Unplug your day with a classic buggy. This is a small-group ride in a real 1970s VW Buggy, with pickup options and open-air mountain and seaside roads around Gran Canaria. You get timed sightseeing stops, plus time to cool down and take photos without feeling rushed.

What I like most is the mix of driving fun and big, framed views. I’m especially taken by the Arguineguin lookout over the coast, with the distant Maspalomas lighthouse and even a former NASA space center connection linked to Apollo 11 imagery. The second win for me is the included break in the canyon at Cercados de Espinos, where you pause in a small Canarian village for drinks and a change of pace.

One possible drawback: these buggies are manual, so if you can’t (or don’t want to) drive a stick, plan to pair up with someone who can. Also, like most active tours, the route is very dependent on good conditions and getting everybody through the hills at the same pace.

Key points before you go

Real 1970s VW buggies drive you through both mountain twists and seaside drops.

4 people max per tour means less waiting and more hands-on time behind the wheel.

Pickup is offered and the trip starts at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, near Meloneras.

Included refreshments cover coffee or tea, soda or pop, and bottled water.

Multiple viewpoint stops break up the drive with photos and scenery breaks.

Free excursion photos are offered to collect on the provider’s Facebook page.

A 70s VW buggy tour beats a standard “sit and look” day

This isn’t the kind of tour where you mostly watch from the back seat. You are driving in open-air, feeling the road changes, and stopping at outlooks that actually make sense for a buggy route.

I like that the tour stays compact: it runs about 2 hours 30 minutes, it’s capped at 4 travelers, and it loops back to the starting point. That short time window makes it easier to fit into a holiday schedule, especially if you already planned beach time in the south.

And because it’s a classic car experience with a guide who knows cars, you get more than generic explanations. In the reviews, both Philippe and Simon come up as friendly, hands-on guides, the kind who will help you understand how to place the buggy on the road and what to watch for as the grade changes.

Route map in plain English: stop by stop

The tour is built around a drive that climbs from the coast area into viewpoints and canyon scenery, then continues through inland stops before dropping back down toward the seaside.

You’ll have small “checkpoints” where the guide brings you in for photos and a quick look around, then you’re back on the road. The entire day doesn’t feel like one long slog, because the itinerary is designed with multiple scenic pauses and at least one included drink break.

Here’s the flow, in the order you’ll encounter it.

Stop 1: Arguineguin viewpoints, lighthouse in the distance, and an Apollo 11 clue

Your first major stop is at Arguineguin, after a superb stretch of road by the sea. The payoff here is a wide coastline viewpoint with big horizon views, so you can quickly orient yourself to how the island sits and where the coast bends.

From this vantage point, you can see the Maspalomas lighthouse in the distance. You’ll also hear the connection to a former NASA space center that served in the first image of the Apollo 11 expedition.

Practical note: this is a short stop, about 10 minutes, so treat it like a fast photo window. If you want the best shots, stand up early, decide where you want to frame, and then shoot. The goal is to enjoy the view, not to linger so long you cut into the rest of the drive.

Stop 2: Cercados de Espinos canyon village and the included drink stop

Next comes Cercados de Espinos, set in the heart of the canyon. You’ll arrive in a small Canarian village atmosphere, with a drink stop included as part of the excursion price.

This is one of the smartest breaks on the route. After some uphill and switchback time, you get a chance to sit, sip, and reset while the guide moves the group at the pace of the slowest buggy.

The day also includes multiple roadside view stops on the way here and out again. That matters because the best scenery on Gran Canaria often shows itself in quick flashes between turns. Short stops let you catch those moments without turning the tour into a long hike.

Stop 3: Province of Soria, where the scenery does the talking

Then you’ll reach the Province of Soria area for stunning views, with about 15 minutes here. The itinerary doesn’t spell out a single specific monument or attraction, and that’s actually part of the appeal.

This kind of stop is made for looking. You park where the roads naturally give you an outlook, and you get time to take in how the island’s interior changes from coastal brightness to hillside grit and open sky.

A tip from how the tour is structured: keep your phone charged. Even if you don’t take many photos, you’ll want a few for the final half when the light shifts and the coastline becomes a stronger backdrop.

Stop 4: Mogan, a windmill stop, and the seaside descent

The last scenic sequence is in Mogan. You’ll cross through the village at the wheel of the buggies, then stop to see a windmill, before heading back down toward the sea.

This is a nice way to close the loop. Earlier stops focus on wide horizons and canyon depth, while the Mogan segment adds a more human-scale finish, with village sights and a visual return to the coast.

The time here is brief, about 10 minutes, but it gives you a memorable transition: hills and turns in the morning mood, then a calmer feel as you head back down. If you like your tours to end with a “we’re back to real life” vibe, this part works.

Driving the manual buggy: fun, focus, and a big comfort factor

This tour is for people who enjoy driving. You’re not just steering a little scooter around a parking lot; you’re operating an actual classic buggy in a hilly environment.

One standout detail from the information you provided: the buggies are manual, meaning no automatic transmission. That matters a lot for comfort. If you can drive a stick, you’ll likely feel more confident and engaged throughout the climbs.

If you are not comfortable driving manual, your main strategy is simple: pair up with someone who can. Plan for the possibility that not every buggy setup is equally available at the same time, and don’t assume you’ll be able to switch drivers last minute.

Also, bring a practical mindset. The route is built around winding roads, so your job is to drive smoothly and listen to the guide’s instructions. In the reviews, the guides are described as supportive and upbeat about helping people get comfortable.

Timing, pace, and what 2.5 hours really feels like

The tour duration is listed as about 2 hours 30 minutes, and the route includes quick stops. That timing is ideal if you want an active experience without sacrificing your whole day.

The pace tends to be “stop and go.” You’ll spend concentrated moments at each outlook, then you’re back on the road for stretches that let you enjoy the classic vehicle feel. Because the group is small, you typically won’t feel stuck waiting for a large tour bus.

One more practical consideration: the hills can feel warm, especially under strong sun. A couple of reviews explicitly mention heat in the mountain area, so take it seriously.

Value check: what you get for $169.31 per group

Price is $169.31 per group, up to 4 people. When you split that with others, it can pencil out to roughly $42 per person if you fill all four spots.

What makes it feel like good value is the bundle: you get private transportation, the real 1970s VW buggy, and included drinks (coffee or tea, soda or pop, and bottled water). You’re also covered for all fees and taxes, and you’re offered photo access via the provider’s Facebook page.

If you’re the type who normally pays for separate photo sessions, tours, and a car rental day, this package can feel more efficient. You’re paying for a single experience with multiple elements: driving, scenic stops, and onboard refreshment.

Pickup and meeting point: start easy, reduce stress

Pickup is offered, and the tour starts at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, C. Mar Blanco, 6, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana.

Even if you don’t use pickup, this meeting point is in the Meloneras area, close to where many beach days already take place. I like that because it keeps the tour from turning into a long “transfer day.”

Bring a little patience. Small-group tours run best when everyone arrives on time, ready to get on the road. If you’re trying to connect to a cruise schedule, build in a buffer for how long it takes to meet and get ready.

Who this tour is for, and who should skip it

This buggy tour is best for you if you want a hands-on way to see Gran Canaria’s south and interior roads. It’s also a great choice for car lovers, because the guides are described as genuine petrolheads who enjoy sharing the details.

It also fits families in the reviews, including a family with children who enjoyed the route and scenery. If your kids can handle time outdoors and like motion and views, it’s a fun change from sitting in buses all day.

Skip it or choose carefully if:

• You don’t drive manual cars and would rather not be a passenger most of the time.
• You want a very long, museum-style sightseeing day. This tour is short, fast, and road-focused.
• Weather is unstable. The experience requires good weather, and there’s an option to reschedule or get a full refund if it’s canceled for poor conditions.

Simple tips to make your buggy day smoother

A few practical moves will make your time better.

• Wear sunscreen and consider a hat, since the route goes into warmer mountain areas.
• Bring sunglasses and something to protect your eyes, since open-air driving can mean dust and sun glare on brighter stretches.
• Expect to drive focused. The manual setup keeps you more involved, which is part of the fun.
• If you care about photos, decide what matters before each short stop, since the best moments pass quickly.
• Ask the guide for driving confidence tips early. Simon and Philippe are described as friendly instructors and guides who keep the mood relaxed.

Should you book this Gran Canaria buggy tour?

I’d book it if you want a compact, high-fun day with real vehicle character and scenic stops that actually justify being on the road. The price per group can be a strong value, especially when you fill all four seats, and the included drinks make the breaks feel natural instead of like extra costs.

I would hesitate only if you need an automatic vehicle or you know manual driving will stress you out. In that case, you might spend the day waiting instead of enjoying. If manual driving is no problem, this is one of the more memorable ways to experience Gran Canaria’s mix of coast and mountains in a short window.

FAQ

Is the tour limited to how many people?

Yes. The activity has a maximum of 4 travelers, so it stays small.

Is pickup offered?

Pickup is offered. The tour also lists a starting meeting point at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa in the Meloneras area.

How long is the buggy tour?

It runs about 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

What’s included during the tour?

You get coffee and/or tea, soda/pop, and bottled water, plus private transportation and the use of the 70s VW buggy. All fees and taxes are included too.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Are the buggies automatic?

Based on the provided experience feedback, the buggies are manual, not automatic. So it helps if you are comfortable driving a stick.

Does weather affect the tour?

Yes. This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.