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Arucas has a long history, not just post Spanish colonialism evident in its many historic buildings, but just outside Arucas to the north is the Montana de Arucas which is thought to be the area where courageous Doramas the Guanche leader was killed in 1481 by Pedro de Vera in the Battle of Arucas. Arucas boomed with the demand for cochinilla (a beatle feeding off cactus pear, crushed to produce red dye) in the second half of the 19th century. Other crops producing wealth for Arucas and this region through the years include sugar cane (still used in Arucas rum), although sugar cane like cochinilla boomed then went bust as competition came from the new world growing sugar cane and manmade dyes replaced cochinilla. The boom and busts brought extreme hardship to local farmers, some of whom emigrated. Bananas are widely grown in and around Arucas today.
Whether you're staying in Arucas, or just visiting for the day there's plenty to command your attention including its striking church - Iglesia de San Juan with an architectural style that clearly draws from Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona. Rum lovers will be in their element in the famous Arucas Rum Factory - plenty of opportunity for sampling the fine choice of rums (many with delicious flavourings such as coffee, chocolate, almonds and lemon!).
Arucas has been famous for its rum as far back as 1884. A visit to the Arehucas Rum Distillery here is highly recommended - the rums and liqueurs made here are sublime, and you can purchase them in the shop for very reasonable prices! On-site is a Museum exploring the history of rum making here, plus you can take a tour of the factory and see how it's bottled, boxed and matured. A particular feature here is the collectable barrels which have been signed by famous celebrities - one of them has Cesar Manrique's name on it.
Another iconic feature attraction in Arucas is its gothic and lava stone built church. Building commenced on this Gaudi influenced structure in 1907 and wasn't finished until 1977! Well worth a look, it towers over the town. Move inside for views of a 16th century Italian Crucifixion. The church's tower stretches upto 60 metres.
Arehucas Rum Distillery, Apartado de Correos 1, 35400 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain. Tel: (34) 928 624 900. Open 10am to 2pm Mondays to Fridays. Sample the rums and visit the museum. Grand Tours of Gran Canaria often visit the rum factory in Arucas. (see Grand Tour Gran Canaria in the Excursions section of this website, and check out the choice of rums on the Arehucas Rum Distillery website to the right).
Iglesia de San Juan is open from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and 4.30pm to 7.15pm daily.
Arucas has a large local population of 32,917 residents, so if you're based here you can expect a real Canarian work-a-day vibe in this cultural Gran Canaria hotspot. There are a number of attractive green spaces and parks in the town including the Municipal Gardens called Jardin de Hesperides situated opposite the town hall (an interesting modernist building). The Municipal Gardens sit adjacent to the Plaza Constitucion and the tourist office is also here (tel: 928 62 31 36).
Another notable historic building here in Arucas, situated near the gardens on Calle Heredad, is Heredad de Aguas de Arucas y Firgas. This building was completed in 1908.
There's plenty afoot around Arucas too, including spectacular views across to Las Palmas from the nearby Montana de Arucas just to the north of the town. Walking or driving around here you can also get a sense of just how agricultural this area is, with many banana groves and fruit fields and greenhouses.
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