La Graciosa is the main island on the Chinijo Archipelago, to the northeast of Lanzarote. It is largest island and the only one that is inhabited, with around 700 residents.

It only has two residential areas, Caleta del Sebo and Pedro Barba, which are both on the coast facing Lanzarote. Caleta del Sebo is the island’s main hub and the entry point onto La Graciosa as it is also where you can find the island’s port. Pedro Barba, in contrast, is a village with small houses, virtually lifeless, and is only populated for a few months each year.

The fact it is a small and sparsely populated island Is exactly where its magic lies. Even though you’ll find accommodation, supermarkets, and restaurants in Caleta del Sebo, it’s all in perfect harmony with nature. The streets aren’t even paved – they are just beach sand.

How to get there

La Graciosa is linked to Órzola port in Lanzarote, where you can catch a ferry towards Caleta del Sebo.

There are various companies with each one offering different services – you could get an open return ticket, which allows you to stay on La Graciosa for a day or more, same day return tickets, excursions which include diving in the island’s waters, etc. The price is usually €20 for adults and €12 for children in the case of return journeys.

The boat takes roughly 30 minutes to get to the island, and the simple journey is well worth the trip. If you’re lucky, you may even see the odd cetacean.

Accommodation

If you’re considering going beyond the return trips that are organised from Lanzarote and staying on La Graciosa, you have two options. The first is to rent an apartment.

The other option is to camp. The only place on the island where this is allowed is Bahía del Salado. It is a spectacular and highly recommended place – white sand dunes, an unspoilt setting and the ocean bathing the coast a few metres away. Nature in its purest sense, although there are still showers, toilets and bins.

Bear in mind that because it is in a protected area, you will have to ask for permission to camp. You can do that online here.

How to get around

The use of cars on the island is regulated, so you will not be able to bring your own car. If you intend to move around by car, you can do so by using the taxi service on La Graciosa.

If you would prefer to do some exercise while exploring the island, you can rent a bike. It will cost you €10 for the day, and you can get one on Avenida Virgen del Mar, very close to the port where boats from Lanzarote arrive.

Bear in mind that the streets are sandy, so in some spots it can be difficult to ride a bike, but on most of the island you won’t have any issues. Don’t doubt it, exploring the island on a bike is a totally recommended option.

Beaches

Despite being such a small island, La Graciosa has excellent and diverse beaches.

The first one you’ll find when you arrive on the island is Caleta del Puerto, which is very close to the quay. Small and golden sands. If you’re looking for a small, isolated, and most probably, completely deserted, Los Conejos is the beach for you. It’s located to the north of Caleta de Sebo, in a hidden spot near a ravine. Very few people visit it. Montaña Amarilla is pure beauty and is found at the foothills of a mountain that gives the beach its name. It is small and fairly busy in the summer.

The most spectacular beach on the island is probably Playa de Las Conchas – large and remote with white sands. Playa del Salado is unique in that it is the only area on the island where you can camp – it is a fairly wide beach with white sand. It is very similar to Playa Francesa, which has spectacular views of the ocean.