Marquesa Garden is a botanical garden in Las Hoyas, on the outskirts of Arucas in the north of Gran Canaria. It holds a wide collection of exotic trees and plants, with viewing spots set among the greenery, a bar and a villa on the grounds that is used for events. The garden is best known for its free-roaming peacocks, which show no fear of people. Upkeep is uneven: the planting is in good shape, while the buildings show signs of neglect.
Marquesa Garden
Local name: Jardín de la Marquesa
Botanical garden of exotic trees and plants just outside Arucas, with peacocks roaming the paths and a villa used for events.
- Entrance
- €12; residents pay €6. Cash only.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance, car park and toilet.
- Parking
- Paid car park about 30 m from the garden, with plenty of spaces, including wheelchair-accessible ones.
- Difficulty
- None to speak of: the car park is about 30 m away and the visit is an easy wander along the garden paths. Walking in from Arucas on the old stone lane means a rough surface.
- Transport
- Bus to the Acequia Alta stop, about 250 m away.
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 8:00–16:00; closed Saturday and Sunday.
- Address
- Las Hoyas, 35400 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain
What makes it special
The peacocks run the place. They cross the paths in front of you, display on the lawns and show no interest in getting out of the way, and you usually hear their cry before you see them. Roosters strut about too, and neither bothers anyone.
Around them grows a wide collection of exotic trees and plants, with viewing spots tucked into the greenery. The garden has a half-wild feel: the planting is strong, the buildings and the tidier corners less so. Thirty to forty minutes covers it at a wander, with the map you get when you pay.
Good to know
- Upkeep is patchy: the plants are in good shape, while buildings and some corners look neglected. Weigh the ticket price with that in mind.
- Bring cash. Payment at the entrance is cash only.
- Wear dark or easy-to-clean shoes: peacock droppings cover much of the ground.
- There is a clean toilet on site, and a map of the garden comes with your ticket.
Getting there
Arucas town is a few minutes away by car, and the paid car park sits about 30 m from the garden, with plenty of spaces. The nearest bus stop, Acequia Alta, is about 250 m away in a straight line.
On foot, an old stone lane links the garden with Arucas, climbing from the garden up into town. It is open to pedestrians only, and the surface is rough: wear proper shoes if you walk it.
Best time to visit
Best: a weekday morning.
Avoid: weekends, when the gates stay shut.
The garden keeps weekday hours only and closes in the mid-afternoon, and the morning is the cooler time under the trees, with the peacocks at their most active.
Things to do nearby
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Frequently asked questions
How long do you need at Marquesa Garden?
Thirty to forty minutes is enough to walk round the garden at an easy pace.Can you pay by card at Marquesa Garden?
No. Payment at the entrance is cash only, so bring cash with you.Is Marquesa Garden worth the entrance fee?
It depends on what you come for. The tree and plant collection and the peacocks are the draw; the buildings and the non-planted areas are poorly kept, and the fee is high for that level of upkeep.Can you walk to Marquesa Garden from Arucas?
Yes. An old stone lane, open to pedestrians only, runs between the garden and Arucas. The surface is rough, so wear proper shoes.Is Marquesa Garden good for children?
Yes. The peacocks roam freely and come close to people, and there is a toilet on site.