Tour in a real VW 70’s Buggy in Gran Canaria 4 People.

A vintage VW buggy gives this Gran Canaria outing its character: you’re not sealed behind car windows as the road climbs from the coast toward the mountains. You drive a classic, open-air vehicle, with Philippe or Simon leading the way and stopping for views, photos, and a drink.

I like the combination of coastal and mountain roads and the personal scale: the tour has a maximum of four participants. I also like that drinks are included and that the route passes places you might not reach on a typical beach holiday.

One important catch: the buggies are manual transmission, and the advertised duration of about 2.5 hours may not match every outing. If you’re joining from a cruise ship or have a tight schedule, confirm your pickup and return timing directly before booking.

The quick take

• You drive a real 1970s VW buggy, rather than ride in a modern tour vehicle.
• The route climbs inland from Meloneras, combining coastal views with mountain roads and a village stop.
• Philippe and Simon are central to the outing, guiding the drive and helping participants get comfortable with the buggies.
• The price is $169.31 for a group of up to four, making it a stronger value if you fill the available places.
• Manual driving is essential if you want to take the wheel. Confirm before booking if that could be a problem.
• Bring a hat and sunscreen, especially for the exposed ride and sunny mountain stops.

From Meloneras, the road turns into the attraction

The tour starts at Sunset Beach Meloneras, at C. Mar Blanco, 6, in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. You finish back at the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, but the exact arrangements matter: if you’re staying elsewhere or arriving by cruise ship, confirm the pickup location and return plan with the operator before travel.

The appeal is not just reaching a viewpoint. It’s getting there in an old, open buggy, with the road, warmth, and mountain air part of the ride. You’ll be more involved than you would be in a standard sightseeing vehicle, especially if you’re driving a manual car.

The group limit is four, which keeps this from feeling like a large convoy. The buggy format also means you should think about who will drive and who will ride along. One person in a group who cannot drive a stick shift may affect how comfortably everyone can take part.

Arguineguín’s coastal lookout starts the sightseeing

The first listed stop is an overlook above Arguineguín, reached after a scenic road beside the sea. From the viewpoint, you can look along the coast and toward the horizon; on a clear view, the Maspalomas lighthouse is visible in the distance.

There is also a striking bit of space history on the horizon: the former NASA tracking station associated with receiving the first image from the Apollo 11 mission. It’s an unexpected detail in a coastal panorama, and a reminder that Gran Canaria’s position in the Atlantic has had uses beyond tourism.

The stop is listed as about 10 minutes, so treat it as a quick look and photo pause, not a long visit. The value is the changing perspective: you’ve left the resort area behind and are already seeing the coast from above.

Cercados de Espinos brings a village pause

The route continues inland to Cercados de Espinos, a small Canarian village in the canyon. This is the scheduled drink stop, with coffee or tea, soda, and bottled water included in the tour price. The stop is listed at about 15 minutes.

That pause matters on a drive that includes winding mountain roads. You can stretch, take in the surroundings, and enjoy a break from concentrating on the route. There are also additional roadside stops for views along the way, though the exact number and timing are not specified.

This is a scenic driving tour, not a village walking tour. Expect a short stop rather than a deep visit to local shops or sights. If you want a relaxed look at the village, ask the guide how much time is planned on the day.

The mountain section is about the road and the views

The itinerary includes a 15-minute stop in the Province of Soria, described for its scenery. The main attraction here is the route itself: the road climbs through mountain country, with views across the canyon and surrounding slopes.

The drive is one reason this outing suits people who like cars as much as sightseeing. A vintage manual buggy asks you to pay attention to the turns and the changing road, rather than simply watch the scenery through a window. The route can feel lively, but it is still a guided drive, not a race. Stay with the group and follow the guide’s instructions.

The mountain air and sun can be a different combination from the seaside. Bring a hat and sunscreen, and take water when you have the chance. Bottled water is included, but it’s sensible to arrive prepared rather than rely on a brief stop to sort yourself out.

Mogán adds a village sight before the descent

The tour passes through Mogán and stops to see a windmill, then heads back down by the sea. The listed stop is about 10 minutes. It gives the route a final landmark before the scenery shifts from mountain roads toward the coast again.

The itinerary doesn’t describe a long visit in Mogán, so don’t book this expecting time for an extended walk or meal there. Think of it as a brief stop built into a larger drive. The contrast between the inland climb and coastal return is the point: you see more than one side of the island in a single outing.

The exact sequence and time at each stop may depend on the pace of the group. The listed durations add up to less than the full tour, leaving time for the drive itself and additional viewpoints.

The buggy is the main event, but check the transmission

These are real vintage VW buggies from the 1970s. One participant described driving a 1969 buggy, and the cars are a major part of the appeal for anyone who enjoys classic vehicles. They’re not modern automatic beach buggies, and the ride is more hands-on.

The practical detail is that the vehicles are manual. If you’re not comfortable with a stick shift, contact the operator before booking and make sure your group has a workable plan. One group found that only one person could drive manual and had to share a buggy; another account mentions that not all vehicles were working on a particular day. Those are reasons to confirm the vehicle arrangement, especially if you’re counting on multiple drivers.

The buggy format also means the ride is open to the elements. That’s part of the fun, but it makes sun protection and sensible clothing worthwhile. The roads are winding, so drivers should be comfortable managing a manual vehicle while staying attentive to the guide and road conditions.

Philippe and Simon shape the day

Philippe and Simon are the guides most often associated with the tour, and Nestor has also joined outings. The guides help with getting started and lead the group through the route. Their easy, social approach is a big part of why this feels more personal than a standard bus excursion.

That personal touch can be especially useful if you’re new to driving a vintage buggy. You can ask for guidance before setting off, and the group can pause along the way for drinks and photos. The experience is not a scripted history tour, though. If you want detailed explanations at every stop, ask in advance what the guide typically covers.

Free photos from the excursion are available through the operator’s Facebook page, 70’sbuggy. That’s a handy extra if you’d rather focus on the drive than keep stopping to take pictures yourself.

Is $169.31 good value for four?

The listed price is $169.31 per group of up to four, rather than per person. If four people share the booking, that works out to about $42.33 each. For a private-feeling outing in a vintage vehicle, with a guide, drinks, transport, fees, and photos included, that can be good value.

The math changes if fewer people are in your party, since the group price is not divided among as many participants. Before paying, make sure you understand how many buggies are included in your booking and how the group will be arranged. A booking error or misunderstanding about vehicle count could affect the day.

Pickup is offered, but it’s worth confirming the details directly, particularly if you’re coming from a port. One account describes confusion around pickup and timing, while other outings included cruise-ship transfers. Don’t assume every pickup request is guaranteed until the operator confirms it.

How long should you set aside?

The listed duration is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Actual outings described by participants have lasted around three hours or as long as three and a half, including stops and transport arrangements. That variation makes it wise to leave a cushion in your schedule.

This matters most if you’re on a cruise or have another timed activity. Confirm how long your particular outing is expected to take, where pickup will happen, and when you’ll be returned. If you have a ship departure to meet, make that clear before booking rather than relying on a general tour duration.

Booking is available in English. The tour has a maximum of four participants, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Who will enjoy this drive most?

I’d recommend this tour if you enjoy classic cars, winding roads, and seeing the island from outside the main resort area. It’s also a good fit for families or small groups who want a shared activity, provided the driver or drivers are comfortable with manual transmission.

It’s less suitable if you want a smooth, quiet ride, a long stop in every village, or a fully predictable schedule. The older vehicles are part of the charm, but they also make it sensible to confirm the car arrangement and keep time flexible.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the 70s buggy tour?

Book it if the thought of driving a classic VW through coastal and mountain scenery sounds more appealing than sitting on a bus. The small group, included drinks, short scenic stops, and guides Philippe and Simon give the outing a personal feel, while the route offers a worthwhile change from the beach.

Before you commit, confirm three things: that you can drive a manual, how many buggies your booking includes, and exactly how pickup and timing will work. If those details suit your plans, this is a memorable way to spend a half-day on Gran Canaria.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $169.31 per group of up to four people.

How long does the tour take?

The approximate listed duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Some outings have taken longer, so confirm the expected timing if your schedule is tight.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Sunset Beach Meloneras, C. Mar Blanco, 6, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Spain, and ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. Confirm the pickup location and arrangements with the operator before your tour.

Are the buggies automatic?

No. The buggies are manual, so drivers need to be comfortable with a stick shift.

What places does the route visit?

The listed stops include an overlook above Arguineguín, Cercados de Espinos, a scenic stop in the Province of Soria, and Mogán.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Coffee or tea, soda, and bottled water are included.

Are photos included?

Yes. Photos from the excursion are free to collect through the operator’s Facebook page, 70’sbuggy.

What language is the tour offered in?

English is listed as an available language.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.