Driving Ban at Cap Formentor Ends – Opportunity or Setback for the Island?

Driving Ban at Cap Formentor Ends – Opportunity or Setback for the Island?

For roughly one season it felt almost like a small miracle: the narrow switchbacks up to the lighthouse without the constant bass of engines, more footsteps on the asphalt than horns in the rearview. On November 1 this experiment comes to an end for now – the driving ban for cars and motorcycles will be lifted. The central question remains: What have we gained, and what do we risk giving back?

What the lifting concretely means

Since June 1 only pedestrians, cyclists and organized shuttles were allowed to access Cap Formentor. The viewpoints felt quieter, photos were once again possible without parked cars, and families and older visitors discovered a relaxed approach to the coast. The electric shuttles between Alcúdia and Port de Pollença were popular; a final one runs until and including next Friday, daily from 10:00 to 21:00. After that it will be self-organization – own car, rental or taxi.

The often overlooked impacts

The public debate usually revolved around comfort and chaos: more space for visitors or bigger traffic jams for residents? Some consequences remained surprisingly unnoticed: the narrow coastal road suffers from vibrations and oil stains, the small walls at the viewpoints are more fragile than they appear in photos, and the vegetation at the edges has suffered from trampling. Added to this is the accident record – especially motorcycle accidents in the tight curves were one of the reasons for the temporary closure.

Economic shifts are also visible: some taxi operators complained of losses, others adapted their offers to shuttle tours and guided walks. Change can spur creativity, but not everyone benefits equally.

Key question: How can access be combined with protection?

The question is simple, the answer complex: can the island regulate visitor flows without destroying free access to nature and the views? From the season there are some practical approaches on the table – they would just need to be discussed and tested more loudly.

1. Time windows instead of full opening: Instead of 24/7 freedom, fixed times for private vehicles could apply – mornings for sunrises, afternoons for the end of the day. That spreads traffic and reduces peak loads. Those who arrive early have more tranquility; in the afternoon there is space for families and late-day visitors.

2. Quotas and parking zoning: The parking spaces at the top are limited. An online reservation system or modest parking fees would prevent spontaneous bottlenecks and help plan arrivals. Small, straightforward rules reward early arrival – and spare nature.

3. Strengthened controls and rules for motorcyclists: Speed limits, visible presence of the Guardia Civil and clearly marked no-parking zones can defuse dangerous situations. Not every hairpin is a racetrack; this is about people, not lap times.

4. Keep sustainable shuttles: The shuttle service was a simple solution for visitors without cars. Even if it ends now, the municipality should consider offering it seasonally and electrically – with fixed departure times, transparent fares and more promotion at tourist centers.

Practical tips for the coming days

Anyone driving to the Cape in the first days of November should set out early: an old forester at the Port de Pollença market said dryly: “If you want to experience the sunrise up there, you should be there before seven – after that it gets crowded.” Parking is scarce, the hairpins demand respect, and the Guardia Civil is more present than usual. Those seeking quiet should still take the shuttle in the next few days.

What authorities and residents could do now

The challenge is practical and local: better signage, clearly communicating short-term closures for events, and keeping the dialogue with taxi operators and hosts alive. Small infrastructure measures at the viewpoints – bins, wall reinforcements, defined footpaths – prevent short-term traffic increases from turning into long-term damage. Such measures cost little but have lasting effect.

Looking ahead

The return of cars does not necessarily mean the end of the “Formentor effect.” Rather, now is the chance to use the lessons from the summer months: those who regulate gain in quality; those who return to the status quo without a plan risk noisy viewpoints and overcrowded parking. A middle way is possible – with clear rules, seasonal concepts and a measure of consideration.

And when you stand up there, with the smell of salt in the air, the cry of the seagulls and the soft creaking of the windmills on the ridge, Formentor reminds us: nature needs shaping, not just access.