Mallorca: Formula Car and Buggy combo tour

The road is the real attraction here. This two-hour outing gives you the unusual chance to drive both a manual slingshot and an automatic buggy around southwest Mallorca, linking the coast of Calvia with the mountains of the Sierra de Tramontana. I like the two-vehicle format, since you get two very different driving experiences in one short tour. I also like the high viewpoints near Estellencs, where the sea, cliffs, and mountain roads make the scenery feel far more special than a standard sightseeing drive.

The main caution is that the slingshot uses a manual transmission. You must already know how to drive a manual car, and the minimum age for a driver is 21 with at least two years of driving experience. The advertised route includes both vehicles, but one recent booking reported driving only the slingshot, so I would confirm the vehicle plan at the office before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• Two vehicles in two hours: You drive a manual slingshot and an automatic buggy, switching during the main stop.
• Best scenery near Estellencs: The stop at Es Grau offers a broad view of the coastline and the Sierra de Tramontana.
• Short photo stop at Malgratz: Expect about 10 minutes in front of the island, enough for quick photos.
• Extra driver insurance costs €30: This is paid at the office, and the vehicle excess is €350.
• Drivers must be 21 or older: You need a valid driving license, two years of experience, sunglasses, closed shoes, and a credit card.
• Small groups keep it manageable: The tour is limited to 10 people and is offered in English, German, Spanish, and French.

Why this Mallorca driving tour is different

Most Mallorca day trips put you in a bus or behind a guide. This one gives you control of the vehicle, with the road itself becoming part of the outing. The slingshot is the more demanding machine because it has a manual gearbox. The buggy is easier to operate, thanks to its automatic transmission.

That difference matters. If you enjoy driving, the change from one vehicle to the other gives the tour some variety. You are not simply repeating the same short route in two colors of the same car. The manual slingshot asks you to manage gears while taking in the coastal road, while the buggy removes that technical task and lets you concentrate more on the view.

The experience is also small in scale. A maximum of 10 people is a sensible limit for a convoy-style tour, especially on mountain roads and during photo stops. You will still need to follow the guide’s instructions and stay with the group, but this should feel more personal than a large coach excursion.

The total time is only two hours, so keep your expectations in line. This is not a full mountain expedition or a long off-road session. It is a compact driving experience with several scenic pauses, designed to fit neatly into a day around Calvia, Port Andratx, or the southwest coast.

Starting at Formula Tours’ garage

The tour begins at the Formula Tours garage. The first step is a briefing from the guide, who explains the vehicles and the route. Guides speak English, German, Spanish, and French, so you can request the language that works best for you when booking or checking in.

The order of the vehicles can change. Some groups start in the slingshot and later move to the buggy, while others do the reverse. That flexibility helps the operator manage the group and the available vehicles, but you should not assume you will choose the starting vehicle yourself.

The practical checks are important here. Bring your passport or identity card and your driving license. You also need a credit card, sunglasses, and closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Helmets are supplied when needed, and child seats are available for children from age three.

Before you commit to the tour, ask how the driver insurance will be handled. The stated extra cost is €30 per driver, while the vehicles carry full insurance with an excess of €350. A recent booking raised concerns about being asked to pay the €30 in cash, so I would clarify the amount, payment method, and excess before leaving the garage. This is the sort of small detail that can sour an otherwise enjoyable outing if it comes as a surprise.

Along the Calvia coast in the slingshot

Once the briefing is over, the route heads along the coast of Calvia. The drive passes several points of interest before reaching the first stop near the island of Malgratz.

The slingshot is the part of the tour that requires the most attention. Its manual transmission makes it unsuitable for anyone who has only driven automatic cars. If you are comfortable with a clutch and gear changes, the vehicle should feel like a more active way to see the coast. If you are not, this is not the place to learn.

The route is not described as a race, and it should not be treated as one. You are driving as part of a guided group, with traffic and road conditions shaping the pace. The fun comes from sitting low in an unusual vehicle, feeling the road, and moving through the scenery under your own control.

If two people want to share one vehicle, both people must be included in the booking. If each person wants to drive a separate vehicle, each driver needs an individual reservation. This is worth getting right before payment because the vehicle arrangement changes the whole experience.

A 10-minute photo stop at Malgratz

The first stop is in front of the island of Malgratz. It lasts about 10 minutes, so think of it as a quick photograph break rather than a long visit.

This is a useful pause after the opening drive. You can take pictures of the island and the coast, stretch your legs, and get your bearings before the route turns farther into the mountains. Sunglasses are mandatory, but they are also practical here because you will be exposed to strong daylight during the open-air ride.

Do not expect a long guided visit or time to wander. The stop is short, and the tour still needs to cover the rest of the route. If taking photos is important to you, have your phone or camera ready before the vehicle stops.

One recent booking reported that the guide declined to take photos of the couple during the drive. That does not mean photography is impossible, but it does suggest you should plan to take your own pictures at the designated stops rather than rely on the guide to photograph you on the road.

The mountain view at Es Grau in Estellencs

The main stop comes at Es Grau in Estellencs. This is the scenic heart of the tour, with a view over the coastline and the Sierra de Tramontana.

The setting gives the outing more substance than a simple vehicle rental. You are not only operating a slingshot and a buggy. You are also reaching a high viewpoint where the shape of Mallorca becomes clear: sea below, mountain roads around you, and the southwest coast stretching into the distance.

This is where the two vehicles are exchanged. The exact order depends on which vehicle you drove first, but both drivers are meant to have time behind the wheel of each type. The stop also breaks up the tour at a sensible point. Two hours of driving without a pause would feel rushed and tiring, especially in an open vehicle.

The published plan allows two or three stops, depending on traffic and available time. That wording matters. The Malgratz stop and the main Estellencs stop are central to the experience, but the exact number of pauses can vary. One recent booking described making only one 40-minute stop and spending less time driving than expected. I would ask the guide at the start how many stops are planned that day.

From Estellencs to Port Andratx

After the vehicle change, the route continues toward Port Andratx. This area is known as one of the more exclusive parts of southwest Mallorca, and the tour presents it as another attractive section of the drive rather than a separate walking visit.

The value here is the changing scenery. You move from the mountain viewpoint toward a polished coastal area, then continue back toward the garage. The route gives you several different impressions of the southwest in a compact period: Calvia’s coast, the Tramontana mountains, Estellencs, and Port Andratx.

You should not expect free time to explore Port Andratx on foot. The activity remains a guided driving circuit, so the stop pattern and pace are controlled by the tour. If you want a relaxed meal, shopping, or a marina stroll, plan that separately before or after the experience.

On the return, the route passes the mountains and the Camp de Mar golf courses. This final section adds more views, but it also shows why traffic can affect the tour. Mountain roads and coastal routes do not always run on a fixed schedule. A busy road can shorten a stop or change the timing of the return.

What the €69 price really includes

At $69 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for an experience that includes two vehicles, a guide, fuel, taxes, and water. You are paying for access to machines you may not otherwise drive, plus the route through the mountains and along the coast.

The value is strongest for people who want the driving itself. If you are mainly interested in sightseeing, a regular coastal tour may offer more time at viewpoints and less attention to vehicle rules. Here, the vehicle is the main event, while the scenery gives the drive its setting.

The additional €30 driver insurance charge changes the calculation. Since this is required as an extra payment at the office, include it in your real budget. The €350 excess also deserves attention. Full insurance does not mean there is no financial responsibility if damage occurs.

Fuel and taxes are already included, and a bottle of water is supplied. That keeps the basic package simple, but you still need to bring your own spending money for anything else you want during the day. The reserve-now, pay-later option and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure make the booking less rigid, provided your plans remain uncertain.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this tour to confident manual drivers aged 21 or older who want a short, active outing rather than a passive sightseeing trip. Couples are a natural fit, especially if they want to share one vehicle, but both people must be listed in the reservation.

It also suits small groups of friends who enjoy comparing the feel of the slingshot and buggy. The automatic buggy may make the second half easier for someone who wants less work with the gearbox, though every driver still needs a license and must meet the age and experience rules.

Families can take part only within the stated limits. The minimum age for a copilot is six, and child seats are available from age three. A child can ride along, but only a qualified adult can operate the vehicle.

I would skip it if you cannot drive a manual car. The slingshot is not optional in the advertised format, and the tour is specifically built around driving both vehicles. I would also think twice if your priority is off-road buggy driving. One booking specifically wished the buggy had gone onto trails, and the described route focuses on coastal and mountain roads rather than promising an off-road course.

Practical tips for a smoother ride

Wear closed shoes that will let you work the pedals comfortably. Bring sunglasses for everyone in the vehicle, not just the driver, and keep your identity document and license easy to reach at check-in.

Ask three questions before departure:

• Which vehicle will you drive first?
• How many stops are planned today?
• How will the €30 insurance payment be collected, and what is the damage excess?

If you are sharing one vehicle, confirm that both people are included in the booking. If you want one vehicle per person, make separate reservations as required.

Keep your camera ready for Malgratz and Es Grau, but do not count on the guide taking photos while driving. The supplied water is useful, though the tour is short enough that you do not need to pack heavily.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve without paying immediately. That is helpful if the weather or your Mallorca schedule is still unsettled, but it does not remove the need to check the insurance charge and vehicle arrangement before the day.

Should you book the slingshot and buggy tour?

Book it if you want a compact, hands-on way to see southwest Mallorca and you already drive manual cars with confidence. The two vehicles, small group size, Malgratz photo stop, and mountain viewpoint at Estellencs give the $69 price solid value, especially for people who care more about being behind the wheel than spending a long time at each sight.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed off-road buggy ride, a relaxed sightseeing trip, or a tour with no extra driver charge. Before you pay, confirm that both vehicles are available, ask how many stops are planned, and make sure the €30 insurance cost fits your budget. With those points settled, this is a lively way to connect Mallorca’s coast, mountains, and driving roads in a single afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the Mallorca Formula Car and Buggy combo tour?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which vehicles will I drive?

You will drive both a slingshot and a buggy. The slingshot has manual transmission, while the buggy has automatic transmission.

Do I need a manual driving license or experience?

You must know how to drive manual cars because the slingshot uses a manual transmission. Drivers must also be at least 21 years old and have two years of driving experience.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or identity card, driving license, sunglasses, credit card, and closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.

Is insurance included in the price?

The vehicles have full insurance with an excess of €350, but driver insurance costs an additional €30 and is paid at the office.

Can children join the tour?

Children can ride as copilots from age six. Child seats are available for children from age three, but every pilot must meet the driver age and license requirements.