A 70s buggy makes Gran Canaria feel closer. This 70’s VW Buggy Tour is a rare chance to get behind the wheel of a classic Volkswagen and chase sea-and-mountain views with guide Philippe. I like that it’s not just a photo stop tour, it’s a driving experience that brings places like Arguineguin and the canyons to life. You also get built-in stops aimed at good sightlines and great camera moments.

The big thing to consider: the drive is for ages 25+ with your original driving licence. If you’re younger (or don’t have the licence with you), Philippe will drive for you, and you’ll ride along.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This 3-Hour 70s VW Buggy Tour

• Real classic-car feel: vintage Volkswagen buggy steering and open-top vibes, not a dull sightseeing ride
• Scenic route focus: coastal roads plus canyon driving with viewpoints above Arguineguin and the coast
• Photo-first pacing: planned stops to soak up views and catch the famous sights from the road
• Drink and break included: a complimentary coffee/tea/soda/water at a Canarian village stop
• The 25+ driving rule: bring your original licence if you want to drive

Why This 70s VW Buggy Tour Beats the Usual Gran Canaria Day Trip

If your Gran Canaria plan looks like sand, sun, and more sand, this is the antidote. A vintage buggy changes the rhythm of a trip. You feel the wind, you hear the mechanical character of the car, and the roads suddenly matter more than the destination.

I especially like the mix of driving and viewpoints. You’re not stuck in one spot waiting for a perfect photo. You get moving, then stopping at the right moments to look out over Arguineguin and the coast, and to take in the wider Maspalomas area from a distance.

The other reason this works so well for your day is how it connects the island’s different sides. You’ll go from the South coast zone toward mountain and canyon roads, with multiple chances to see famous landmarks as you travel, including the Maspalomas lighthouse in the distance and even a far-off reference to a former NASA space center area.

Start at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, Then Head Toward Maspalomas

Your tour begins at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, which is a convenient launch point if you’re staying in or near the Meloneras–Maspalomas strip. From there, the day builds toward the views around Maspalomas and the wider coastal/mountain mix.

Maspalomas is one of those places you can visit multiple times and still feel like you’re seeing a new angle. On this tour, it’s not about walking the dunes. It’s about orientation: getting the island’s geography into your head while you drive tarmac roads with curves and elevation.

A practical tip: start the tour with a light camera setup. You’ll want quick access for roadside viewpoints and canyons, and it helps to keep your phone secure for the breezier stretches.

The Route Sweet Spot: Coastal Roads, Canyon Driving, and Big View Stops

This isn’t random driving. The route is designed around scenery, and you’ll feel it in the way stops are timed.

You’ll spend time on scenic coastal routes and also through canyons, where the walls of rock and the turns make the drive feel more like an outing than a transfer. That’s where the classic buggy vibe really lands. An open-top car turns ordinary roads into an event: every turn changes what you see.

Some of the view targets include:

• Arguineguin and the coast looking out from higher ground
• Cercado de Espino and the more inland feel of the drive
• Mogán, which adds variety beyond the usual South coast bubble

You’ll also get chances to spot landmarks from viewpoints. Seeing the Maspalomas lighthouse far in the distance is one of those moments that gives you a sense of scale. And if you’re the type who likes odd trivia, the mention of a far-off former NASA space center area gives the island a different story beyond beaches.

The Canarian Village Stop: Where the Complimentary Drink Makes Sense

A good tour has a reason to stop beyond just stretching your legs. Here, you’ll reach a quaint Canarian village during the ride and you’ll get a complimentary beverage. The included drink is listed as coffee/tea/soda/water, so you can keep it simple and stay hydrated.

What I like about this stop is the reset it gives. When you’re driving windy roads and climbing toward higher viewpoints, you build a little energy. That break turns the day from go-go-go into something calmer without losing the momentum.

It’s also where the island’s character shows up. Even if you’re only there briefly, it’s the kind of stop that makes you feel you’ve traveled rather than just driven past scenery.

Driving the Buggy (or Riding Along): The 25+ Licence Rule and How It Affects Your Day

This is the defining practical detail.

If you’re over 25 and you have your original driving licence with you, you drive your own buggy. If not, the guide drives, and you’ll ride along. Either way, you still get the same scenery and the same classic-car experience, but the sensation changes a lot.

If you’re driving, expect:

• A vintage feel to the vehicle: it doesn’t drive like a modern car
• Wind and exposure (open top), which makes speed feel faster
• A need to listen to the guide’s advice early on so you’re confident through curves

The roads are on tarmac, but they can still be challenging because of the mountain-style bends. One review mentioned hairpin bends and that you should slow down and drive with care. That’s a good mindset for you too, especially if you’re not used to older cars.

If you’re not driving, don’t treat it like a passenger-only ride. You’ll still want to pay attention. The guide’s route choice and timing are what get you to the best sightlines, and you’ll get a front-row seat to that.

What Happens During the 3 Hours: Pace, Stops, and Photo Time

This tour is designed as a clean 3-hour block. That’s a sweet spot for people who want something exciting without eating an entire day.

You’ll start from the coast side, then work toward the Maspalomas area, then continue through the coastal and canyon sections with multiple stops. The goal of these breaks is twofold:

1. Give you time to really look at viewpoints
2. Let you take photos without sprinting between them

The stops aren’t random. They’re placed so you can see the island’s layers: coastal lines, inland road feel, and higher-ground views. If you like Instagram shots, you’ll probably find plenty of angles. If you’re more into simply absorbing the day, you’ll still enjoy it because the drive itself is the attraction.

One more detail I think you’ll appreciate: the tour generally stays personal. Multiple reviews point out the small-group, friendlier feel compared with big, conveyor-belt excursions. That matters because it’s easier to ask questions about what you’re seeing and to get real conversation during the stops.

Price and Value: Is $223 Per Group Up to 2 Worth It?

At $223 per group up to 2, the price can look high if you compare it to a bus tour. But you’re not paying for a seat on a vehicle. You’re paying for:

• A rare classic 70s VW buggy experience
• A guide who’s actively driving the route (and sometimes teaching you how to drive it)
• The time-built scenery package: coastal views, canyons, and several designed stops
• A complimentary beverage included in the ticket

For the right match, this is good value because the experience is very specific. You can do beaches any day. You can do driving tours only when the roads, the car, and the guide line up.

This is also a couple-friendly price. If you’re two people sharing the cost, you’re getting the classic-car outing together rather than each person booking separately.

My practical advice: if you and your partner (or friend) both want the driving experience, bring your licence and plan to drive. That’s where the value really clicks.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

Best fit:

• You want to drive a classic VW buggy on a guided route
• You’re visiting the South of Gran Canaria and want more than beaches
• You like scenic roads and planned photo stops
• You enjoy chatting with a guide who seems genuinely into the cars and the area

You might consider skipping if:

• You’re traveling with very young kids (not suitable for children under 6)
• You’re easily motion-sick or hate winding roads
• You don’t have the original driving licence and you really came to drive

If you’re a car fan, this tour will hit hard. Even if you’re not, the mix of driving and viewpoint variety keeps it interesting.

Should You Book the Gran Canaria 70s VW Buggy Tour?

Book it if you want a day that feels like an experience, not an errand. The classic-car factor is real, the route focuses on coastal and canyon scenery, and you get a thoughtful break with a complimentary drink.

I’d book it especially if you’ll be able to drive. The moment you’re in control of a vintage VW on mountain-style roads, the tour stops being just sightseeing and becomes memory-making.

If you’re on the fence, the simplest decision rule is this: if you’re the kind of person who wants to feel the wind and take your time at viewpoints, do it. If you want a calm, low-effort tour with minimal driving and no classic-car learning curve, you might be happier with a lighter sightseeing option.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

The tour starts at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa.

How long is the Gran Canary 70s VW Buggy Tour?

It lasts 3 hours.

What does the tour cost?

It’s listed at $223 per group up to 2.

Can I drive the buggy?

To drive, you must be at least 25 years old and have your original driving licence with you. If you don’t meet that, the guide will drive you.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes the 3-hour excursion and a complimentary drink (coffee, tea, soda, or water).

What languages is the live guide available in?

The guide offers live tour commentary in Spanish, French, and English.

Is it wheelchair accessible, and is it suitable for young children?

It is wheelchair accessible. Children under 6 are not suitable for this tour. The tour is also subject to favorable weather conditions.

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