Skip to main content
Oceanworking Travel Guide
Arucas
Guide
Villages

Arucas

Northern Gran Canaria

Arucas is a town with real character, known for its great church of San Juan Bautista, built from local volcanic “blue stone”. Its old quarter keeps a traditional feel, while the Arehucas distillery and its rooftop terraces add culture and easy pleasure.

At a glance

Good for
LocalIconic
Zone: North · Las Palmas· See everything in this area

The church of San Juan Bautista

Though many call it a “cathedral”, it is in fact a parish church, celebrated for its neo-Gothic architecture and the dark stone of its construction.

  • Built entirely from blue stone, a volcanic material typical of the area.
  • Raised by hand by local craftsmen; the works lasted more than 70 years, from 1909.
  • Inside, large stained-glass windows create an evocative atmosphere.

The Arehucas distillery

This is where Gran Canaria’s most famous rum is made. Founded in 1884, the distillery is still working and can be visited to see how the rum is produced and to taste different varieties.

  • It is one of the oldest distilleries in Spain.
  • It holds more than 4,000 oak barrels, some signed by well-known figures.
  • It offers guided tours with a tasting.

Getting there and what else to see

By car: just 15 minutes from Las Palmas via the GC-2 and GC-20.

By bus: lines 205 and 206 connect Arucas with Las Palmas.

It’s perfect to explore on foot, with its cobbled streets and viewpoints.

Other stops:

  • A walk through the Jardines de La Marquesa, a lovely green park.
  • Relaxing at the Emblemática Rooftop, a terrace overlooking town and sea, ideal for a drink and tapas.

Gallery

The church of San Juan Bautista in Arucas, imposing in blue volcanic stone, under the northern Gran Canaria sky.

Good to know · The Arehucas distillery, founded in 1884, is one of Spain’s oldest and offers guided tours with a tasting of its rum.

Where it is

Address: 35400 Arucas, Las Palmas

Open in Google Maps

Nearby places

Where to eat nearby

Part of these itineraries

Oceanworking

What if this were more than a holiday?

Live and work in Gran Canaria with the Oceanworking community: coworking, coliving and workations facing the Atlantic.

Discover Oceanworking