A 1970s VW buggy tour in Gran Canaria feels like time travel. It’s a small-group ride with classic buggies, big coastal views, and guided stops that actually help you read the island.

What I like most is the mix of driving fun and scenery: you get ocean-road viewpoints early, then wind up into canyon and mountain country. The other standout is the hosts, especially Philippe and Simon, who bring real car enthusiasm and keep the energy light while you’re learning the route and taking breaks.

One thing to consider: these buggies are manual, so confirm you’ll have drivers who can handle stick shift before you show up. Also, the tour time can stretch in real life depending on how the group and vehicles are running, so keep a little buffer in your day.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Real 1970s VW buggies: vintage feel, open-air fun, and a proper classic-car vibe
• Small group size (up to 4): more personalized guiding and less waiting around
• Sea views first, then mountains: a route that changes scenery fast
• Included refreshment stop: coffee/tea plus soda and bottled water, with a paid-free drink break on the way
• Multiple guide styles (Philippe and Simon): both lean into hands-on instruction and fun talk

Real 70s VW buggy energy, not just a photo stop

This is the kind of tour where the vehicle is part of the point. You’re in a real 70s Buggy, which changes the whole experience compared with sitting in a normal car. You feel the road more. You hear the engine more. And you ride with the weather, since the sun and breeze are part of the deal.

The best part is how the day is paced around driving. You’re not just dropped off at viewpoints and sent back to a bus. Instead, the route keeps moving through coastal roads, then climbs toward canyons and higher terrain. That driving rhythm is exactly what makes people smile in the middle of the tour, not just at the end.

And the hosts matter. Philippe comes across like a classic-car petrolhead, and Simon has the vibe of a guide who can teach you how to handle the buggy without turning it into a lecture. That matters most if you’re new to this kind of driving.

Where you meet matters: Meloneras start, simple finish

Your pickup/start is at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, on C. Mar Blanco, 6, in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The good news: it’s the same place the experience returns to, so you’re not stuck figuring out the last-mile commute.

This is also set up for convenience. You get a mobile ticket, pickup is offered, and the day runs with private transportation rather than big-group chaos. That’s a big value point if you’re trying to protect your time on Gran Canaria, especially if you’re fitting this around beach time or a cruise schedule.

One practical detail: the operation caps the group at 4 travelers, so you’ll want to plan for getting everyone checked in and ready to drive smoothly. In small groups, little delays can ripple, so arriving a few minutes early is worth it.

Arguineguin viewpoint: sea road intro and the Apollo 11 clue

The day kicks off after a road-by-the-sea stretch, and your first stop is at Arguineguin. From the viewpoint, you look out over the coast with a wide horizon. On a clear day, you’ll also see the Maspalomas lighthouse in the distance.

Here’s the fun nerdy part: you’ll learn about the former NASA space center, which is tied to the first image from the Apollo 11 expedition. Even if you’re not a space-history person, it gives the view a story. You’re not just looking at land and sea—you’re looking at a place with a surprising connection.

Timing is short here, around 10 minutes, so treat it like a quick reset. Take photos, drink in the horizon, then get back ready for the route. It’s also a good spot to get your bearings on the island because the coastline helps you understand where you are before you start climbing.

Cercados de Espinos: canyon drive, village pause, included drink

Next comes Cercados de Espinos, in the heart of the canyon area. This is where the tour shifts from coastal panorama to more rugged interior scenery.

You’ll stop in a small Canarian village for a drink stop included in the price. That matters because canyon roads and higher terrain can add up quickly, and a short refresh break keeps the energy up for the driving.

There are also multiple quick stops on the road for viewpoints—enough time to step out, look around, and snap a few photos without turning the day into a long waiting game. The stop itself is about 15 minutes, and it usually feels like the tour’s “breather” before the next scenery jump.

One practical tip: bring something sunproof. Even when you’re moving, you can feel the heat when the route turns warmer and more open. A hat and sunscreen are simple insurance.

Province of Soria: short stop, big views payoff

Then you head to the Province of Soria area for about 15 minutes. This is one of those stops designed to give you a feel for the island’s height and angles.

The goal here isn’t complicated sightseeing. It’s about letting the roads and the terrain sink in. When you’re driving in a buggy, the scenery is part of the motion—up, down, curves, and sudden sightlines. A quick stop like this helps you process what you’re seeing, and it’s a nice break from concentrating on the drive.

If you’re the type who likes taking photos, use this segment to do it calmly: step back, frame the road direction, and capture the horizon before you rush back. You’ll get more satisfying shots because you’re not competing with a long stop.

Mogan: buggy through town, windmill glance, then seaside return

The final major scenic segment is Mogán. You drive through the village, stop to see the windmill, and then make the return descent back toward the seaside.

This part is fun because it changes the pace again. Instead of only staring at viewpoints, you’re moving through a place with a real village vibe. The windmill stop is short but memorable, and then you get the satisfying drop-down feel as you come back toward the coast.

That last push is around 10 minutes in the schedule. The advantage of a shorter final stop is that you end with momentum rather than dragging the day out. It also helps you transition back to the start point without your energy tanking.

What’s included: drinks, water, fees, and free photo retrieval

This tour is built with practical inclusions, so you don’t have to count every snack and drink decision.

Included items are:

• Coffee and/or tea
• Soda/pop
• Bottled water
• All fees and taxes
• Private transportation
• Included drink stop during the drive segment
• All photos available for free collection on the operator’s Facebook page (70’sbuggy)

For a group price, that package helps the value feel cleaner. You know you’re covered for basic hydration and a quick caffeine boost, and you don’t have to hunt for refreshments while you’re focused on driving and enjoying the views.

Also, the free photo collection matters more than people expect. On a driving tour, you’re busy. Having photos pulled together afterward lets you keep the best shots without stopping every ten seconds mid-curve.

Manual driving reality: make sure you have a stick-shift driver

Here’s the key practical issue: these buggies are manual. That affects who should book.

If at least one person in your group can drive stick, you’re likely to have a great time learning the buggy style and getting confidence quickly. If nobody can drive a manual, you may need to share the driving, and that can reduce how much freedom everyone feels during the ride.

So I suggest this simple move: when you book, confirm that the buggies available for your exact group can support the number of people who want to drive. In a small group with up to 4 people, you don’t want to arrive and discover you’re limited by vehicle setup.

Then plan for the physical feel of driving: concentration on curvy roads, attention on hills, and coordination on turns. The manual aspect makes the drive engaging, but it also means it’s not a sit-back-and-scroll kind of tour.

Heat, sun, and road feel tips that keep the day fun

Even when everything is going smoothly, canyon and mountain driving can mean stronger sun and higher temperatures than you expect. Bring sun cream and a hat. Sunglasses help too, because glare can hit on wide viewpoints.

Also, expect open-air exposure. A buggy can feel breezy, but that doesn’t mean you’re protected. Sunscreen is still smart, even on days that feel cooler due to wind.

For comfort, wear shoes with grip and clothes you’re okay getting dusty. This is a classic-car ride that’s meant for feeling the road, not staying pristine.

If you’re prone to motion discomfort, take it easy the first portion. The route does include hills and winding sections, and concentrating on driving can change how your body reacts to movement. Once you settle in, it usually feels like a thrill rather than a chore.

Who this fits best on Gran Canaria

This is a good match for people who want something active, not just scenic. You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• Like classic vehicles and real driving, not only guided walking
• Want a day with short viewpoint breaks and continuous scenery
• Prefer small-group attention and instruction
• Enjoy chatting with hosts who actually care about cars

It also can work for families, since the experience is set for people who can participate, and guides like Philippe and Simon are described as welcoming and encouraging. Still, manual driving means practical suitability depends on your group’s comfort level.

Language is covered. The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is received at booking time unless you book close to departure. Service animals are allowed, which is a plus if that matters for your planning.

Price and value for up to four people

The price is $169.31 per group, up to 4 people, for about 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.). On paper, that’s simple. In real terms, it’s a good value because you’re paying for:

• a small-group, private-style experience
• classic 70s buggies
• guided stops with included refreshment
• coffee/tea, soda, and bottled water
• all fees and taxes
• free photo retrieval after

If you compare it to paying separately for a tour vehicle plus entry-level attractions plus drinks, the bundled nature helps. It’s not a bargain tour. It’s a focused experience. When you split it among a full group, it tends to make sense financially for most people who want a more hands-on way to see the island.

The one thing to watch: timing and vehicle setup

Because this is a small-operation setup, you should treat timing as flexible. The scheduled duration is around 2.5 hours, but real-world factors like vehicle readiness and group flow can stretch the day.

You also want to be sure about vehicle availability. Since the buggies are manual, you’ll want enough working vehicles for the number of people who want to drive. If your group has only one person comfortable with stick shift, ask ahead how driving is handled so expectations match reality.

Finally, if you’re connecting from a cruise or another tight schedule, confirm the pickup arrangement clearly before the day starts. The location is fixed, but pickup timing can be sensitive.

A little planning here protects the best part: the fun driving and those quick, satisfying viewpoint stops.

Should you book this 70’sbuggy tour?

Book it if you want a real classic-car experience with a small group, strong guidance, and driving-focused sightseeing. The overall experience rating is 4.9 with 101 reviews, and it’s recommended by 99% of people in the provided feedback set—good signals that most outings hit the mark.

Skip it or at least confirm details first if manual driving is a problem in your group, or if you need very strict timing with no buffer. In that case, you’ll be happier if you plan to share driving only when you’re comfortable with how it works.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes roads, curves, and changing views every few minutes, this is exactly your style of day.

FAQ

Are the buggies automatic?

No. The buggies are set up for manual driving. If you’re booking for a group, make sure at least one person can drive stick, or confirm how driving will be shared.

How many people are in the tour?

The experience has a maximum of 4 travelers. It’s designed as a small-group outing rather than a big bus tour.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 2 hours 30 minutes. In practice, it can run a bit longer depending on how everything lines up.

Where do we meet, and where does it end?

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

What’s included in the price?

Coffee and/or tea, soda/pop, bottled water, private transportation, and all fees and taxes are included. You also get free access to the photos collected during the excursion via the operator’s Facebook page.

What if weather is bad?

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