The Cap de Formentor is one of the most famous tourist destinations on the island as well as cyclists and hikers. To get there you leave Puerto Pollensa ( outside of the season July 9 -Sept 15 ) on the Formentor road passing the various viewpoints near Formentor beach and Cassa Velles and several after you go through the tunnel. Cap Formentor is situated at the top of the Formentor Peninsula where you can park close to the lighthouse however during the high season it is controlled with one in one out. Once you get to the lighthouse there is a small but charming cafe with inside and outdoor seating and a few goats. The views are spectacular and on a clear day, you see Menorca in the distance and also the old road. During the tourist season due both to excessive traffic and damage to the area it will only be accessible by taxi ring 0034 971 866 213 or by local bus which is run as a shuttle bus run by TIB linking Puerto Pollensa to the Formentor Peninsular stopping at Formentor beach the first mirador as well as Cala Murta and Cala Figuera and is part of the 353 services.
The lighthouse provides a good viewing viewpoint for migrants, Shearwaters, Audouin’s Gulls and an abundance of Yellow Legged Gulls. From various viewpoints at the top of the Peninsula, a substantial colony of breeding Eleonora’s Falcons can be seen below on the cliff face and you can watch them flying out to sea as well. If it is specifically this species you want to see, the best way is to go on one of the cruises around the Peninsula which leave the harbour at Puerto Pollensa and lasts a couple of hours. On the return journey, the boat goes close to the cliffs allowing wonderful views of these birds diving and swooping after migrants. Provided the weather is good the best time to view this spectacle is during September and October.
At the first mirador on the road up on the right-hand side, there is the road to the Albercutx tower famous for its migration viewpoint it also overlooks La Fortaleza the estate famous for featuring in the Night Manager series. The birding, however, can be spectacular with so many birds of prey during migration including hundreds of Honey Buzzards and during late September many species along with a good number of local Eleonora’s Falcons and sometimes as many as 40 Ravens in the air at the same time. There are two pairs of Balearic warblers here as well as Blue Rock Thrush.
At the mirador itself on the left-hand side below the viewpoint as well as nesting Stonechats and Sardinian warblers, there are a pair of nesting Peregrine falcons.
Travel Tips by Boat
Try the Submarine boat which does cruises stopping at Formentor beach and morning cruises around the North of the Island on Tuesday and Friday with departures at 10.30 leaving outside of Stay
to book 971 86 4014
Grade of difficulty: 1
Toilet facilities are available
Travel Tip
Take extra care out of season if driving yourself to Cap Formentor as the road is tight and twisty and frequently used by cyclists. Alternatively, you can get the TIB 353 bus which calls at both Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia. This is obviously the cheapest way but the buses only run during the tourist season. You can also catch one of the many cruises which can be booked at the ticket offices near the tourist information. These boats operate a round trip taking about two and a half hours.