The village of Gran Canaria with colorful houses, beautiful gardens and an imposing volcanic stone church

Only one municipality on the island of Gran Canaria is included on the list of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Spain," and that is Tejeda. However, on the "Continent in Miniature," there are many other spectacular towns that could easily earn this distinction. One of them is the beautiful town of Arucas, located in the northernmost part of the Canary Islands and one of the most fascinating places in all of the Canary Islands, both for its architectural heritage and for all the treasures it hides.

This town is the fifth most populated in Gran Canaria, and in addition to its beautiful colorful houses and green spaces filled with flowers, it boasts one of the most extraordinary churches in the entire archipelago. Located very close to the Atlantic Ocean, this incredible municipality is also the birthplace of Canarian rum, which only adds to the charm of one of the most sublime places in all of Spain.

Aruca, the colorful town dominated by a temple

Located very close to the mountain that gives it its name, Arucas boasts a town center filled with buildings painted in vivid hues reminiscent of the colonial style, such as the town hall, the Casa Gourié , and all the houses lining León y Castillo Street. A stroll through the town's historic center is like immersing yourself in a colorful journey that fascinates all tourists, but from much of the town , the municipality's great attraction is always in the background .

That jewel is none other than the imposing Church of San Juan Bautista, also commonly known as the "Arucas Cathedral" due to its enormous size and enormous height. Considered a Site of Cultural Interest, its construction began in the 17th century, although its current Gothic appearance dates from the early 20th century (it took seven decades to complete). If its magnificent exterior already perplexes visitors, once they pass through its doors, the curious will come across a multitude of relics.

A sublime botanical garden and the birthplace of rum in the Canary Islands

After exploring all the charming corners of Arucas' historic center , it's essential to head to one of the town's greatest treasures: the Marquise of Arucas Botanical Garden. This vast 5,000-square-meter space, located just outside the city center, has nearly a century and a half of history (dating back to 1880) and is home to more than fifty species from all over the world.

Furthermore, this beautiful town, located just a quarter of an hour by road from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is the great birthplace of rum in the archipelago. The San Pedro Sugar Factory was founded here centuries ago, which would later become a distillery for a well-known brand whose name is closely related to the town.

Receive weekly tips for traveling the world and discovering the places and landscapes of Spain.