Why You Should Visit La Graciosa: The Secret Canary Island

Did you know there’s an 8th Canary Island? Because until recently I didn’t have a scooby. This mysterious and slightly off-grid island, La Graciosa, sits just off the northern tip of Lanzarote and it couldn’t feel more different.

Untouched and mostly undiscovered by tourists, La Graciosa has that rare, authentic charm you don’t often come across anymore. With only around 700 inhabitants and only one touristy souvenir shop in sight, it feels beautifully unspoiled. Towering volcanoes rise up from an otherwise flat barren landscape, while crystal-clear waters and golden beaches stretch out in every direction. It’s the perfect spot for hiking, snorkelling or just switching off for a while.

You won’t find any proper asphalt roads here or cars. Just sandy, dusty tracks and the odd 4×4 taxi. The best way to explore La Graciosa is either on foot or by bike using good old pedal power… and that’s exactly what we did.

So, what can you actually do on La Graciosa and is it worth visiting this secret Canary Island? In short: absolutely. Let me show you why.

La Graciosa at a Glance – Don’t Miss 👀

Catching the ferry from Órzola to La Graciosa
Hiring bikes to explore the island
Relaxing on golden sand beaches
Hiking up volcanos or snorkeling in the turquoise sea
Eating at one of the restaurants or staying overnight on the island

In this article...

How do you get to La Graciosa?

There’s only one way to reach La Graciosa, and that’s from Lanzarote. You’ll need to catch a small ferry from the port of Órzola, right at the northern tip of the island.

We drove up from our hotel in Playa Blanca (the southern most tip) which took just over an hour. It’s a really straightforward drive, so don’t feel put off by the distance or the need to cross from one end of the island to the other. As you get closer to Órzola, the road hugs the coastline and you can see the ocean sparkle in the sunlight like glitter.

The easiest way to get to Órzola in Lanzarote is by driving, but if you don’t have a hire car, don’t worry. You could take a taxi, catch the affordable 62 bus or book an organised tour that includes transfers. If you do feel like driving though, hire cars in Lanzarote are really affordable, take a look here.

Where do you park at the ferry port in Órzola, Lanzarote?

As you arrive in the small seaside town of Órzola and approach the ferry port, you’ll likely be waved into a nearby open car park by a few helpful staff members directing the incoming traffic. They asked us if we were long or short stay and pointed us into the short stay carpark.

Parking here is free and just a stones throw away from the ferry port. Super easy.

What3words///dangerous.clarifies.filmy

How long is the crossing from Lanzarote to La Graciosa?

Now, I’ll be honest, I’m not great on small boats. Love a cruise ship, but little ferries that bob about are not my jam.

Lanzarote is known for being a windy Canary Island and oh-boy did it flex, so don’t expect glassy, calm seas. On our crossing the waves were big and choppy, and I’m not going to sugar-coat it, that ferry was rocking. The horizon was playing peekaboo out the window as we rolled side to side.

Thankfully, the journey only takes about 25 minutes, so it’s over pretty quickly and my Kwells travel sickness tablets worked an absolute treat.

On the way back we made the questionable decision to sit on the open-air top deck (mainly because our ice creams were melting at record speed and I didn’t trust myself not to drip it everywhere inside). Well, that return crossing felt more like being strapped into a rollercoaster at Phantasialand than a ferry ride. We were gripping the table, and getting splashed every time the boat slammed back into the waves.

Everyone was in great spirits though, laughing, holding on tight, and just embracing the chaos. It actually ended up being really fun and one of those moments you look back on and laugh about. That said, if you do sit up top, be ready to commit to it. One poor lady at the back of the boat tried to make a dash downstairs mid-journey, fell over by her seat, and ended up staying on the floor for the rest of the crossing because her partner couldn’t get to her.

Where to Hire bikes on La Graciosa?

There are a few different bike rentals on La Graciosa, with prices sitting at around €15 for a standard mountain bike or €30 for an electric one. Trust me, spend the extra and go electric.

The “roads” here are basically rough bumpy concrete and uneven sandy tracks, which can make cycling pretty tough going, especially in the heat and wind. The electric bikes (when they work properly) make the whole experience far more enjoyable.

We hired ours from a place called Rent A Bike and I wouldn’t recommend them. My chain came off and both of our electric bikes worked for about 5 minutes. After that the power would last about 10 seconds at a time before giving up completely, leaving us to pedal what felt like unnecessarily heavy lumps of metal. My brakes also worked harder at impersonating a horn than stopping my wheels from turning.

Luckily, there are plenty of other rental spots on the island. Some even offering those chunky fat-tyre electric bikes that look more like motorbikes than a bicycle.

Despite our dodgy bikes, we absolutely loved exploring La Graciosa this way. Just maybe choose your rental shop wisely and don’t go to the first rental shop you see like we did. Alternatively, you can book rental bikes through GetYourGuide.

Where can you cycle?

It’s not hugely obvious when you first arrive, but there’s essentially one main track you’re allowed to cycle along. Once you find it, it’s a very straightforward out-and-back route to the tip of the island, so no chance of getting lost. The rest of the island has to be explored on foot.

We were given a slightly questionable map but ended up figuring it out ourselves. We cycled through a side street out of the main village, passed the last of the white cube buildings and suddenly found ourselves in open landscape with a signpost pointing the way.

From there, it’s about a 30 minute ride (maybe even 20 minutes if your electric bike behaves itself) to the first beach named Playa Baja del Ganado.

What are the best beaches to visit on La Graciosa?

There are some gorgeous golden sandy beaches to explore on La Graciosa. Some are accessible by bike, while others (and arguably one of the best) can only be reached on foot.

Playa Francesa

We didn’t have enough time to walk to Playa Francesa which was such a shame as that beach looks incredible. Proper turquoise water and a perfect spot to enjoy swimming and snorkeling thanks to the crystal clear water. It’s also one of the only beaches where swimming is allowed due to the calmer conditions. Safe to say, it’s firmly on our list for next time.

Playa Baja del Ganado

Playa Baja del Ganado was the first beach we reached during our bike ride. Bikes aren’t allowed directly onto the beaches, but you’ll see rustic wooden racks along the path where you can leave them. From there, it’s a short walk down to the sand.

It’s a pretty white sand beach, but due to the choppy sea they tell you not to swim here as it’s taken peoples lives. I’d listen to their advice and stay on land at this beach, even if it does look tempting!

While I was busy taking photos, James decided to get a little too curious near the water’s edge and got caught out by a wave. Thankfully we’d packed our quick-dry towels, so after wringing out his socks and pouring seawater out of his trainers, we headed on.

Playa de las Conchas

Playa de las Conchas was absolutely gorgeous! Soft white sand, bright blue water, and barely another soul in sight. I wish we had more time, as we could have sat here for hours taking it all in. Again you’re not allowed to swim at this beach, but it would be a gorgeous place to enjoy a picnic and relax with a book or a travel friendly Kindle.

Playa de Langostino Smith

This beach is the one closest to the ferry port and harbour, you’ll see it as soon as you step off the boat. If you want to base yourself nearer to the town and restaurants, this small beach would be a great option.

Playa de la Cocina

If you’re after more of a sandy cove than a wide open beach, Playa de la Cocina would be the one to head to. Further away than the others, and only reachable by foot makes this beach secluded and quiet. Sat at the base of a volcano, this sandy cove is sheltered and has the most inviting turquoise waters.

Where do you book the ferry to La Graciosa?

There are two ferry companies running between Órzola and La Graciosa, both priced the same but with slightly different timetables. You can either book with Lineas Romero, Biosfera Express, or through places such as Get Your Guide or Viator.

When we visited in March, ferries were running roughly every hour, with a small gap around midday. You can either pre-book online or buy tickets at the port on the day. The ferries were pretty empty on our visit, but could be busier during peak season.

What to bring with you

The beaches here are some of the best in the Canary Islands, and unusually for a volcanic region many of them have golden sand rather than black sand.

You’ll definitely want to bring swimwear, a quick dry towel, and plenty of water. Especially if you’re planning to explore beyond the main village. Once you leave that area, there’s nowhere to buy food or drinks, so come prepared with drinks and snacks for the day.

How long do you need on La Graciosa?

We gave ourselves just three hours on La Graciosa which wasn’t nearly enough.

If we were to do it again, we’d 100% dedicate a full day on the island. Catching one of the first ferries over from Lanzarote and one of the last back. That way, you’ve got time to cycle, walk to the more remote beaches, go for a swim, and maybe even sit down for a proper meal in one of the restaurants.

How big is La Graciosa?

Even though La Graciosa is tiny, roughly 8km long and 4km wide, it still manages to pack in four volcanoes.

Are there places to eat on the island?

There are a handful of small restaurants in the main village of Caleta del Sebo, serving local dishes, particularly fresh fish. Sadly we didn’t have time for a full meal, but we did manage to grab an ice cream before heading back, and at around €2 each it felt like a bit of a win.

Caleta del Sebola places to eat la graciosa

Can you stay on La Graciosa?

You can, yes but don’t expect anything fancy.

Accommodation here is limited and fairly basic, but that’s all part of the charm. Staying overnight would give you a completely different experience. Once the last ferry leaves, the island becomes even quieter, and you get to enjoy it at a much slower pace. This hotel in Caleta de Sebo offers sea views and a sun terrace!

Plus, it gives you time to explore more of those volcano hikes without feeling rushed.

Final thoughts

La Graciosa might not have big resorts, flashy attractions, or perfectly paved roads, but that’s what makes it so charming. It’s wild and wonderfully untouched, giving you chance to explore something authentic and completely unique. If you’re visiting Lanzarote and fancy doing something a little different, this tiny Canary Island is more than worth the trip.

Before you go…

The blog is where the full story lives, but if you want to come along for the ride in real time for behind the scenes moments, and everything as it happens. Come follow me on Instagram @roostandroam.co.uk

Check out my latest posts

Pin for later