Lanzarote or Fuerteventura: which one should you choose ?

You have decided to go to the Canary Islands but do not know which island to choose between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura?

Let’s see if I can help you make your choice!!! They are two Canary Islands, located one in front of the other and not far from the coast of Africa, which is only 15 km away.

Choosing between Lanzarote or Fuerteventura is difficult because of the many things they have in common, such as:

• both islands have pleasant temperatures all year round and give you the opportunity to surf whether you are a beginner or a pro.
• both have beautiful and characteristic villages
• both Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are definitely less touristic than Tenerife or Gran Canaria
• both speak the same language and have the same culture
• both have an incredible hinterland even if different

However, despite the many things they have in common, they have many differences. Knowing, in advance, what the two destinations have to offer can help you make the right choice.

If you prefer to spend your holiday on a beach with water sports such as surfing or kitesurfing, well then Fuerteventura is the place for you. You prefer to have a wide range of activities combined with a unique charm? Well then you won’t go wrong by choosing Lanzarote.

We’ve seen both, but the one I definitely prefer is Lanzarote. In terms of architecture, the island has maintained its authenticity, thanks to the work of César Manrique, who spent his life trying to enhance the most characteristic aspects without, at the same time, distorting them. The Island of Lanzarote is the home of charming villages, museums, art, the strangest wine culture in the world, without forgetting its volcanoes and the landscape that surrounds them.

Being the two islands very close you may consider visiting both.

First of all I want to let you know how to visit both islands Fuerteventura and Lanzarote during the same holiday.

How to visit both Lanzarote and Fuerteventura

On a clear day the two islands can be seen from one another! The ferry between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura is probably one of the fastest in the Canary Islands, the two islands are separated only by the strait of Bocaina and are about 15 km apart.

The journey, depending on the ferry you choose, varies from 25 to 35 minutes.

Ferries shuttle daily between Corralejo (Fuerteventura) and Playa Blanca, south of Lanzarote, even several times a day.

Where to catch the Fuerteventura Lanzarote ferry?

 If you leave from Fuerteventura, the ferry is taken from the Port of Corralejo, in the north of the island. If you are traveling in the opposite direction, from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura, you will have to go to the port of Playa Blanca

Fuerteventura Lanzarote Ferry: Timetables and information

The are 3 ferry companies that offer daily trips between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote:

Lineas Romero is definitely the cheapest company and the only one that does not transport cars, only passengers. It takes about 45’ to make the crossing: it is a small ferry, information that you should take into account if you go on a day of rough sea.

Naviera Armas is the national carrier, it takes about 35’ and you can transport your car. It is a middle range between the other two.

Fred Olsen is the super fast line, which will take just 25’ to get you from one island to the other, with boats and a superior level of service. You can also transport your car with Fred Olsen.

Ferry Fuerteventura Lanzarote by Car What to pay attention to:

If you are taking the ferry with a rented car from one of the islands, check in advance that the insurance of your rental contract includes travel to different islands.

Most car rental companies do not normally include crossing, so if you plan to take ferries contact the company in advance to arrange a different policy if they do.

How to book the Fuerteventura Lanzarote ferry

 Tickets can be purchased online on the respective websites of the three shipping companies, websites are in Spanish and English.

You can also purchase the ticked directly at the box office at the respective ports, but considering the COVID-19 situation it is not advisable. As of today’s situation and if you are traveling in high season it is recommended to book online or take a guided tour.

To book the ferry online you can do it in different ways and from different browsers:

Traghetti lines is a price and company comparator that shows you all the routes and prices of the various companies. It is very convenient so you can compare and see which one is the most suitable for you ( I use comparators for everything).

You can also BOOK HERE on Civitatis: Board a comfortable ferry to reach Corralejo from Playa Blanca. You’ll be able to travel between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura in just 30 minutes!

And you can BOOK HERE and purchase tickets from Get Your Guide: Save on transportation cost with a cheap ferry from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura and back. Relax in the comfort of the 30 minute ferry ride.

The landscape

Lanzarote

The island of Lanzarote has a very varied landscape, the most scenic is without any doubt the one of the volcanoes that you can see in the Timanfaya National Park which presents itself as an almost lunar landscape. The vegetation is almost non-existent and the extreme ruggedness of the shapes, together with their incredible colors, that go from black to red, create great wonder in the visitor.

The silhouettes of the volcanoes and their steep slopes make the Timanfaya extraordinarily beautiful.

There is no photo that can truly represent how spectacular this landscape is.

Los Hervideros, which means “boiling waters” in Spanish, is, with its caves and rocky cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, a spectacle of nature.

Here, the ocean waves break with all their power on the majestic cliffs, flooding the caves that the sea has managed to create with its incessant action: seeing this scenery made me realize how wild and authentic nature can be!!!!

I think it is one of the most incredible landscapes of Lanzarote, unique and fascinating of its kind, which will surely amaze you, as it amazed us.

Charcos de los Clicos (Green Lake) is located not far from the village of El Golfo. This lake was created in an ancient volcanic crater into which the waters flowed. Unfortunately, the photos do not give you an idea of how beautiful and suggestive this place can be. I would have liked to go back there at sunset to admire its colors.

The Wine Valley of La Geria is located in a volcanic area where the strangest vineyards of the world can be found. I always wondered how it was possible that an arid and hostile island as Lanzarote could produce excellent wines.

Seeing La Geria made me realize that the answer is very simple: man’s cleverness created what was to become Lanzarote’s main wine-growing region. In the natural layers of the volcanic gravel, deep conical holes were dug in which the vines found a home.

The edge of these holes, in the shape of a crescent, as you can see in the picture below, becomes the protection against the strong wind that is one of the characteristics of Lanzarote. I must say that these cavities create a unique landscape.

Lanzarote is also famous for its pristine appearance and natural beauty. If what you are looking for is to immerse yourself in the heart of a truly different and unusual nature, then the island of Lanzarote is your ideal destination.

Fuerteventura

Mount Tindaya, is of particular interest and rises between brown and ochre plains. Classified as a cultural heritage site, it is located not far from the municipality of La Oliva. Mount Tindaya is an emblem of the Canarian culture and is still shrouded in an aura of mystery and symbolism.

A sacred place dedicated to the cult by the island’s ancient inhabitants, magical powers had been attributed to Mount Tindaya already at the time of the aborigines. Not far from the summit, more than 290 strange foot-shaped engravings were discovered carved directly into the rock; what these engravings mean is still uncertain but it has been verified that all the engravings are oriented towards Mount Teide in Tenerife and Pico de las Nieves, in Gran Canaria.

This location is a haven of peace and meditation where art and nature form a perfect combination, and a source of inspiration for the famous artist Eduardo Chillida who, back in 1993, had the idea of creating a large sculpture with an internal cavity.

Ecologists, historians, archaeologists as well as most of the people did not agree on the need of digging this cavity in the mountain, as the excavation would have increased the risk of a possible collapse of some parts of the Tindaya.

It is also said that people avoid climbing it as it is guarded by witches!!!!!

Lobos Island is a small, wild and rugged island located only 2 km from Fuerteventura. To get there you can take a ferry at the port of Corralejo and, after a short crossing of about 15 minutes, land on its shores.

Lobos Island has been declared a Natural Park, and is, for this reason, a protected site. Very easy to explore as the paths are marked in the sand and you just have to follow them. The area of Punta Martino located in the upper part of the mountain, which is also the highest point of Lobos and from where you will get spectacular views is beautiful.

Betancuria was once the “capital” of Fuerteventura; it is located in a deep valley near a dried up river.

This town takes its name from Jean de Béthencourt who founded it in 1405 thinking that the place, being far from the sea, was the ideal location to avoid pirate raids. Unfortunately, this was not so, in fact, in 1593, a pirate named Jaban destroyed the town completely.

However this did not demoralize the inhabitants so much that, they rebuilt it entirely. It remained the capital of Fuerteventura until 1834 when the neighboring La Oliva took its place and was, in turn, dethroned by Puerto del Rosario in 1860. The small town of Betancuria lives mainly on tourism and is a perfect day trip.

Strolling around its streets you can find local craft stores and small restaurants where you can taste a local delicacy “questo majorero” (goat cheese served with jam or local honey), we tried it and I must say that it is really good!!!

Guise and Ayose are two gigantic statues (4.5 meters high) representing two ancient Guanche Kings of Fuerteventura; you can see them when you drive along the road from Betancuria. Having disagreements about who should govern the island, they decided to divide it by building a stone wall.

The kingdom to the north, governed by Guise, was called Maxorata, while the one to the south, governed by Ayose, was called Jandia. Few remains of this wall can be seen in La Pared.

Mirador Morro Velosa is located not far from the statues and was created by the famous artist César Marinque.

From its panoramic terrace you can see beautiful landscapes of the center of the island. Orange hills, deep valleys and incredible landscapes as far as the eye can see: breathe deeply and enjoy the show, as we did!!!!!

The center of the island of Fuerteventura is the most spectacular place I have ever seen. If you will have the opportunity to drive through the mountains you will realize how beautiful it is; breathtaking views, incredible colors, hills and mountains as far as eye can see.

You must absolutely stop at the small village of Pajara to discover one of the wildest and most authentic places on this island.

Then continuing on the FV-30, a mountain road that climbs up to Vega de la Plama, you will find several points where you can stop and admire the viewpoint of Las Penitas. This is also a destination that you should not miss.

Landscape-wise, to my taste, the island of Lanzarote with its spectacular volcanoes and lunar landscapes is the one I preferred, while Fuerteventura pleasantly surprised and fascinated me with its bare mountains and the nuances of its colors.

The beaches

Fuerteventura has much more sand and dunes that Lanzarote therefore, offers a greater quantity of beaches, even if the ones of Lanzarote are not to be underestimated at all.

The seaside bathing facilities in Lanzarote are not many even if it is worth mentioning Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Tequise that more than real beaches I would define inlets.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for particular and wild beaches, there is still a choice, even if to a lesser extent than in Fuerteventura.

Lanzarote

One of the most famous and beautiful beach of Lanzarote is definitely Playa de Papagayo. The surrounding landscape, almost desert-like, frames the golden sandy beach that the cliffs shelter from the wind creating an absolutely unique corner.

Playa Mujeres and the nearby coves are ideal for those who want to sunbathe and take a regenerating swim. The beach of Playa Mujeres is an stretch of golden sand with crystal-clear waters located between Playa Blanca and Playa de Papagayo, within easy walking distance. There are no facilities or bars, so if you want to spend the day, remember to pack a beach umbrella.

The breathtaking beautiful beach of El Golfo is not a beach where you can swim or sunbathe, but despite this, it is one of the most fascinating beaches I have seen on Lanzarote.

The characteristic of this beach is the presence of the Lago Verde (Green Lake) born from the crater of an ancient volcano. The colors of this place are spectacular: the black sand of the beach, the red and yellow rocks that surround it and the green of the lake create a truly incredible impact.

Famara beach is one of the few beaches on the west coast of Lanzarote where, at the foot of a cliff, you will find a vast expanse of sand with small dunes. They say it is paradise for the photographers, especially at sunset, when the sun reflects on the cliffs making them change color. This beach is very appreciated by surfers and windsurfers even if it does not offer any facility, however, not far away, in the village of La Caleta you will find restaurants and bars.

Not far from Orzola you will find the famous Los Caletones, beautiful inlets of white sand bordered by volcanic rocks.

Impossible to forget the little island of La Graciosa and the Playa de las Conchas, a semi-deserted beach with crystal clear waters and little wind. Its name derives from the fact that this shoreline is home to a large number of seashells.

Fuerteventura

One thing is for sure, as there are so many stretches of sand Fuerteventura is ideal if you want to do beach life. Most of the beaches are concentrated in the north and east of this beautiful island.

Close your eyes and try to imagine kilometers and kilometers of white sand and crystal clear sea, this is what awaits you if you go to Fuerteventura!!!

One of the most popular beaches is definitely the one located in Corralejo, which is part of the Dunes National Park. Here you will find kilometers and kilometers of white sand, impalpable as flour, where you can linger in the sun or swim in the crystal clear sea.

Its dunes of white sand that stretch down to the sea make you want to be a child again, tempting you to climb them and then let yourself slide down. This beach is also very popular and appreciated by surfers and those who like to practice nudism.

The beach of Sotavento, which is divided into three beautiful bays Playa della Barca, Risco del Paso and Playa de Jandia, is located southeast of Fuerteventura. This beach also has kilometers of white sand and is ideal for those who love calm and relaxation.

I think that there is nothing else that gives you more serenity than listening to the sound of the ocean and here you can do that. The temperature of the sea is constant at about 21° all year round which is very appreciated by those who love to swim.

The same can be said of the constant winds that blow all day and that are the joy of the surfers. The world championships of Windsurfing and Kitesurfing are held here every year.

Cofete beach, located in the south of the island of Fuerteventura, can be reached by a 20-minute walk along a dirt road. It is a beach of incredible beauty with the mountains of Jandia Zara overlooking the ocean.

Here you can enjoy the silence of the deep south of the island.

Ajuy beach is one of the most famous of Fuerteventura: the contrast between the blue of the sea and the black of its beach is very particular.

This beach is very popular although it is not ideal for swimming because of the strong waves.

To the right of the beach, you can, via a paved path, walk up the cliff and enjoy the view of the beach and the village of Ajuy. Here you will also find the famous caves of Ajuy that have been carved by the erosive force of the ocean.

The island of Lobos offers small beaches that can be accessed by taking boats that depart from Corralejo. The island, which is rather small and easy to get around, does not offer much other than, as mentioned above, small beaches and beautiful coves.

The less touristically developed El Cotillo beach, has various bays divided by lava rocks and stones which creep into the sea. The waters are shallow therefore suitable for children who can swim and play.

The beach of Corralejo Viejo is definitely ideal for children, easy to access and safe. Its blue waters are calm and allow children to swim and play without problems.

These are just a few of the beaches that you can find in Fuerteventura, however it seems to me that the choice is so wide that I think it’s impossible not to find the one that’s right for you.

Are you still uncertain whether to choose Fuerteventura or Lanzarote? Perhaps the best choice would be to split your holiday in two: spend a few days in Fuerteventura and a few in Lanzarote, so that, as the saying goes, you can kill two birds with one stone.