Things to do in The North
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Basílica de la Virgen del Pino
Dominating the town square is the Basílica de la Virgen del Pino, a neoclassical 18th-century church, and home to Gran Canaria's patron saint. According to legend, the Virgin was spied atop a pine tree in the nearby forest in the 15th century, which turned Teror into a quasi-Fatima pilgrimage site. The church interior, a lavishly gilt-laden affair, sees the enthroned Virgen de la Nieve illuminated in her place of honour at the heart of a lavishly ornate altarpiece, surrounded by angels.
It's a pity about the piped religious music, but the sign to turn off your mobile phone is spot on, stating that 'you don't need a mobile to talk to God'.
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Iglesia de San Juan
The extraordinary, neo-Gothic Iglesia de San Juan stands sullen watch over the bright white houses of Arucas in a striking display of disproportion. The church has a Sagrada Familia (Gaudi) look with its elaborate pointed spires and was, fittingly, designed by a Catalan architect. Construction started in 1906 on the site of a former ermita (chapel) and was completed 70 years later.
Within, a fine 16th-century Italian Crucifixion hangs above the altar; the wooden Cristo Yacente (Reclining Christ) is similarly impressive, together with three magnificent rose windows.
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Jardín de las Hespérides
Northwest of Aruca, on the road to Bañaderos, the Jardín de las Hespérides botanical garden is owned by the Marquésa de Arucas. Lushly planted with more than 2500 different plants, trees and cacti, there are ponds, places to sit and a greenhouse with banana trees. The admission fee includes a detailed guide identifying the plants on display.
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Dedo de Dios
Around Agaete the coast takes on a sterner countenance than further north. From the jetty you can see the stump of the Dedo de Dios, a basalt monolithic rock that was a serious tourist attraction until it took a tumble in a 2005 hurricane. Take a look at the photos outside its namesake restaurant.
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Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
Just in from the beach is the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción. Built in 1874, it is strikingly Mediterranean in style. Inside are two parts of a 16th-century Flemish triptych by Joos van Cleve. The centre panel is preserved in the nearby chapel, Ermita de las Nieves.
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Municipal Museum
Opposite the town hall are the gracious municipal gardens, laid out in French style with fountains, pavilions, sculptures and magnificent dragon palm trees. The gardens house the Municipal Museum, which has a permanent exhibition by Canarian painters and sculptors, plus temporary shows.
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Cofradía de Pescadores
Next to the port, with an outdoor terrace, you can dine on catch-of-the-day along with the fishermen - and there's no better recommendation than that. Try the speciality, fritura de pescado (lightly fried seafood), or one of 30 tapas para picar (to taste).
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Casa de los Patronos de la Virgen
One of the loveliest houses in Teror is the 17th-century Casa de los Patronos de la Virgen. Pleasantly musty, this house is devoted to preserving 18th-century life and is full of intriguing odds and ends, mostly from the Las Palmas family who used it as a second home.
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Restaurante Las Nasas
There's a great atmosphere in this former warehouse with its old-fashioned black-and-white interior, jolly model boats, high ceilings and a small walled terrace overlooking the ocean. It's also usually the busiest along this seafood strip; a good sign.
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Restaurante Dedo de Dios
A cavernous restaurant hung with ferns in a lovely old building overlooking the beach and the rocky remains of the poor old Dedo. It fills up with large, boisterous families at weekends and has a vast menu of mainly fish and seafood dishes.
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Restaurante el Cápita
A slightly smarter proposition than some, with a reasonable menú del día. The fresh fish dishes can't be faulted, though the service may see you twiddling your thumbs when it's crowded.
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La Bodega de Arucas
The most stylish place in town with its trendy cocktail bar, complete with music videos and chic dining space aloft. The menu includes lots of healthy salads and a decadent caramel tart (as a reward).
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Heredad de Aguas de Arucas y Firgas
Calle Heredad flanks the municipal gardens on the southern side of Plaza Constitución, dominated by the neoclassical Heredad de Aguas de Arucas y Firgas building, completed in 1908.
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El Rincón de Magüi
Very popular pizzeria and restaurant with outside tables, plus a brick-clad dining room decorated with ceramic plates and photos of well-fed celeb diners like former Spanish PM Aznar.
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Destilerías Arehucas
Appealing to the taste of many visitors is the Destilerías Arehucas. Free guided visits, culminating in a tipple, take place during opening hours.
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Ayuntamiento
Plaza Constitución is home of the late-19th-century modernist Ayuntamiento, which was being restored at the time of research.
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