La Graciosa — the car-free island 25 minutes away
The easiest and most rewarding day trip from Lanzarote. La Graciosa is the eighth Canary Island — a tiny, flat, car-free sand-and-volcano paradise sitting in the strait between Lanzarote's northern cliffs and the open Atlantic. There are two villages (Caleta de Sebo, the main one, and Pedro Barba), a few sandy roads, no asphalt, and some of the most spectacular beaches in the Canaries. The whole island feels like the Lanzarote of 40 years ago.
How to get there: The ferry leaves from Órzola, the fishing village at the very north tip of Lanzarote. The crossing takes 25 minutes and costs €20–28 return. Two companies run the route: Biosfera Express (the faster, modern boat) and Líneas Romero (slightly cheaper, older boat, also carries cargo). Both dock at Caleta de Sebo. The crossing is usually calm — the strait is sheltered by the Risco de Famara — but on rough days it can be bouncy.
What to do: The two must-see beaches are Playa de la Francesa — a 300-metre crescent of golden sand with flat turquoise water, a 25-minute walk from the village along a sandy track — and Playa de las Conchas, a wilder, longer beach on the northwest coast with views across the Bocaina Strait to Lanzarote's cliffs. La Conchas has strong currents and is not always safe for swimming; La Francesa almost always is. You can walk between them or rent a bicycle in Caleta de Sebo (€10–15/day) — the island is flat enough to cycle, though the sand tracks can be hard going.
Where to eat: Caleta de Sebo has a handful of simple restaurants along the waterfront. The fish is whatever came off the boat that morning — go to El Coromoto or Casa Mateo for fresh grilled fish and a cold beer. Nothing fancy, everything honest. There is also a small supermarket if you want to buy water and snacks for the beach.
