More Cars, More Buses: Formentor's Traffic After the Lifting of Access Restrictions

Interrupted tranquility and full parking lots: Formentor between visitor crowds and traffic control

The season is over, but the aftermath still echoes along the narrow coastal road to Cap de Formentor: between early May and the end of October, according to counts, about 258,000 vehicles drove toward the beach and the lighthouse. At the same time, almost 400,000 people boarded the shuttle buses – a record. A balance that at first glance seems contradictory: more cars, but also significantly more bus users. For background on changing access schedules, see Road to Cap Formentor: New Closure Times and Open Questions for 2026.

Key question: How much Formentor can the island handle?

That is the real question hovering over the numbers. Formentor still attracts like a magnet: the sharp sun on clear days, the scent of pine and the sound of brakes and engines on the switchback road. But who may go when, how and by which route without the idyll suffocating in traffic?

Why the statistics are rising — and why that can be misleading

Part of the increase can be explained technically: this year the access restriction was shifted in time, as explained in Formentor 2026: Car-free two weeks earlier — what travelers and residents need to know, which made the official measurement period longer. Simply put: more days = more recorded trips. In addition, there was a trend toward day trips and families leaving early to secure a parking space. Anyone who stood at the viewpoint on a Saturday knows it: honking, the squeak of sandals, the murmur of annoyed voices when another car has to manoeuvre.

But there is more behind the numbers. The explosion in bus figures – almost 400,000 passengers – shows that many residents and holidaymakers are now consciously switching; similar dynamics in urban transport are discussed in More buses, same jams: Palma's traffic stuck in a dilemma. Buses are seen as a stress-free alternative: no searching for a parking space, no tight curves, and a short walk to the beach. That is an opportunity, but also a challenge: when more people arrive overall, pressure on paths, sanitary facilities and the lighthouse increases.

Controls, fines and the limits of deterrence

The authorities cracked down: more than 2,300 fines were issued, mostly for unauthorized trips to the lighthouse. Some drivers still try to circumvent the rules — with towing, arguments at checkpoints and stressed routines as a consequence. That shows: repression alone is not a cure-all. It prevents violations but does not solve the underlying problem of rising visitor numbers; the situation has been further complicated by debates such as Driving Ban at Cap Formentor Ends – Opportunity or Setback for the Island?.

Aspects that are often overlooked

More often than not, attention focuses only on numbers and controls. Little discussed, however, are:

- The distribution by time of day: early arrivals burden other places, late arrivals disturb residents.

- The ecological consequence: more people generate more waste, trampling damage in dune areas and noise in the sensitive coastal zone.

- The social dimension: residents need secured access and parking; when outside vehicles occupy all spaces, frustration rises.

Concrete solution approaches — practical and local

The figures make it clear: a bundle of measures is needed, not just signs and fines. Some proposals that could work in practice:

- Expansion and frequency increases of the shuttle buses on weekends and holidays, plus early special services for breakfast trips. More buses could absorb peaks and at the same time make arrivals more socially acceptable.

- A digital parking guidance system that shows free spaces in real time, linked to an app that sells shuttle tickets and communicates waiting times. This would avoid unnecessary search drives along the switchbacks.

- Temporary access windows or a reservation system for vehicles on highly frequented days — combined with discounted bus offers at peak times.

- Preventive measures instead of only fines: visible, clear barriers at sensitive points, automatic license plate recognition at critical access points and information teams that speak to visitors directly.

- Local participation: residents, business owners, bus operators and environmental groups should work together in pilot projects so that measures are supported and local particularities remain taken into account.

Looking ahead: Formentor as a testing ground for sustainable tourism

Formentor is more than a photo backdrop; it is a fragile natural and residential area. This year's figures show that fans of Cap de Formentor are not disappearing — on the contrary. If the island administration, municipalities and transport providers cooperate now, the current strain can be turned into a model: less chaos, more comfort and controlled visitor flows.

I see the picture in front of me: an early morning, the air still fresh, a bus squeaking to a stop, and a driver laughing into the radio because he has once again welcomed families with sand between their toes. Scenes like that need space — but not a traffic jam in front of them.

If you go: leave early, check shuttle tickets, observe access signs. That saves time, nerves and sometimes a fine.