The grey stone spires of the Church of San Juan Bautista stand over the rooftops of Arucas, a town in the north of Gran Canaria that borders Las Palmas and belongs to its urban area. Sugar cane has been grown here since the 15th century, and the town is known for its rum; the rum factory is still one of its main features. To the north rises the Montaña de Arucas, where the Guanche leader Doramas is thought to have been killed in battle in 1481.
Arucas
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Spanish; English, German in resorts
- Power plug
- Type C/F, 230 V
- Visa
- Schengen
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1 (WET/WEST)
- Tap water
- Safe; mineral taste in the south
- Tipping
- Not expected; 5–10% for great service
- Emergency
- 112
Things to do
All tours in Arucas on GetYourGuide
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How long to stay
Half a day covers Arucas. That is time for the Church of San Juan Bautista, with its carved stone columns, stained glass and the Reclining Christ by Manuel Ramos, a walk through the streets around it, and a look at the Montaña de Arucas rising to the north. The town borders Las Palmas and is part of its urban area, so it pairs naturally with a stay in the city.
What to see
Destinations in Arucas
Frequently asked questions
Is Arucas part of Las Palmas?
It is a municipality of its own, but it borders Las Palmas and is part of the city's urban area. The GC-2 motorway passes north of the town.What is inside the Church of San Juan Bautista?
The church dates from 1909 and was built entirely in Arucas stone by local master masons. Inside are carved stone columns and capitals, stained glass windows attributed to the Canarian painter Cristóbal Hernández de Quintana, and a carving of the Reclining Christ by Manuel Ramos.Why is Arucas known for rum?
Sugar cane has been the main crop around Arucas since the 15th century, and rum was made here long before sugar plantations spread in Cuba. The rum factory remains one of the town's main features.What happened on the Montaña de Arucas?
The hill north of the town is thought to be where the Guanche leader Doramas was killed by Pedro de Vera in 1481, in the Battle of Arucas. The town itself had been destroyed in 1478 and rebuilt in 1480.