-hour outing gives you a guided introduction to Mallorca’s southwest, with the drive itself as much of the point as the stops. You leave Santa Ponsa in a convertible and pass through Son Ferrer, Magaluf and Palmanova before following the coast toward Portals Nous and Palma. Later, the road turns inland and uphill, toward Esporles, Banyalbufar and Estellencs.

The appeal is simple: you get the freedom and close-up feel of a small car, while a guide leads the route and organizes the stops. The schedule includes brief sightseeing visits as well as breaks for photos and coffee. It is not a long stay in any one town, so think of this as a scenic sampler rather than a day for museums, beach time or a leisurely lunch.

There are a few details worth knowing before you book. These are manual, two-seat cars, so the driver needs to be comfortable with a clutch and mountain roads. The activity is a group tour, and late arrivals can lose their booking, which makes the 30-minute early arrival more than a suggestion.

From Santa Ponsa to the Malgrats Islands

The meeting point is Via Puig des Teix, 6, in Santa Ponsa, where you should arrive half an hour before the start. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to arrange your own transport there. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Santa Ponsa is both the starting and ending point, with a short guided visit listed at each end of the route. Early in the drive, you pass through nearby Son Ferrer and continue toward Magaluf and Palmanova, taking in the Calvia coast. The itinerary includes a 15-minute break at the Malgrats Islands for photos, a useful early chance to pause and enjoy the sea views.

The coastal stretch makes a good opening to the day: you’ll see the southwest side of Mallorca before heading for the marina and the capital. The stops are short, though, so keep your camera handy and don’t expect extended time ashore at each one. Comfortable closed-toe shoes and sunglasses are useful throughout the outing.

Portals Nous and the luxury harbor

Portals Nous is the route’s marina stop. The tour allows time for a guided visit and sightseeing, followed by a separate photo break. Port Portals is known as one of Mallorca’s luxury harbors, and it offers a striking contrast to the small towns and rugged roads that come later.

This is a good place to stretch your legs and take in the southwest coast from a different angle. It also gives you a taste of Mallorca’s polished resort side without making the whole outing about marinas and shopping. The schedule gives the area about 35 minutes in total across the two listed stops.

The tour includes soft drinks, but not food. If you’re likely to want more than a drink during a 4.5-hour outing, plan ahead rather than counting on a meal stop. The itinerary does include a coffee break later in Esporles, but no meal is included.

Palma’s seafront and cathedral

From Portals Nous, the route heads to Palma along Paseo Maritimo. You’ll have a guided sightseeing stop by the seafront, followed by time in Palma to see the cathedral and take a short break. The listed stops allow about 40 minutes in total.

That’s enough to appreciate the capital’s scale and see its most recognizable landmark, but it is not enough for a full visit to the cathedral or a proper exploration of central Palma. If you’re keen to go inside, browse the old town or linger over lunch, set aside another day. Here, Palma is a scenic interlude between the coast and the mountains.

The drive through the city also gives you a useful change of pace. After smaller coastal towns, Palma’s seafront brings a more urban stretch into the route. Keep expectations in line with the time available: this is a guided overview, not a city tour on foot.

The mountain road to Esporles and Banyalbufar

After Palma, the route turns toward Esporles and the Serra de Tramuntana. There’s a 15-minute coffee break in Esporles, then the drive continues through the mountains toward Banyalbufar. The itinerary allots 30 minutes for a guided visit and sightseeing there.

The change in scenery is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. The road winds through a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with mountain views and glimpses of the sea. In a convertible, you’re closer to the air and sounds of the road than you would be in a bus, though the open top also means you’ll want sunglasses and suitable clothing for the conditions.

Banyalbufar adds a slower village stop to the drive. The outing is still moving at a brisk pace, but these breaks let you leave the car, stretch and look around instead of treating the whole route as a drive-by. If mountain roads make you nervous, remember that the route includes winding stretches, and the driver is expected to handle a manual car.

Estellencs and the Ricardo Roca viewpoint

Estellencs is another key stop, with about 30 minutes for guided sightseeing. The village sits within the Tramuntana route, and the nearby Ricardo Roca viewpoint is one of the excursion’s most popular photo stops. The schedule sets aside 20 minutes for the viewpoint.

Be ready for a short walk up to the lookout. It is a practical reason to wear closed-toe shoes rather than sandals, which are not allowed on the activity. From the viewpoint, you can look out over the southwest coast and the Mediterranean, a reward for leaving the car and taking a few minutes on foot.

This section of the outing is particularly appealing if you want more than a coastal drive. The roads and mountain views are a major part of the experience, and the stops in Estellencs and Banyalbufar give you a taste of the quieter side of Mallorca. Still, the schedule is tight enough that you should not expect a long hike or an extended village visit.

Andratx, Camp de Mar and the return to Santa Ponsa

The route continues over the mountains toward Andratx, with about 30 minutes for sightseeing. From there, you pass through Camp de Mar, where the schedule allows 20 minutes, then Cala Fornells, known for views over the Mediterranean, and Peguera before returning to Santa Ponsa.

These final stops round out the route with a mix of town, coast and scenic driving. Andratx gives you another chance to get out and look around, while Camp de Mar and Cala Fornells bring the sea back into view after the mountain section. Peguera is the last listed sightseeing stop before the short return to Santa Ponsa.

The tour is designed to keep moving, and the drive between stops is part of the attraction. You won’t have time to linger in every place, but you’ll cover a broad swath of Mallorca’s southwest in one outing. That balance is useful if you have limited time on the island and enjoy driving as much as sightseeing.

The cars, guide and what the price covers

The tour costs $123 per person. That price includes the car’s gasoline and insurance, a live guide, soft drinks, a gift and a glass of cava. Since fuel and insurance are already covered, you can focus on the route rather than keeping track of those driving costs. Food and transport to the meeting point are not included.

At this price, the value depends on what you want from the day. If you mainly want to visit Palma or spend time at the beach, you may prefer to arrange those separately and at your own pace. If you like driving, want to see the Tramuntana roads and appreciate having a guide organize a route with several stops, the package offers a lot of ground in 4.5 hours.

The team is described as friendly and helpful, and guides named on some outings include Edwin and Alejandro. Names can vary by departure, so don’t assume either will be your guide. The experience is also run by a family business, which fits the personal, hands-on service described by people who have taken the tour.

Who should take the wheel, and who should ride along

The driver must be over 21 and have held a valid driving licence for at least two years. Bring your licence and passport or ID card. The cars have manual gearboxes, so this is not the right outing if you are only comfortable driving an automatic or don’t want to manage shifting on winding roads.

Under-21s are welcome as passengers, but the activity is not suitable for children under six. A passenger seat means the tour can work for someone who wants the scenery and sports-car ride without driving. Since every car is a two-seater, groups of more than two should check arrangements before booking rather than assume they’ll all ride together.

There is an additional €30 insurance charge for a change of driver. That may matter if you and your companion both want a turn behind the wheel. Wheelchair users and people without a driving licence are listed as unsuitable for this activity, even though passengers under 21 may join.

Practical details before you book

Wear closed-toe shoes, bring sunglasses and pack your driving licence and ID. Open-toed shoes are not allowed. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, and although a glass of cava is included, it is best treated as a finish to the outing, not part of the drive.

The tour operates in Spanish and English. It lasts 4.5 hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. It is a group activity, so allow enough time to reach Santa Ponsa and arrive 30 minutes early. If you’re late, you risk losing the booking.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those terms add flexibility, but they don’t change the need to meet the driving requirements or arrive on time.

Should you book this Mallorca cabrio tour?

Book it if you’re comfortable with a manual car, enjoy a spirited drive and want to combine Mallorca’s southwest coast with its mountain roads. The strongest reasons to go are the varied route, the Tramuntana scenery and the chance to explore in a small convertible rather than watch the island pass through a bus window.

Skip it if your priority is a long visit in Palma, a meal, beach time or a relaxed day with few transfers. This is a moving tour with short stops, not a full-day excursion in any one place. For a driver who meets the requirements and a passenger who wants the views, it offers a lively, practical way to see several sides of Mallorca in half a day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 4.5 hours. Starting times are shown when you check availability.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Via Puig des Teix, 6, in Santa Ponsa, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to make your own way to the meeting point.

What are the driving requirements?

Drivers must be over 21 and have a valid driving licence for at least two years. Bring your licence and a passport or ID card.

Are the cars automatic?

No. The cars have manual gearboxes, and each car is a two-seater.

Can someone under 21 join?

Yes. People under 21 are welcome as passengers. The activity is not suitable for children under six.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring a driving licence, passport or ID card, sunglasses and comfortable closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.

What is included in the price?

Insurance, gasoline, a guide, soft drinks, a gift and a glass of cava are included. Food is not included.

Can I change drivers during the tour?

Yes, but changing drivers carries an additional insurance charge of €30.