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Located in the northern part of Gran Canaria, Arucas is the third largest town on Gran Canaria and is one of the most beautiful towns on the island. Arucas looks as if it is straight out of a Spanish postcard. Colourful buildings, wrought iron balconies, inviting cafés, blooming hibiscus flowers and steep cobblestone streets, which grant you with picture perfect views from the top of the town below and the massive iconic cathedral within the centre of it all.
Getting to Arucas from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is easy and straightforward. Take the blue Global bus 210 from Las Canteras beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to arrive in Arucas in approximately 45 minutes and will cost you €2,10 each way. Enjoy the views out the bus window of the approach to Arucas and get a glance of how magnificent San Juan Bautista Cathedral’s size is from a distance.
Read more: Picturesque Towns To Visit On A Day Trip From Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
Here are a few must see things to do while exploring this Canarian gem of a town.
San Juan Bautista Cathedral
Arucas is home to the largest Neo-Gothic cathedral on the island and is covered in gorgeous details, both inside and out. Its construction took many years and started in 1909 and was officially completed by 1977. New to European standards when it comes to cathedrals, but it still has an ancient Gothic look to its architecture that would have you guessing it was hundreds of years old. Step inside and admire the architectural details and read up on a brief history of the cathedral on the literature provided. Outside of the cathedral sits Plaza de San Juan, which has always been the main meeting point for merchants, as well as locals. Plaza de San Juan is surrounded by numerous historical buildings and is the perfect spot to relax on a bench and people watch.
Read more: Things To Do In Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
Walk The Old Town Streets
Arucas’ old town streets are bustling with locals throughout the day. Cafés line each little street with the scent of coffee and baked goods flowing through the air. Cobblestone lane ways and picturesque buildings provide postcard perfect scenes that are sure to please any visitor coming to Arucas. The streets are quiet and quite empty of tourists, which make strolling around town very relaxing and slow paced. Steep streets are around every corner, but if you’re fit, head to the top for a commanding view of the cathedral and town below.
Read more: Exploring The Sleepy Streets Of Vegueta, Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
Visit A Traditional Rum Factory
If you have some time when in Arucas, make sure to visit the Rum factory, Arehucas, which is a very popular stop for local rum. You’ll learn about the distillation process, the history of run and also visit one of the oldest run cellars in Europe. When you visit, you can take a detailed tour, try numerous samples and buy some to take home as a souvenir, or drink later back in your hotel…it’s up to you. 😉
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Eat The Local Cuisine
I always stress to people that eating the local cuisine of a country you are visiting is crucial to gaining an authentic travel experience. In Arucas, restaurants are teeming with local produce such as cured dry meats, flavourful cheese, crusty breads, fresh seafood and the best olives you’ll ever eat. Wash it all down with an ice cold glass of the local beer and you’ve got yourself a meal made in Canarian heaven. I ate at Tasca Jamón Jamón and enjoyed the tapas selection very much.
Read more: A Day Trip To Teror On Gran Canaria
Arucas may be a small hillside town within the municipality of Las Palmas, but what it lacks in size, it boasts an incredibly large personality within its culture, streets and locals. There are many plazas to sit and relax in, green shady gardens to escape the hot Canarian sun and loads of tiny streets to explore. In Constitution Square (Plaza de la Constitución), you’ll find the beautiful Town Hall (Casas Consistoriales) and the Old Municipal Market. Make sure to get there early to watch the town come to life as locals set up their shops and allow yourself to wander the empty streets at your own leisure with a fresh brewed coffee in your hand.
Does Arucas look like a place you’d like to visit? Have any of you visited before? Let me know in the comments below. xo
You know what ? I’m so going to Canaria when this poop is over !
Yes!!! You’d love it for sure!!! 🙂