Lanzarote

The Canary Islands are so close to each other that a side trip to a neighboring island is absolutely worth it — and since the connections are really good, it’s less hassle than you might think.

If you’re traveling by camper and planning a longer trip, you can also take the ferry from Cádiz in Andalusia to the Canary Islands. Fair warning though: the crossing takes around 35 hours.

By Ferry

Lanzarote has three ferry ports, from which you can reach almost all of the Canary Islands (except La Gomera and El Hierro) with a direct connection. Ferry services are run by Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen.

• from Arrecife: La Palma (Santa Cruz), Tenerife (Santa Cruz) and Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), Fuerteventura (Puerto del Rosario)
• from Órzola: La Graciosa (Caleta de Sebo)
• from Playa Blanca: Fuerteventura (Corralejo)

By Plane

Smaller airlines like Binter and CanaryFly connect the islands with short, frequent flights. Every island has at least one airport, so El Hierro and La Gomera are reachable by plane too.

Flying is usually cheaper and faster than the ferry — and the check-in process for inter-island hops is much more relaxed than a standard international flight.

Lanzarote isn’t densely populated, so getting around does take a bit of planning.

By rental car

A rental car is by far the most flexible option — and honestly, it’s our clear recommendation. Since COVID, prices have gone up quite a bit. In summer, expect to pay from around €30 per day; in winter, from about €20. With so many providers out there, always compare deals before booking.

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By public transportation

There’s also a solid bus network that connects the bigger towns like Teguise, Playa Blanca, and Puerto del Carmen. That said, some of Lanzarote’s best attractions are off the bus routes, so you’ll be limited without your own wheels.

Visit the public transportation website for Lanzarote

Lanzarote is one of the warmest of the Canary Islands — with around 18°C (64°F) in winter, it’s a seriously great escape when the weather back home turns grim. That makes it a top pick as a winter sun destination, whether you’re planning a January getaway or looking for the best destinations in February.

That said, the right time to visit really depends on what you’re after:

• beach vacation: between May and August — it’s hot, sunny, and perfect for the water.
• kite- and windsurfing: summer is ideal too, thanks to the stronger winds.
• surfing: winter brings the big swells — more advanced surfers love the window from October to March.

Lanzarote has its own airport just outside Arrecife, with direct flights available from many cities across Europe. A direct flight takes around four to five hours from most western European hubs.

You can also find connecting flights via Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, or Tenerife — they take longer, but can be noticeably cheaper.

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Lanzarote and the rest of the Canary Islands are part of Spain — even though they’re geographically off the coast of Africa. So the official language is Spanish. In the bigger tourist towns, you’ll have no trouble getting by in English either.

Lanzarote is priced similarly to the Spanish mainland and is one of the more affordable destinations in Europe.

Accommodation is a touch pricier than on neighboring Gran Canaria or Tenerife, mainly because there’s less to choose from. As a rough guide: expect to pay around 45–65 euros per night for an Airbnb, 75–100 euros for a hotel, and large resorts start at around 150 euros.

Plan for at least one week. That gives you enough time to enjoy the beaches, explore the nature parks, and really soak up the towns — especially the incredible architecture left behind by César Manrique. There’s seriously a lot to discover here.