Inland Route - Arucas

Let’s start with Arucas, the main town in the north of Gran Canaria, which is separated from the capital by the ravine Barranco de Tenoya. Dominated by the huge neo-Gothic Parish Church of San Juan Bautista, this city boasts some interesting historic buildings, mostly representing the architectural style of the 19^th century.

Erroneously also called the ‘Cathedral of Arucas’, this majestic lava-stone church boasts a 60 meter high tower, which is the highest church tower on the archipelago. Designed by the Catalan architect Manuel Vega March, the construction began in 1909 and – stretching over several stages – was finally completed in 1977.  The more conventionally neo-Gothic interior features splendid stained-glass windows and retable as well as a sculpture of Cristo Yacente (the wrestling Christ), work of a local artist.

Located at the Plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Square), you will find two more buildings of great architectural value, one of which is the old Town Hall, which was built in 1875 and completely restored in 1932, and the other one the Municipal Market, which is also noteworthy because of its size. On the opposite side of this square there is the attractive Municipal Garden, called Jardin de Hespérides, a welcoming shady place with many species of tropical trees and plants, where you can relax from your visit to the town. In the Calle de la Heredad, a street surrounding the park, you can see one of the town’s most beautiful buildings, the Heredad de Aguas de  Arucas y Firgas, built in 1908 and home to the Water Board today.

Arucas is also called ‘City of Rum’ because it is here where the Fábrica y Museo del Ron, the Canary Islands’ biggest sugar cane rum factory, is located. Founded in 1884, this factory with a yearly production of more than 3.5 million litres of rum, also boasts an interesting museum where you can learn everything about the history of the factory and the rum production process and where you will also see barrels signed by celebrities like the famous tenors Alfredo Kraus and Plácido Domingo and the Spanish royal family.

Nearby, just 1.5 km (about 1 mile) north of Arucas, you will find the Montaña de Arucas, with 412 meters the highest peak of this city. From the restaurant at the top, which provides regional food and drinks, you will enjoy great panoramic views over the island.

The most attractive ‘fiesta’ celebrated in this region is the 24^th of June, day of the patron saint San Juan Bautista.

See our Gran Canaria Map for an overall view.