Gran Canaria or Lanzarote? These two popular Canary Islands are often compared, and having visited both, I wanted to share my honest experiences – what I enjoyed, what I didn’t, and which one stood out for me.

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Gran Canaria or Lanzarote: The Canary Island I Liked More

My Trips to the Canary Islands

After visiting both popular Canary Islands – Lanzarote and Gran Canaria – here are my thoughts on each, along with the different aspects that, in my opinion, make them stand out. While Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and Lanzarote are all ranked among the best Spanish islands, I personally found that despite sharing similar Atlantic weather conditions and volcanic landscapes, each of these islands has a unique vibe.

If you scroll through social media, you’ll see that the Canary Islands are a bit like Hawaii – there are die-hard fans of each island. That means there’s no absolute answer to which Canary island is the best. Ultimately, choosing between Gran Canaria and Lanzarote will depend a lot on the type of vacation you’re looking for.

You can check out my Gran Canaria itinerary in this post (or on my IG stories). To read more about my trip to Lanzarote, head over to this post. And if you’d like to explore all of my content on the Canary Islands, just click on the #CanaryIslands hashtag.

Lanzarote or Gran Canaria: How to Choose the Right Island for You

Hotels and Resorts

Both Lanzarote and Gran Canaria offer excellent accommodation options, ranging from luxury resorts to budget-friendly apartments. However, Gran Canaria is one of the main Canary Islands, with Las Palmas serving as the capital of the archipelago, so it naturally has the widest variety.

Compared to other popular Spanish destinations like Mallorca or the Costa Brava, I found that hotels in both Gran Canaria and Lanzarote generally offer a very good price-to-quality ratio. If I were looking for a classic resort stay and luxury experiences, I’d choose Gran Canaria (as it has more resorts to pick from – like Lopesan Baobab Resort, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, H10 Playa Meloneras, or Santa Catalina Royal Hideaway). On the other hand, for a romantic getaway or a quieter escape, I’d go with Lanzarote (for example, Finca Isolina Hotel Boutique, Lani’s Suites de Luxe, or Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa). You can find the latest accommodation deals on the map below.

If you’re visiting Gran Canaria on a family holiday, you’ll find hotels with waterslides such as Riu Gran Canaria or Hotel LIVVO Lago Taurito. There’s also a waterpark in Gran Canaria – Aqualand Maspalomas – so you might want to book any hotel in the town of Maspalomas.

Accessibility and Public Transport

Accessibility and public transport are areas where Gran Canaria clearly outshines Lanzarote. To begin with, as the capital of the Canary Islands, Las Palmas has far more flight connections than Lanzarote. You can find lots of great deals via Skyscanner, WayAway, and Kiwi.

From personal experience, I even visited Gran Canaria without renting a car – something I almost never do on my trips around Spain (since not having a car is often very limiting, unless you’re in big cities like Barcelona or Madrid). To my surprise, the island’s bus system was excellent. I had read about the local buses – known as guaguas – but I was skeptical at first. In the end, they turned out to be reliable, well-connected, and easy to use.

For Lanzarote, I definitely recommend renting a car (I usually book through DiscoverCars). The island is small, the roads are well-maintained, and driving makes it much easier to explore its unique landscapes. In Gran Canaria, however, you have the flexibility: you can rent a car for a road trip or rely entirely on public transport for a more carefree experience.

Buses to puerto de mogan — *Buses in Gran Canaria*

Landscapes

When it comes to landscapes, both Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are similar yet very different.

Lanzarote is home to Timanfaya National Park, which is spectacular if you’re interested in Spain’s natural wonders. From Lanzarote, you can also visit the peaceful island of La Graciosa, a hidden paradise known for great diving and Las Conchas beach. The island’s landscapes may be less green, but they have a distinct charm: the Jardín de Cactus (with thousands of cactus species from around the world), the César Manrique Foundation (where art and architecture blend with volcanic rock), and the island’s lunar vineyards are all unforgettable. Also, if you’re looking for unusual things to do in Spain, Lanzarote is home to the unique underwater museum, Museo Atlántico.

Gran Canaria, on the other hand, is more versatile – similar to Tenerife. The south is dry and rocky, while the north is greener and rainier. This makes it a great option for travelers who enjoy varied scenery, from botanical gardens like Jardín Botánico Viera y Clavijo and Jardínes de la Marquesa, to banana plantations such as Mundo del Plátano. That said, it’s still not as lush as northern Spain or the Pyrenees.

In short, Lanzarote’s landscapes felt more unique and artistic, while Gran Canaria’s are more diverse and versatile.

Landscapes Gran Canaria — *The streets in Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)*

How to visit cactus garden lanzarote — *The Cactus Garden in Lanzarote*

los hervideros cliffs lanzarote spain — *Los Hervideros in Lanzarote*

Lanzarote wine vineyards — *Lunar vineyards in Lanzarote*

Jardin de la marquesa Garden Gran Canaria — *Jardínes de la Marquesa in Gran Canaria*

Food

Canarian cuisine is quite similar on both islands – papas arrugadas, mojo sauces, and fresh fish and local cheese. However, Gran Canaria, being larger and more urban, offers a wider variety of international dining options and budget-friendly spots.

During our 5 days in Gran Canaria we really enjoyed some excellent Italian meals and had amazing burgers. The market Mercado de Vegueta in Las Palmas was also cool, with its selection of exotic fruits (check out these IG and TikTok videos for some highlights).

Traveling with kids and in-laws who are picky eaters, Gran Canaria turned out to be a better fit – there was always something for everyone. On the other hand, when it comes to quiet fine dining and romantic settings, my husband and I felt we enjoyed Lanzarote slightly more. That said, both Lanzarote and Gran Canaria offer plenty of excellent restaurants and international cuisine, so overall I’d say they’re quite similar when it comes to dining. However, I found that restaurants in Gran Canaria were slightly more affordable than in Lanzarote, even when eating in similar places.

Best food Gran Canaria — *Papas arrugadas*

Exotic Fruits Gran Canaria market — *Mercado de Vegueta in Gran Canaria*

Blue bananas Gran Canaria — *Rare blue bananas in Gran Canaria*

Weather

For me, the weather is one of the best things about the Canary Islands. Temperatures stay mild and pleasant year-round, and unlike the Balearic Islands (such as Mallorca or Ibiza), it doesn’t get unbearably hot during July and August.

The climate is quite similar on both Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. That said, Lanzarote is usually considered the sunniest of all the Canary Islands and one of the best winter-sun destinations in Spain. It’s drier than Gran Canaria, with very little rainfall and slightly warmer summer highs around 29 °C.

Gran Canaria, on the other hand, is known for its stable temperatures, usually ranging from the mid-20s °C to high-20s in summer. It does get a bit more rainfall, especially in the north, but in my experience, showers were always brief and the sun reappeared quickly.

Is it necessary to rent a car in Gran Canaria — *When visiting Agaete in the north of Gran Canaria, it was cloudy all day and even rained briefly*

Traveling with Kids

Both islands are good for kids – especially when it comes to unique landscapes. The lava fields of Lanzarote feel almost lunar, which can be exciting for little explorers. Still, if I had to choose, I’d take my kids to Gran Canaria, as it has more family-friendly attractions. Highlights include the Poema del Mar Aquarium, the Science Museum in Las Palmas, and Palmitos Park. To my surprise, my kids also loved the Agaete natural lava pools – they were completely fascinated by the crabs scuttling around the rocks.

Lanzarote, on the other hand, is much quieter. While I personally enjoyed the peace, my small kids would translate this “quiet” into “boring.”

Poema del mar aquarium Gran Canaria — *Poema del Mar Aquarium in Gran Canaria*

aquarium Gran Canaria — *Poema del Mar Aquarium in Gran Canaria*

5 days Gran Canaria with kids — *Science Museum in Gran Canaria*

Things to Do and Sightseeing

If you’re looking for a jam-packed holiday full of activities, I’d honestly recommend Tenerife first. But if the choice is only between Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, then Gran Canaria has the edge in terms of variety.

Lanzarote has amazing attractions like the César Manrique Foundation, Cueva de los Verdes, and the Jardín de Cactus – but most of these are tied to nature and landscapes. Gran Canaria, meanwhile, adds a bit more variety with attractions such as Poema del Mar Aquarium, the Science Museum in Las Palmas, Palmitos Park, Casa de Colón, Museo Canario, Museo & Parque Arqueologico Cueva Pintada, and even the Arehucas Rum Distillery.

Overall, both islands are perfect for a balanced holiday: a mix of beach days, watersports, and sightseeing. But if museums, parks, and kid-friendly activities are a priority, Gran Canaria wins by a small margin.

Casa colon Las Palmas Gran Canaria — *Casa de Colón in Gran Canaria*

Museums gran canaria — *Museo Canario in Gran Canaria*

Ancient ruins gran canaria — *Museo & Parque Arqueologico Cueva Pintada in Gran Canaria*

Lanzarote cesar manrique — *César Manrique Foundation in Lanzarote*

Beaches

I’ve said it before – the Canary Islands are not my first choice if you’re looking exclusively for beaches. Unlike the Mediterranean, the Atlantic waters are cooler, which some visitors might find less inviting. That said, both islands do have some picture-perfect beaches:

Gran Canaria – Playa de Maspalomas, Playa de Amadores, and Playa de Mogán
Lanzarote – Playa de Papagayo and Playa Flamingo

On TikTok, when I shared my surprise at how beautiful Playa de Amadores was, some people pointed out that it’s artificial and therefore not worth it. Yes, the white sand was brought in, but the surrounding cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean are 100% natural. To me, this only shows the creativity of local businesses and authorities in enhancing the island’s appeal by adding a few picture-perfect beaches.

That said, if I were traveling mainly for a beach holiday, I wouldn’t pick either Gran Canaria or Lanzarote – Fuerteventura is hands down the best for beaches, with its stunning dunes and turquoise waters. A big plus for Lanzarote, however, is that it’s just a short ferry ride from Fuerteventura. You can easily take a day trip to Corralejo from Lanzarote and enjoy its famous sand dunes. My main tip: book a guided tour in Fuerteventura, or reserve a car a few weeks before arriving in Corralejo so you can explore freely. Some friends of mine recently took a day trip from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura but hadn’t booked a car ahead of time – and once they arrived, every rental company was fully booked, so they couldn’t get one on the spot.

san dunes coralejo fuerteventura — *Parque Natural de Corralejo in Fuerteventura*

Playa de Aguila Fuerteventura best spanish islands — *Playa del Aguila in Fuerteventura*

Las palmas beach Gran Canaria — *Playa de Las Canteras in Gran Canaria*

Gran Canaria Without a Car — *Playa de Maspalomas in Gran Canaria*

Beaches lanzarote or gran canaria — *Playa de Maspalomas in Gran Canaria*

Social Life and Nightlife

While I usually prefer quieter destinations myself, for those who enjoy a lively holiday vibe, Gran Canaria definitely beats Lanzarote. The Maspalomas area reminded me of Benidorm – you like going out and meeting new people, Gran Canaria is the better pick.

Lanzarote also has excellent restaurants and a few clubs, but the island is generally quieter. This means that if you enjoy fine dining, you’ll still find plenty of great options in Lanzarote. For example, we even enjoyed live piano music at one of the restaurants in Marina Rubicón. However, when it comes to bars, pubs, and clubs, Gran Canaria clearly offers more variety.

Another highlight is that in the first weeks of February, Gran Canaria hosts Carnaval de Las Palmas, one of Spain’s most iconic festivities. So if you’re visiting in winter and want a festive atmosphere (because let’s be honest – the Spanish know how to party), Gran Canaria is a better choice than Lanzarote.

Social life gran canaria or lanzarote — *Having cocktails in Gran Canaria*

Lanzarote marina bay — *Marina Rubicón in Lanzarote*

Arehucas Carnaval Gran Canaria — *Visiting *Arehucas Rum Distillery*, which takes part in the Carnaval every year: they proudly display a few Carnaval-decorated bottles in their tasting room*

Locals

One thing that really unites Gran Canaria and Lanzarote is the friendliness of the locals – the friendliest people in all of the Canary Islands. In a TikTok video I made, I mentioned that this was one of the things that surprised me most about Gran Canaria (even though I had expected it in Lanzarote).

You may have heard about the “tourists go home” trend in popular Spanish destinations like Mallorca or Barcelona. Across Spain, some locals are frustrated by rising housing costs as wealthier foreigners buy second homes, including in the Canary Islands. As I’ve shared in my post about living in Spain, I understand the problem, but I believe it’s something the Spanish government needs to regulate – not the tourists. Campaigns targeting visitors in destinations that rely heavily on tourism can backfire. The party crowd won’t care, but travelers seeking cultural experiences might feel unwelcome – and could choose other Mediterranean destinations instead, such as Crete, Cyprus, or Malta.

So, what really impressed me in Gran Canaria was how locals face these real estate challenges with dignity while still maintaining a warm, welcoming attitude toward visitors. As I’ve mentioned, I even made a TikTok video sharing my impressions. While there were a few ‘tourists go home’ comments, 99% of responses came from locals thanking me for the kind words about Gran Canaria and confirming that anyone who respects the local culture is welcome. Even online, the Gran Canaria community feels almost troll-free. Personally, I found locals in Gran Canaria even friendlier than in Tenerife. Many people point out that Tenerife receives nearly twice as many tourists as Gran Canaria, which can make life more overwhelming for locals. And yet, despite Gran Canaria being one of the main islands – and capitals are rarely known for friendliness – the warmth of the people there truly stood out to me.

On Lanzarote, being a smaller island, real estate pressures are less of an issue, so I expected the locals to be welcoming – and they were. Gran Canaria, however, as one of the main islands, pleasantly surprised me with the genuine friendliness of its people, despite similar trends in other popular tourist destinations in Spain.

Puerto de mogan Gran Canaria — *Puerto de Mogán in Gran Canaria*

james de agua lanzarote or gran canaria — *Jameos del Agua in Lanzarote*

Gran Canaria vs Lanzarote: Final Thoughts

Overall, for some reason, I personally enjoyed Lanzarote slightly more than Gran Canaria – mainly because it aligns better with my personality. I prefer quieter destinations and loved exploring Lanzarote’s natural wonders. That said, Gran Canaria made for an easier trip, with well-connected buses, a wide range of hotels, and restaurants for every budget. So, if I had to choose just one Canary Island to return to:

For a romantic weekend or solo getaway, I’d pick Lanzarote.
For traveling with kids or experiencing Carnaval, I’d return to Gran Canaria.

You can find my recent Gran Canaria itinerary in this post (or on my IG stories). To read more about my 5 days in Lanzarote, head over to this post. And if you’d like to explore all of my posts on the Canary Islands, just click on the #CanaryIslands hashtag.

Gran Canaria or Lanzarote: The Canary Island I Liked More (and Why)

Gran Canaria or Lanzarote: The Canary Island I Liked More

My Trips to the Canary Islands