When it comes to the Canary Islands, most tourists immediately flock to bigger islands such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura for their holidays. However, there’s one smaller, lesser-known island that’s well worth having on your radar, and just like its larger sisters, it boasts year-round sunshine.
La Graciosa may not have the nightlife and buzz you’ll find on the bigger islands, but it ticks all of the boxes if you’re after a hot and sunny getaway in autumn, with daytime temperatures averaging around 26C. It boasts some ridiculously beautiful beaches too complete with pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters that wouldn’t be out of place in the Caribbean. Up to mid October you can still find waters around 22-23C meaning they’re still warm enough to take a dip for those who want to discover the diverse wildlife that calls the area home.
As for the best beaches, Playa de las Conchas is often tipped to be the jewel of the island thanks to its wide stretch of unspoiled sandy shores and turquoise waters backed by rugged coastline and rolling dunes.
The island is so beautiful that it’s also protected as part of the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park (not to mention it’s home to one of the largest marine reserves in Europe). As a result, activities are a little more limited but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do, it’s just you won’t find huge resorts or watersports here.
Instead it’s an island that’s going to be a hit with intrepid explorers thanks to its cornucopia of hiking and cycling trails nestled amongst the volcanic landscapes. The trails are popular and well signposted – just take note that these are natural paths rather than paved roads – and the island is car-free so you won’t be walking through polluted areas.
If you’re looking for a base, Caleta del Sebo is the main settlement although it has less than 800 inhabitants, so don’t expect heaps of bars, restaurants and shops here; the vibe is more laidback.
There are plenty of accommodation options on La Graciosa if you want to spend a few days getting away from it all, but if you like a bit of buzz and nightlife, then you may want to consider staying in Lanzarote instead and then taking a short boat trip across to La Graciosa (there are plenty of options every day, although you may want to book ahead to avoid disappointment).
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
