Gran Canary: 70’s VW Buggy Tour

A classic VW buggy makes Gran Canaria feel like a movie set. This 3-hour tour strings together coastal roads and mountain canyons in an open-top ride, with the guide often Philippe and his partner Silvia in the mix. The two big wins for me are the chance to actually drive a vintage Volkswagen (if you qualify) and the steady stream of lookout points like Arguineguin, Mogan, and the Maspalomas area.

I also like how the pace is practical: you get planned stops for drinks and photos, not just a rushed drive and out-the-door. One thing to consider is that the route is weather-dependent, and if you are not 25 or do not have your original driving licence, you will ride with the guide instead of behind the wheel.

Key things to know before you go

• 70s Volkswagen buggy feel: open-top driving with proper road feel, not a smoothed-over modern tour bus vibe
• Drive eligibility: if you are 25+ with your original licence, you drive your own buggy
• Scenic route mix: coastal viewpoints plus canyon roads, with stops around Arguineguin and Mogan
• Guided photo moments: multiple timed stops so you can see, breathe, and shoot, not just speed past
• Welcome beverage included: coffee, tea, soda, or water at a village stop
• Comfort limits: not suited for kids under 6, and you need to avoid intoxication

Why a 70s VW buggy tour feels like time travel in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria can be done a hundred ways, but this is one of the most fun. You trade the usual walking heat and crowded viewpoints for a rolling drive in a 70s VW buggy. It gives you a different connection to the island, because you are moving at car speed through places you would normally only pass by.

The itinerary is built around variety. You start in Meloneras near Sunset Beach, then work your way toward the Maspalomas area and beyond into canyons and viewpoints linked with Arguineguin and Mogan. You are not just seeing one pretty spot. You are getting a string of changing backdrops: sea views, canyon cuts, and high-road perspectives where the coastline drops away.

Philippe and the buggy basics: what you ride, and what you can control

The biggest practical perk here is the driving option. If you are 25 years old or older and you bring your original driving licence, you drive your own vehicle. If not, the guide drives for you. Either way, the experience is built around that classic-car feeling, with steering, sound, and wind that you just do not get on modern tours.

This also explains why the guide’s role matters. A tour like this lives or dies on route choices and pacing. With Philippe as a guide (and Silvia helping keep things running smoothly), the focus tends to be on safe, confident handling while still letting you enjoy the thrill of vintage roads.

A quick realism check: these are not new, insulated cars. Expect open-top wind, and expect that driving a buggy is more hands-on than you might think if you usually stick to automatic rental cars.

Sunset Beach Meloneras start and the 3-hour rhythm

The tour begins and ends at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa. That matters because it keeps the meeting point simple if you are staying in the south. From there, the afternoon is paced to fit a 3-hour window without turning into a frantic sprint.

In the time you are out, you typically get:

• a sightseeing pass through the Maspalomas area
• time spent on the scenic roads toward viewpoints and canyon sections
• several deliberate stops, including one with a complimentary drink

The bonus is that the schedule is built for sight and photos. You are not stuck “just driving” for hours and hoping the scenery will be visible from a single pass. The stops are part of the design.

From Arguineguin and Cercado de Espino to Mogan: what the route actually delivers

This is where the tour earns its place. The driving route is framed around recognizable Gran Canaria names you can connect on a map: Arguineguin, Cercado de Espino, Mogan, and the Maspalomas lighthouse area in the distance. Even when you are not fully sure where you are at first, the scenery keeps shifting in clear, memorable ways.

You get coastal viewpoints where you look down and out toward Arguineguin and the sea. Then you work into canyon roads where the air feels different and the road feels more winding. That change of terrain is the whole point. Gran Canaria’s south is not one flat postcard. It is layered: coast, dry valleys, and higher roads with sweeping views.

One detail that adds a spark: you may catch sight of a former NASA space centre from far away. That kind of reference helps the landscape feel less generic, because it connects what you are seeing to a real part of the island’s story.

Photo stops that feel worth it, not forced

Planned stops are a big deal on a car tour. They turn a drive into an experience you remember, because you have time to actually see what you are photographing.

In this case, the stops are not random pull-offs. They are timed so you can:

• enjoy panoramic overlooks (especially around the Arguineguin and coastline views)
• hop out long enough to reset and take photos without feeling rushed
• enjoy a drink break in a quaint Canarian village

The complimentary beverage is included, and you can choose coffee, tea, soda, or water. That stop is also a useful practical moment, especially if you are driving in the wind. A cold drink or warm coffee can make the second half of the tour feel easier.

You may also find the tour includes a welcoming taverna-style pause at a higher viewpoint during the climb, with another stop on the way down. The exact spot can vary by conditions and routing, but the pattern is clear: you get more than one “pause and look” moment.

Open-top driving: the fun, the limits, and how to dress

Open-top driving is a joy, and it can also be a surprise if you come dressed like you are going to a beach club. You are exposed to wind, and on mountain roads that wind can be cool even when the south is sunny.

Here is how to prep so the experience stays comfortable:

• wear sunglasses and plan for glare on bright viewpoints
• bring a light layer for breezy canyon sections
• tie back hair and use secure sunglasses so nothing goes flying

Road type is mostly tarmac, and the driving is described as safe with the guide leading. Still, expect a classic-car drive style. One review note signals that hairpin bends can feel faster than you expect because vintage steering and road feel are different than modern cars. If you are sensitive to sharp turns, tell yourself to focus on smooth inputs and follow the guide’s pace.

Price and value: is $223 for up to two people fair?

The price is listed as $223 per group for up to 2 people, and that changes the math depending on how you travel. If you are traveling as a couple or duo, the per-person cost can feel much closer to what you might pay for a standard excursion, but with a big upgrade: you are driving a rare 70s VW buggy and covering multiple scenery zones in a short, guided window.

If you are traveling solo, the value depends on whether the driving aspect is a must for you. The tour is most cost-effective when you split the group price and both people get meaningful time behind the wheel (if eligible) or at least share the experience side-by-side.

Also, the included drink is not the main reason for booking, but it does add up in a tour where you are out moving and stopping. Most importantly, you are buying something that is hard to DIY: access to vintage vehicles and a route that strings together named scenic areas, plus the guide who keeps it flowing.

Who this tour suits, and who should skip it

This is a great fit if you:

• love cars, especially vintage Volkswagens
• want a driving-focused tour rather than a walking route
• like scenic viewpoints, especially when they come with real roadside perspective
• are visiting the south (Meloneras and Maspalomas) and want a break from heat-heavy sightseeing

It is also a strong choice if you want something small and personal. The vibe described is not mass-tour bus energy. It is more like a guided outing with time to chat during stops.

Skip it if you:

• have small children, since it is not suitable for kids under 6
• can’t comfortably handle open-top wind and mountain driving
• are under the driving eligibility requirement and you were only interested in driving yourself (you can still enjoy the ride, but the driver experience changes)

Practical tips for the best experience

A few details can make your ride smoother right away.

Bring your driving licence if you want to drive. The requirement is clear: you need to be at least 25 and have your original licence with you. If you do not, the guide will drive.

Plan for weather. The tour is subject to favorable conditions. If you are going during a period of rough weather, expect the operator to possibly adjust based on what is safe.

Finally, keep expectations realistic about “classic car comfort.” This is part of the fun, not a complaint. You are there for the wind, the feel, and the visual style of the buggy, not for plush seating and a quiet cabin.

Should you book Gran Canary: 70s VW Buggy Tour?

I think you should book this if you want a short, guided way to experience Gran Canaria’s south that feels different from the usual beach-and-bus routine. The combination of a rare 70s VW buggy, the option to drive with the right age and licence, and the focus on real viewpoint stops around places like Arguineguin and Mogan makes it feel like good value for the time you spend.

You might skip it if your top priority is a low-effort, fully comfortable ride with zero wind exposure, or if your group is bringing very young kids. For everyone else, this is the kind of activity that gives you memories you can talk about later, because you did more than look at the island, you experienced it from behind the wheel.

FAQ

How long is the 70s VW Buggy Tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and finishes at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa.

Can I drive the buggy?

If you are at least 25 years old and you have your original driving licence with you, you will drive your own vehicle. If you do not meet the requirements, the guide will drive you.

Is a complimentary drink included?

Yes. A complimentary beverage is included, such as coffee, tea, soda, or water.

What languages are the guides?

The live tour guide speaks Spanish, French, and English.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is not suitable for children under 6 years old.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.