REVIEW · GRAN CANARIA
1 hour relaxing horse riding tour in Gran Canaria
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by HORSE RIDING CANARIA · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Quiet horses, big views on Gran Canaria. This 1.5-hour tour takes you through the countryside with sightlines to the east coast and the mountains, and it’s built for beginners and kids starting at age 5. I like that it’s calm and structured, so first-timers aren’t thrown into the deep end.
I also like the safety setup and the teaching style. You get a helmet and back protector, then you practice basic riding on foot first, before heading out on the proper route with a quiet horse. One consideration: water isn’t included, so bring a plan for staying comfortable.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel During This Ride
- Finding the Barn and Getting Started the Right Way
- Helmet, Back Protector, and the First Riding Lesson
- The Countryside Tour: Calm Horses With East-Coast and Mountain Views
- What could feel less ideal?
- Small Group Size and Instructor Support That Helps Beginners
- Price and Value: What $40 Includes for 1.5 Hours
- What to Bring, What to Wear, and Who Should Skip It
- Wear and bring
- Not allowed
- Who it’s not suitable for
- Language
- Should You Book This Gran Canaria Horse Riding Tour?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- What’s included in the tour?
- Do I need prior horse riding experience?
- How long is the horseback riding tour?
- Where do we meet for the tour?
- What should I wear and bring?
- What ages and body limits apply?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel During This Ride

- Beginner basics without experience required, with instruction focused on walking and simple control
- Sea-and-mountain views while you move through the Canarian countryside at an easy pace
- Helmet and back protector included for extra peace of mind
- Small group limited to 10 participants, which makes it easier for the instructor to help you
- Quiet horses for relaxed touring, ideal if you’re nervous or new at this
Finding the Barn and Getting Started the Right Way

The tour centers around a ranch setup where you enter the main gate, park in the big car park in front, and then walk toward the main barn up to the right. It’s straightforward, and it helps you avoid the usual scramble that happens when meeting points are vague.
You’ll either meet the group right there, or you may be picked up from the airport (the operator says pickup may be available). If you’re relying on pickup, I’d treat that as a “check in advance” item so you don’t end up stressed at arrival time. The tour also mentions that you might be able to get a lift back to the airport if a teacher is free, which can be handy if you’re trying to keep logistics simple.
What matters here is timing. The ride itself is listed as about 1.5 hours, but starting times depend on availability. That means you’ll want to browse what’s offered for your travel dates rather than assuming it runs on the same schedule every day. If you’re traveling with kids, that flexibility can make it easier to match the ride to a calmer part of your day.
The minimum group size is 2 people, so if you’re booking solo, you’ll want to check whether departures are guaranteed on your dates. In practice, this matters because you might be waiting for your slot to fill, depending on the schedule.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Gran Canaria
Helmet, Back Protector, and the First Riding Lesson

This is the part that makes the tour feel beginner-friendly. Once you arrive (or after pickup), you’re assigned a horse and given a helmet and back protector. That’s a nice combo for peace of mind, especially if you’re bringing a child or if you’re just not sure how stable you’ll feel on a saddle.
Before you head out into the countryside, you’ll get a brief explanation of how to ride on a walk. The tour also includes an initial practice period inside the teaching arena. This is smart, and you can really feel the value: you’re not just going straight into a scenic route. You’re learning your basics where you can adjust without worrying about pace, footing outside, or distractions.
From a practical point of view, those first minutes can make a big difference. The instructor can correct posture, hand position, and general balance early, rather than waiting until you’re already out on the track. You’ll also get a chance to see how your specific horse responds—an important detail because horses have personalities, and the goal is a relaxed ride.
One more detail that helps: the instructor communicates in English, Spanish, Italian, and French, but the tour doesn’t speak German. If you or your group needs another language, plan on one of the supported languages so instructions land clearly.
Also note that the tour guide asks you to tell them the level and the age of participants when you book. That’s useful for the operator because it affects how they manage your group and the way they guide you through the basics.
The Countryside Tour: Calm Horses With East-Coast and Mountain Views

Once the practice is done, you head out for the proper tour through the Canarian countryside. The promise here is simple: a relaxing stroll with a lovely, quiet horse, plus views stretching toward the east coast and mountains.
What I like about this setup is the pacing. The tour is described around riding at a walk, not a speed-focused ride. That matters because the experience becomes about scenery and breathing room, not scrambling to keep up. If you’ve ever tried an activity that turns into a test of balance, you’ll appreciate that this one is structured around being comfortable.
You’ll get time to enjoy the geography: the contrast of coastline views with inland terrain. Even without claiming exact stops or landmarks, you can expect a route that feels like you’ve swapped traffic and crowds for open air and wide sightlines.
When you return, the tour doesn’t just end with you hopping off. The operator helps you down, then removes the saddle and bridle and brings the horse back to the stables. Watching this routine tells you a lot about how the center runs: it looks like they treat horses properly and handle the end-of-ride process, not just the entertainment part.
What could feel less ideal?
If you’re expecting a long adventure or advanced riding, this may feel short. It’s 1.5 hours total, and the focus is beginners and kids, so the experience is intentionally not extreme. If you want something more technical or faster paced, you’ll likely want to look at other riding options.
Small Group Size and Instructor Support That Helps Beginners

The tour caps the group at 10 participants, which is a big deal for a hands-on animal activity. In a larger group, you end up waiting while others get help. Here, it’s more likely you get attention when you need it—especially at the practice stage in the arena and while learning how to ride on the walk.
This also supports families. The tour is suitable for beginners and kids from 5 years old, and it’s explicitly described as no-experience-needed. That doesn’t mean it’s babysitting—it means the instructor expects mixed comfort levels and builds the experience accordingly.
I’d also call out the “tell us your level and age” request. When an operator asks for that up front, it usually signals they’re trying to match how they explain things. For you, that translates to fewer awkward moments where the instruction doesn’t match what you need.
One practical point: the tour says not to bring shorts, and it also includes a height limit (over 6 ft 6 in / 200 cm is not suitable). Those restrictions aren’t just rules on paper. They affect saddle fit and safety, and they’re part of why the experience can stay smooth and controlled.
If you’re traveling as a group and want everyone to feel included, this format is a strong choice. The pacing and the small group size make it easier to manage nerves, questions, and first-time riding moments.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Gran Canaria
Price and Value: What $40 Includes for 1.5 Hours

At $40 per person for about 1.5 hours, this tour competes well with other short, guided outdoor activities—especially because it’s not just a scenic walk. You’re paying for horses, a structured lesson, and safety gear.
Here’s what you do get included:
- Helmet and back protector
That’s part of the value. Getting the gear included matters because it reduces “extra shopping” before you go. It also signals that the operator takes safety seriously enough to provide it for you.
What’s not included is water. That’s a cost you’ll need to cover yourself, and it’s worth thinking about if you’re riding on a warmer day. A simple bottle can turn the experience from “fine” into genuinely comfortable.
Also, the tour mentions a minimum of 2 people. If your date is less busy, you may still be fine—just keep an eye on availability and starting times so you don’t end up booking a slot that’s uncertain.
When I look at value, I focus on what you’re really buying: time outdoors, guidance that helps first-timers, and a calm horse ride with good visibility to sea and mountains. This tour is priced like a relaxed, beginner-friendly experience, not a premium high-intensity ride. If that’s what you want, it’s a solid deal.
What to Bring, What to Wear, and Who Should Skip It

The operator is clear about clothing and comfort, and I’m glad for that.
Wear and bring
Bring:
- Comfortable shoes
- Comfortable clothes
- Long pants
Also, since water isn’t included, bring your own if you want to feel good throughout the hour-plus riding.
Not allowed
- Shorts aren’t allowed.
This is one of those small rules that can derail your day if you ignore it. Long pants also helps with comfort on the saddle and reduces irritation from saddle contact and outdoor terrain.
Who it’s not suitable for
The tour states it’s not suitable for:
- Children under 5 years
- Pregnant women
- People over 65 years
- People over 200 cm (6 ft 6 in)
- People with motion sickness
- People over 95 kg / 209 lbs
If you fall into any of these categories, you’ll want to choose a different activity type rather than gamble on “maybe it’ll be fine.”
Language
German isn’t available on this tour. Supported languages are English, Spanish, Italian, and French, so plan around that for smoother instruction.
Should You Book This Gran Canaria Horse Riding Tour?

If you want a relaxed, beginner-friendly horse ride with real scenery—sea and mountains—this is a good fit. The combination of a teaching arena warm-up, small group size (up to 10), and safety gear included makes it feel designed for first-timers and families.
I’d book it when:
- you’re traveling with kids 5+ and want a calm intro to horseback riding
- you prefer a walk-paced experience over anything fast
- you want guided structure without needing prior experience
I’d skip or rethink it when:
- you get motion sickness easily
- you’re looking for an advanced riding challenge
- you’re not willing to bring long pants and your own water
FAQ

FAQ
What’s included in the tour?
Helmet and back protector are included.
Do I need prior horse riding experience?
No experience is needed. The instructor gives a brief explanation and you practice basics on the walk before going into the countryside.
How long is the horseback riding tour?
The duration is listed as about 1.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability.
Where do we meet for the tour?
Meet at the ranch: enter the main gate, find the big car park in front, then walk toward the main barn up to the right. The teacher waits there with the horses ready.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes, and bring long pants. Water is not included, and shorts are not allowed.
What ages and body limits apply?
Children must be 5 years or older. It’s not suitable for pregnant women, people over 65 years, people over 200 cm tall, people over 95 kg, and people with motion sickness.































