Discovering the Hidden Side of Gran Canaria: Arucas, Las Palmas & Local Island Flavours

Gran Canaria is often known for its sunny beaches, resorts, and holiday atmosphere — but beyond the coastline, the island has another side waiting to be explored. In this DuckTravels travel vlog, we continue our journey through Gran Canaria and uncover some of the island’s most charming hidden gems, from the colourful streets of Arucas to the lively urban energy of Las Palmas.

This adventure is all about slow travel, local details, authentic flavours, and those small unexpected moments that make a trip truly memorable.

Exploring Arucas Old Town

Our journey begins in Arucas, a beautiful town in northern Gran Canaria known for its historic streets, elegant architecture, and relaxed Canarian atmosphere. Walking through Arucas feels like stepping into a more traditional side of the island, where colourful buildings, charming plazas, and peaceful corners create the perfect setting for a travel vlog.

One of the highlights of Arucas is its impressive architecture. The town has a unique character that feels very different from the busy tourist areas in the south. It is a place where you can slow down, look around, and enjoy the details — from stone façades and narrow streets to local cafés and boutique shops.

For travellers who want to experience more than beaches and hotel pools, Arucas is definitely worth adding to a Gran Canaria itinerary.

Coffee Stop at Siroco, Arucas

No travel day is complete without a good coffee break. During our visit to Arucas, we stopped at Siroco, a local coffee shop that added a relaxed and authentic touch to the day.

Coffee shops like this are often where you feel the real rhythm of a destination. They give you time to pause, observe the local life, and enjoy the moment before continuing the adventure.

Sweet Discoveries at Sabor A España

Another memorable stop in Arucas was Sabor A España, a delicacy boutique filled with sweet treats and local flavours. Shops like this are perfect for travellers who enjoy tasting something regional or bringing home a small edible souvenir.

Gran Canaria is not only about landscapes — it is also about flavours. From traditional sweets to local specialties, food plays a big role in discovering the island’s culture.

Arucas Rum Distillery

Arucas is also known for its rum traditions, and the Arucas Rum Distillery is one of the featured locations in this episode. For anyone interested in local production, history, and Canarian flavours, this is a unique stop that adds something different to a typical island travel day.

It is the kind of place that reminds you how much history and craftsmanship can be found beyond the usual tourist routes.

Hidden Spots in Las Palmas

After exploring Arucas, the journey continues toward Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. Las Palmas offers a completely different atmosphere: more urban, energetic, and full of contrasts.

The city is not only about shopping streets and beaches. It also has hidden corners, local markets, food spots, and city views that make it a fascinating destination for travellers who enjoy exploring beyond the obvious.

Las Palmas is a great reminder that Gran Canaria is a diverse island. In one day, you can move from a quiet historic town to a lively city environment, while still staying within the same island adventure.

Visit to Las Arenas Mall

During the day, we also visited Las Arenas Mall in Las Palmas. For travellers staying in Gran Canaria, shopping centres can be useful stops for a break, food, shopping, or simply escaping the sun for a while.

Las Arenas is also located in a convenient area of Las Palmas, making it a practical addition to a city visit.

Dinner at Restaurante Los Pescaitos, Arguineguín

After a day of exploring, we returned toward Arguineguín, where we visited Restaurante Los Pescaitos. Ending the day with local food is always one of the best parts of travel, especially in a coastal destination like Gran Canaria.

Arguineguín has a relaxed seaside atmosphere, and restaurants like this help complete the island experience with good food, local surroundings, and a peaceful holiday feeling.

Staying at Bull Dorado Beach & Spa

During this Gran Canaria journey, our hotel base was Bull Dorado Beach & Spa in Arguineguín. Staying in the south of the island gave us a good starting point for exploring different areas by car, while still returning to a comfortable coastal location at the end of the day.

Arguineguín works well as a base for travellers who want a mix of relaxation, local atmosphere, and access to road trips around the island.

Road Trip with Avis Rental Car

For this episode, we explored Gran Canaria with a rental car from Avis, driving a Skoda Kodiaq. Having a car gives much more freedom when discovering places like Arucas, Las Palmas, local food stops, viewpoints, and hidden gems that may be harder to reach by public transport.

Gran Canaria is a great island for road trips because the scenery changes quickly. In a short time, you can experience coastal roads, mountain views, towns, cities, and quiet local areas.

Travel Arranged with Tjäreborg / Nordic Leisure Travel Group

This journey was part of a travel experience arranged through Tjäreborg / Nordic Leisure Travel Group. Package travel can be a convenient option for travellers who want flights, accommodation, and destination support combined into one trip.

For our DuckTravels vlog series, it also gave us a good opportunity to review the travel experience from a practical traveller’s perspective.

Why Arucas and Las Palmas Are Worth Visiting

Many visitors to Gran Canaria stay mainly in the south, especially around resorts and beaches. While those areas are enjoyable, this episode shows why it is worth exploring further.

Arucas offers history, architecture, local charm, coffee stops, boutique shops, and cultural experiences. Las Palmas adds city life, shopping, food, markets, and hidden urban corners. Together, they show a more complete picture of Gran Canaria.

This is the kind of travel day that proves the island has much more to offer than just sunshine. It has character, history, food, local life, and surprising places that many tourists miss.

Final Thoughts

This DuckTravels episode is for anyone who loves travel vlogs, hidden gems, island adventures, local food, road trips, and discovering the real spirit of a destination.

Gran Canaria is a destination full of contrasts. One moment you are walking through the old streets of Arucas, the next you are exploring Las Palmas, tasting local sweets, enjoying a coffee break, visiting a shopping mall, or ending the evening with dinner by the coast.

If you are planning a trip to Gran Canaria, consider adding Arucas and Las Palmas to your itinerary. These places offer a deeper look into the island and help you experience Gran Canaria beyond the usual tourist path.

Welcome aboard — and enjoy the journey with DuckTravels.