Visit Arucas, a beautiful historic town in Gran Canaria

The Municipality of Arucas is situated in the north of Gran Canaria, stretching from sea level until up into the foothills, at an altitude of over 1.800 feet. 

Arucas is a must-see when exploring the northern part of the island, as it is rich in history and surrounded by beautiful natural wonders, like the Arucas Volcano, which is the most important natural phenomenon in the municipality.

How to get to Arucas on your own and where to park

If you're staying in Las Palmas, it is fairly easy to get to Las Palmas, as you can get on the 210 bus and go straight to Arucas. 

We visited Arucas while we were staying the south of Gran Canaria in Arguineguin, so we drove there in our rental car. 

Parking in Arucas was simple and straightforward, as there is free parking right next to the Arucas cathedral, so right next to the main attraction in Arucas. The parking was quite large, so we had no problems finding a free spot to park the car.

This parking is marked on Google Maps as Auto Parking Aparcamiento Gratuito.

Day trip to Arucas and the heart of Gran Canaria

If you're visiting Gran Canaria and you want to discover a bit more places around the island, then we recommend a visit to Arucas and other traditional towns that are full of charm.

If you're staying in the south and you don't want to drive in Gran Canaria, then you can go on a day trip that takes you to some of the most beautiful towns and villages in Gran Canaria like Arucas and Firgas. 

• Visit Telde, Arucas and Firgas
• Admire the stunning mountain landscapes with a stop at Mirador de Tejeda for amazing views over Roque Nublo and El Teide
• Return bus service from the following areas: Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Bahía Feliz, Puerto Rico, Arguineguín, Taurito and Puerto Mogán

What to do and see in Arucas

Most of the buildings in Arucas date from the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century and they have beautiful architecture, which is why the old town of Arucas is worth a visit while in Gran Canaria. 

1. Plaza de San Juan

San Juan Square is in the center of Arucas and you can start your visit here, by admiring the beautiful buildings in the old town center, especially St John church, which is the emblematic building of Arucas.

Plaza de San Juan is also an iconic spot in Arucas but it has gone through several transformations over time to get to how it looks today.

2. Arucas cathedral - San Juan Bautista Church

This magnificent church was built between 1909 and 1917, entirely by hand, with many sacrifices from the people who worked in its construction.

St. John's Church is the icon of Arucas and the reason why many people stop to visit this historic town in Gran Canaria. The church houses an outstanding reclining
nude image of Christ, by local sculptor Manolo Ramos (1898-1971). 

3. Visit the Arehucas Rum Distillery

A must-try in Gran Canaria is the Arehucas rum, produced locally in Arucas for over a century, since 1884.

The origins of the distillery date from 1883, when Alfonso Gourie decided to open up a factory where sugar cane could be processed, so the Arehucas distillery opened its doors one year later in 1884.

You can take a guided tour and visit the facilities for a small fee of €3.50 (free for children).

The visit includes the cellar and the bottling lines and also a tasting session of different rums and liqueurs. 

If you're in the area, don't skip a visit to Arehucas Distillery, as it's really worth the small fee and you will be supporting a local business and an important brand that is representative of the Canary Islands and especially for Gran Canaria.

4. Plaza de la Constitution

Plaza de la Constitución houses two important municipal buildings: the Town Council (1875) and the former Municipal Market (1882). It is easy to get here by walking from Plaza San Juan.

5. Municipal Museum and Park

The main park in Arucas occupies a surface area of around 2.5 acres, with several
paved and tree-lined areas. Arucas is also known as the “Town of the
flowers” and the park as well is also known as Parque de las Flores (Park of the flowers).

The Municipal Museum of Arucas is situated at one of the entrances to the park. The museum currently shows a permanent exhibit of the works of Santiago Santana, Manolo Ramos, Guillermo Sureda and Abraham Cárdenes.

6. Leon y Castillo street

This is a pedestrian street, where you can admire several old and historic buildings. 

You could also start your visit to Arucas here, by going to the Tourist Information Office for info about what to see in town. 

7. Jardín de la Marquesa

This is a small botanical garden that owes its name to its creator, the Marquis, who brought back different species from his frequent journeys throughout the globe.

The garden currently hosts one of the most complete collections of tropical
and sub-tropical flora, with over 2.500 species on display. 

The fee to visit the garden is €6 p.p.

Want to explore more around the island?

• See a full list of things to do in Gran Canaria.

8. Mirador de Arucas

If you came to Arucas in your own rental car we recommend driving up to the Mirador for the spectacular view.

Unfortunately, the restaurant which used to function here is now closed, but at least you can stop for a few moments in the parking lot and take a few moments to admire the view of the surrounding area, including the town of Arucas and various other parts in the north of Gran Canaria.