Las Palmas: Tapas and Drinks in the Beauty of the Old City

Las Palmas saves some of its best food for plain-looking bars away from the main tourist flow. This two-hour walk takes you from the San Telmo meeting point toward the old city and the cathedral area, where the evening is built around local tapas, a drink, and conversation rather than a fixed restaurant menu.

I like the very small group format, which can feel more like being shown around by a well-connected local than joining a standard sightseeing herd. I also like the mix of food and city stories. Guides such as Artemis and Artemi have been praised for explaining Las Palmas and Gran Canaria while walking, then pointing out places you could easily miss on your own.

The main consideration is that the route changes from night to night, so you cannot expect a precise list of bars or dishes in advance. Dietary communication also deserves care: one participant reported being served ham after identifying as vegetarian, so repeat your requirements clearly before ordering.

Key points to know before booking

• Two local stops, two tapas, and two drinks: Choose from local wine, beer, a soft drink, water, or coffee at each stop.
• Often led by Artemis: He is praised for his city knowledge, warmth, language skills, and useful suggestions for the rest of your evening.
• A route that changes with the night: Stops depend on the local scene, events, and your preferences.
• A genuinely small format: Capacity is limited, and the tour may be private or nearly private.
• Meeting point near San Telmo: Meet beneath the only wooden balcony at San Telmo Church, about two minutes from the main Global bus station.
• Budget $65 per person: The price covers the guide, food tour, two tapas, and two drinks, but extra orders and transport cost more.

Why this tapas walk feels different

The strongest idea here is simple: skip polished tourist restaurants and let the guide choose modest local bars. The point is not to visit famous dining rooms. It is to find ordinary places where the food, staff, and setting feel tied to daily life in Las Palmas.

That approach suits you if you want help getting past the obvious tourist choices. The description specifically contrasts the route with fast food and pizza stops, and the plan favors traditional dishes, local drinks, and unassuming venues. You may find the food more interesting because it is not adjusted to look familiar to every visitor.

You should also expect a social evening. The guide chats with bar staff, introduces you to the character of each place, and explains where dishes come from. Staff at some venues speak Spanish only, so the guide matters here. You can order with help rather than trying to decode every menu alone.

This is not a formal tasting class with printed notes or a large number of courses. It is a moving evening of small tastings, stories, and choices. You eat a tapas serving, have a drink, then walk to the next place. If something catches your eye, you can order extra food or drinks at your own expense.

Starting near San Telmo Church

The meeting point is practical for an independent visit. You meet at San Telmo Church, under the only wooden balcony, near the Tourist Information Office and roughly two minutes from the Global San Telmo Island Bus Station. The blue buses connect San Telmo with Maspalomas and other parts of Gran Canaria, so this location works well if you are arriving by public transport.

That bus connection is especially useful for a short visit or a cruise stop. You can reach the tour without arranging a private transfer, then continue your evening from the old city. The provider also says logistics assistance is available in your language.

A pickup and taxi-style start can be arranged within Las Palmas City for €15 cash per three people or fewer. That is not included in the $65 price, so ask about it before the tour if you would rather not make your way to San Telmo.

From the meeting point, the walk leads toward the old district near the cathedral. You get more than a food crawl because the guide points out buildings and tells stories about Las Palmas and the island along the way. One participant particularly enjoyed learning about the city while moving between bars, while another suggested booking this early in a stay so the recommendations can shape the rest of your visit.

What happens at the two food stops

The tour includes at least two different venues. The stops are not presented as a rigid sequence, and the guide may alter the plan according to the evening, local events, the atmosphere, or your preferences. That flexibility is a major part of the experience, but it also means the exact dishes remain unknown until you arrive.

At the first place, you receive one tapas serving and one drink. The drink can be local wine, beer, a soft drink, water, or coffee. The food is meant to introduce you to a traditional local flavor rather than simply provide a quick snack.

The setting matters as much as the plate. These are intended to be real local bars, not fancy restaurants designed around sightseeing traffic. You might find a compact room, Spanish-speaking staff, and a casual pace. The guide explains what you are eating and gives context about the place.

The second venue brings another tapas and another drink. The food varies, and the guide looks for something distinct at each stop, such as a different dish, wine, or mood. One participant described visiting a few bars that included a venue several floors up with a good view over the old city. That kind of surprise is possible, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed stop.

The included food and drinks are enough to sample the local scene, not enough to replace dinner for everyone. Appetite, dish size, and personal ordering habits vary. If you want a full meal, budget for extra items. The relaxed format makes that easy, since you can order more when something appeals to you.

The walking and storytelling are half the value

A meal on its own can be pleasant, but the walking gives this tour a reason to book rather than simply choose a bar independently. The guide connects food with the old city, local customs, buildings, and island history.

Artemis has led many of the recent tours and is repeatedly praised for being warm, proud of his city, and generous with recommendations. He is also described as speaking several languages, though the activity itself is conducted in English. Guides can vary, with Minerva and Alfredo also appearing in the experience history, so do not assume Artemis is guaranteed.

The personal format makes it possible to ask practical questions. You can ask where to eat tomorrow, what to see after the tour, or where to find dessert. One guide recommended a dessert stop that worked well for a visitor, and the standard plan includes suggestions for two more places you can visit on your own after the official tour ends.

There is one useful caution about the walking commentary. A participant found that the guide sometimes continued walking while speaking, making it harder to hear from behind. Stay close and ask the guide to pause if needed. In a small group, that is a reasonable request and helps you catch the stories.

Why the small group matters

The tour is described as almost private, with limited capacity and enhanced interaction. It may be just you and your companion, or a small handful of people. That changes the tone. You can ask more questions, adjust the pace, and tell the guide what sort of food or evening you prefer.

The small size also helps at ordinary bars. A large tour can overwhelm a compact local venue. A couple or small party can fit into the scene with less fuss and have a more natural exchange with staff.

This format is well suited to solo visitors, couples, friends, and families who want direct attention. It can also be adapted for a birthday, company gathering, family dinner, or private meeting. The provider says you can discuss changes to the number of people, menu, and conditions after making a small reservation.

There are tradeoffs. A private-feeling tour may be less lively if you hoped to meet a large group of fellow visitors. The price also reflects personal guiding, so it costs more than simply ordering two tapas and drinks on your own. You are paying for access, translation, route planning, and local judgment.

Food expectations and dietary planning

The food is described as traditional and local, but no fixed menu is supplied. That is good news for adventurous eaters who like surprises. It is less convenient if you need to plan every ingredient in advance.

Vegetarian and vegan visitors should be especially direct. Dietary requirements are not requested during booking, and one vegetarian was served ham at a stop, although the second bar offered plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices. Tell the guide before the tour starts, repeat the request at each venue, and confirm the dish before eating.

The same advice applies to allergies. The available information does not promise a specific allergy-safe menu, so do not rely on the standard two-tapas arrangement without discussing your needs. The guide may be able to adapt the route or order, but that should be confirmed rather than assumed.

For everyone else, the informal ordering style is part of the fun. Try what the guide recommends, ask about unfamiliar dishes, and treat the two included servings as introductions. If you love a particular plate, add another order and note the venue for a return visit.

Is $65 good value?

At $65 per person, this is not the cheapest way to consume two tapas and two drinks. If your only goal is food quantity, you can likely spend less by ordering independently.

The better value lies in the personal route and local guidance. You receive a two-hour food walk, an English-speaking guide, two tapas, two drinks, historical context, access to small local venues, and recommendations for at least two more places. For a first evening in Las Palmas, that can prevent several mediocre meals and help you understand the old city faster.

The value improves when the group is very small. Private or nearly private attention is difficult to get on a standard food tour. It also makes sense for a short stay, when you have little time to test restaurants by trial and error.

You should budget extra for any food or drinks beyond the included allowance. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard price, and the optional city pickup costs €15 cash for each three people or fewer. The tour includes venue entrance fees, though this is mainly useful if a particular stop has an access charge.

Who will enjoy this most

Book this if you want local food with a guide who can explain the city as you walk. It is a strong fit for a first night in Las Palmas, when restaurant choices can feel scattered and a good recommendation saves time.

It also suits people who prefer conversation to a lecture. The guide can answer questions, adjust the evening, and suggest where to go next. Couples and small groups will get the most from the personal format, while families can benefit from the all-ages policy.

Food-focused visitors should like the chance to try dishes without committing to a full meal at each venue. You will need a flexible attitude because the stops and menu are not fixed.

This may not suit you if you want a large, structured tasting with many courses, a guaranteed restaurant list, or a full dinner included. It is also less suitable if you need strict dietary control unless you arrange that clearly in advance.

Practical details that make the evening easier

The activity lasts two hours, with starting times depending on availability. Wear comfortable shoes because the experience includes walking through the old city and moving between venues.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, but the route and individual bar layouts can vary. If accessibility is important for your party, confirm the current route and venues before booking.

English is the stated tour language. Staff at some bars speak Spanish only, which is part of the local character but another reason to stay close to the guide.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. These policies are useful if your Las Palmas schedule depends on buses, a ship timetable, or changing island plans.

Should you book the Las Palmas tapas tour?

I would book it if you want a personal introduction to the old city, especially at the beginning of your stay. The best reasons are the small format, changing local route, mix of food and history, and the guide’s practical advice for the rest of the evening.

The tour is not about getting the maximum amount of food for $65. It is about avoiding guesswork, finding ordinary local places, and having someone explain what you are seeing and eating. Artemis has been a particularly well-liked guide, but the guide can vary.

Book with confidence if you are flexible about the menu and comfortable ordering extras when needed. If you are vegetarian, vegan, or managing an allergy, contact the provider and repeat your requirements clearly before the first stop. For a relaxed, local-style evening in Las Palmas Old City, this is a worthwhile choice.

FAQ

Where does the Las Palmas tapas tour meet?

Meet at San Telmo Church, under the only wooden balcony. The church is near the Tourist Information Office and about a two-minute walk from the Global San Telmo Island Bus Station.

How long does the food tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What food and drinks are included?

The price includes two tapas and two drinks. Each drink can be local wine, beer, a soft drink, water, or coffee. Extra food and drinks cost more.

Is the tour private?

It is a very small-group or almost private tour with limited capacity. Private arrangements are also available for birthdays, company events, family dinners, and meetings.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. An optional guide or taxi pickup within Las Palmas City may be arranged for €15 cash per three people or fewer.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.