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PolskiChoose Lanzarote if you want a slightly livelier island with more variety: César Manrique’s art and architecture, the volcanic landscapes of Timanfaya, a real capital in Arrecife and a long flat promenade in Puerto del Carmen. Choose Fuerteventura if beaches matter most: it has the longest, emptiest sand beaches in the Canaries and a quieter, more open feel. The weather is very similar on both islands; the real differences are wind, beaches and how much life you want around you.
The two islands sit next to each other in the east of the archipelago and are only about half an hour apart by ferry, between Playa Blanca and Corralejo. Both are drier and flatter than Tenerife or Gran Canaria, closer to Africa and generally cheaper. This comparison focuses on what changes day to day for someone staying one to four months in winter.
Side by side
| Lanzarote | Fuerteventura | |
|---|---|---|
| Main long-stay bases | Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise | Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Morro Jable |
| Typical rent, one-bedroom, peak winter | About €900-1,500 in Puerto del Carmen | About €800-1,400 in Corralejo and Caleta de Fuste |
| Beaches | Good, but smaller | The longest and widest in the Canaries |
| Wind | Breezy | Windier, especially in the north and west |
| Culture and sights | Manrique, Timanfaya, La Geria vineyards | Betancuria, dunes, Cofete, Lobos |
| Capital | Arrecife, a lively working town | Puerto del Rosario, smaller and quieter |
| Buses | Reasonable between the main towns | Less frequent; a car is more useful |
| Main hospital | Arrecife | Puerto del Rosario |
Rents are indicative ranges from listings. See monthly rental prices in the Canary Islands.
Weather
Temperatures are almost identical. Expect around 21 to 24°C by day from November to March and 14 to 16°C at night, with very little rain on either island. See the month-by-month figures for Lanzarote in January and Fuerteventura in January.
The difference is wind. Both islands catch the trade winds, but Fuerteventura is the windier of the two, which is why it is a world-class destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing. On a breezy day, a sheltered terrace makes a real difference. In Fuerteventura, Caleta de Fuste and the south around Costa Calma and Morro Jable are usually calmer than Corralejo and El Cotillo. Read how windy Fuerteventura gets in winter and Lanzarote weather in winter.
Beaches
This is where Fuerteventura wins clearly. The Grandes Playas by the dunes of Corralejo, the lagoon beaches of Sotavento and the wild beach of Cofete are among the most spectacular in Europe, and they rarely feel crowded. Lanzarote has good beaches too, especially Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen and the Papagayo coves near Playa Blanca, but they are smaller and fewer.
Things to do
Lanzarote has more to see. César Manrique shaped the island’s look, and his works, such as Jameos del Agua, the Mirador del Río and his house in Tahíche, make excellent day trips. Timanfaya National Park, the vineyards of La Geria and the markets in Teguise and Haría add variety. Over a long stay, that variety helps.
Fuerteventura is more about nature and the outdoors: walking in the dunes, surfing, boat trips to the islet of Lobos, the old capital Betancuria and the long drive to Cofete. Many long-stayers love its calm; others find it too quiet after a few weeks. See Fuerteventura for a long stay: is it too quiet?
Cost
Both islands are among the more affordable in the archipelago for a long winter stay. Lanzarote’s capital, Arrecife, offers some of the lowest rents of any island town, often about €700-1,100 a month for a one-bedroom. In Fuerteventura, Caleta de Fuste is often good value. Food shopping costs about the same on both islands. See the cost of living in Lanzarote and the cheapest Canary Island for a long stay.
Getting around
Lanzarote’s bus network connects Arrecife, the airport, Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca reasonably well, so you can live without a car in the main resorts. Fuerteventura is longer and more spread out, and buses run less often; a car makes a bigger difference there. On both islands, many long-stayers hire a car for a week or two to explore. See monthly car hire in the Canary Islands.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Lanzarote | More to see, livelier towns, flat promenades, good value in Arrecife | Fewer big beaches, breezy |
| Fuerteventura | The best beaches, space and calm, great for watersports | Windier, quieter, a car is more useful |
Who should choose which
Choose Lanzarote if you want variety, culture, easy walking and a little more life in the evenings. Puerto del Carmen is the easiest base; Playa Blanca is calmer and sunnier. Read Puerto del Carmen for a long winter stay and wintering in Lanzarote: the best towns.
Choose Fuerteventura if beaches, nature and watersports are your priority and you enjoy a quiet routine. Corralejo is the liveliest base; Caleta de Fuste is calmer and less windy. Read Corralejo for a long winter stay and the complete guide to wintering in Fuerteventura.
Choose both: with the short ferry between Playa Blanca and Corralejo, it is easy to spend part of the winter on each island, or to visit the other on day trips.
Travelling with someone without an EU passport? Check the dates with the Schengen 90/180 calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Which is warmer in winter, Lanzarote or Fuerteventura?
They are practically the same, around 21 to 24°C by day. Fuerteventura often feels cooler on windy days.
Which island has better beaches?
Fuerteventura, clearly. Its beaches are longer, wider and less crowded.
Is Fuerteventura too windy in winter?
Winter is calmer than summer, but breezy days are common. Choose a sheltered area such as Caleta de Fuste or the south if wind bothers you.
How long is the ferry between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura?
About half an hour between Playa Blanca and Corralejo, with several crossings a day.
Our verdict
For most first-time long-stayers, Lanzarote is the easier all-round choice, with more to do and simpler transport. If you dream of long walks on empty beaches and do not mind the wind, Fuerteventura is hard to beat. Compare all the islands in the best Canary Island for winter.