Graciosa (also called La Graciosa) is a volcanic island and one of the 8 inhabited islands of the Canary Islands archipelago which administratively belongs to Spain.
The smallest of the inhabited Canary Islands, Graciosa is considered by many as the most authentic island, as the absence of an airfield forms a natural barrier preventing tourists from invading the island. Nonetheless, tourism is one of the islands main sources of income aside from fishing. The island has 2 settlements:
- Caleta de Sebo. — The largest settlement with ca. 600 inhabitants, and unofficial capital of the island. It is also the largest settlement within the Chinijo Archipelago National Park. It around 750, corresponding to 99% of the islands population.
Scarce natural resources have historically constrained the development and expansion of Caleta de Sebo, with the Atlantic Ocean being the only resource available since the barren island itself has little agricultural value to offer. The town's economy has been built around its fishing industry, and unsurprisingly, its harbour is the most important economical asset.
In recent years, tourists have discovered Caleta de Sebo as one of the few places on the Canary Islands that somehow managed to remain untouched by mass tourism — the absence of an airfield on the island being the main reason. Nonetheless, tourism has surpassed fishing as main source of income, and many of the characteristic white houses offer bed and breakfast facilities to visitors. - Casas de Pedro Barba. — The northernmost settlement of the Canary Islands, and the closest to the Iberian Peninsula at ca. 1034 km from Cape Trafalgar. It was the first settlement on the island, founded in the 1880s around a fish-pickling factory. La Graciosa is located within the Reserva Marina del Archipiélago Chinijo, with an area of 70.700 ha the largest marine reserve of Europe. It consists of the islands La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este, Roque del Oeste, and the Risco de Famara. Within the reserve, marine fauna and flora is managed sustainably, so you won't see any fishing boats with trawler nets in the harbour. Instead, fishing is done with traditional techniques such as hooks. Since the reserve was established in 1995, its achievements are remarkable, and the area has evolved into a habitat with the most diverse biological ecosystem of all the Canary Islands. The best way to explore these riches is by snorkelling or diving in the waters around the islands.
Caleta de Sebo. — The largest settlement with ca. 600 inhabitants, and unofficial capital of the island. It is also the largest settlement within the Chinijo Archipelago National Park. It around 750, corresponding to 99% of the islands population.
Casas de Pedro Barba. — The northernmost settlement of the Canary Islands, and the closest to the Iberian Peninsula at ca. 1034 km from Cape Trafalgar. It was the first settlement on the island, founded in the 1880s around a fish-pickling factory.
- Church of Our Lady of Carmen, Calle Garcia Escaméz, Caleta de Sebo. The church on La Graciosa, completed in 1945 and dedicated to Our Lady Carmen, the patron saint of Caleta de Sebo. It was consecrated as parish church in 1993. The altar stands out because of its numerous decoration elements drawing inspiration from the marine traditions of the city, most notably the main altar is in the shape of a fishing boat. There a references to the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron of the Canary Islands.
- Chinijo Museum, Calle Margarona 27, Caleta de Sebo, +34 928 177 461. M-Sa 10:00-17:00. A tiny museum with well laid out exhibits on the geography and history of the Chinijo archipelago (of which La Graciosa is the largest island), with a focus on the traditional production of aloe and salt, as well as marine life. Offers a wealth of information on the history and management of the marine reserve.
- Harbour, Avenida Virgin del Mar, Caleta de Sebo. 24/7. Watch colourful fishing boats dock in the harbour, and unload their catch directly into the kitchens of the numerous excellent fish restaurants around the docks. Free.
Church of Our Lady of Carmen, Calle Garcia Escaméz, Caleta de Sebo. The church on La Graciosa, completed in 1945 and dedicated to Our Lady Carmen, the patron saint of Caleta de Sebo. It was consecrated as parish church in 1993. The altar stands out because of its numerous decoration elements drawing inspiration from the marine traditions of the city, most notably the main altar is in the shape of a fishing boat. There a references to the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron of the [[Canary Islands]].
Chinijo Museum, Calle Margarona 27, Caleta de Sebo, +34 928 177 461. M-Sa 10:00-17:00. A tiny museum with well laid out exhibits on the geography and history of the Chinijo archipelago (of which La Graciosa is the largest island), with a focus on the traditional production of aloe and salt, as well as marine life. Offers a wealth of information on the history and management of the marine reserve.
Harbour, Avenida Virgin del Mar, Caleta de Sebo. 24/7. Watch colourful fishing boats dock in the harbour, and unload their catch directly into the kitchens of the numerous excellent fish restaurants around the docks. Free.
- Buceo Graciosa Dive Centre, Avenida Virgen del Mar 119A, Caleta de Sebo, +34 629 45 14 30. M-Sa 08:30-18:30. Organizes diving excursions, with boat and gear provided. Recommended for experienced divers only.
- Las Conchas Beach. 24/7. One of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches of the Canary Islands, if not already alone for the fact that you'll probably be the only visitor there! With 610 m of white sand, it is one of the few remaining paradises on the archipelago. Free.
- Playa La Frances. 24/7. A sandy beach at the southern shores of the island. Free.
- Mount Scarlet. 24/7. A dormant volcano, and the northernmost peak on the island. It was named after the iron rich minerals embedded in the basalt rock that makes up most of the higher regions of the volcano. It can be climbed with a relatively steep path over basalt rock. Free.
Buceo Graciosa Dive Centre, Avenida Virgen del Mar 119A, Caleta de Sebo, +34 629 45 14 30. M-Sa 08:30-18:30. Organizes diving excursions, with boat and gear provided. Recommended for experienced divers only.
Las Conchas Beach. 24/7. One of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches of the [[Canary Islands]], if not already alone for the fact that you'll probably be the only visitor there! With 610 m of white sand, it is one of the few remaining paradises on the archipelago. Free.
Playa La Frances. 24/7. A sandy beach at the southern shores of the island. Free.
Mount Scarlet. 24/7. A dormant volcano, and the northernmost peak on the island. It was named after the iron rich minerals embedded in the basalt rock that makes up most of the higher regions of the volcano. It can be climbed with a relatively steep path over basalt rock. Free.
- Supermercado Margarita Páez, Calle Margarona 19, +43 928 84 21 00. Local convenience store.
Supermercado Margarita Páez, Calle Margarona 19, +43 928 84 21 00. Local convenience store.
As with many of the Canary Islands, La Graciosa's cuisine is characterized by simple dishes made with top-quality ingredients. With few agricultural resources on the island, fish is the base of almost all food. A traditional fish soup with sea bream and grouper is the caldo de pescado (literally fish soup). When corn is added to it, it is referred to as caldo de millo (corn soup).
Sancocho is a fish stew, prepared with salted fish, potatoes and/or sweet potatoes, and served with bread baked with the local gofio flour. Added to it is mojo, the most famous sauce in Canarian cuisine, of which 2 varieties exist: red (based on tomatoes, red peppers, and paprika), and green (with coriander, garlic, oil and vinegar). Red mojo (mojo rojo) is generally spicier than the green variant.
Many restaurants on La Graciosa will serve the catch of the day, which is just about the freshest fish you can imagine. Sardines, tuna, sea brass, and shellfish named lapas are very popular. The latter are typically prepared on a grill and dizzled in green mojo sauce. Less common are clacas, another native molluscs species with a more pronounced ocean taste.
- Restaurante Girasol, Avenida Virgen del Mar 99, Caleta de Sebo, +43 610 76 82 21. 12:00-24:00 daily. Mediterranean restaurant with a variety of Spanish dishes (paella, filled peppers, goat cheese, ...).
- Tasquita El Caleton, Avenida de La Virgen del Mar 53, Caleta de Sebo, +34 619 77 04 44. Unpretentious restaurant with a savoury fish of the day, and a view over the beach.
Restaurante Girasol, Avenida Virgen del Mar 99, Caleta de Sebo, +43 610 76 82 21. 12:00-24:00 daily. Mediterranean restaurant with a variety of Spanish dishes (paella, filled peppers, goat cheese, ...).
Tasquita El Caleton, Avenida de La Virgen del Mar 53, Caleta de Sebo, +34 619 77 04 44. Unpretentious restaurant with a savoury fish of the day, and a view over the beach.
La Graciosa's barren landscape won't surprise that grapes don't grow well. All drinks are imported, and bars in Caleta de Sebo serve mostly wine produced on neighbouring island Lanzarote.
- El Veril, Avenida Virgen del Mar 93, Caleta de Sebo, +43 622 05 12 67. 10:00-24:00 daily. Small bar with local beers and fresh tapas. The ideal place to wait for the ferry to return to Orzola.
- Bar El Saladero, Avenida de la Virgen del Mar 107, Caleta de Sebo. Bar serving cold beers, toast, and tapas.
El Veril, Avenida Virgen del Mar 93, Caleta de Sebo, +43 622 05 12 67. 10:00-24:00 daily. Small bar with local beers and fresh tapas. The ideal place to wait for the ferry to return to [[Orzola]].
Bar El Saladero, Avenida de la Virgen del Mar 107, Caleta de Sebo. Bar serving cold beers, toast, and tapas.
Serious crime on the island is almost unheard of, although pickpocketing does occur. When planning to leave belongings unattended on a beach, try to leave valuables in your accommodation, or hand it in in a bar or restaurant for safekeeping.
The nearby island Lanzarote is the only nearby destination that can be reached from Graciosa, with a ferry connecting Caleta de Sebo with Orzola..
The nearby island [[Lanzarote]] is the only nearby destination that can be reached from Graciosa, with a ferry connecting Caleta de Sebo with Orzola..