If you want an easy excursion beyond Las Palmas, Arucas is one of the first places I would consider. The town is close enough to the capital for a relaxed half-day trip, but its historic streets and surrounding landscape feel very different from Las Canteras and central Las Palmas.
There is also one particularly good reason to visit: Destilerías Arehucas, one of Gran Canaria’s best-known producers of rum and liqueurs. You will see Arehucas bottles in bars, restaurants and shops across the Canary Islands, so visiting the place where the story began adds some context to a drink you are likely to encounter during your stay.
A rum tradition dating back to 1884
The story began in 1884 with the opening of the Fábrica de San Pedro in Arucas. Sugar was initially its main product, although sugar-cane spirits and rum were also produced. Over time rum became central to the business, and the company adopted the Destilerías Arehucas name in 1965.
That history makes the distillery more interesting than a simple tasting stop. It connects the modern Arehucas brand with the agricultural and industrial history of Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands’ long relationship with sugar cane and rum.
What do you see at the distillery?
The visitor tour takes roughly an hour and follows the production story from the origins of Arehucas through ageing, fermentation, distillation and bottling. Even if you are not especially knowledgeable about rum, the process is easy to follow and gives you a better idea of what happens before a bottle reaches a bar in Las Palmas.
The most memorable part for many visitors is the ageing cellar. Arehucas says it contains around 4,700 American oak barrels, making it one of the oldest rum cellars in Europe. Rows of barrels give the visit a sense of scale that is difficult to appreciate simply from seeing the finished bottles in a shop.
And yes, there is a tasting
The visit ends with a tasting of a selection of Arehucas rums and liqueurs, with an opportunity to buy products afterwards. For adults interested in local food and drink, this is obviously part of the appeal.
I would still visit even if tasting is not your main reason for going. The cellar, production process and history are what make Arehucas worthwhile as an excursion rather than simply somewhere to buy rum.
Do not visit the distillery and leave Arucas immediately
This is the mistake I would avoid. The distillery may be the reason that brings you to Arucas, but the town deserves some time of its own.
Walk into the historic centre and explore around the imposing Church of San Juan Bautista, whose dark stone towers dominate the town. Wander the surrounding streets, stop for coffee or lunch and allow Arucas to become a destination rather than merely the location of a factory tour.
The combination works particularly well because neither part needs to consume an entire day. A distillery visit followed by a walk and lunch in Arucas makes an easy change of pace from the beach.
Getting to Arucas from Las Palmas
Arucas is close enough to Las Palmas to visit without renting a car. Global intercity buses connect the capital with Arucas, making this a useful excursion if you are relying on public transport during your holiday.
If you have a rental car, Arucas is also straightforward to include in a longer day exploring northern Gran Canaria. In that case, I would combine the town with another northern destination rather than driving back to Las Palmas immediately after the distillery.
Practical information
The distillery is at Calle Era de San Pedro 2 in Arucas. At the time of writing, the official visitor information says the tour lasts approximately one hour and includes the ageing cellar, production areas, bottling plant and tasting. Opening days and hours are more limited than those of a typical tourist attraction, and special closures can occur.
For that reason, check the current visitor information directly with Arehucas before making the journey. This is particularly important around public holidays or if the distillery is the main reason for your trip to Arucas.
Is Arehucas worth the trip from Las Palmas?
I think it works best for visitors who enjoy seeing how a local product is actually made. You do not need to be a rum enthusiast, but some curiosity about Canarian food, drink and history certainly helps.
More importantly, it gives you an excuse to leave Las Palmas for a few hours. Visit the distillery, explore Arucas, have lunch and then return to the city – or continue farther into northern Gran Canaria.
Las Palmas has enough to keep you occupied for days, but trips like this make a longer stay much more interesting. And the next time you see a bottle of Arehucas behind a bar, you will know exactly where it came from.
Opening hours, admission details and visitor arrangements can change. Check the official Arehucas visitor information before travelling.