A 1970s VW buggy trip in Gran Canaria feels like time travel with a steering wheel. You get open-air driving, classic car energy, and some seriously scenic stops along the coast and up in the hills with Simon and Philippe running the show. I especially love that it’s a small group setup and the pace leaves room for real photos and quick breaks.

My other favorite part is the way the stops are chosen. You’re not just passing scenery; you’re getting viewpoints tied to local details, like seeing the Maspalomas lighthouse and a former NASA site tied to the Apollo 11 story from the Arguineguin area.

One drawback to keep in mind: these are real vintage buggies, and at least some of them are manual. If nobody in your group is comfortable with a stick shift, plan ahead so you don’t end up sharing a buggy in a way that’s less fun than you hoped.

Key things to know before you go

• Up to 4 people total: the tour stays personal, not a cattle-car ride.
• 1970s buggy driving: open-air, manual-control fun if you’re comfortable with driving stick.
• Arugineguin viewpoint stop: coastal horizons plus Maspalomas lighthouse in the distance.
• Cercados de Espinos drink break: included refreshment time in a canyon setting.
• Mogan windmill + seaside return: a classic Gran Canaria mix of village views and ocean road.
• Free photo downloads: you can grab the pictures later from the operator’s Facebook page.

A 70s Buggy That Feels Like You’re Driving the Island

This tour is built around a simple idea: drive a real, old-school VW buggy and let the island come to you in the order it actually feels best. The ride is open to the elements, so you really get that sun-and-wind contrast between the coast road and the higher mountain stretches.

What makes it more than a theme-park stunt is the mix of roads. You’ll hit sea-adjacent viewpoints, then climb into canyon and hill country, then come back down toward Mogan and the shoreline. The result is a day that feels like changing chapters, not one long straight line from A to B.

And yes, it’s fun. But it’s also practical: you’re kept moving, you get timed breaks, and you’re not stuck staring out a bus window while the interesting turns happen behind glass.

Getting To the Tour: Meloneras Start and Pickup Reality

You meet at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, at C. Mar Blanco, 6, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Pickup is offered, and in many cases it can make a big difference in how smooth your day feels, especially if you’re staying in the south. I like this because Gran Canaria can take time to cross, and saving that transit effort gives you more daylight time for the actual driving and stops.

One practical tip: if you’re doing this as a cruise shore excursion, confirm the pickup plan clearly the day before and give yourself a little buffer. This is a small operation with a limited group size, so if a pickup timing hiccup happens, it can ripple into the rest of the schedule. Better to have a little slack than to feel rushed.

Small Group, Real Hands-On Time (Not Bus-Patience)

The tour caps at 4 travelers, and that changes the whole vibe. When you’re not sharing the day with a huge crowd, you spend less time waiting and more time in the buggy experience itself.

In practice, you may ride in pairs inside a buggy setup, with the guide traveling alongside. One positive pattern from real-world experiences is that the guides adjust when someone needs instruction or if a buggy needs a little support. You’re not left standing around with nothing to do.

Also, the guide team matters here. Philippe and Simon are repeatedly described as hands-on and upbeat, with Simon often stepping into the instructor role so you feel confident driving before the turns get serious. That’s exactly what you want in a vintage vehicle: calm coaching, not chaos.

Manual Transmission Check: The Most Important Decision Point

If you only drive automatic cars, do not wing it. At least one recent experience reported that the buggies are manual, and it turned into a real logistics problem for that group because not everyone could drive stick.

So here’s my straight advice: before you book (or at least before you show up), ask whether the vehicles you’ll drive are manual and whether there’s any option if nobody in your group is comfortable with a stick shift. If you do drive manual, you’ll likely enjoy the experience even more because you stay engaged through the mountain road feel.

This is also where your expectations should match the vehicle. A 1970s buggy isn’t trying to be a modern car. It’s the point. The upside is that driving feels involved. The downside is that it’s not a zero-stress, hands-off ride.

Stop 1: Arguineguin Viewpoint With Lighthouse and an Apollo 11 Clue

The first stop is Arguineguin. You’ll travel a superb coastal road by the sea, then arrive at a viewpoint that looks out over the coast and horizon. This is a classic “slow down, breathe, take the photo” moment.

From here, you can spot the Maspalomas lighthouse in the distance. Even better, the area also connects to a story tied to a former NASA space center, noted as part of the first Apollo 11 image. It’s a great reminder that Gran Canaria wasn’t just a beach stop on the map—it had a role in global space-era history.

The stop time is around 10 minutes with no admission ticket needed. That’s brief, but it’s enough for the basics: viewpoint photos, a quick look around, and then back on the road.

Practical tip: if you’re sensitive to sun, bring sunglasses and plan to use sunscreen even if it feels like a breeze. The sea air can trick you into under-applying protection.

Stop 2: Cercados de Espinos Canyon Village and Included Drinks

Next comes Cercados de Espinos, right in the heart of the canyon region. You’ll stop in a small Canarian village area for a drink stop included in the tour price.

This is the kind of stop that makes the tour feel local rather than staged. Instead of just pulling up at a viewpoint and moving on, you get a pause that works with the terrain: canyon air, mountain views, and a break that keeps people happy during the climb.

The stop time is about 15 minutes, again with no ticket needed. You’ll also have multiple photo-and-view moments on the way, so even if you aren’t a full-time photographer, you’ll still want to keep your camera ready.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is a good moment for a reset. The driving is fun, but in the mountains it can get warm, and a planned drink break helps everyone stay in a good mood.

Stop 3: The Province of Soria Stretch and Its Big-View Reward

The third stop is in the Province of Soria area. The tour description keeps it simple, but the intent is clear: you’re there for stunning scenery and a chance to take in the terrain from a higher vantage.

The stop is about 15 minutes with free entry. That gives you time to step out, refocus, and appreciate how the island changes as you go uphill. On a buggy tour, this matters because the roads feel different at altitude—more wind, more open sightlines, and those sharp turns that make vintage vehicles feel like an actual adventure.

A good rule: if you see a safe pull-off and there’s a chance to take a photo, do it quickly. Stops are timed, and the best shots often happen when the light is still good.

Stop 4: Mogan Village Windmill and the Sea-Down Finish

The final featured stop is in Mogan. You’ll cross the village at the wheel of the buggies, then stop to see the windmill. After that, you head back down by the seaside.

This is a strong ending because it switches the mood. Earlier parts of the day focus on height and canyon roads; Mogan brings you back toward the ocean feel and a more village-like rhythm. The contrast makes the whole tour feel complete.

Stop time is around 10 minutes. It’s not a long walk-style stop, so treat it as a “see it, photograph it, then enjoy the drive home” moment.

Also, the seaside return is where you’ll feel the day’s momentum. If you’ve been concentrating during the mountain driving, this is the reward stretch: fewer altitude worries, more open ocean views, and a smoother mental landing.

What’s Included: Drinks, Coffee, Water, and the Photo Folder Later

The tour includes coffee and/or tea, soda/pop, and bottled water. That might sound basic, but it’s the right kind of basic for a buggy day. You’re outdoors, you’re climbing, and you’ll burn energy driving and taking in the views.

You also get private transportation (meaning you’re not dealing with a public bus transfer during the core driving experience). All fees and taxes are included in the package price.

One extra that I like: the tour photos are free to collect on the operator’s Facebook page (70’sbuggy). This is handy when you’re the one driving and you don’t want to stop every time to get your own shot. Just plan to check the page after your tour.

Price and Value: What $169 Per Group Really Buys You

The listed price is $169.31 per group, up to 4 people, for about 2 hours 30 minutes.

On paper, that’s the biggest value argument: you’re not paying per person for the buggy experience. You’re paying for access to a small-group driving day, with drinks, classic vehicles, and guide time.

In real life, value comes from three things:

1. Small group size (less waiting, more driving time).
2. Real vehicle experience (not a rental car with a sightseeing script).
3. Scenic routing plus stops that make sense for the terrain.

Is it perfect value for everyone? No. If you want a relaxed, automatic-car, no-effort sightseeing ride, this probably won’t fit your style. But if you like the idea of being active—driving, turning corners, getting out for short viewpoint breaks—this price lands pretty well.

Also, note that the average booking timing is around 24 days in advance. That’s usually a sign demand is steady, so booking earlier helps you avoid the “sold out in the date window” problem.

Heat, Comfort, and Driving Prep You Should Actually Do

Gran Canaria can feel hotter in the mountain stretch, and that matters with an open-air buggy. Bring a hat and sun protection, and don’t count on the breeze to do the sunscreen job.

Comfort-wise, wear shoes that grip well. The roads and turning feel more intense when you have solid footing and you’re not trying to drive in sandals or slippery footwear.

If you’re the driver, give yourself a mental moment to focus. Vintage manual driving keeps you busy—in the best way—especially along cliffside edges and winding stretches. If you’re nervous, tell the guide right at the start and ask for coaching before the more dramatic turns.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This is a great match for:

• People who enjoy classic cars and want to drive, not just watch.
• Families who want a shared adventure day and don’t mind short stops for photos and drinks.
• Friends who want a small-group vibe with a lively guide team.

It may be less ideal for:

• Anyone who can’t drive manual and won’t have a backup plan for sharing a buggy.
• People who hate surprises in timing. Even when things go well, small operations can run a little later than expected, especially with pickups and changing road conditions.

If your goal is a quiet, scenic bus ride with minimal interaction, you’ll likely feel more stressed here. If your goal is motion, views, and a guide who treats it like an experience instead of a conveyor belt, you’ll probably grin the whole time.

Should You Book This 70’sbuggy VW Buggy Tour?

I’d book it if you want an active, open-air way to see southern Gran Canaria that goes beyond the usual beach-only loop. The combination of real 1970s VW driving, small group size, and guide energy from Philippe and Simon is exactly what turns this into a memorable day.

I’d also book it if you’re willing to do one homework item: confirm the transmission setup and make sure your group has a stick-shift driver. If that’s covered, the rest is straightforward—views, a few short drink-and-photo breaks, and a drive that feels like Gran Canaria, not just around it.

If you’re unsure, send a message before you arrive. Ask about manual vs automatic, and ask how they handle group pairing. That one question can save you from the one kind of disappointment this tour is most vulnerable to: logistics around driving comfort.

FAQ

How long is the VW buggy tour in Gran Canaria?

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

How many people can be on this tour?

The maximum group size is 4 travelers.

Is pickup offered, and where is the meeting point?

Pickup is offered. The listed meeting point is Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, C. Mar Blanco, 6, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Las Palmas, Spain. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included during the buggy ride?

You get coffee and/or tea, soda/pop, bottled water, private transportation, and all fees and taxes.

Are the buggies automatic or manual?

The information provided for the tour experience does not spell this out in the summary, but at least one recent experience reported the buggies are manual (stick shift). Plan based on that and confirm before you go.

What happens if weather is bad or you need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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