Spain’s Canary Islands have a new baby in the family, as Spain’s government has recognized the rocky outcrop of La Graciosa as the eighth Canary.
The 11-square-mile island, a next-door neighbor to Lanzarote, is a rocky outcrop with just over 700 residents clustered in its village of Caleta del Sebo, with no paved roads—and beautiful, nearly empty beaches.
Residents are a bit worried that it may come in for more tourism (last year it had 25,000 visits), but a big rush is unlikely. It can only be reached by a half-hour ferry ride, the only island transport is bicycles and a jeep taxi, and the entire island is part of the Chinijo Islands geo-park which protects the island’s flora and fauna. But hikers and cyclists are welcome.
Photo of Caleta del Sebo, La Graciosa by Marc Ryckaert/Wikimedia
