A trip to Lanzarote is not complete if you do not include in the route one day to visit the island of La Graciosa. It is located to the north of the island of Lanzarote. A small, manageable, quiet island with natural attractions beyond doubt.We talk about the smallest of the Canary Islands with only 29 km² and just over 700 inhabitants that meet in the main town of the island, La Caleta de Sebo.
Chinijo is synonym for small, and in the Canary Islands it is a loving word for children. Chinijo Archipelago includes the islands of La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste del Infierno.
Caleta del Sebo is the only village on the island besides Pedro Barba. Its 650 inhabitants live there. At dusk you can watch the old fishermen sitting at the door of their white houses and cleaning the catch of the day.
No cars, no crowds, no noise. La Graciosa is pure nature, dream beaches and landscapes like from a film. Are you looking for something very special?
La Graciosa is something for special visitors. Those who seek the serenity of true beauty, nature lovers and discoverers of a land that seems to come from another time. Neither the urban excesses nor the crowds have reached this island. Not even the asphalt. The only vehicles are some off-road taxis.
A brief summary about the history of La Graciosa.
It was conquered in 1402 by Norman explorer Jean de Bethencourt, under the vassalage of Henry III of Castile. The island is named as one of the Canary Islands, under the sovereignty of the kingdom of Castile and Leon in the Treaty of Alcázovas (1479). In 1945 the Church of Our Lady of Carmen was built in Caleta de Sebo and in 1993 it was elevated to the rank of Parochial Church.
On June 26, 2018, the General Commission of the Autonomous Communities of the Senate unanimously approved a motion that recognizes La Graciosa as the eighth island of the Canary Islands. But this measure does not equate it to the rest of the islands of the archipelago, as La Graciosa will continue to belong to the municipality of Teguise and will not have its own island council.
One of the curiosities of this small island is that there is no asphalt and everything is beach sand. Therefore, it is ideal for hiking, cycling, saling on a catamaran, or if you prefer to travel by renting one of the few 4×4 cars.
If you are looking for something to do beyond throwing yourself on a beach to sunbathe we recommend you rent a bike and tour La Graciosa for free. The island has two main routes and both are of low difficulty.
How to get to La Graciosa island.
To get to La Graciosa you have to take a ferry from the port of Orzola, in the north of Lanzarote. Once the Fariones tip is bent, the journey to Caleta de Sebo is fast. The main population of the island retains the flavor of the fishing port with which it was founded in the mid-nineteenth century, to accommodate Lanzarote fishermen who exploited the rich fishing banks in this area in the northeast of the Canary Islands.
- Biosfera Express http://www.biosferaexpress.com/ +34 928 842 585
- Líneas Marítimas Romero https://www.lineasromero.com/ +34 928 842 055
What to do.
From Caleta de Sebo depart tracks to all the cardinal points of La Graciosa, a rather flat island, but studded with several volcanic cones, among which Las Agujas (266 m) and the Mojón Mountain (188 m) in the center stand out from the island, the Yellow Mountain (172 m) in the south and the Bermeja Mountain (157 m) in the north.
One of the curiosities of this small island is that there is no asphalt and everything is beach sand. Therefore, it is ideal for hiking, cycling, saling on a catamaran, or if you prefer to travel by renting one of the few 4×4 cars.
If you are looking for something to do beyond throwing yourself on a beach to sunbathe we recommend you rent a bike and tour La Graciosa for free. The island has two main routes and both are of low difficulty.
All the inhabitants of La Graciosa live in Caleta del Sebo and fishing has always been their livelihood. Thus, it is commonplace to see small boats loaded with a large variety of fresh fish, which is cleaned and prepared right there on the shore, under the watchful eyes of the seagulls.
Further east, there is a hamlet called Pedro Barba, which has become a vacation area for a number of families, as it has a lovely beach. La Graciosa is accessible by sea only and from the Órzola port to the north of Lanzarote. There are two regular sea lines (see schedules on back flap); as you travel, you can enjoy the impressive view of Risco de Famara.
La Graciosa best beaches
This tiny islet has six really impressive beaches, with golden sand and crystal-clear water, all in idyllic surroundings.
La Laja : It is located in the same town of Caleta de Sebo, it is ideal to spend the day with family or as a starting point for a kayak route through La Graciosa.
La Lambra (Beach)
This beach is located to the northeast of the island, and it is not busy at all. It is a place where you can feel nature in its purest state, with sparkling sand dunes mingling with black rocks along the edge of the beach. A natural phenomenon known as Los Arcos is only a few meters to the north. Lava has formed whimsical arches where the sea crashes with force to continue carving away this beautiful work of art. Caution is recommended, to avoid falling into the sea.
Length: 600 m
Services: No
Las Conchas (Beach)
Perhaps, this beach is the most spectacular. It is to the north of the island; its white sand blends into the turquoise, crystal-clear water to the beat of the powerful waves, while Mount Bermeja offers a contrasting, vibrant red backdrop. From here, you can clearly see the rest of Chinijo Archipelago and escape from the crowd. Currents and waves are strong; therefore, no bathing unless you are a good
swimmer.
Length: 610 m
Services: No
Warning: it is a beautiful but dangerous beach. We do not recommend the bathroom.
Playa de La Cocina (Beach)
To the west is Mount Amarilla. Its name (meaning yellow) comes from the yellow calcareous material. At the foot of the mountain there is a small, peaceful cove. This idyllic site offers the best views of the cliffs known as Risco de Famara. Beware of the small rock slides.
Length: 360 m
Services: No
Playa de La Francesa (Beach)
Near Mt. Amarilla is La Francesa, with its extensive white sandy beach and crystal-clear water. When the tide comes in, it creates a shallow lagoon that is ideal for children to
safely enjoy the beach.
Length: 435 m
Services: No
Playa de El Salado (Beach)
This beach is near Caleta del Sebo. From the shore, you can see the omnipresent Risco de Famara, while crystal-clear waters bathe the clean beach sand. There are a number
of services. It is the only site where you can camp in an authorized area, after requesting the corresponding permit at: www.reservasparquesnacionales.es.
Length: 1.800 m
Services: Specific area for camping, showers, bathrooms & trash cans
Playa de La Laja (Beach)
This is the local beach, right next to the port. It is a common place for families to enjoy the good weather while fishermen repair their boats or return to the sea for another catch.
Length: 100 m
Services: Regular sightseeing sea lines, trash cans, bars & restaurants, supermarket, diving center, kayaks, bikes
Outdoor activities
In addition to enjoying the landscape and a pleasant day at the beach, La Graciosa offers a network of pathways. Thrilling diving courses are offered at all levels, where divers can enjoy the delights of the sea bottom. Likewise, you can discover the island in a 4X4 and count on the expert knowledge of local drivers who know every corner. If you prefer, you can take a tour at sea with the specialized companies in the village. Looking for excitement? Go bodyboarding, surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing; it is all
possible with the top class waves and wind. To catch a bite, any place is good as there is always fresh fish and seafood.
If this is not enough incentive for a unique trip, the waters of La Graciosa are also home to the Marine Reserve of the Chinijo Archipelago, the largest marine reserve in Europe with impressive scenery, which makes it a unique area for snorkelling or diving.
La Graciosa, a Marine Reserve
The La Graciosa Marine Reserve and the northern islets of Lanzarote cover more than 70,000 hectares.
As one of the largest reserves in Europe, it encompasses islands and islets which include the cliff known as Risco de Famara.
Created in 1995 to guarantee the sustainable use of fisheries, the park allows professionals registered with the marine reserve to fish and collect shellfish; recreational fishing is also authorized if the permit is obtained from the fishing authorities.
The reserve offers a wonderful variety of fauna, where there are a number of fish species such as Mediterranean parrotfish, common dentex, bream, grouper, mottled grouper and more than 300 seaweed species, housing the largest variety of marine biodiversity of all the Canary Islands.
These resources explain the abundance of marine birds, and that is another reason why the area has been declared a Special Protected Bird Species Area.
The largest European population of Cory’s shearwater is found here, in addition to a number of extremely rare and threatened species, such as white-faced storm-petrel as well as common kestrels, owls, Eleonora’s falcons and sea eagles. Undoubtedly, it is an ideal breeding ground, under the watchful eye of man.
Chinijo Archipielago
In 1986, Chinijo Archipelago was declared a Natural Park.
It is located on the northern side of the island of Lanzarote and includes the Chinijo Archipelago, as well as the sea between the islets and the northern coast of Lanzarote.
Its geology is extremely beautiful and its biology includes a number of threatened and protected species—some are exclusive to the park. Both flora and fauna have an excellent state of preservation.
For birds, these islets make up a unique habitat, which, based on its characteristics, is highly representative. There are several points where prehistoric bird eggs have been found, which provides additional scientific value.
https://www.lanzaroteexperiencetours.com/en/excursions/
La Graciosa is for special travellers, those who are sensitive enough to enjoy its nature, silence, beauty, and of course the sun and the secluded beaches.
There are a thousand reasons to discover the most unknown island of the archipelago. Are you looking for a very special trip?
See you soon!
