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Formentor Lighthouse: Complete Guide to Visiting Mallorca's Northern Cape
Visiting Formentor this summer? At the end of this guide you'll find full details on access restrictions, checkpoints, parking and alternatives for summer 2026. Go to the access guide ↓
The Mallorcan end of the world
There are places that seem designed to remind you how small you are. Formentor Lighthouse is one of them. Located at the northernmost point of Mallorca, 210 metres above sea level, this century-old lighthouse marks the end of a peninsula that stretches into the Mediterranean like a finger of rock defying the sea. But the lighthouse is only the destination. The journey to reach it is an experience in itself: an 18-kilometre road winding between vertiginous cliffs, breathtaking viewpoints and panoramas that stretch from Pollensa Bay all the way to the island of Menorca on clear days. This corner of northern Mallorca has something that sets it apart from the rest of the island. There are no urban developments, no beach bars, no rows of sun loungers. Just raw, untouched nature, the impossible blue of the Mediterranean Sea and that feeling of being at the edge of the world. Every year, thousands of travellers drive along the winding road to Cap de Formentor searching for exactly that: a piece of Mallorca that remains untamed. If you are planning to visit the northern part of the island, whether from Alcudia, Pollensa or anywhere else, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about Formentor Lighthouse, Formentor Beach and the spectacular peninsula that connects them.
History of Formentor Lighthouse: more than a century lighting the Mediterranean
Formentor Lighthouse was not always there. For centuries, this rocky tip of Mallorca was simply a dangerous cape where many ships met their end against the rocks. That history changed in 1863, when the lighthouse we know today was inaugurated.
Built during the reign of Queen Isabella II, the lighthouse was a remarkable engineering achievement for its time. Materials had to be transported by mule along barely existing paths, in an area so isolated that lighthouse keepers lived almost completely cut off from the world for months at a time.
The light of the lighthouse reaches 20 nautical miles (around 37 kilometres), guiding ships navigating between Mallorca and Menorca along one of the busiest passages in the western Mediterranean. For decades, lighthouse keepers and their families lived in the buildings attached to the lighthouse, leading a life of isolation that is hard to imagine today.
The lighthouse was automated in 1962, bringing an end to nearly a century of permanent human presence. Today, its light still turns on every night, but the former keepers’ houses remain empty, silent witnesses to a way of life that no longer exists.
What has not changed is its power of attraction. Formentor Lighthouse remains one of the most photographed places in Mallorca, especially at sunset, when the sun paints the cliffs orange before sinking into the maritime horizon.
How to get to Formentor Lighthouse: road, viewpoints and restrictions
Reaching Formentor Lighthouse is an adventure in itself. The Ma-2210 road that runs along the peninsula is considered one of the most spectacular in Europe, but also one of the most demanding. Here is everything you need to know before setting off.
1The Cap de Formentor road: beauty and respect
The road starts in Port de Pollensa and runs for 18 kilometres to the lighthouse. These are 18 kilometres of tight bends, steep slopes, tunnels carved into the rock and views that will make you want to stop every 500 metres.
The route includes several official viewpoints where you can stop safely. The most famous is the Mirador des Colomer (also known as Mirador de Mal Pas), located about 7 kilometres from the start. From here, the view of the Es Colomer islet and the cliffs plunging into the sea is simply breathtaking.
Further along, you will find other signposted viewpoints, each offering its own perspective of the coastline. The advice is clear: do not rush. This road is meant to be enjoyed slowly, stopping whenever you feel like it, letting yourself be surprised by every bend.
If you are exploring Mallorca by car, the Formentor road is one of those experiences that fully justifies renting a vehicle. That said, it does require some experience with mountain driving: the bends are tight, there are virtually no shoulders, and in some sections there is barely enough space for two cars.
2Summer access restrictions: what you need to know
Here is the crucial information many travellers are unaware of: during the summer months, car access to Formentor Lighthouse is restricted.
From June to September (exact dates vary each year), the final section of the road is closed to private traffic between approximately 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. The aim is to reduce congestion on a road that was simply not designed to handle the volume of traffic it receives during peak season.
During these hours, the only way to reach the lighthouse is by using the shuttle bus that departs from Port de Pollensa or from the designated parking area. The service costs around €3–5 per trip and runs at regular intervals.
Ways to avoid the restrictions:
3By bicycle: Mallorca’s classic cycling challenge
For cycling enthusiasts, the climb to Formentor Lighthouse is one of Mallorca’s classic challenges. Every spring, thousands of cyclists from all over the world come to tackle this road.
The ascent from Port de Pollensa is around 18 kilometres long, with a cumulative elevation gain of approximately 600 metres. It is not the toughest climb on the island (that honour belongs to Puig Major or Sa Calobra), but the combination of bends, gradients and wind makes it a serious challenge.
The reward, however, is well worth the effort: reaching the lighthouse by bike, legs burning but heart full, is one of those experiences cyclists remember for a lifetime.
If you are cycling, start early to avoid heat and traffic. And bring plenty of water: there are no fountains or bars anywhere along the route to the lighthouse.
Formentor Beach: white sand and turquoise waters
Before reaching the lighthouse, the road passes by one of the best-kept treasures of northern Mallorca: Formentor Beach. This crescent of fine white sand, surrounded by pine trees that almost touch the water, looks like something straight out of a Caribbean catalogue.
The beach is about 900 metres long and faces Pollensa Bay, which means calm, shallow waters that are ideal for families with children. The turquoise colour of the sea contrasts with the intense green of the pines, creating a postcard-perfect scene that alone justifies the visit.
On the beach you will find the historic Hotel Barceló Formentor (formerly Hotel Formentor), one of the most iconic establishments on the island. Opened in 1929, it has hosted everyone from Winston Churchill to Audrey Hepburn. The hotel has private access to part of the beach, but the rest is open to the public.
Services at Formentor Beach:
If you are looking for family-friendly beaches, Formentor is an excellent option as long as you arrive early to secure a spot. In summer, the car park fills up quickly.
One tip: Formentor Beach is perfect to combine with a visit to the lighthouse. You can spend the morning at the beach, have lunch at the restaurant, and head up to the lighthouse in the late afternoon, when the light is at its best and traffic restrictions have been lifted.
Discover northern Mallorca from the sea
Formentor Lighthouse and its peninsula are impressive from land, but there is another way to discover them: from the sea. Several companies offer boat excursions along the northern coast of Mallorca, allowing you to see the cliffs of Formentor from a completely different perspective.
From the water, the cliffs of the peninsula reveal sea caves, dramatic rock formations and tiny coves that can only be accessed by boat. It is an experience that perfectly complements the road trip.
At Coral Boats, our excursions depart from Port d'Alcudia and explore the coast of Alcudia Bay, showing you hidden coves, crystal-clear waters and corners that do not appear in any guidebook. While our routes do not reach Formentor itself, we offer the chance to discover another side of northern Mallorca, with stops for swimming, snorkelling and enjoying the Mediterranean as it should be enjoyed.
For those specifically looking to see Formentor from the sea, there are excursions that depart from Port de Pollensa and follow the coastline of the peninsula. It is a different way to appreciate the scale of these cliffs and a perfect alternative if you prefer to avoid the road.
Whichever way you choose to discover this area, northern Mallorca awaits with some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Mediterranean. Formentor Lighthouse is just the tip of the iceberg (or rather, the tip of the peninsula). There is much more to discover.
BONUS — Access to Formentor: Restrictions, Checkpoints & Parking (Summer 2026)
Planning a visit to Cap de Formentor means knowing the access restrictions that apply each season. Here is all the updated information for summer 2026: two checkpoints, exact timetables, where to park and all the alternatives to driving.
1Checkpoint 1: entrance to the peninsula (end of Port de Pollença)
The first checkpoint is at the end of Port de Pollença, right where the Ma-2200 road ends and the Ma-2210 begins climbing towards the Formentor peninsula. That is, before you even start the ascent.
Key details for summer 2026:
What does this barrier mean?
Important — about sunset:
Which vehicles are affected?
2Checkpoint 2: Formentor Beach car park (before the lighthouse)
The second checkpoint is further along, at the Formentor Beach car park. You reach this point after passing the viewpoints (including the famous Mirador des Colomer), but before arriving at the lighthouse.
What does this second barrier mean?
Formentor Beach car park:
At the lighthouse there is a small free car park (about 20–30 spaces) for those who make it to the end of the road. It fills up very quickly.
Quick summary of the two checkpoints:
3Alternatives to driving: shuttle bus, boat and bicycle
If you'd rather not rely on a car or want to avoid the restrictions entirely, you have several alternatives:
Shuttle bus (the most practical option):
By boat excursion:
By bicycle:
Our final tip: The most convenient way to visit Formentor without restrictions is to arrive before 10:00 in the morning and spend the whole day enjoying the viewpoints, beach and lighthouse at your own pace. That way you can even stay for sunset.
