We arrived in Mallorca via a night ferry from Barcelona. It left around 10:30 PM and by 4 AM, we were docking on the island.

With hotel check-in hours far off, we had one question: what do you do at 4 AM in Mallorca?

There’s a whole post on that, but here’s what we chose: we drove across the island to chase the sunrise at Cap de Formentor.

And yes — it was completely worth it.

In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about visiting Cap de Formentor at sunrise: what to see along the scenic drive, how early you should go, why it’s only accessible by car in the morning, and whether the road is as nerve-wracking as people say.

I’ll also share tips on boat alternatives, the best viewpoints, and where to stay nearby.

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What is Cap de Formentor?

Cap de Formentor is the northernmost tip of Mallorca.

It’s a dramatic peninsula of steep cliffs, wild pine forests, and winding roads that ends with a lighthouse standing alone above the Mediterranean.

It’s part of a protected natural park, and the entire area feels like it belongs in a nature documentary.

Cap de Formentor is a protected natural area, reached via a scenic 17.5 km road from Pollença. To preserve the site and reduce summer crowds, car access is restricted during peak season. As a result, the best way to get there depends on the time of year.

From mid-June to mid-September, Cap de Formentor is closed to private vehicles during the day (usually from 10 AM to 7 PM). That means your only shot at seeing it by car is either going before sunrise or after sunset. Trust me, sunrise is the better option.

Here’s why:

• You can access it with your rental car.
• There’s way less traffic.
• You avoid the scorching midday heat.
• And the golden light hitting those cliffs? Unreal.

How to get to Cap de Formentor by car

If you drive your own car, you do need to be out of the park by 10 AM. tThere’s a visible barrier that marks the restricted zone. It’s very clear where you can’t go beyond. (Just near Playa de Formentor)

Be at the entrance at 7 AM to make sure you can ride the two ways before 10 AM.

Planning Tip: Rent your car in advance (I use DiscoverCars to compare prices) and make sure to fill up your tank the night before. There are no gas stations on the peninsula.

How to get to Cap de Formentor by bus

You can also take bus 334 (Alcúdia – Port de Pollença – Formentor Lighthouse), which stops at the main highlights along the cape, including Es Colomer viewpoint, Formentor Beach, Cala Figuera/Murta, and the lighthouse.

Is the Ride Difficult? Should You Visit On Your Own or With a Tour?

If you love driving narrow, curvy mountain roads, go for it.

My husband found it thrilling.

I, on the other hand, was white-knuckling the door handle most of the time.

If you’re not a confident driver or get easily nervous behind the wheel, you might prefer taking a guided tour.

What Tours to Take to See Cap de Formentor

There are several tour options available depending on your style:

• Sunset champagne tours: A romantic option with less morning rush.
  
• Day tours: Great for those who want to explore the trails without worrying about logistics. during the light of the day (as only buses can get up there during those hours)
  

Boat to Playa de Formentor vs. Full Formentor Tour

You might get confused between these two options as both are called “to Formentor”, but they are different!

Taking a boat to Playa de Formentor is ideal if your goal is to relax at the beach.

It helps you skip parking chaos, and the boat ride gives you epic views from the sea.

But keep in mind, Playa de Formentor is at sea level — the lighthouse is way up the cliffs.

Going from the beach to the lighthouse would be a full-day hike. It’s not something I’d recommend unless you’re training for the Olympics (and definitely not with kids).

There’s a public bus that connects the beach to the top, but standing in the heat waiting for it? We passed.

For the full experience — the drive, the views, the hikes — a scenic tour or early self-drive is a better choice.

Taking a Boat Ride to See Cap de Formentor

Another way to appreciate Cap de Formentor is from the water.

Fast boat tours from Port d’Alcúdia go all the way to the lighthouse, which offers a unique vantage point you can’t get from the road.

Larger boats typically stop at Playa de Formentor, but the smaller, faster ones take you around the cliffs — and that view is absolutely worth it.

Driving to the lighthouse takes about 30 minutes from Port de Pollença, but that’s without stopping.

If you want to actually stop, breathe, take photos, and maybe do a short hike or two, plan for at least 3 hours.

Also, parking at the lighthouse is extremely limited. We arrived just before sunrise and still had to wait a bit for a spot. Another reason to start very early.

This is the last village before the Formentor peninsula begins.

It has long sandy beaches with turquoise water and views of the Tramuntana mountains.

It’s peaceful, especially on the south side of the marina. Great spot to grab breakfast after your sunrise mission.

My favourite tip: I’d choose Port de Pollença over Palma for a base any day. It has local charm without the capital city chaos.

One of the most impressive viewpoints on the island. The mirador is built on top of a cliff with jaw-dropping views over the sea.

You can see tiny boats far below, which makes the cliffs look even more massive.

Fun fact: It used to be a military lookout point. Now it’s a popular sunrise and sunset stop, but you’ll get the best light early in the morning.

We skipped the climb (still recovering from our ferry nap), but we saw people attempting it.

It’s a moderate 30- to 60-minute hike with big rewards: 360° views over the whole Formentor peninsula.

The tower itself is part of Mallorca’s old defensive system, and if you’re brave enough, you can climb inside.

Watch out: Wild goats roam the path. Cute, yes, but don’t try to pet them.

Playa de Formentor is one of the beaches near Cap de Formentor.

This beach is insanely beautiful. It has all you’d wish from a beach: powdery sand, transparent water, and a dramatic mountain backdrop.

The problem is that parking is nearly impossible unless you go super early. We arrived at 7:30 AM and it was still peaceful. By 9 AM, it fills up.

How I’d do it: Take the boat from Port de Pollença. You skip the parking drama and get amazing coastal views along the way.

Side note: There’s a newly opened Four Seasons Resort here. It looks stunning, but I’m always a bit cautious about large developments in natural parks.But if you want to indulge for your honeymoon in Mallorca, this is definitely the best place to stay.

Another great beach near Cap de Formentor.

This narrow cove on the north side of the peninsula is wild and stunning. Great for snorkelling! 

But be warned: it’s a steep and slippery path down (15–25 minutes each way), and there’s not much parking.

Heads-up: Don’t confuse it with the town of Cala Figuera, which is on the other end of the island.

Just across from Cala Figuera, this is a quieter, more accessible cove.

It still requires a short 15–25 minute walk, but it’s easier and has shade. Less dramatic but more tranquil.

From Playa de Formentor, the road gets even narrower and twistier.

In peak season, it’s closed to private cars from 10 AM to 7 PM, but there are shuttle buses every 30 minutes.

Whether open or closed, the drive is stunning. You’ll want to stop every 5 minutes for photos.

If you want to drive to the Lighthouse and be back before 10AM, be at the starting point (close to Playa de Formentor) at 7h30 AM max.

Note: The road conditions change frequently depending on local regulations, so always check updates before your trip.

This it the reason why everyone wants to see the Cap de Formentor, as all the photos you’ll find online show the lighthouse.

As a lighthouse lover, ofcourse I loved it! It sits 210 metres above sea level and it feels like the end of the world.

You get views over endless ocean, jagged cliffs, and sometimes even Menorca on clear days.

There’s a small café up there too, although prices are just as high as your position on the island.

Final Verdict: Is Cap de Formentor Worth It?

Absolutely.

Seeing the first light of day spilling across the mountains and ocean made this one of the most memorable moments of our entire trip.

After a long ferry ride, it felt like we were witnessing Mallorca wake up with us.

Where to Stay Nearby

• Four Seasons Resort at Playa de Formentor for a luxe escape (the hotel is literally on the Formentor Beach, in the Natural Park where you aren’t allowed to be during the day…)
  
• Port de Pollença for laid-back beach town vibes (Hoposa Daina has the best views and an incredible pool)
  
• Pollença old town if you want charming streets and a more local feel. (Pollença town and Pollença port are two different places, make sure to carefully select where you want to stay. Both are nice, but only Pollença port has the beach access).
  

If I had to choose again, I’d stay in Pollença Port without hesitation.