Lanzarote or Fuerteventura: which island is best for your next holiday?
The Canary Islands* are popular all year round thanks to their near-constant sunny weather, swathes of safe shoreline and resorts for every holidaymaker, and the eastern islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are no exception.
But while both enjoy the benefits of the beach-weather climate, they're quite different in what they have to offer depending on what type of traveller you are. Thankfully, our man-in-the-know, Ross Clarke, is on hand to show us how these idyllic isles stack up.
Getting to the Canaries: find great value holidays to Lanzarote* and Fuerteventura* with TUI, which offers affordable escapes to destinations across the Canary Islands*.
Let's talk about beaches
There's no shortage of sandy spots to swoosh down your towel and soak up the sun on either island, but you'll notice that Lanzarote* has glistening black sand as well as golden on some of its shores.
To see, less so to sunbathe, a perfect example, head to El Golfo on the west coast where you'll find an extraordinary black-sand beach backed by the famous Charco de los Clicos, a naturally green lagoon in an old volcanic crater whose surprising green tint is caused by algae.
The beaches of Papagayo are known for their desert-island-like beauty. Take care in hire cars going across the dirt track to get there, but if you do, you'll be treated to white sand, clear water, views of neighbouring Fuerteventura and ample snorkelling and paddleboarding opportunities.
Elsewhere, the expansive five-kilometre beach at Famara is famous for its surf community and wave-catchers flock here for the swells.
If you're looking for swathes of sand, however, there is no competition to Fuerteventura's miles and mountains of the stuff. Corralejo's sand dunes must be one of the most wonderous sights on the islands, particularly at sunset when the mountains turn purple, the sky terracotta and the dunes amber.
The beaches of Corralejo* are plentiful and the further out of town you go, the fewer the clothes you'll find, good to know for those all-over tanners, and the closer to town, the more family-orientated.
The north coast also features some quirky beaches such as El Hierro, whose white coral resembles popcorn but please don't try to eat it or take any away with you as this is a precious ecosystem.
The beaches of the south in Jandía* are also impressive, with Sotavento popular for watersports particularly windsurfing, and Morro Jable being a popular and safe place for families to relax in the sun.
Take the rocky road further around the peninsula and you'll find the deserted beach of Cofete. It's breathtaking with its mountain backdrop, plains of sand and tempestuous tides, and one of the reasons it's been used as an otherworldly location for major Hollywood blockbusters such as the Star Wars movies.
Don't attempt to swim here though, as the currents are very strong. Come at sunset for incredible views and photos to make everyone back home jealous.
Family holidays
Families tend to stick to three main resorts in Fuerteventura* and for good reason as they are packed with activities and adventures for all ages. In Corralejo, there are watersports, safe and clean beaches, and lots of hotels and places to eat that cater for families.
Kids will love taking the 30-minute ferry over to neighbouring Lanzarote where they'll get to see Isla de Lobos and possibly spot some sea wildlife such as dolphins and even turtles if they're lucky. Older children may want to trek up the nearby volcano of Calderón Hondo and peer down into the deep crater.
In the middle of the island, you'll find Caleta de Fuste, another popular spot to stay. There's a small defence tower that you can visit near the beach.
Alternatively, head to nearby Quesería La Casa del Queso Cabrera Pérez where you can milk goats and make cheese as well as some goat feeding and cheese tasting.
In the south around Morro Jable, families can make the most of the clean and flat beach, as well as take dolphin-spotting tours and boat trips, just be sure to opt for ones that actively support sustainable practices.
If memorable experiences are your thing, then surely going on a volcano tour beats everything else. Over on Lanzarote, be sure to take a trip to the Montañas del Fuego in Parque Nacional de Timanfaya. Book the bus tour that takes you around the fascinating lava fields with their colourful layers of rock and ash.
Kids will also love the tricks that the guides show back at the base where they pour cold water down into a volcanic tube and it emerges a few seconds later as steam.
Costa Teguise* is a popular resort on the island's east coast and has lots of activities for families including beaches, mini golf, Aquapark water park, and several watersports schools.
Head further north and you can get a boat over to La Graciosa, the eighth official Canary Island. The trip takes about 30 minutes and ferries are regular. The tiny island has no asphalt roads but is easily navigated on foot, by bike or in a four-wheel-drive taxi. It has some beautiful beaches and spots for swimming and snorkelling.
Food & wine
Lanzarote wins hands down in the wine stakes. Fuerteventura only has one commercial vineyard (Conatvs) compared to the many large and family-run bodegas in Lanzarote.
After the volcanic eruptions of the 18th century, farmers found that the soil was well suited to vine growing and they've been making stellar wines ever since, particularly in the region of La Geria.
Get an expert oenological guide with Wine Tours Lanzarote, who'll collect you from your hotel and drop you back so you can sample the wines en route.
If you prefer your tipple with food, try SeBE restaurant in Costa Adeje, whose local wine list is as impressive as its fabulous rice dishes and innovative small plates.
If you're visiting in November, don't miss Saborea Lanzarote, an eno-gastronomic festival that showcases the best local cuisine.
While Fuerteventura might not enjoy the same wine credentials as its sibling, it excels in making the most of its land and sea. Languorous fresh-fish lunches are best had port side either in El Cotillo* or Corralejo, where restaurants often secure their stunning seafood straight from the local fishermen.
The island also produces two particular products that you'll see used or sold all over Fuerteventura (and further afield).
Firstly, queso Majorero goat's cheese is thought to have been made here since before the Spanish came and, unsurprisingly, the goat is the symbol of the island. Many Majorero cheeses often come cured and rubbed with either gofio (toasted flour) or pimentón (paprika), but you'll also find soft, fresh cheese too.
The second product is sea salt. Being surrounded by the wild Atlantic Ocean means that seawater is easy to come by and there are salt plains around the island. You can see them and learn about the process at the salt museum, Salinas del Carmen. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop to buy the prized Flor de Sal.
Compare weather
Use the graphs below to compare the weather in both destinations. Find out more about the climate in Lanzarote and the climate in Fuerteventura as well as conditions across the region in our complete guide to the climate in the Canary Islands.
Lanzarote vs Fuerteventura
- Maximum daytime temperature
- Hours of sunshine
- Days with some rainfall
- Monthly rainfall
- Sea temperature
Maximum daytime temperature (°C)
Hours of sunshine per day
Days with some rainfall
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Sea temperature (°C)
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