The volcanic island of La Graciosa lies about 2 km north of Lanzarote and with 29 square kilometres and only 700 permanent inhabitants, it is the smallest inhabited island in the Canaries.
It only gained the status of one of the 8 main Canary Islands in 2018, until then it was administratively considered an islote, a small island. Even so, La Graciosa is not administratively a full-fledged island, as it falls under the municipality of Teguise in Lanzarote.
The cheapest accommodation in Lanzarote
The islet is confused by some travellers with the larger Graciosa of the same name, which is part of the Azores.
The volcanic landscape and sandy beaches
The islet of La Graciosa attracts travellers to its completely orphaned volcanic to desert landscape. No trees grow here, only occasional low grasses, but otherwise the island is dotted with several volcanic cones climbing to heights of over 250 metres.
Several beaches with fine golden sand line the coast of the island, ideal for short swims in the mostly shallow sea. The disadvantage of the local beaches is that the tides are very strong, exposing several hundred metres of the coastal sea and making swimming virtually impossible.
One of the main attractions of the islet is a volcanic cone falling directly into the sea called Montaña Amarilla, the yellow mountain. Its slopes, which fall into the sea near the idyllic beach, are indeed a bright yellow colour caused by the extreme amount of sulphur in the rock.
Cycling on Graciosa
There are no tarmac roads on the islet and the number of cars is strictly limited. Due to its relatively flat topography and medium size, with the island being too big to walk, the bicycle is by far the most convenient means of transport. You can reach all the beaches and volcanoes by bike along the dirt roads along the coast.
La Graciosa can be easily circumnavigated in half a day, and the famous Montaña Amarilla can be reached in an hour.
The only village on the island has several bike rental shops. No need to book a bike in advance, just turn up, choose and explore. Renting a bike for the day usually costs 15 eur to 20 eur.
Accommodation La Graciosa
Looking for peace, quiet and a stay in a remote location away from civilisation, the town of Caleta del Sebo, the only one on the island, will be the right place for you.
With its dusty streets and low houses, it's more like North Africa, but you'll find plenty of well-priced, fully-equipped apartments and guesthouses, as well as several grocery stores and restaurants.
Ferries Lanzarote - La Graciosa
The island can be reached by a regular boat service from the town of Órzola in the north of Lanzarote, where you can park your rental car for free just off the dock.
The ferries are operated by Lineas Romero. They sail the Órzola - Caleta del Sebo route 7 times a day all year round, and up to 9 times a day in summer.
The cruise takes about 40 minutes and a return ticket costs 28 eur.
There is also bus service number 9 that runs 4-5 times a day from Arrecife via Jameos del Agua to the port of Órzola.
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