Arucas (Cathedral Town & Rum Distillery)

A historic town in northern Gran Canaria known for two major attractions. The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista (Church of St. John the Baptist, built 1909–1917) is a stunning neo-Gothic cathedral entirely constructed from local dark basalt volcanic stone — its architect worked on Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, and the resemblance is striking. The church features magnificent stained-glass windows and an ornate interior. The Arehucas Rum Distillery (Destilería Arehucas, founded 1884) is the largest rum producer in the Canary Islands, offering guided tours including tastings of aged rums in oak barrels signed by celebrities (Julio Iglesias, King Felipe VI, and others). The town is surrounded by extensive banana plantations — the green terraced hillsides are a defining feature of northern Gran Canaria's landscape. The Municipal Park offers subtropical gardens and views across the north coast. The old town features traditional Canarian architecture with cobblestone streets.