Graciosa, Volcanic island in Chinijo Archipelago, Canary Islands, Spain
Graciosa is a volcanic island in the Chinijo Archipelago north of Lanzarote, with golden beaches and scattered white buildings along turquoise waters. The landscape shifts between flat coastal sections and gently rising volcanic cones that overlook the entire island.
The island remained uninhabited for centuries until fishermen began settling permanently in the 19th century. The Spanish Senate officially declared it the eighth Canary Island in 2018, changing its previous classification from an islet.
The name comes from the Spanish word for graceful, reflecting how sailors once viewed its low profile and calm shores from passing ships. Local families still repair fishing nets by hand near the harbor each morning.
Visitors reach the island through regular ferry services from Órzola port in Lanzarote, with the crossing over the Strait of El Río taking around 25 minutes. The absence of paved roads makes comfortable shoes essential for sandy paths.
The island functions without paved roads, allowing only authorized vehicles while maintaining a network of sandy paths for pedestrians and cyclists. Local children ride bicycles to the small school, following the same paths their grandparents used.
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