Gran Canaria or Lanzarote? Choosing your island
The Canary Islands are warm for much of the year, but each island has its own character. Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are good examples of how different they can be.
Key points
- Gran Canaria suits beaches and variety, Lanzarote suits volcanic scenery and the Manrique sites.
- Both islands are mild all year, with Lanzarote drier and windier.
- For one week, choose one island and see it properly.
Gran Canaria in short
Gran Canaria is green in the north and mountainous in the middle, with big beaches in the south. Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés have long sand and dunes and are busy with resorts. Las Palmas, the capital, is a proper city with a city beach, restaurants and a historic old quarter. Inland, you'll find villages like Teror, and rock formations such as Roque Nublo. Puerto de Mogán, on the southwest coast, is a quieter harbour town.
Lanzarote in short
Lanzarote is flatter, drier and more volcanic. Around Timanfaya there are lava fields and craters that look like another planet. The artist and architect César Manrique shaped much of the island, and you can visit sites he designed, such as Jameos del Agua, the Cactus Garden and the Mirador del Río. The La Geria region grows wine in black volcanic soil, and the beaches near Playa Blanca and Papagayo are popular.
Which suits you?
- Beach and resort holiday: Gran Canaria's south has more choice.
- City and culture: Las Palmas, or Lanzarote's Manrique sites.
- Dramatic scenery: Lanzarote for volcanoes, Gran Canaria for mountains.
- Active holiday: both islands suit cycling, hiking and water sports.
Weather
Both islands are mild all year, with summer the hottest and winter still comfortable. Lanzarote is windier and has less rain. Check the forecast before you pack, because mountain areas can be cooler.
Seeing both
Short flights and ferry routes link the islands, though not every pair of islands has a direct connection. Check current schedules with the airline or ferry operator. For a week-long trip, most people are happier choosing one island and exploring it well.
Getting around
Hire a car for the interior of either island, especially in Lanzarote, where the sights are spread out. Resorts and cities are well served by buses and taxis.
When to go
Winter is the busiest season, because northern Europeans come for the warmth. Summer is hotter and often quieter inland. Gran Canaria's north can be cloudier than its south, so pick your base with that in mind.
A sensible week
- Gran Canaria, four nights: two on the beach in the south, one in Las Palmas for the old town and Las Canteras beach, and a day trip inland to Roque Nublo and Teror.
- Lanzarote, three nights: a day for the Manrique sites, a day around Timanfaya and La Geria, and an easy beach day.
Driving notes
Traffic drives on the right. Main roads are good, but mountain roads in Gran Canaria are narrow and twisty, so allow more time than the map suggests. Lanzarote is easier to drive.
Booking ahead
Some of the best-known sights run on timed tickets or organised visits. Look at the official sites and book popular slots before you arrive.
Keep reading
- London on a shoestring budget
- How to plan better flights
- How to choose an eSIM for international travel
Official sources
We link to these because they set the rules or publish the current details.