The Canary Islands are a favourite destination for thousands and thousands of tourists every year. Due to their tropical climate, the friendliness of their inhabitants and the wide range of possibilities they offer, it’s difficult to decide which island to visit.
Would you like to visit the Canary Islands and don't know which island to choose? We're here to help! In this article, we explain the differences between Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.
Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, the same archipelago, different experiences
Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are two very attractive and different islands, with many leisure and accommodation options. So: Gran Canaria or Lanzarote as a holiday destination?
Here you’ll find the differences between the two Canary Islands.
Two islands with volcanic origins
Both Canary Islands have a volcanic landscape in common. On the one hand, there’s the island of Gran Canaria, which has volcanic landscapes such as the Caldera de Bandama or the Roque Nublo.
On the other hand, Lanzarote is known as the island of volcanoes. Both islands have landscapes with volcanic nature. We recommend you visit places like Timanfaya National Park or El Cuervo Volcano, which will undoubtedly make you fall in love with the landscape and volcanoes of Lanzarote.
Paradise beaches
Something that characterises these two incredible islands are their spectacular, paradisiacal beaches with crystal-clear waters and golden sand, where you can’t only enjoy a refreshing swim, but also numerous water sports.
The best beaches in Gran Canaria, such as Playa del Inglés, have a pleasantly warm climate, and you can swim in refreshing waters.
Another beach with a special charm is Amadores, a beautiful artificial beach that offers you the tranquillity of its waters, as well as many restaurants where you can enjoy the best local and international cuisine.
In Lanzarote, on the other hand, you’ll find incredible natural beaches, such as Playa del Papagayo with crystal clear waters, or Playa de Famara, a huge beach with golden sand and crystal clear waters.
Mountains for hikers
Both Gran Canaria and Lanzarote have a spectacular mountainous relief that offers marvellous landscapes and spectacular routes for hiking enthusiasts.
Gran Canaria has many hiking routes for all levels, such as the hike to the Roque Nublo natural monument, a 4.88 km circular route of medium difficulty. Or the route of the waterfalls in the Barranco de los Cernícalos, a 5.94 km hike of medium difficulty.
Like Gran Canaria, Lanzarote also has a network of hiking trails that are ideal for those who want to give free rein to their adventurous spirit.
Don't miss trails such as Caldera Blanca and Caldereta, a 9.55 km circular route around the upper part of the caldera.
And finally, you can't leave the island without visiting Timanfaya National Park, a circular route from El Golfo along the coast to Montaña Quemada, a distance of 8.64 kilometres.
Delicious gastronomy
When visiting one of these two islands, you can't miss out on the local gastronomy. Although they’re practically identical, they share typical dishes such as papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) and sancocho.
However, there are some dishes that are more typical of one of the two Canary Islands.
On Gran Canaria, you’ll find typical dishes such as goat meat, pella gofio and watercress stew.
On Lanzarote, on the other hand, you can enjoy typical dishes such as ropa vieja, ceviche de cherne (wreckfish ceviche) and lapas a la plancha (grilled limpets).
Two islands with a lot of culture
The culture of Gran Canaria and Lanzarote is very similar: both islands were inhabited by indigenous people, and their culture is still reflected in some of their villages today.
On Gran Canaria there are villages such as Agüimes, where the church of San Sebastián and the Agüimes Museum stand out. Or the village of Tejeda, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, located in the peaks of Gran Canaria, which has preserved its traditional architecture with stone houses and cobbled streets.
On the island of Lanzarote, on the other hand, there are beautiful villages such as Teguise, which has preserved a historic neighbourhood with cobbled streets, white houses and historic buildings such as the Spínola Palace and the church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.
Don't forget to visit the village of Yaiza, which is characterised by its beaches, vineyards, and wineries.
Have you already decided on a destination for your next holiday?
We know it's a difficult decision to have to choose between two options that seem so similar at first glance.
So if you want to enjoy the sun and the beach, but also nature and a rich gastronomy, Gran Canaria is the right island for you. If, on the other hand, you like adventure and want to discover wild landscapes and unique volcanic scenery, Lanzarote is your next holiday destination.
If you want to visit either island, we recommend you book now with HD Hotels so you don't miss out on the chance to enjoy incredible experiences and the best accommodation at an unbeatable price.
Discover our Parque Cristóbal Gran Canaria hotels in the heart of Playa del Inglés, the Lifestyle Acuario in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the iconic Santa Catalina Park or our Beach Resort & Spa Lanzarote in Costa Teguise.
