Differences between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote

Despite their geographical proximity and sharing some similar characteristics, the differences between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are notable from any point of view.

Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are two of the seven main islands of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco. 

Mild year-round climate and summer temperatures reign supreme in both Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, allowing everyone to enjoy a relaxing holiday in enchanting locations.

Breathtaking views and evocative landscapes, uncontaminated and wild places, volcanic rock formations are what both sisters have to offer.

Fuerteventura is ideal for those who want to relax on Caribbean beaches, with waters a thousand shades of color, and at the same time learn about the island’s cultural and culinary traditions.

Lanzarote, on the other hand, is ideal for those who want beaches with all the necessary services and an adrenaline-filled nightlife, but without knowing the true centuries-old history of the island.

The climate and landscape of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote 

The climate and landscape of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are not very similar and very different, despite being sisters of the Canary Islands archipelago.

Fuerteventura is known for its wide stretches of white sand in the Corralejo Natural Park with its enchanting dunes and the Jandia Natural Park .

The island of Fuerteventura offers a desert landscape, arid, wild and uncontaminated with breathtaking, unique and timeless views of its most beautiful caves.

Lanzarote, on the other hand, has a unique volcanic landscape and is characterized by extinct volcanoes, black lava fields and evocative rock formations.

The beaches of Fuerteventura , long and wide, with Caribbean white sand and crystal-clear water in a thousand shades of color, are the best in the Canaries for surfing.

Instead, most of Lanzarote’s beaches are small, secluded bays, with black sand and small pebbles, crystal-clear water and the dark seabed of the Atlantic Ocean.

As for the climate, they are almost similar, mild all year round, but Lanzarote, unlike Fuerteventura, is less windy and very often suffers from muggy heat.

Tourism in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote 

Tourism is the main source of income in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote . Both islands are popular tourist destinations, but each has its own distinct atmosphere.

Fuerteventura 

• It is generally quieter 
• It is appreciated by those seeking a relaxing holiday and direct contact with nature.
• Its beaches are wide, free and with few services such as sunbeds, umbrellas, bars and restaurants
• The presence of Germans, French and Italians is more noticeable, but the Majorera authenticity of the island remains intact.
• It’s impossible to struggle to find parking and all are free (with the exception of the historic center)

Lanzarote 

• It’s more chaotic
• The beaches are equipped with all the necessary services, sunbeds and umbrellas at low prices, and obviously there are also a few free beaches
• All along the seafront there are bars, restaurants, pubs, discos, in short a very lively nightlife. 
• It has a more developed tourism, with a greater offer of tourist facilities always concentrated on the seafront 
• Nearly 99% of tourists are English and Irish 
• Finding parking in Lanzarote is impossible when you only find paid parking, just as there is a fee to enter the beaches of protected areas. 

The lifestyle between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote

The difference in lifestyle between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote is the first thing you notice once you visit these two enchanting and unique islands.

Prices in bars, restaurants, supermarkets, boutiques, and accommodation in Lanzarote are significantly higher than in any other resort in Fuerteventura.

It seems that everything is made only for English tourists , even in the bars and restaurants of Lanzarote they only speak English and never Spanish.

In all the towns of Lanzarote, the island’s culture and culinary tradition are rarely seen, unlike Fuerteventura, which carefully preserves its centuries-old culture and traditions.

The architecture of Spanish artist César Manrique had a significant influence on the island of Lanzarote and there are many of his structures and attractions such as:

• Jameos del Agua , the Casa de los Volcanes , Museo Lagomar 

Lanzarote is home to Timanfaya National Park , one of the island’s main attractions, characterised by an impressive and unique volcanic landscape.

In Fuerteventura, however, the natural and protected attractions stand out, with enchanting and very suggestive panoramas and most of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites , such as:

• Jandia Natural Park and Corralejo Dunes Natural Park
• Entallada Lighthouse , Sicasumbre Viewpoint , Calderón Hondo Volcano , Villaverde Windmills , Majorero Cheese Museum 
• Vallebrón village, El Puertito de los Molinos and Betancuria