A natural jewel La Graciosa and its people The island La Graciosa, with almost 27 km², is the biggest La Graciosa was uninhabited until the end of the 19th century, although Greeks, Phoenicians, and only inhabited island in the Chinijo Archipelago. An Romans, Arabs, Genoese and pirates reached the coasts. The first colonist settled down island with its volcanic landscape, sprinking of sand dunes when a salted fish factory was built. From this moment the inhabitants of La Graciosa have which colour the land in ochre and red. Here we have an survived the hard living conditions of an island without drinking water, strong winds, difficult enormous biological wealth with exclusive species of the land to cultivate and isolation from trade centres. During many years artisan fishing was the island, for example the Jopo of La Graciosa, unique to principal activity of its people, they had to cross “El Rio” (narrow strait between La Graciosa this area. Furthermore other threatened and protected and Lanzarote) to sell their fish and get drinking water and other food. species like the Canary Houbara Bustard or the Lizard of The remaining constructions such as the wells, mills and Haría ensure that La Graciosa is a special enclave of great cisterns to collect water or the special places for fish drying variety, worthy of conservation. are a testament of these hard living conditions. Various factors, such as the water temperature, the After improvement of living conditions, La Graciosa has underwater relief, rocky and rough areas, along with the now turned into a unique tourist destination and source great amount of nutrients help to create a large number of wealth, however this could also be its principal threat. of differing atmospheres. The varying habitats permit the Respecting its natural environment, the traditional activities growth of countless species of marine wildlife, many of and its popular culture allows the island to remain the which are rare in the rest of the Canary Islands. (These paradise we know. include marine rosemary, the black meagre, etc.). The Chinijo Archipelago and the Island La Graciosa Discovering an Island The island La Graciosa is part of the Nature Reserve La Graciosa is an island where you can admire Chinijo Archipelago (declared in 1986), a unique the spectacular landscapes, enjoy its nature with treasure of the Canarian islands due to its natural and its beautiful beaches, get to know its people and cultural wealth. In 1995 the Marine Reserve of the enjoy their hospitality. fishing area of La Graciosa and its islets of the north of Lanzarote was established. Furthermore La Graciosa In Caleta del Sebo, the bars and restaurants will offer you magnificent fish dishes as the is part of the Biosphere Reserves of Lanzarote. fundamental piece of their gastronomy. Guesthouses and camping site are available for overnight accomodation, which will enable you to enjoy a characteristic nightlife here With this form of protection and rules we endeavour on the island. Alongside these are supermarkets, pharmacy, health centre and a place to conserve the nature and culture of this island within where you can buy the fresh fish, caught in the traditional way by the inhabitants of La the socioeconomic development, not only for its Graciosa. inhabitants but also for the enjoyment of many tourists who visit every year. If you really want to discover the island you should tour all over it. You can walk alone or with a guide on the numerous paths, The Independent Organisation of Nature Reserves, owner of the island La Graciosa with which lead you to the most beautiful and solitary places. Some the exception of its urban centres, watches over the conservation and the integrity of the roads can be used by bicycle or any vehicle, you can of the island, joining forces with all the other administrative units. This requires the rent a bike or use the taxi service. Remember that there is no collaboration of all parts. rescue team on the beaches. Be careful and ask in our guide and information office for more information about the most charming beaches. Navalón Luis execution, and Design Area, Marine and Rural and Environment for Ministry 1st Edition, November 2008 November Edition, 1st Independent Organisation of Nature Reserves Nature of Organisation Independent by: Pubished de Teguise de Lanzarote Ayuntamiento de Cabildo with: colaboration In 45 18 90 676 Taxi: Water 70 / 55 20 84 928 Romero: Transport Sea 580 301 928 licence: Diving 415 090 679 boat: Security 463 940 677 Graciosa: La of Centre Reserve Marine 19 40 47 636 / 43 20 84 928 Graciosa: La of Police Local 00 21 84 928 Gaciosa: La in Teguise of Hall Town the of Delegation 49 21 84 928 Graciosa: La in Lanzarote of Council Island the of Delegation 100 810 928 Lanzarote: of Council Island lagraciosa_index.htm http://www.mma.es/portal/secciones/el_ministerio/organismos/oapn/ side: Web [email protected] e-mail: Camping permission: permission: Camping 38/40 02 84 928 Lanzarote: in Office Provisional 84 928 Graciosa: La in Office 43 21 Independent Organisation of Nature Reserves: Reserves: Nature of Organisation Independent In case of any doubts or difficulties please contact us under: us contact please difficulties or doubts any of case In Useful telephone numbers numbers telephone Useful Nature Reserve Chinijo Archipelago Chinijo Reserve Nature Enjoy your visit and help us to protect this place. this protect to us help and visit your Enjoy The island of La Graciosa La of island The protected as a Nature Reserve. Nature a as protected Remember that La Graciosa is a unique corner, corner, unique a is Graciosa La that Remember You should know that in La Graciosa: The Camping site of Bahía del Salado Camping is only Only authorized motor- To prevent footprints allowed on the operated vehicles and and surface erosion, do camping site Bahia bicycles can drive on not walk off the roads: del Salado and with the permitted roads. stamping on the plants a necessary previous The maximum allowed hinders their growth. The Camping site of Bahía del Salado is the only place in La permission. Ask! speed is 30 km/h. Graciosa where camping is allowed. To ensure user satis- faction it is necessary to regulate this activity. Therefore, Do not disturb the It is forbidden to start Do not leave waste or it is essential to get first the correct permission, which is wildlife, do not pick up a fire and to burn rubbish, put them in the valid for a maximum 7 days, to ensure the maximum occu- or damage the marine objects, rubbish or containers provided. pancy of 200 people is not exceeded. or terrestrial plants. waste. Do not throw Do not use soap on the Many species are cigarette butts on the beaches, they cause unique to this area. floor and do not leave significant pollution. This area has public toilets and showers and containers. them on the beaches. Use them respectfully and keep them clean. Free diving is only Fishing from the land is Avoid loud noises and allowed with permission only allowed with 3rd noisy activities as these In this area you can enjoy the beach del Salado in a natural in the indicated areas. Licencia 3ª class licence. Gathering disturb the calmness of surrounding with easy access. To guarantee the existence Remember that of shellfish is prohibited the animals, other visitors of this unique space of exceptional beauty, help us to con- underwater fishing is (extraction of limpets, and the inhabitants of La serve it. not allowed. winkles, octopuses, etc.) Graciosa. Outstanding places Heliport Cemetery of Pedro Barba 1 Information Bureau and Area Office 8 Sociocultural Centre of La Mareta 7 2 Ticket Office 9 Church 14 8 of La Francesa Caleta de los 3 Cash point 10 Post office Ladrillos Jable del Caleta del 4 Public Toilets 11 Local Police 3 9 Salado Puerto 11 10 of La Francesa 6 de la Sociedad 5 Selling point for fish 12 Marine Reserve Office Punta del Sordo 6 Pharmacy 13 Habour Authority 1 Camping 2 site 5 Caleta del Sebo 4 Bajo de Victor 7 Health Centre 14 National Parks Office 13 12 Bahía del Salado La Laja El Tabladillo Punta Corrales Nature Reserve Chinijo Caleta del Sebo Archipelago Alegranza Caleta del Sebo is the Marine Reserve principal and oldest urban centre of the island which Montaña Roque was founded starting with Integral Clara Roque del Nature Oeste del Este a few houses and storage Reserve La Graciosa spaces. It is a traditional fishing village which still conserves its original structure. White, single- storey houses lined up in front of the sea, forming Lanzarote wide non tarmaced streets. Artisan fishing is the principal activity of its people, although due to Restricted Area the increase in tourism over the past years this Roads authorized for activity started to change. vehicles and bicycles Here, since the fourties, they made the necessary Camping site effort and investment to improve the living conditions in La Graciosa by joining all services of the island together, including the information service for the visitors. Pedro Barba Close to a warm cove is the settlement of Pedro Barba. A village that was founded in the thirties as a fishing centre but abandoned at the end of the sixties. After this time it was transformed into a secondary residence, which has no services for visitors. La Graciosa Lanzarote La Palma Tenerife La Gomera Fuerteventura El Hierro Gran Canaria.