Gran Canary: 70’s VW Buggy Tour

The star here is not just Gran Canaria’s scenery. It is the rare 1970s Volkswagen buggy carrying you through it. I like the open-air feel and the way the route moves from the coast near Meloneras into winding mountain roads, giving you a much broader view of southern Gran Canaria than a short beach excursion.

I also like the small, personal nature of the outing. Philippe and Simon guide the drives, and the stops are made for conversation, photos, and a drink rather than rushing you from one viewpoint to the next. The main consideration is the car itself: a classic buggy does not handle like a modern vehicle, and the mountain roads include hairpin bends.

Key points to know

• 1970s VW buggy: You ride in a genuine vintage car, with the open top, old-school controls, and a strong sense of occasion.
• Coast to mountain route: The three-hour drive takes in Arguineguin, Cercado de Espino, Mogan, Maspalomas, and mountain roads.
• You may drive: You must be at least 25 and carry your original driving licence. Otherwise, Philippe or another guide drives.
• Small-group feel: The experience is more personal than a large vehicle excursion, with time to chat and stop for photographs.
• Drinks included: Coffee, tea, soda, or water is provided during a stop in a Canarian village.
• Good value for two: The listed price is $223 per group of up to two people, not per person.

Why the vintage buggy is the real attraction

Many Gran Canaria excursions use a modern coach, minibus, or purpose-built off-road vehicle. This one works differently. You are placed in a classic 1970s Volkswagen buggy, an unusual vehicle that makes even ordinary road sections feel like part of the outing.

The car gives you an open view of the coast and mountains. You can feel the air, hear more of the road, and take photographs with the buggy in the frame. That matters because this is not simply transport between viewpoints. The vehicle is the main event.

I would choose this outing for the car before choosing it for any one particular stop. If you collect classic cars, enjoy old machinery, or simply want a holiday activity that does not feel like the usual package tour, the buggy gives the day its character.

There is also a pleasant bit of honesty in the experience. You are not being placed in a polished modern car with every driving aid. The controls and handling reflect an older design. One useful tip is to listen carefully to the driving instructions at the start and take the first few minutes gently.

From Sunset Beach Meloneras toward Maspalomas

The official starting point is Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa. Some past bookings included hotel pickup and return, but you should confirm that arrangement when booking rather than assume it is automatic.

The route begins in the south of the island, close to the resort area of Meloneras and the sights of Maspalomas. The early section gives you a chance to settle into the buggy before the roads become more demanding.

Maspalomas is included as a sightseeing area rather than a long museum-style stop. You may see the famous Maspalomas lighthouse from farther along the route, adding a useful reference point as the buggy moves away from the coast. The lighthouse is one of the best-known markers in southern Gran Canaria, but do not expect a dedicated interior visit from the information provided.

The first part of the outing helps you understand the contrast that makes southern Gran Canaria interesting. Near the resorts, you have broad coastal views and familiar holiday scenery. Soon, the road begins to lead inland, and the setting becomes quieter and more rugged.

Arguineguin and the wide coastal views

Arguineguin is one of the key viewpoints on the drive. From higher ground, you can look back over the town and the coast, with the sea opening out beyond it.

This is where the open buggy earns its keep. In a closed car, you would still see the view, but the low sides and roofless design make it easier to look around and take photographs. You also get a stronger sense of the road climbing beneath you.

Bring a phone or camera with a secure grip. The tour is built around several photo stops, and you will want both scenic pictures and photographs of the buggy itself. The open design is fun, but it also means that anything loose can be affected by wind or movement.

The route may also give you a distant view of a former NASA space center. That is a passing landmark rather than the focus of the tour, but it adds a surprising piece of modern history to a drive otherwise centered on old roads, villages, and mountain scenery.

Up through Cercado de Espino and the mountain roads

The strongest part of the trip is the climb into the canyons and mountain roads around places such as Cercado de Espino. Here, you are no longer looking at Gran Canaria only as a resort island. The road begins to show the island’s steep interior, with bends, rising slopes, and changing views at every turn.

You will follow the guide’s vehicle through the route. That makes the drive easier to manage, especially if you are unfamiliar with the roads. The mountain section is on paved roads, but it can still be a challenging drive. One person described the hairpin bends as a memorable part of the outing, so this is not the right choice if you want a completely relaxed, straight-road ride.

I would not book this expecting a high-speed thrill ride. The pleasure comes from driving an old car through twisting roads while taking in the views. The guides keep the group together, and the activity is designed as a scenic tour rather than a race.

If you drive, give yourself time to get used to the buggy. Modern cars hide much of the work behind power assistance and familiar controls. The vintage vehicle asks you to pay closer attention. That is part of the fun for many people, but it may feel less comfortable if you rarely drive older cars.

A Canarian village stop and a welcome drink

The route includes a stop at a small Canarian village, where you receive a complimentary drink. Your choices are coffee, tea, soda, or water.

This pause gives the outing a better rhythm. Three hours in an open buggy could feel tiring if you were moving constantly, especially in warm weather. A drink stop lets you stretch, talk with the guide, and take in the surroundings without watching the clock.

The stop is also valuable because it adds a local setting to the drive. You are not only being taken to a viewpoint designed for tour buses. You get a short break in a village environment, with the chance to see a quieter side of the island.

Do not expect a full meal or a long village visit. The included refreshment is simple, and the stop forms one part of a moving tour. I see it as a useful social pause rather than a major attraction in its own right.

Mogan, photo stops, and the return route

Mogan is among the areas included in the wider route. The exact order and length of each stop can vary with road conditions, weather, and the pace of the group, so think of the itinerary as a scenic circuit rather than a fixed series of timed visits.

The guides make several carefully chosen stops for photographs and views. This is important for anyone who wants more than a drive-by look. You have time to get out, frame the coast or mountains, and photograph the unusual car against the scenery.

The return to Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa completes the three-hour excursion. Past outings have sometimes run longer than expected, but you should plan around the stated duration rather than count on extra time. If you have a dinner reservation or airport transfer afterward, leave a sensible gap.

The route’s appeal is the variety. You start near the southern resorts, see the coast around Arguineguin, climb through canyons, pause in a village, and return after spending time in the island’s interior. You will not see every part of Gran Canaria, but you get a useful sample of the south and central mountain roads in a memorable vehicle.

What driving the buggy is really like

Drivers must be at least 25 years old and carry their original driving licence. A photograph or copy may not meet the requirement, so take the physical document with you.

If you meet the age and licence rules, you can drive your own vehicle. If you do not, the guide drives you through the route. That makes the outing suitable for couples where only one person wants to drive, or for anyone who prefers to focus on the views.

The reviews make clear that driving the old buggy is different from using a modern car. The vehicle is well maintained, but it remains a vintage machine. You may need a little time to get comfortable with its steering, controls, and response.

I would treat the first part as a settling-in period. Follow the guide, keep a steady pace, and do not feel pressured to match anyone else. On mountain bends, a careful driver will enjoy the route more than someone trying to make it a speed contest.

The activity is not suitable for children under six. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the information does not explain the exact transfer arrangements or whether the individual buggy can accommodate every wheelchair type. If that detail matters to you, ask the operator before booking.

Philippe, Simon, and the personal guiding style

Philippe is the guide most often associated with the experience, and Simon also leads some outings. The strongest praise centers on their friendly manner, car enthusiasm, stories, and care with the route.

That personal connection is a major part of the value. Philippe is described as someone who enjoys the vehicles and likes talking with people about them. If you are interested in Volkswagens or classic cars, you will likely get more from the outing than a simple scenic drive.

The small-group setup also helps. You are not being moved through a large procession with one customer group after another. The guide can keep an eye on the cars, explain the route, and stop for conversation.

The language options are Spanish, French, and English. That makes the outing accessible to a wide range of visitors, but it is still worth confirming your preferred language when you book.

Is $223 good value for two people?

The listed price is $223 per group of up to two people. That works out to $111.50 each if two people share the car, though the exact local currency charge can vary at booking.

That is not a bargain-basement excursion. You are paying for a rare vehicle, a private-feeling drive, a guide, fuel, route planning, several stops, and a three-hour outing. The value improves if you are genuinely interested in the car or if you want a more personal alternative to a large island tour.

For a single person, the group price is harder to justify unless the vintage car itself is the main reason for booking. For two people who would otherwise pay separately for transport, sightseeing, and a car-themed activity, the package makes more sense.

The complimentary drink is a pleasant extra, but it should not influence your decision much. Book this for the buggy, the mountain roads, and the guide-led route. The drink simply breaks up the drive.

Weather, clothing, and practical preparation

The tour depends on favorable weather. That matters more here than it would on a normal bus excursion because the buggy is open to the air. A sunny coastal day can still feel cooler on exposed mountain roads.

Wear comfortable clothing that can handle wind and changing temperatures. Bring sunglasses and secure any hats or loose items. You should also bring your driving licence if you plan to take the wheel.

A camera or phone is worthwhile because the outing includes several photo opportunities. Keep it safely secured while the buggy is moving, and take it out during stops.

Do not arrive intoxicated. This is a driving activity on public roads, with mountain bends and a guide-led convoy, so that rule is basic safety rather than a minor booking detail.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your plans are still shifting, though weather can still affect the outing.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it first to:

• Classic-car fans who want to drive something unusual
• Couples looking for a shared activity priced per vehicle
• Visitors who want mountain views without a full-day hike
• Adults who enjoy winding roads and a little old-car challenge
• Families with children aged six and above, provided the adults are comfortable with the vehicle and route
• Repeat visitors who have already seen the main resort sights

I would be more cautious if you dislike open vehicles, get nervous on hairpin roads, or want a tightly timed sightseeing schedule. This is a road experience with scenic stops, not a conventional attraction with long visits at each landmark.

It also suits people who value conversation. The guides’ enthusiasm for the cars and the island forms part of the day. If you prefer to explore independently and stop wherever you wish, renting a normal car may give you more freedom, though it will not provide the vintage buggy or the same guided route.

Should you book the 70s VW buggy tour?

You should book it if you want the vehicle to be part of the memory, not just a way to reach a viewpoint. The combination of a rare 1970s VW buggy, Arguineguin coastal views, paved mountain roads, village refreshment stops, and guides such as Philippe and Simon gives this outing a clear personality.

I would especially choose it for two adults who can share the $223 group price and who are happy to spend three hours on winding roads. Bring your original licence if you want to drive, start slowly, and leave space in your day in case the route runs beyond the expected timing.

Skip it if you want a quiet, climate-controlled ride or if you are uncomfortable handling an older vehicle. For everyone else, this is one of the more distinctive ways to see southern Gran Canaria, with enough scenery to satisfy sightseers and enough mechanical character to keep car fans smiling.

FAQ

Where does the 70s VW buggy tour start?

The stated starting point is Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa in Gran Canaria.

How long does the tour last?

The excursion lasts three hours.

What places can I see during the drive?

The route includes sightseeing around Maspalomas and scenic areas such as Arguineguin, Cercado de Espino, and Mogan. You can also see the Maspalomas lighthouse and a former NASA space center from a distance.

Can I drive the buggy myself?

You can drive if you are at least 25 years old and bring your original driving licence. If you do not meet those conditions, the guide drives you.

Is the vehicle a real classic car?

Yes. The experience uses a genuine 1970s Volkswagen buggy.

What drink is included?

You receive one complimentary coffee, tea, soda, or water during the excursion.

What languages are available?

The live guides speak Spanish, French, and English.

Can children join the tour?

Children under six are not permitted to take part.