Hidden away from the rest of the world, just off the northern coast of Lanzarote, La Graciosa is one of the best-kept secrets in the Canary Islands. Known throughout the archipelago for its pristine natural beauty, car-free streets, and golden sandy beaches, this tiny island is the ideal getaway if you want to swap the hustle and bustle of modern life for island living.
Whether you want to pop over from Lanzarote for the day, explore rugged hiking trails, or do as little as possible on one of the many stunning beaches, La Graciosa has something for everyone.
To save you time and hassle, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to visiting La Graciosa. From the best time to visit and how to get around to the best things to do and the top places to stay, this guide shares it all.
The Best Time To Visit Graciosa Island
It’s almost impossible to name the best time to visit La Graciosa because there’s never a bad time! The Canary Islands in Spain enjoy blissful weather throughout the year, with balmy highs of 93°F (34°C) and mild lows of 65°F (18°C). Because La Graciosa is relatively flat compared to the other islands, you won’t experience extreme temperatures here.
The island rarely gets busy, so no matter when you go, you’ll always avoid the crowds. In terms of weather, late spring (April and May) and early fall (September and October) are your best bet. At this time of year, you can expect clear blue skies and oodles of sunshine without the intense heat or rainfall.
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How To Get To La Graciosa
The only way to get to La Graciosa is to take a ferry from Órzola in the north of Lanzarote. The trip takes just 25 minutes, during which time you’ll get fantastic views of the Risco de Famara mountains along the coastline. Before you know it, you’ll arrive at the port of Caleta de Sebo in La Graciosa.
There are two ferry companies that operate between Lanzarote and La Graciosa year-round: Líneas Romero and Biosfera Express. Both companies offer nine routes per day, between approximately 8 am and 8 pm. There are crossings every 30 minutes and tickets rarely sell out, so you can leave it until the last minute if you’re not sure what your plans are.
The prices are the same for both ferry companies — €28 return for adults and €15 return for children. Infants under the age of two can travel for free.
You won’t find much onboard — mainly a small seating area, restrooms, and free WiFi. But the beautiful views are more than enough to keep you entertained along the way.
It’s important to remember that cars aren’t allowed on La Graciosa. If you’re traveling by car, you can leave it at the parking lot in Órzola. Fortunately, bicycles are allowed on the island and you can bring them with you on the ferry.
How To Get Around La Graciosa
La Graciosa is a completely car-free island and there are no proper asphalt roads, so driving is out of the question. The easiest way to get around is to cycle. You can hire a bicycle for the day and explore the island’s three main cycle routes. The tracks are well signposted so you won’t get lost and you can work your way around the entire island in just a few hours.
Walking is another great way to explore La Graciosa. As long as you’ve got comfortable shoes, something to keep the sun off your face, and plenty of water to stay hydrated, you’ll have a nice time. There are walking routes dotted all over the island that take you around the coastline and through the mountains.
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, you’ll be glad to hear that there’s a 4×4 Jeep taxi service on the island. These robust vehicles can whizz over the sand and rocky terrain of the island and get you anywhere you want to be.
For something with a more sightseeing vibe, you can also sign up for 4×4 Jeep safari tours and explore the best parts of the island in just a couple of hours.
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What to do in La Graciosa
Despite its small size, there are lots of things to do on the island. Whether you want to go scuba diving and explore underwater wonders or pop into a Canarian restaurant and try some local food, here are the top things to do in Isla Graciosa.
Enjoy the hiking trails
There are many hiking trails in La Graciosa, ranging from relatively simple hikes that take less than two hours up to island-wide hikes that take up to six hours.
Although it’s the most challenging, the complete La Graciosa Tour from Montaña Amarilla to Montaña Bermeja is one of the most popular on the island. It takes around six hours to complete and covers a whopping 15 miles (24km)!
A shorter alternative is the Caleta de Sebo — Montaña Amarilla — Punta del Pobre route which starts from where the ferry docks. It guides you around the southern tip of the island, taking in the dramatic coastline and towering volcano. It takes around 3.5 hours to complete and covers 9 miles (14.3km).
If you’re looking for something more gentle, consider the Playa de las Conchas — Montaña Bermeja — Caleta de Sebo route. This is one of the shortest on the island and takes you from the southern coast, through the mountains, to the northern part of the island in 4.3 miles (7km).
Sail away on an island cruise
One of the best ways to experience La Graciosa is from the water. This luxury catamaran cruise takes you around the coast of the island, so you can fully appreciate its dramatic landscapes.
You’ll be treated to a mojito onboard, followed by unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water until you arrive at Playa Francesa. Here you’ll have a chance to cool off, swim, snorkel, and kayak in the crystal-clear waters.
For lunch, you’ll dig into a traditional Spanish paella and fresh fruit before the free drinks continue to flow as you make your way back.
Discover the island’s history and marine life
If you’ve got some time spare while in Caleta de Sebo, check out Museo Chinijo. This small museum is tucked behind the church and tells you all about La Graciosa’s history and the marine life that lives in its surrounding waters. Make sure you seek out the giant whale skeleton — it’s the most impressive part of the museum!
Because aloe vera plays such an important role in the Canary Islands, there’s a section of the museum dedicated to it. You’ll find local aloe vera products for sale in the museum’s gift shop, too. The museum is completely free to visit and it’s open from Monday to Saturday, 10 am until 5 pm.
Explore La Graciosa on a Jeep safari
Witness the best that Isla Graciosa has to offer in just a few hours on a Jeep safari! On this exciting tour, you’ll first zoom away from Caleta de Sebo to the cute village of Pedro Barba. After a gentle stroll through the village, you’ll head to the coastline and see if you can spot some resident turtles.
Then it’s on to Los Arcos de Los Caletones, an impressive rock formation that rises high above the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an incredible spot to snap some pictures.
Finally, you’ll make your way to Las Conchas Beach, where you’ll have time to sunbathe, swim, stroll, and relax before returning to the Jeep and heading back to Caleta de Sebo.
Cycle around the island
There are three main cycle routes in La Graciosa that take you to the island’s highlights:
- North Route: Playa de las Conchas and Pedro Barba. A 9.5 mile (15.4km) circular route of low difficulty.
- South Route: Playa de la Francesa. A 1.5 mile (2.5km) linear route of high difficulty.
- Corral Route: Punta del Pobre. A 4.4 mile (7.1km) linear route of low difficulty.
Although the South Route is the shortest, it’s the most difficult because you’ve got to cycle over a lot of sand. Because of that, we recommend sticking with the North Route if you’re feeling energetic or the Corral Route if you want something a little less intense.
You can hire bikes in La Graciosa for as little as €20 per day, making it a great activity if you’re on a budget. In fact, it’s worthy of a spot on your Spain bucket list!
Try the local cuisine
Eating the local food is one of the best (and most fun!) ways to learn about a new culture. When you’re in La Graciosa, make sure you try:
- Papas Arrugadas con Mojo: Small potatoes with their skins on boiled in salt and served with a spicy red pepper and mild green pepper sauce.
- Queso Asado con Miel: Smoked soft goat cheese cooked on a hot plate until golden and drizzled in honey.
- Conejo al Salmorejo: Delicate rabbit meat cooked in white wine, oregano, cumin, paprika, and thyme.
- Rancho Canario: A stew made of chickpeas, shredded pork, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, chorizo, and garlic.
- Quesillo Canario: A cross between a cheesecake and a flan that’s made with milk, eggs, and caramelized sugar.
Visit the best beaches in the area
The beaches in Isla Graciosa are some of the most beautiful in the world. Boasting soft golden sand with dazzling turquoise waters on one side and rising rocky cliffs on the other, this is as close to paradise as you’ll ever get.
There are six beaches in total on the island:
- La Francesa Beach: Ideal for snorkeling
- La Cocina Beach: Calm waters for swimming
- Las Conchas Beach: Beautiful mountain views
- Ámbar Beach: A wild and untouched beach
- La Laja Beach: Conveniently located in Caleta de Sebo
- El Salado Beach: A remote golden bay
The pretty Spanish beaches of La Graciosa are some of the top places to go surfing in the country.
Best beaches in La Graciosa
There may only be six beaches in La Graciosa, but they’re all so stunning that it’s almost impossible to pick the best one. If you’ve only got time to visit a handful, we recommend these ones:
Las Conchas Beach
Tucked away in the northwest of Isla Graciosa, Las Conchas Beach beautifully combines the pale yellow of the sand with the striking red hues of the Montaña Bermeja mountain. Although swimming isn’t recommended here because the sea is often rough, you are treated to spectacular views of the Montaña Clara islet from here.
La Cocina Beach
Also known as Montaña Amarilla, La Cocina Beach is around 3.7 miles (6km) away from Caleta de Sebo. It’s a fantastic spot for swimming because the beach is lined by El Río, an incredibly calm area of water that separates this part of the coastline from Lanzarote. The water is also consistently clear, making La Cocina Beach a top spot for swimming and snorkeling.
La Francesa Beach
You’ll have to travel to the south of La Graciosa to reach La Francesa Beach, but the trip is more than worth it. Here you’ll find super-soft platinum-white sand that stretches along the aquamarine coastline and curves around to La Cocina Beach. From here you’ll be treated to spectacular views of Riscos de Famara, a collection of mountains topped by a stunning viewpoint.
Day trips from Isla Graciosa
Although Isla Graciosa is a wonderful place to visit, it is a little on the small side. If you start to suffer from island fever, you can hop on a boat and explore one of the other Canary Islands.
Lanzarote
If you didn’t manage to spend any time in Lanzarote, now’s your chance! You can reach the neighboring island by ferry from Caleta de Sebo in just 25 minutes, making it an excellent spot for a day tour.
The Timanfaya National Park, Jameos del Agua, and Cueva de Los Verdes are three of the best things to do in Lanzarote — and you can experience them all on this day trip.
You’ll get to witness geothermal energy up close, explore one of the longest lava tubes on Earth, and head underground into an interior lagoon that dates back 4,000 years.
If you prefer to do things on your own, there are plenty of other spots to visit in Lanzarote, including:
- Visit the Fundación de César Manrique where you can view his private art collection and see tiny white blind crabs you won’t find anywhere else
- Explore the Jardín de Cactus and the 4,500 plants from five continents that call it home
- Go wine tasting in La Geria and try “blanco afrutado”, the popular sweet and fruity white wine from the Canary Islands
- Stand at the top of the Mirador del Río viewpoint and gaze across the sea over to La Graciosa
- Scuba dive and discover the fascinating statues at the underwater Museo Atlántico
Looking for somewhere to stay? Check out this guide to the best adult-only hotels in Lanzarote.
Where to Stay in La Graciosa
Because of its small size, there are no hotels in La Graciosa. But that doesn’t mean there’s nowhere to stay! There are plenty of fantastic private rental options on the island. Here are two of our top picks:
Apartamento La Graciosa – Casa Lapitas
Centrally located in Caleta de Sebo, Casa Lapitas is a bright and minimalist apartment within walking distance of Francesa Beach and Salado Beach. Its unique location means you can sleep soundly every night and enjoy stunning coastal views when you wake up.
Within the apartment, you’ll find one double bedroom, one bathroom with a shower, one living room with a smart TV, and a well-equipped kitchen complete with refrigerator, coffee machine, and welcome treats.
There’s a great choice of restaurants in the local area and you can even rent bicycles from the hosts.
Apartamento Casa Rosabella
Also located in Caleta de Sebo, Casa Rosabella is a spacious two-bedroom apartment just a stone’s throw from Salado Beach. The beachy, bohemian-inspired decor flows throughout the apartment, from the open-plan living and dining room to the bright and modern bathroom.
One of the best things about this apartment is that it can sleep up to six guests. There are two single beds in the main bedroom, plus two bunk beds, making it ideal for families and groups.
You’ll find plenty of tempting restaurants in the immediate area, although the kitchen is so roomy and well-equipped you may find yourself cooking a lot of meals at home.
La Graciosa FAQ
La Graciosa is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you’re dreaming of a laid-back, relaxing experience in the Canary Islands. This small, car-free island is located off the northern coast of Lanzarote and boasts golden sandy beaches, rugged volcanic terrain, and sleepy fishing villages just begging to be explored.
La Graciosa is best known for its natural beauty, island-wide serenity, and pristine landscapes. Its clear aquamarine waters are excellent examples of this, as are its white-washed hamlets, and excellent scuba diving spots.
La Graciosa in the Canary Islands is just 11 square miles (29 square kilometers). It’s the smallest of the Canary Islands and you can explore the entire place in a single day! Just 750 people call the island home.
La Graciosa in the Azores, Portugal is called “the White Island” because it’s home to many places that contain the word white (such as Serra Branca) in their names and its white sandy beaches. It’s a completely different place from La Graciosa in the Canary Islands, Spain. The Canarian La Graciosa is sometimes called “the Lovely One” because that’s a loose translation of its name.
Conclusion
Isla Graciosa may be small, but if you take a chance on it, you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable experiences you’ll be telling people about for years to come.
From its gorgeous coastline and time-forgotten villages to its astonishing viewpoints and irresistible relaxed vibe, this tiny island is perfect if you’re dreaming of slowing down and appreciating the peaceful tranquility of nature.
Whether your plan is to hike around ancient volcanoes, explore off-the-beaten-track on two wheels, or simply work on your tan on the beach, La Graciosa dishes up an unspoiled paradise that you won’t find anywhere else.
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