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

Las Palmas keeps its best food in plain sight: modest bars near the cathedral, local dishes, friendly staff, and rooms that feel far removed from the resort strip. This two-hour walk takes you into that side of the city, with two tapas stops and two drinks included along the way. Guides such as Artemis and Alfredo also add stories about Las Palmas and Gran Canaria, so you get more than a meal.

I like the very small group size, which can feel almost private and gives you room to ask questions. I also like the flexible route. The guide may adjust the evening around local activity, your interests, and the mood of the old quarter instead of marching you through the same fixed list of addresses.

The main caution is food planning. Dietary needs are not collected during booking, and one vegetarian guest was served ham before finding better choices at the second bar. Also, if your guide keeps walking while speaking, you may need to ask them to stop so you can hear every story.

Key points to know before booking

• Two local stops, not a long feast: Your price includes one tapa and one drink at each of at least two venues.
• A genuinely small tour: Capacity is limited, and some departures may be private or nearly private.
• The route can change: Stops depend on the evening scene and your preferences, so the experience is less predictable than a fixed food itinerary.
• San Telmo is a useful meeting point: The church is under the only wooden balcony, close to the tourist office and the Global bus station.
• Artemis receives especially strong praise: His city stories, warm manner, and local recommendations are a major part of the experience.
• Plan a second stop afterward: The guide recommends two additional places if you want to keep eating and drinking.

Starting under the wooden balcony at San Telmo Church

The meeting point is at San Telmo Church, under the only wooden balcony. That makes it fairly easy to find, especially since it is close to the Tourist Information Office and just a two-minute walk from the Global San Telmo Island Bus Station.

This is a useful location if you are arriving by bus from another part of Gran Canaria. The station has direct connections to Maspalomas and other cities, and language assistance is available for transport planning. If you are already staying in Las Palmas, you will need to make your own way there unless you request the optional pickup service.

A guide or taxi pickup can be arranged in the Las Palmas city area for €15 cash per three people or fewer. This is not part of the $65 tour price, so confirm the arrangement before setting out. Hotel drop-off is not included.

The tour is listed at two hours, but think of that as a compact introduction rather than an all-night pub crawl. You will walk between places, hear about the city, eat at two stops, and receive suggestions for continuing the evening.

Walking into Las Palmas Old City near the cathedral

The food is only half the point. The route takes you through the old district near the cathedral, where your guide adds stories about buildings, the island, and Las Palmas. Artemis is particularly praised for explaining the city and Gran Canaria in a way that makes the walk feel personal rather than like a memorized lecture.

You may hear about the origins of the dishes as well as local anecdotes. The supplied information does not promise a set list of landmarks, so the sightseeing portion can shift from night to night. That is useful if you prefer a flexible walk, though it means you cannot book this expecting one exact architectural route.

I would place this tour early in your stay. A first-night food walk helps you understand how local bars work, what dishes to look for, and which parts of the old city deserve a return visit. One guest who was heading back to a ship used the guide’s extra recommendation before leaving town, which shows the practical value of those closing tips.

Pay attention to the walking rhythm. One guest enjoyed the tour but found it harder to follow when the guide continued walking while talking. If you are interested in the history, simply ask your guide to pause beside the building or street being discussed.

First tapas stop: simple food in a local bar

At the first venue, you receive one included tapa and one drink. Your choices are listed as local wine, beer, a soft drink, water, or coffee. The experience aims for ordinary local places rather than polished restaurants, and that is central to its appeal.

The guide will point out what is special about the stop. It might be a traditional dish, a local drink, or simply the feel of the room. You can order extra food or drinks if something catches your eye, but those additions are at your own cost.

This approach suits you if you care more about local habits than a large tasting menu. You are not promised a parade of small plates. Instead, you get a chance to try a dish in context, ask what it is, and watch how the bar functions.

The phrase local food should not be read as a guarantee that every dish suits every diet. If you are vegetarian, vegan, allergic, or avoiding pork, tell the guide clearly at the start and repeat it at each venue. The tour information does not say that dietary requirements are gathered during booking, and one vegetarian booking had a poor first stop before finding suitable options later.

Second stop: another drink, another side of the evening

The tour continues to a second bar or food venue, where another tapa and drink are included. This change of address matters. You get to compare two places instead of judging Las Palmas food culture from one table.

The second venue may have a different atmosphere or specialty. One account describes a final stop several floors up with a fine view over the old city, but that should be treated as a possible feature, not a fixed promise. The route changes with the night, local events, and your preferences.

At each place, the guide helps you understand what you are eating and may chat with Spanish-speaking bar staff or introduce you to owners. The description notes that staff may speak Spanish only, so this is not a bilingual service at every stop. Your English-speaking guide handles the explanation and conversation as far as possible.

You can take photos of the food and the street scenes. The small-group setup also makes it easier to pause for a picture without holding up a large crowd. Still, keep the focus on eating and conversation. Two tapas and two drinks is a modest amount, so anyone arriving hungry may want to budget for an extra order.

What Artemis and the other guides add

The strongest part of this experience is the human connection. Artemis is named in many of the supplied comments, and the repeated praise centers on his warmth, city knowledge, relaxed manner, and pride in Las Palmas. Several people describe the outing as feeling like time with a friend, especially when the group consisted of just two people.

Alfredo and Artemis led a New Year’s Eve outing that included authentic local venues and became a memorable way to spend the evening. Another guide, Minerva, handled a delayed start after a booking mix-up and was still described as friendly and well informed, although the late arrangement made the tour feel rushed.

Guides may speak several languages, but the advertised tour language is English. That distinction matters. You can expect the formal guiding in English, while conversations with bar staff may take place in Spanish.

The guide also gives advice for the rest of your stay. You may get a dessert suggestion, a bar recommendation, or two more places to visit after the included stops. I value this more than a generic list because the suggestions come after your guide has heard what you like.

Why the small group changes the experience

This is described as an almost private tour, with limited capacity and enhanced interaction. Some departures may include only you and one other person. That can be a real advantage in Las Palmas, where you may want to ask about dishes, neighborhoods, or evening plans without competing with a large group.

A private or tiny group also lets the guide adjust the route. You can discuss your food interests, spend more time at a stop, or move along if a bar does not suit you. The tradeoff is that a changing route gives you less certainty about the exact menu and venues.

The tour can also be arranged for a birthday, company gathering, or family dinner. The provider says group size and menu conditions can be modified after a small reservation through the support phone. Treat this as a custom arrangement, not as part of the standard booking, and confirm the new price and inclusions before agreeing.

Is $65 good value for two hours?

At $65 per person, the price is not a bargain if you judge it only by the included food. You receive two tapas and two drinks, and extra orders are separate. A self-guided evening at two simple bars could cost less.

The value comes from the access, guidance, and time saved. You are paying for an English-speaking local guide, a route through less obvious food spots, explanations of the dishes and city, and recommendations for continuing the night. For a first visit, that can prevent a poor restaurant choice and give you a clearer idea of where to return.

The nearly private format also helps justify the price. A large group food walk can offer more tastings, but it rarely gives you the same chance to shape the conversation. If you want a structured meal with many courses, this is not the right product. If you want a compact orientation with local food and personal advice, the cost is easier to defend.

Remember to allow for extra drinks, additional dishes, and possible transport. The included package covers the food tour, guide, two tapas, and two drinks. It does not cover hotel transfers, extra orders, or the optional €15 cash pickup service.

Who will enjoy this Las Palmas food walk?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to the old city. It is also a good match for couples, solo visitors, families, and small groups who prefer conversation over a formal cooking lesson.

You will get the most from it if you are happy to try the guide’s suggestions and accept some uncertainty about the route. The experience is designed around local, unpretentious bars, not fancy restaurants or familiar fast-food options.

It can suit all ages, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, because the route changes and includes walking between venues, confirm the practical details with the provider if you need a particular level of access.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed menu, strict dietary control, or a large quantity of food. Contact the provider before booking with allergies or dietary restrictions, and do not assume that the standard reservation records them.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your plans in Gran Canaria are still moving around.

The tour has a live English-speaking guide and lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date rather than assuming every evening departure follows the same schedule.

Meet at San Telmo Church unless you have arranged pickup. Arrive with enough time to find the wooden balcony and locate the guide near the bus station. If the provider has not confirmed a dietary request or a pickup, contact them before the tour begins.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a small, personal introduction to Las Palmas food and history, especially near the start of your stay. Artemis has earned repeated praise for his warmth, city stories, and useful follow-up advice, while the flexible route can lead you to bars you would not easily choose alone.

Skip it if you want a fixed menu, a long dinner, or complete control over every venue. At $65, the food alone does not make it exceptional value, but the guide, small group, local setting, and extra recommendations can make it worthwhile for curious first-time visitors. Tell the guide about dietary needs at the very beginning, listen for the final two recommendations, and keep your evening open after the official two hours.

FAQ

Where does the tapas tour meet?

Meet at San Telmo Church, under the only wooden balcony. The location is near the Tourist Information Office and about a two-minute walk from the Global San Telmo Island Bus Station.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts two hours. Check the available starting times for your chosen date.

What food and drinks are included?

The price includes two tapas and two drinks, with drink choices including local wine, beer, a soft drink, water, or coffee.

Are extra food and drinks included?

No. You may order additional food or drinks at the venues, but those extras are not included in the tour price.

Is the tour private?

It is a very small group or almost private tour. Capacity is limited, although the exact group size can vary.

What language is the tour in?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. An optional guide or taxi pickup in the Las Palmas city area may be arranged for €15 cash per three people or fewer.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.