Las Palmas: Tapas and Drinks in the Beauty of the Old City

Las Palmas’ Old City is best explored with a local who can lead you past the obvious spots and into the small bars where the evening is about food, conversation, and a good drink. This two-hour walk pairs local tapas with stories about the city, and the route can change from night to night.

I like the small-group format, which can feel almost private, and the way the guide mixes food with history instead of treating the stops as a string of tastings. I also like that you leave with recommendations for two more places to try on your own.

One consideration: the included food is two tapas, not a full dinner, and extra orders cost more. The bars are informal, and staff may speak Spanish only, so be ready for a relaxed, local-style evening rather than a polished restaurant tour.

At a glance

• Meet beneath San Telmo Church’s wooden balcony, a two-minute walk from the Global San Telmo bus station.
• Visit at least two traditional bars in and around the Old City, with the route adapted to the evening and your preferences.
• Get two tapas and two drinks, with a choice of local wine, beer, soft drink, water, or coffee.
• Hear about Las Palmas and Gran Canaria as you walk between food stops.
• Expect a small group or private outing, rather than a large, fixed procession.
• Ask about dietary needs before booking, since the booking process may not collect them.

Starting beneath San Telmo Church

The meeting point is easy to find once you know the landmark: stand beneath the only wooden balcony at San Telmo Church. The church is close to the Tourist Information Office and just a short walk from the Global San Telmo Island Bus Station, whose blue buses connect with Maspalomas and other cities.

That bus connection can make the tour practical if you are staying elsewhere on Gran Canaria. If the meeting point or bus arrangements are unclear, the operator offers logistics assistance in your language. A city-area pickup may also be arranged on request for €15 cash per three people or fewer. It is not included in the tour price, so confirm the details before relying on it.

The tour lasts two hours, but the exact starting time depends on availability. Give yourself enough time to reach San Telmo without rushing; arriving a little early also gives you a moment to orient yourself in this part of the city.

Walking into the Old City’s tapas scene

From the meeting point, the guide leads you toward the Old City near the cathedral. This is not a fixed route with a guaranteed list of bars. The itinerary can change each night according to the local scene and your preferences, which gives the walk a flexible, spontaneous feel.

That flexibility is part of the appeal. Instead of following a set circuit that treats every evening the same, you may find the guide choosing different stops or responding to what is happening that night. The trade-off is that you should not book expecting a particular restaurant, dish, or view.

The walking itself adds context. Guides such as Artemis have shared stories about the history of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, and the buildings along the way. That turns the time between bars into part of the experience, not just a transfer from one plate to the next. If you are new to the city, I would book this early in your stay: the guide can help you get your bearings and point you toward places to visit later.

Two local bars, two tapas, and two drinks

You visit at least two traditional food-and-drink spots, with one drink included at each. The package covers two tapas and two drinks in total. You can choose from local wine, beer, a soft drink, water, or coffee; any food or drink beyond the included items is extra.

The stops are described as unpretentious local bars rather than fancy dining rooms. That matters if you want a polished, multi-course meal with a printed menu and formal service. It matters less if you want to see how a casual evening out in the Old City can unfold, with a small plate, a drink, and time to talk.

The dishes are presented as local and traditional, and the guide explains their origins and shares anecdotes about the city. You might encounter flavors or combinations that are new to you. Exact dishes are not promised, so go with an open mind and ask your guide what is being served and how it is usually enjoyed.

There is room to order more if something catches your eye, but those extras are on your own bill. I would treat the included tastings as a generous introduction, not a substitute for dinner if you arrive hungry. If you plan to make a full evening of it, ask the guide for the two additional places recommended at the end and budget separately for any extra orders.

A guide who brings the city into the meal

The guide is central to this experience. Artemis has led many of the outings, while other guides, including Alfredo and Minerva, have also taken groups. You cannot assume which guide will lead your date, but the format is built around direct interaction rather than a script delivered to a crowd.

The strongest feature is the combination of local food and conversation. You can ask questions about the dishes, the city, and what to do after the tour. Guides have also shared recommendations for dessert spots and other bars, a useful bonus if you have a free evening or need to make the most of a short stay.

There is one practical point to keep in mind while walking. One participant found it harder to hear when the guide spoke while moving ahead, so if you are walking behind or the street is noisy, ask the guide to pause before explaining something. That is a simple fix, and it helps everyone catch the story.

Bar staff may speak Spanish only, while the tour is led in English. That can add a local feel, but it may limit direct conversation with the staff if you do not speak Spanish. Your guide can help bridge the gap, and you can keep things simple by asking for recommendations or clarifying what is in a dish.

How the $65 price adds up

At $65 per person, the price covers a two-hour guided food tour, two tapas, and two drinks. You are also paying for the guide’s local knowledge and for an evening route that brings together food stops and city context. For someone who likes to be shown around rather than spend the first night guessing which bar to try, that combination can be worthwhile.

It is less compelling if your main aim is to eat a large dinner. Two tapas and two drinks are a tasting, not a feast, and additional orders are not included. You should also factor in the cost of anything you choose to buy beyond the package.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. If you are keen to sample local dishes, hear about the Old City, and collect recommendations for later, the price buys more than food alone. If you already know Las Palmas well or prefer to choose every stop yourself, you may get better value by visiting bars independently.

Small groups, private outings, and practical details

The experience is described as almost private because the group is very small, or sometimes private. That gives you more chance to ask questions and talk with the guide than you would on a large group walk. It can also make the pace feel more personal, though the exact group size is not guaranteed in the information provided.

The operator says private celebrations or family and company dinners can be arranged by contacting them after making a small reservation to discuss changes to group size or menu. If you are planning a birthday or a work gathering, confirm what can be arranged and what it would cost before assuming the standard tour covers a custom event.

The activity is listed as suitable for all ages and wheelchair accessible. Venue entrance fees are included, and a separate entrance is listed for skipping the line. Since the tour’s focus is local bars and walking through the Old City, contact the operator ahead of time if you need specific access details for your group.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your plans are still taking shape.

Food needs and the best way to prepare

If you are vegetarian, vegan, or have an allergy, contact the operator before the tour and explain your needs clearly. Dietary requirements may not be collected during booking, and a vegetarian guest was served ham after stating that they did not eat meat. There were suitable vegetarian and vegan choices at another bar, but that does not guarantee every stop will work for every diet.

A little advance communication can prevent an awkward meal. Ask whether the guide can confirm suitable dishes with the bars and whether the route can accommodate your needs. Do not assume that the included tapas will be vegetarian or that every venue offers the same range of choices.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring an appetite for small plates rather than a full meal. The pace is intended to be relaxed, but the outing involves moving between places, and the stops may differ from one evening to the next.

Who should book this Las Palmas food walk?

I would choose this tour if you want a friendly introduction to the Old City, like trying local food without planning every stop, or enjoy asking a guide questions as you walk. It is especially useful near the start of a visit, when recommendations for more bars, food, and places to explore can shape the rest of your stay.

It also suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who prefer conversation to a large tour. The intimate format can work well for a special evening, though a custom birthday or company gathering needs to be arranged separately with the operator.

I would think twice if you need a substantial dinner included, want a guaranteed list of venues, or have strict dietary requirements that have not been confirmed in advance. If you are comfortable with a flexible route, modest portions, and the possibility of ordering extra, this is a practical way to taste the Old City with someone who knows it.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing a date.

What food and drinks are included?

The price includes two tapas and two drinks. Drinks may be local wine, beer, a soft drink, water, or coffee.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at San Telmo Church, beneath the only wooden balcony. It is close to the Tourist Information Office and about a two-minute walk from the Global San Telmo Island Bus Station.

Is the route the same every evening?

No. The route can change depending on the evening’s scene and your preferences. The tour visits at least two places.

Is the tour private?

It is described as almost private, with a very small group or a private tour. The exact group size may vary.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks English. Bar staff may speak Spanish only.

Can I arrange pickup?

A city-area guide or taxi pickup may be available on request for €15 cash per three people or fewer. Contact the operator to confirm the arrangement.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.