Lanzarote or Fuerteventura?

If you are trying to choose between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, you have to know that both islands have their advantages.

The right decision is different for everybody because of the different interests of the travelers.

We would like to help you to choose between these two islands describing their strong and weak sides.

What we can say for sure is that no matter what of the islands you decide to visit there is no way to take a wrong decision.

More from Canary Islands:

Beaches

Fuerteventura beach by Jean-François Gornet

When it comes to beaches, the island of Fuerteventura is considered to be the better choice.

It is known as the island with the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago of the Canary Islands.

It is famous for its white sands and irresistible blue waters, especially to the southeast, in the area of Costa Calma, and to the northeast, in the area of Corralejo.

Lanzarote on the other side has fewer beaches. However, fewer doesn’t mean worse.

In the southern tip of Lanzarote there are some fabulous beaches, including the world famous Papagayo Beach, which attracts tens of thousands of tourists per year.

Playa Blanca, the popular resort situated on the southern coast of the island of Lanzarote, also has a lot to offer.

It has some high-quality white man-made beaches, which are really hard to resist.

Weather

Hotel resort in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote by Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort

The weather in both, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, is considered to be glorious all year round.

In general, the number of sunny days is bigger on the island of Fuerteventura.

However, since Fuerteventura is more windy, it usually experience about half degree lower temperature in February and March.

On the other side, the chance for cloudy weather is bigger in Lanzarote but you will find also a bit more quiet weather.

For this reason, both islands are considered equally good and no one inferior to the other.

The average daytime temperatures are around 21°C in January and around 22°C in February.

In the height of summer you can expect something like 28 – 30°C during the day.

Don’t forget, however, to protect your skin!

While because of the refreshing ocean influence summers are not very hot, the sun is very strong even in cloudy winter days!

Surfing

If you are are into surfing, you should head toward the northwest of Lanzarote.

It is not only the better choice but it is also one of the most attractive places to surf on the Canary Islands.

In this part of the island is located Playa Famara (Famara Beach), which attracts surf lovers from all around the world with its big ocean waves and nice winter weather.

Windsurfing

Surfers on the beach of Playa de Sotavento, Fuerteventura by Dirk Vorderstraße

If you prefer windsurfing, the better choice for you is the island of Fuerteventura.

Because of the windy character of the weather, the southeastern coast of Fuerteventura is a real paradise for the lovers of windsurfing.

The combination of wind and quiet sea is a rarity elsewhere but not here.

Snorkeling

If your idea of a good time on the beach is related to snorkeling, you have to visit the island of Fuerteventura.

On the east coast of the island you can find shallow and limpid waters, which is the perfect combination for snorkeling.

In addition, the coastal water of Fuerteventura are known for their incredible marine life.

Landscape

Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote by Marta Pocztarska

The landscape of Lanzarote is considered more diverse and interesting to see.

The island attracts thousands of tourists from North America, which come here to see the out of this world volcanic craters scattered all around the island.

The landscape reminds for the Moon and is really magical.

In addition, Lanzarote offers coastal cliffs and caves, which are part of its volcanic charm.

Restaurants and entertainment

Both islands offer lovely restaurants to visit, especially if you are into the fresh sea food.

However, the island of Lanzarote is considered more diverse in this respect, and in general, it offers bigger choice of places to visit.

In addition to the busy coastal resort of Playa Blanca on the southern tip of Lanzarote, on the east coast is located Puerto del Carmen, which is considered the entertainment hub of the two eastern islands with more restaurants and shops to visit.

Vegetation

Fuerteventura Landscape by dicau58

It is hard to combine the words Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and vegetation in one sentence.

In most cases the vegetation (if there some) is presented by dry bushes, low grass and cactuses.

And still, if we have to choose a place with more vegetation, this should be the island of Fuerteventura.

The small coastal resort town of Costa Calma is the greenest place on the island and reminds a small green oases surrounded by desert.

However, most of the vegetation is presented by different species of palm trees so if you want to find some shade, you have to wait until the late afternoon hours.

Coconut palm trees aren’t native here but actually you can see a lot of them because they grow very well under the conditions of the local weather.

Tranquility

If you are looking for tranquility both islands are good place for you.

However, Fuerteventura is considered to be a bit more quiet place to spend your vacation.

The cities in Lanzarote are somehow more noisy and busy.

This is great if you are looking for fun and entertainment but if you want to relax and just to walk around in a quiet atmosphere, the island of Fuerteventura is the better choice.