Tour in a real VW 70’s Buggy in Gran Canaria 4 People.

Four wheels, open air, and serious views.

This is a small-group buggy outing in Gran Canaria, done in an actual 1970s VW Buggy, with Philippe and Simon running the show. You get sea-level roads, mountain switchbacks, and quick breaks with drinks, plus stops where the scenery feels personal, not staged.

I especially like the classic VW buggy vibe, it feels like the island did tourism a decade ago. I also love the route stops, from Arguineguin’s viewpoint to Mogán’s windmill moment. The one thing to consider is the driving reality: these are manual buggies, and that can limit who can drive in your group.

Key points before you go

• Real 1970s VW Buggy driving, not a pretend rental with matching decor
• Small group up to 4 people, so the pace stays personal
• Photo and drink perks, coffee or tea, soda, bottled water, plus free photos on Facebook
• Guides who know the roads, Philippe and Simon bring a petrolhead energy
• Stops with island context, including a viewpoint tied to the Apollo 11 era imagery
• Plan for manual driving, some people in a group may not get behind the wheel

Getting Behind a Real 1970s VW Buggy in Gran Canaria

The big idea here is simple: you tour Gran Canaria in a true 1970s VW Buggy, and you feel the island the way you would on a good road trip, not from behind glass. The ride is designed for driving, so the steering, the pavement feel, and the climb all matter. One review even mentions how it feels gripping up the mountain and nippy on flatter stretches.

You are not just being shuttled to scenic spots. You are actively part of the day, especially on the mountain sections where the route curves and you get that open-air feeling. If you like classic cars, you will probably catch yourself geeking out, because the guides Philippe and Simon lean into car talk.

A practical note: the buggies are described as manual, not automatic. That affects comfort and logistics for mixed skill levels. If you can drive a stick confidently, you are set. If not, decide in advance how your group will handle sharing the wheel.

Finally, this is not a long sightseeing bus tour. Expect a concentrated, action-friendly format: drive, stop, photos, drink, drive again.

Meloneras Meeting Point and How the Small Group Works

You start at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, on C. Mar Blanco, 6, in San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Las Palmas). The activity ends back at the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, and you can show up with a mobile ticket.

The tour size is maximum 4 travelers, which is a huge deal for experience quality. With only four people, you typically get more time focused on your group, not on ten different schedules. It also explains why the tour feels hands-on, because the guides can actually keep track of everyone’s driving comfort and timing.

Duration is listed as about 2 hours 30 minutes. One real-world experience suggested closer to 3 hours once you factor in driving time and stops. I would plan mentally for that wider window, so you do not feel rushed.

What about arrangement when you have multiple drivers? You might end up in one or more buggies depending on how many people can drive. One negative experience complained that not all cars were set up for everyone to drive, so the best move is to be honest with the group about who can handle a manual before the day starts.

Arguineguin Viewpoint: Lighthouse and Apollo 11 Clue

Your first stop is Arguineguin, reached after a road-by-the-sea stretch. Then you arrive at a viewpoint overlooking Arguineguin and the island coast. This is one of those spots where you get a wide horizon view and instant photo potential.

What makes this stop more interesting than a generic overlook is the details you can spot from there. The viewpoint looks toward Maspalomas lighthouse in the distance, and it also references the former NASA space center tied to the first image used for the Apollo 11 expedition. Even if you do not know the story already, the guide context usually helps you connect dots.

Time is about 10 minutes, with no admission ticket required. That short stop works well for this kind of viewpoint, because you get the payoff without turning the day into a long queue of standing still.

My advice: treat this stop like your warm-up. Wear your sun gear early, because once you get higher into the mountains, heat can become the main character. Also, if you are planning photos, aim to grab them quickly, then keep the view in your memory for the drive that follows.

Cercados de Espinos Canyon Village and the Included Drink Stop

Next comes Cercados de Espinos, in the heart of the canyon. This stop is more local-feeling than purely scenic, because you visit a small Canarian village area and get a drink stop included.

The tour format here is smart. Instead of one long stop, you get a 15-minute break, and you also get multiple chances on the road to pull over for views. That means you are not stuck waiting for one official photo moment. You can catch different angles as the route opens up.

This is where the day starts to feel different from a straight coast-to-mountain drive. You are in a canyon setting with changing light and depth, so your sense of scale grows. It also breaks up the driving rhythm, which matters when you are handling manual transmission and staying alert on curvy roads.

The practical side: bring something small to snack or at least hydrate well during your included drink. Bottled water is part of what you receive, but it still helps to pace yourself. If you get motion-slightly-splashy, the open-air feel can make dehydration sneaky.

If your group wants variety, this is the stop that delivers it: a village break plus canyon views plus the chance to slow down for a minute.

Province of Soria, Mogán Windmill, and the Best Driving Stretches

After the canyon, you head into the Province of Soria stop area for about 15 minutes. It is described as stunning views, and in practice this kind of stop is about giving your eyes a reward break after the more intense driving sections. You will likely notice the island’s layers, coast-to-inland changes, and how the road cuts through the terrain.

Then you end with Mogán. This is a fun shift, because you cross the village of Mogán from behind the wheel of the buggy. You stop to see a windmill, then head back down by the seaside.

This ending works well for two reasons. First, it gives you a “re-entry” feeling after the mountains. Second, the Mogán section is where the vibe often turns celebratory, because you have done the climbing and now you are heading back toward the coast.

The biggest drawback here is also the most obvious one: you have fewer minutes per stop. The tour is designed to move, not to linger. If you want long, slow wandering time, this may feel fast. But if you want the best driving bits and you like photo stops, you will probably love the pacing.

Coffee, Water, Soda, and Free Photos That Actually Help

Included during the outing are coffee and/or tea, soda or pop, and bottled water. It sounds simple, but it matters on a warm island ride. You get enough refreshment for a short day without packing your own cooler.

One small detail I appreciate is the drink variety. Coffee or tea is not the typical travel-tour inclusion in hot places. It gives you options depending on your mood.

You also get free photos to collect on the provider’s Facebook page (70’sbuggy). That is a smart value add because, on a day where you are driving, it is hard to get your own shots. Having someone else capture the group at scenic pull-offs saves you from only having one phone-camera angle.

If you want the best results, take one quick photo early in the day, then let the guide photo coverage handle the rest. You will end up with more complete memories than trying to stop every few minutes yourself.

Manual Transmission Reality Check and Heat Tips

Here is the part that can make or break your day: the buggies are manual. That is not always obvious up front, and one unhappy experience specifically called out that they arrived expecting automatic and learned on site. In that situation, only one person could drive stick, and the others ended up waiting or sharing seating.

Even in a perfect world, manual driving means everyone in your group should do a quick self-check:

• Can you drive stick calmly, even if you are nervous on a hill?
• Are you comfortable switching drivers during stops?
• Does your group have a plan if not everyone can drive?

The good news: many reviews emphasize that driving feels smooth, with roads described as smoother than UK roads. That matters for stress levels. Also, one review mentioned grippy mountain driving and very fun handling, so the buggies are not just museum pieces.

Heat is the other reality. One tip from a review: it can get hot in the mountains, so bring a hat and sun cream. This is especially important for open-air rides, where you feel the sun even when you are concentrating on steering.

Finally, plan for the tour to be weather dependent. It requires good weather. If conditions are not right, you should expect rescheduling or a refund offer.

Philippe and Simon as Guides: Petrolhead Energy, Real Care

A consistent theme is that Philippe and Simon are not generic tour guides reading a script. They bring a petrolhead style, so car talk feels natural, not forced. That is part of why people rate this so highly.

In multiple experiences, guests mention how they felt welcomed and comfortable right away. That matters on a buggy tour, because you need to learn how the buggy works and how your guide wants you to drive. When the instruction is clear and friendly, the day turns from stressful to fun quickly.

Philippe is described as helpful and lively, and Simon comes up repeatedly as an engaging, social, funny presence. In at least one case, Simon was praised for picking people up from the north side of the island and getting them to the depot area on the south side quickly, then getting them in the buggies fast.

There is also a practical care angle. One review describes a moment when their buggy ran out of fuel halfway up the mountain, and the guide handled it by ensuring they still got a great ride and got back to the meeting point area to continue.

Just keep expectations realistic. This is a small operation with classic vehicles. Some cars may not always be perfectly ready. Most days seem great, but if you are going with a strict schedule, build in flexibility.

Price for Up to Four, and How to Get the Best Deal

The price is listed as $169.31 per group, up to 4 people, for about 2 hours 30 minutes. That is one of those setups where value depends on how full your group is.

If you book with the maximum 4 people, the cost per person is roughly $42 each. For a drive in a 1970s VW Buggy, with private transportation and included coffee or tea, soda, and bottled water, that is strong value. You also get the route stops plus free guide photos.

If you book as 2 people, the math changes, to roughly $85 per person. It can still be a good deal if you care most about the driving and the classic-car experience, but it is not as cheap as a big group vehicle.

My suggestion for best value is to go in a pair of friends, family unit, or a small group where at least 3 of you can realistically drive. Even if not everyone drives, a fuller group generally makes the day feel more lively.

Also, remember what you are paying for: not just views, but time behind the wheel, guidance, and the unique vehicle itself.

Should You Book This 70sbuggy Buggy Tour?

Book it if you want a classic-car driving day, not a sit-and-stare sightseeing circuit. If you like curvy roads, open-air travel, and quick scenic stops where you can actually see and photograph the coast and inland views, this fits.

I would especially consider it if:

• You can drive a manual, or your group has at least one solid manual driver
• You want small-group energy with guides like Philippe and Simon
• You like tours that include practical perks like drinks and free photos

Skip or ask a lot of questions before booking if:

• Nobody in your group drives stick and you do not want to share seating with limited wheel time
• You are extremely schedule sensitive and cannot handle a possible longer day than 2.5 hours

FAQ

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

The tour starts at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, C. Mar Blanco, 6, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Las Palmas, Spain, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the buggy experience?

It is listed at about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, and the meeting point is still listed as Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa. You should confirm the pickup details when booking.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Are the buggies automatic?

The buggies are manual, not automatic.

What is included during the tour?

Coffee and/or tea, soda or pop, bottled water, and private transportation are included, along with all fees and taxes.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. The maximum is 4 travelers.

What if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation refund window?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.