Are you looking for the perfect day trip or weekend getaway from Lanzarote? Well, look no further than the island of La Graciosa. This small slice of paradise is a protected area, and is full of untouched natural beauty.
We visited here on a day trip from Lanzarote, and thought that it was the perfect amount of time to get a feel for the island, and see most of its highlights.
In this article we're going to share everything from how to get there and get around, to exploring the best beaches that La Graciosa has to offer. Let's jump right in!
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Where is La Graciosa?
La Graciosa is a tiny island that is off the northern coast of Lanzarote, which is the north eastern most Canary Island. The Canary Islands are located off the west coast of Africa, but they actually belong to Spain.
La Graciosa is of the north coast of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.
How to Get to the Island of La Graciosa
The Island of La Graciosa can only be reached by boat, coming from the island of Lanzarote. Here are the different options for visiting the Island of La Graciosa from Lanzarote.
Visiting La Graciosa by Ferry
There are daily departures running from the morning til late afternoon, and times vary depending on the time of year.
La Graciosa can be reached by taking the ferry from Orzola in Lanzarote.
How Long is the Ferry Ride From Lanzarote to La Graciosa?
The ferry takes a little under a half hour, and is a beautiful scenic ride.
Visiting the Island of La Graciosa by Excursion
If you want to experience seeing a bit of what the island has to offer, but don't necessarily want to spend the day, you can take an excursion.
There are companies that do boat trips sailing right by the most beautiful beaches, so you can admire them from a distance.
There is an excursion that goes from Lanzarote to sail around the island of La Graciosa.
Here are a few excursions you can take to the island of La Graciosa from Lanzarote:
Entry Requirements for Visiting the Island of La Graciosa
In order to get to La Graciosa, you'll have to get to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands first. This means you'll already be in Spain, and won't need to worry about further requirements after entering the country. However, here are a few notes about entering the country:
Visa Requirements for the Canary Islands in Spain
There are plenty of citizenships that can enter Spain without needing a visa. Travelers from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland can enter without any restrictions, while those who don't need a Schengen visa can visit for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
The 90/180 Rule
It's very important to know that the 90 days refer to all countries in the Schengen area. For example, if you spend 20 days in Italy (also part of the Schengen area), you will then only be able to spend 70 days total anywhere in Spain within that 180-day period.
We use the Schengen visa calculator, which is helpful for those planning on traveling in and out of the European Union for an extended period of time.
Schengen Visas
For those that are planning on staying longer, or that are from a country that doesn't get visa-free access, they will need to apply for a Schengen Visa. Make sure to check that you are not on the list of countries that need to get a Schengen Visa.
Covid Entry Requirements for the Canary Islands in Spain
When we visited the Canary Islands in February, Covid tests were still mandatory. The good news is, that all restrictions have now been lifted! There are no extra requirements to enter Spain due to Covid 19, and masks are no longer necessary unless in a medical facility or on public transportation.
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Local Adjustments for La Graciosa in the Canary Islands
Whenever you are traveling there are things that you may forget about. These may be different from where you are coming from. Here are a few of the local adjustments to keep in mind when traveling to the island of La Graciosa.
What Language Do They Speak in La Graciosa?
The official language in the island of La Graciosa is Spanish. However, the Spanish spoken in the Canary Islands is a bit different than the Spanish on the mainland.
They speak a lot faster, and can be a bit more difficult to understand. In this way, they share more in common language-wise with the Caribbean than they do with Spain.
La Graciosa has few locals, and is mostly a spot for tourists, so it is very common to find signs and menus in Spanish, English, and German.
Currency in the Canary Islands
The currency used in La Graciosa is the same as the rest of Spain, which is the euro. Most places accept credit card, so you won't need to have too much cash on you, except for taking taxis.
What Outlets are in La Graciosa?
The Canary Islands use the same plug types as the rest of Europe, which are types C, E, & F. The standard voltage in La Graciosa is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
If you aren't from Europe, you'll most likely need to purachase a travel adapter to be adble to use your electronics.
Can You Drink the Water in La Graciosa?
When you go to restaurants you will never receive tap water. Many will say that you can't drink it, or simply that they don't offer it.
However, we drank plenty of tap water in La Graciosa and the other Canary Islands, and it is perfectly safe. We definitely suggest bringing a reusable water bottle while visiting La Graciosa.
Tipping Culture
The tipping culture in Spain pretty much doesn't exist. If you are traveling to La Graciosa it is not common to tip, unless it is a very nice meal, or excellent service, in which people will leave one or two euros.
Things to Do in La Graciosa
Now that you know how to get to La Graciosa, and how to get around, let's explore all there is to see around the island! Here are the best things to see around the island of La Graciosa.
Caleta del Sebo
Caleta del Sebo is the main town of the island, and where the ferry will let you off. It's very small and charming, and worth spending a few minutes to walk around. Caleta del Sebo will make you feel like you've just teleported to Greece with its white buildings and blue accents.
Caleta del Sebo will make you feel like you've teleported to Greece.
Playa del Salado
This is the closest beach to Caleta del Sebo, and just a 10 minute walk south of the town. This definitely isn't the best beach on La Graciosa, but it's a great place to enjoy the water without having to venture far from the port area.
Playa del Salado is a short walk from the port area.
Playa Francesca
Walk a bit further down the coast and you'll come to Playa Francesca. This beach has a sandy area to relax, turquoise waters, and a few different water activities.
If you want to experience a great beach without having to walk too far, then this is the perfect option. Just keep in mind that this beach does happen to get more crowded than the others in the area.
Playa Francesa is a beautiful beach that is just a bit further up the coast.
Playa la Cocina
This was one of our favorite beaches in La Graciosa, and is about a 45 minute walk from Caleta del Sebo. It is more secluded than the others, and it tucked away underneath a yellow colored mountain, called Montaña Amarilla.
Playa La Cocina is one of the best beaches in La Graciosa.
There is also a cave on the top that you can check out, with beautiful views of the beach down below. With stunning scenery and turquoise waters, this is definitely one of the best things to do in La Graciosa.
At Playa la Cocina there is a cave, and great viewpoint at the top.
Montaña Amarilla
Located right next to Playa Cocina, you can hike up here for some gorgeous views of La Graciosa. Since it is the southern end of the island, you can really appreciate views of the entire rest of the island of La Graciosa.
Check out a few of our pictures below to see what you can expect.
By hiking up Montaña Amarilla you can get great views of the island of La Graciosa.
Playa de la Cocina
Not to be confused with Playa Cocina, Playa de la Cocina is located right next to it.
When we first tried going to Playa de la Cocina, Google Maps brought us hiking all around Montaña Amarilla, which took us about 45 minutes. We arrived to having the entire place to ourselves, surrounded by stunning waters and Montaña Amarilla as our backdrop.
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We then found out that there is a small trail that you can follow along the rocks of the shore, that actually connect the two beaches (and it only takes about 5 minutes)! So we ended up hiking all the way around for no reason.
Playa de La Cocina is connected to Playa la Cocina by a small strip along the water.
Playa de las Conchas
This is known by locals as the best beach in La Graciosa. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to go, but will definitely be saving it for our next trip!
Los Arcos de los Caletones
Looking for something a bit different than just beaches in La Graciosa? Los Arcos de Los Caletones are natural bridges formed by rocks, and they tower over large crashing waves. This is definitely one of our favorite things that we saw in Graciosa.
Los Arcos de Los Caletones are the most unique landscape on the island of La Graciosa.
Playa Lambra & Amber Beach
We are putting these together because they are both literally right next to each other. These two beaches are just a few minute walk from Los Arcos de los Caletones. With golden sand and turquoise waters, they make for a great place to relax before or after los arcos.
Playa Lambra is just a short walk from Arcos de los Caletones.
Barranco de los Conejos
Looking for a small local beach? Barranco De los Conejos is a hidden gem on the island, and is on the north eastern side, tucked away behind a canyon.
El Bufon de Graciosa
This is a beautiful phenomenon that occurs in the north east of the island of La Graciosa. Waves come crashing down, and then shoot back up between 20-40 meters in the air! It is definitely a magical site to see while visiting La Graciosa.
Hike Around the Volcanos
The island of La Graciosa has five main volcanos, all which can be hiked up or around. Take some time to explore the middle of the island and admire the natural beauty of the volcano landscapes scattered around.
there are 5 different volcanos to check out around the island of La Graciosa.
How Do You Get Around La Graciosa?
Finding a way to get around the island is quite easy, because there are really only a few options: Hiking, biking, or taking a taxi. This is because the whole island of La Graciosa is a national park, so cars are not able to be rented, nor brought there by tourist.
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Can You Walk Around La Graciosa?
As La Graciosa is quite small, it actually can be navigated solely by walking! If you are planning to visit just for a day, then you won't be necessarily able to walk to see everything on the island, but you will be able to see quite a bit.
We took the first ferry in the morning, and we walked to the south of the island first. The furthest point is Playa de La Cocina, which is about 45 minutes to get to. The trail is along the coast, where you can enjoy beautiful beaches and scenery.
After walking back to Caleta del Sebo for lunch, we didn't have enough time to walk to the north area of the island and back (it's a bit more than an hour each way), so we opted to take a taxi for this area. If you do plan on spending a night, we suggest exploring the south one day, and the north another (if you'd like to walk).
Walking the island allow you to experience all different types of views.
Exploring La Graciosa by Taxi
Taxis are available right outside of the port area of Caleta del Sebo. Just walk to the right once you dock and you'll find a road where they pull up waiting for tourists.
Taxis run on flat prices, and are regulated by the government, so there's no need to worry about bargaining or checking a meter.
The only form of transportation in La Graciosa is taxis, which are jeeps.
The Different Taxi Options in La Graciosa
The way that taxis work in La Graciosa is that they are more like excursions. The prices are for round trip, and the driver arranges a time to come pick you back up, or to take you to the next stop.
The cheapest option is 10 euros for Playa Francesca, which is the closest beach to Caleta del Sebo. We personally think this one isn't worth a taxi , since you can walk there in around 20 minutes.
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The most popular option is to take a 90 minute tour for 30 euros per person. It takes you to the three main highlights on the north of the island, which are Playa Lambra, Caleton de los Arcos, and Playa de las Conchas.
We personally thought it was a bit expensive, but if you want to visit the highlights and don't have a lot of time, this is your best option.
If you'd like more info on the different taxi rates and excursions you can simply refer to the official chart below:
There are a few different touristic routes to choose from.
Renting a Bike in La Graciosa
This is another very popular option to get around the island, and there are a few shops to rent from right outside the pier. The average price is 10-15 euros a day, making it a great option to explore without having to spend as much as the taxi excursions.
Renting a bike is a popular option for exploring the island of La Graciosa.
Food & Drink in La Graciosa
When it comes to restaurants, almost all of them are located in the capital of Caleta del Sebo. In the south there are no amenities, so we suggest packing a lunch if you don't want to head back to the city.
The restaurant that we ate (and definitely recommend) is Casa Enriqueta. They had excellent seafood, and pretty good prices.
The place was packed with both tourists and locals, so you may have to wait for a table, but we're sure that it's worth it. Another recommendation we got was Restaurante Girasol, which also looked nice.
Restaurante Enriqueta has local food and affordable prices.
We definitely suggest getting local seafood, as this is truly the island's specialty. Ask for the fresh catches, to have the freshest fish there!
getting seafood is a must on the island of La Graciosa!
Where to Stay in La Graciosa
When it comes to spending a night in La Graciosa, there is only one place to stay, which is Caleta do Sebo (unless you want to camp).
There are few options, and they are government regulated, so all have pretty similar (and equally expensive) rates. We suggest renting in advance, as there are limited options in town.
Find places to stay in La Graciosa:
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Safety in La Graciosa
The Canary Islands in general are a very safe place to be, with low crime rates. Furthermore, La Graciosa is probably the safest of them all.
There are very few people living on the island, and they basically live off tourism. You can easily walk around day or night here without having to worry about your safety in La Graciosa.
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Other Things to Know For Visiting the Island of La Graciosa
Now you know almost everything there is to know about visiting the island of La Graciosa! Here are a few other things to keep in mind.
Souvenirs in La Graciosa
The town of Caleta del Sebo is very small. However, we did find a cute little souvenir shop worth checking out. The name outside is Souvenir Artesanal. The woman who owns the shop makes her own post cards, and the jewlery and souvenirs are all made by locals on the island.
Support small businesses and check this place our for your souvenirs in La Graciosa!
This cute souvenir shop has all local and homemade items.
How to Pack for a Trip to La Graciosa
La Graciosa is a relaxed island, and pretty quiet once the ferries leave in the evening. So you can keep it pretty casual. Here are a few things we suggest bringing:
- Sunscreen
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Flip Flops (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
- Sneakers (if you plan on walking the island)
- Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
- Bathing Suit
- Drone (We use the Mavic Mini Pro 3 because it's super light and doesn't sacrifice quality)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & waterproof)
- Travel Adapter if you stay overnight (we use Insignia travel adapters as they are affordable and reliable)
Is La Graciosa Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! While there are a ton of amazing things to see in Lanzarote, we do think it is worth taking one of your days to visit La Graciosa.
How Much Time Do I Need to Visit La Graciosa?
La Graciosa is a very small island, and if you want to do it in a day trip from Lanzarote, it is totally doable.
We would have liked to stay for a night, but we waited until the last minute and accommodation was ridiculously expensive for our budget (a couple hundred euros a night).
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If you do find decent accommodation though, we definitely think spending one night is worth it! If not, try to get the first ferry in, and the last ferry out. This way you can truly enjoy everything that the island has to offer.
The island of La Graciosa is perfect for a full 1-2 days.
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
Now you are ready for the perfect island getaway to La Graciosa! Whether you are doing a small day trip from Lanzarote, or spending a night or two, we know you'll love the stunning nature that this place has to offer.
Want to know other awesome things to do while visiting Lanzarote? Make sure to check out "50 Amazing Things to See in Lanzarote" as well as our full Lanzarote guide for everything to know while visiting! In addition, we also have full travel guides for each of the other Canary Islands.
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