🏝️Off the Beaten Track: Desert Island Days on La Graciosa
After years of soaking up the sun in Lanzarote, we were craving something a bit wilder, quieter, and way less touristy. Enter: La Graciosa – a tiny, car-free island just off the northern tip of Lanzarote that feels like stepping into a simpler, sunnier version of the world. And honestly? It’s exactly the kind of place we Holiday Hackers were made to find.
🚤 Getting There Is Half the Fun
We picked up a hire car in Lanzarote and made the easy drive north to Órzola, a sleepy little port town. From there, it’s just a 25-minute ferry ride across beautiful turquoise waters to La Graciosa – with return tickets setting us back around £27.50 each. As soon as you leave Lanzarote behind, the vibes shift. It’s peaceful, raw, and totally unspoiled.
🏠 Where We Stayed
There’s only one proper village on the island – Caleta de Sebo – and that’s where we found our cosy little Airbnb. The host kept things low-key, and the apartment was simple but perfect for a few nights of peace and quiet.
Around the port, you’ll find a handful of spots to eat – we tucked into fresh local fish and papas arrugadas (those iconic Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce). So simple, but so good.
🏜️ The Big (Sweaty) Adventure
One of the boldest things we did? Taking on the long, sun-drenched hike to Playa de Las Conchas. It’s about two hours on foot through desert-like terrain – think blazing sun, dusty tracks, and serious spaghetti western vibes. We probably wouldn’t recommend the full walk unless you’re feeling super energetic (or mildly unhinged), but the beach at the end is worth it.
Playa de Las Conchas is breathtaking – endless golden sands, clear (though rough) ocean waves, and incredible views across to Montaña Clara, a rugged, uninhabited island off the coast. It’s the kind of place you won’t find in many guidebooks – and that’s exactly the point.
💡 The Vibe
La Graciosa is small – just 29 square km and home to less than 800 people – but it packs in a ton of charm. There are no tarmac roads, barely any cars, and very little going on in the best possible way. Time slows right down here, and it’s the kind of place where you forget what day it is after about ten minutes.
We only stayed for a couple of nights, which felt just right – enough to explore, switch off, and soak in the magic without running out of things to do. If you’re after nightlife and five-star resorts, this ain’t it. But if you want to unplug, explore, and feel like you’ve stumbled across a true hidden gem, La Graciosa should be top of your list.
