Cap de Formentor is one of the most stunning places in Mallorca and easily one of the best spots to catch the sunset. It’s the northernmost point of the island and part of the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the very end of the rugged peninsula stands a lighthouse, reached by a long, winding road that snakes through dramatic cliffs and viewpoints.
When people talk about “Cap de Formentor,” they often mean the whole peninsula – the viewpoints, the sharp cliffs, the hidden beaches, and the lighthouse itself. The road leading there was built in the 1930s by engineer A. Parietti Coll, who’s something of a legend on the island. He also designed the road to Sa Calobra, so you can already guess that this route isn’t exactly relaxing. It’s beautiful, but definitely not for nervous drivers.
How to get there:
By car
The drive to the cape is gorgeous but full of tight bends and narrow stretches. You’ll also have cyclists and buses to navigate around, and the buses are the real challenge – especially on the curves. At one point we ended up stuck in a jam because three buses were trying to pass each other while a line of cars waited behind.
Seasonal restrictions for the road Ma-2210 apply for good reason. There’s almost no space to park or turn around near the lighthouse, and the number of visitors makes it unmanageable. Before you go, check the official guidance:
https://formentor.conselldemallorca.es/en/
The rules usually work like this:
• The road from the Port de Pollença roundabout to Formentor Beach is open if there are free spots in the beach car park. It has around 300 spaces, and they fill up quickly.
• From Formentor Beach up to the lighthouse, the road is closed to private cars during the day (in 2025 it was 10:00–22:00). For that stretch, you’ll need to switch to the bus.
Keep in mind that parking at the viewpoints is limited. Even in the shoulder season, it can be a puzzle to squeeze into the tiny spaces.
Bus
Line 334 runs from Alcúdia to Port de Pollença and then continues along the peninsula to the lighthouse. It stops at Mirador del Colomer, Formentor Beach, Cala Figuera–Cala Murta, and the lighthouse. You can pay by card or with the intermodal transport card. For schedules, prices, and the full route, check www.tib.org
By Bike
If you’re in good shape and up for a serious challenge, cycling to Cap de Formentor is a popular route. The views are incredible, but the climbs are tough, so it’s mainly for those who enjoy a demanding ride.
Our experience
Since we’re in no shape to cycle up anything that is a steep hill, and because we did absolutely no research beforehand, we chose to drive with a car – only to discover later that we had to leave the car at Formentor Beach. Luckily, there were still a few parking spots left. From there, we hopped on the bus to the lighthouse.
The bus ride itself was… something. I’m not sure if it was just our driver or if they’re all like that, but he flew through those tight mountain curves at a speed that had everyone questioning their life choices. At one point, we noticed the guy in front of us discreetly googling “how many people died on this road in a bus”, which honestly summed up the atmosphere pretty well.
We did make it safely in the end, but that ride is one we won’t forget anytime soon.
Mirador Es Colomer
Mirador Es Colomer is the first viewpoint that really gives you a sense of what the Formentor peninsula has in store. The views are incredible – steep cliffs, deep blue sea, and mountains covered in pine trees. The lookout sits about 200 meters above the water, and you can feel the height when you step out onto the terraces.
It’s also one of the busiest spots in the area. Buses, cars, people everywhere, and parking can be a small battle. If you visit around sunset, the scenery is even more dramatic, with the cliffs glowing in warm light -but that’s also when the crowds are at their peak. Even so, it’s absolutely worth stopping for the view.
D’Albercutx Tower
The Talaia d’Albercutx is a medieval watchtower sitting almost 400 meters above sea level. It was built in the late 16th century to keep an eye out for pirates and corsairs approaching the island. The views from up there are incredible – you can see the whole Cap de Formentor stretching out beneath you.
You can reach the tower either by hiking or driving. The turnoff is right at Mirador Es Colomer. We ended up there completely by accident. We parked along the road near the viewpoint, realised the road was too narrow to turn around, and thought we’d just drive a little further until we found space. Well… that “little further” ended up taking us all the way to the tower.
I honestly wouldn’t recommend going up by car, and there are two reasons for that.
First: the road. It’s extremely narrow, steep, and full of tight bends. I consider myself a decent driver, and even I felt my heart jump a bit when I had to reverse almost 200 meters downhill on a winding slope to let another car pass. At one point we even had to fold in the mirrors so we wouldn’t scrape each other. And because there’s no space to turn around, once you’re in, you pretty much have to commit to the whole climb.
The second reason is something I only learned afterwards, when I looked at Google reviews to see if other people nearly lost their soul on that road. Turns out there’s a long-running issue at the top parking area – a group of thieves breaks into cars while tourists are walking up to the tower. It’s been going on for years, and there are a surprising number of people complaining about it. If you check the one-star reviews, you’ll see exactly what I mean. So it’s really not a place where you want to leave your car unattended.
But once you’re at the top, the views are absolutely unreal. You can climb the tower as well, though one of the steps was broken when we visited, so I decided that slipping off a centuries-old tower wasn’t worth the risk. Even without climbing it, the landscape below was breathtaking.
Formentor Beach
Formentor Beach was one of the most beautiful beaches we saw on the island. The water is that perfect shade of azure that doesn’t look real until you’re standing in it, and the sand is soft and pale. The beach isn’t very wide, so I can easily imagine it getting packed during high season, but it still has that postcard look that makes you stop for a moment just to take it in.
Out in the bay, there were plenty of yachts anchored, which added to the scenery. If you’re heading to the lighthouse, you’ll pass right by the beach anyway – the parking area where you have to leave your car is basically next to it. It’s a great place to take a break, swim, or simply enjoy the view before continuing toward Cap de Formentor.
Cala Figuera
Cala Figuera is often described online as one of those “hidden gems,” and it definitely feels more remote than many other beaches in the area. You can only reach it after a short hike, so comfortable shoes are a must. We only caught a glimpse of it from the bus window, but I’ve read that some of the buses stop right at the trailhead, making it easier to reach if you don’t want to deal with the narrow mountain roads yourself.
From what I’ve seen and heard, the beach has clear turquoise water, a rocky coastline, and a quieter atmosphere compared to the more popular spots. If we had more time, it would’ve been one of the places I’d love to check out properly.
Formentor Lighthouse
Opened in 1863, Formentor Lighthouse is the highest lighthouse in the Balearic Islands, perched on cliffs about 210 meters above the sea. The road leading up to it is stunning, and I was honestly relieved to be on a bus rather than trying to navigate those curves myself. It meant I could actually sit back and enjoy the views without focusing on the next tight bend.
When we reached the lighthouse, we walked around, took photos, soaked in the scenery, and then caught the next bus back down. It’s a quick stop but nevertheless stunning.
