No cars: on foot, by bicycle or in an authorised 4x4
La Graciosa has no surfaced roads and you cannot bring your own car. That is not an inconvenience to work around: it is how the island functions, and it entirely determines how you organise the day and what you can see.
The three ways to get around
On foot. It is the smallest of the eight islands and distances are manageable. The tracks are sand, so you walk more slowly than the distance suggests: soft sand is tiring.
By bicycle. The most used option, with hire in Caleta de Sebo. With one important warning: the tracks are sand, and on soft stretches the bike sinks and you have to get off. This is not a cycle path.
In an authorised 4x4. There are local transport services running to the beaches. It is how to reach the furthest points without pedalling over sand in a place with no shade.
What you cannot do
Take a hire car on the ferry. Driving on the island is restricted and only authorised vehicles operate. That rule is what keeps the island as it is.
How to organise the day realistically
Plan for one area, not the whole island. The northern and eastern beaches are at a distance that looks like nothing on a map and is something else over sand, in wind, with no shade.
A realistic day: arrive, move to one or two beaches, eat in the village and get back to the port in good time.
What to wear and carry
- Water, more than you think. There are no fountains along the way.
- Sun protection and a hat. There is no shade inland.
- Footwear that copes with sand, not flip-flops if you intend to walk.
- A windproof layer. You are north of Lanzarote with nothing to stop the trade wind.
- Some cash, in case somewhere does not take cards: it is a small island.
And one courtesy that matters here
People live in the village all year, with a school and their routines. The sand streets are their streets. It is not a stage set, and that is exactly why it is worth seeing.
Frequently asked questions
›Can I take my hire car to La Graciosa?
No. Driving on the island is restricted and only authorised vehicles operate. There are no surfaced roads: the tracks are sand and dirt, and that rule is what keeps the island as it is.
›Is a bicycle a good idea?
It is the most used option, with hire in Caleta de Sebo, but with a warning: the tracks are sand and on soft stretches you have to get off and push. It is not a cycle path, so do not estimate times as if it were asphalt.
›What must I bring?
Plenty of water, because there are no fountains along the way; sun protection and a hat, because there is no shade inland; footwear that copes with sand; a windproof layer, because the trade wind arrives unobstructed; and some cash.