Arucas Holidays: Gran Canaria's Hill Town Guide
Provincia de Las Palmas · Canary Islands · Spain · 36,259 residents
Arucas is an inland town of around 36,000 people on Gran Canaria, set about 280 metres above sea level rather than on the coast. That height and its position make it a good base for travellers who want gardens, caves and quiet hill villages more than a beach strip. The Jardin de la Marquesa de Arucas, a botanical garden, lies under half a mile from the centre, and the Cuevas del Guincho cave is about two miles away. Gran Canaria airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 16 miles off, about 22 minutes by car. The climate stays mild all year, with daytime highs between 19°C and 26°C.
Why go
- The Jardin de la Marquesa de Arucas botanical garden is under half a mile from the centre.
- Gran Canaria airport has direct UK flights and is only about 22 minutes' drive away.
- Mild weather all year, with highs from 19°C in February to 26°C in August.
Top sights in Arucas
Gardens and Caves Close to Town
The best-known sight is the Jardin de la Marquesa de Arucas, a botanical garden roughly half a mile from the centre. It is the obvious first stop, close enough to walk to, and suits families as well as anyone with an interest in plants.
About two miles out you will find the Cuevas del Guincho, a cave site that adds a different, rockier side to a visit and also works well with children.
Beyond these two, the area has a good choice of guided tours and activities, and you can book tours and tickets directly from the cards on this page.
1botanical gardenJardin de la Marquesa de Arucas
In the centre · Photo
Cuevas del Guincho
cave · 2 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in Arucas
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Arucas can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Arucas
Choosing a Base in Arucas
Arucas is inland, so this is not a seafront stay. Staying near the centre puts you within walking distance of the botanical garden, while the town's size, around 36,000 residents, means it functions as a working town rather than a holiday resort, which generally makes for a calmer feel.
If you want the coast as well, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is about seven miles away, so it is easy to combine a quieter base here with outings to the city. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare what is available for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Arucas and the villages around it is a hire car from Gran Canaria (LPA), about 22 min away.
Best time to visit Arucas
When to Visit Arucas
- 20°CJan57 mm
- 19°CFeb42 mm
- 20°CMar44 mm
- 22°CApr23 mm
- 21°CMay28 mm
- 23°CJun21 mm
- 24°CJul8 mm
- 26°CAug7 mm
- 24°CSept33 mm
- 26°COct39 mm
- 24°CNov34 mm
- 20°CDec87 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
April, July and August offer the most pleasant conditions. April brings highs around 22°C with just five rainy days, while July and August are the driest months of the year, with only around 7 to 8 mm of rain and three wet days each.
August and October are the warmest months, both reaching about 26°C. December is the wettest, with around 87 mm of rain, and January has the most rainy days at eleven. Winter remains mild, with highs near 19°C to 20°C and lows around 13°C to 15°C, which makes Arucas a reasonable winter-sun option if you accept a few showers.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°C | 14°C | 57 mm | 9 h |
| Feb | 19°C | 13°C | 42 mm | 10 h |
| Mar | 20°C | 14°C | 44 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 22°C | 16°C | 23 mm | 12 h |
| May | 21°C | 16°C | 28 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 23°C | 18°C | 21 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 24°C | 20°C | 8 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 26°C | 21°C | 7 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 24°C | 19°C | 33 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 26°C | 19°C | 39 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 24°C | 17°C | 34 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 20°C | 15°C | 87 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Arucas from the UK
The nearest airport is Gran Canaria (LPA), which has direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is about 16 miles from Arucas, roughly a 22-minute drive, so car hire or a transfer gets you to town quickly after landing.
The port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is around seven miles away, with ferries to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Morro Jable and Arrecife, and to Huelva and Cádiz on the Spanish mainland. Santa Cruz de Tenerife (about 50 miles) and Los Cristianos (about 73 miles) are further ports on Tenerife, linking to La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro if you want to island-hop.
By air
- Gran Canaria (LPA)16 miles, about 22 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (7 miles), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (50 miles), Los Cristianos (73 miles).
Arucas is good for
Around Arucas
Villages Within Easy Reach
Several small towns lie very close. Firgas is only about two and a half miles away, with Moya and Teror both around four miles off, so any of them makes an easy half-day.
A little further, Santa Brígida and Valleseco are each about six miles away, Vega de San Mateo around seven and a half miles, and Gáldar, the largest of the group with about 24,000 residents, roughly eight miles. Valsequillo de Gran Canaria, at around nine miles, rounds out the options.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
At about 280 metres above sea level, evenings can feel cooler than on the coast, especially in winter when lows dip to around 13°C, so pack a light layer.
Arucas is inland and the nearby villages are spread out, so car hire makes the most sense if you plan day trips. If you are visiting between December and March, expect some rain days, with December the wettest month of the year.
Questions people ask
How far is Arucas from Gran Canaria airport?
Gran Canaria airport (LPA) is about 16 miles from Arucas, roughly a 22-minute drive. The airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom, so the journey from landing to arriving in town is short.
Is Arucas on the coast?
No. Arucas is an inland town at around 280 metres above sea level. The port city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is about seven miles away if you want to reach the coast during your holiday.
What is the best month to visit Arucas?
April, July and August have the most pleasant conditions. July and August are the driest, with around three rainy days each, and August reaches highs of about 26°C. April is a little cooler at around 22°C with just five rainy days.
Is Arucas good for a family holiday?
It suits families looking for gentle outings. The Jardin de la Marquesa de Arucas botanical garden is about half a mile from the centre, and the Cuevas del Guincho cave is roughly two miles away. Tours and tickets can be booked from this page.
Is Arucas warm in winter?
Winter is mild, with daytime highs around 19°C to 20°C and lows of 13°C to 15°C. It is the wetter time of year, though, with December the wettest month at around 87 mm of rain and January having about eleven rainy days.
What can I visit near Arucas?
Firgas is about two and a half miles away, Moya and Teror around four miles, and Santa Brígida and Valleseco roughly six miles. Gáldar, about eight miles off, is the largest nearby town.