Dirt tracks versus motorways – Lanzarote and Lanzarote compared
A 25–30-minute ferry ride separates Lanzarote Lanzarote And yet everything sets them apart. One is large, developed, tarmacked, with an airport, hotel zones and water parks. The other is small, unspoilt, without tarmac, without hotel chains and without a programme of entertainment. Both lie in the same Atlantic Ocean. Both are Canary Islands. And yet the difference could hardly be greater. A direct comparison Feature
Size
| Size | |
|---|---|
| Population | Roads |
| No tarmac roads except in the town centre | Extensive road network |
| Hotels | Guesthouses & holiday flats |
| International hotel chains | Beaches |
| 7 – all unspoilt | Many – some developed |
| Tourist numbers | Low, by design |
| Very high (millions per year) | Getting around |
Bicycle, jeep taxi, on foot
Car, bus, taxi
A 25–30-minute ferry ride separatesNature conservation Highly protected – nature park + UNESCO.
Partly a protected area
Atmosphere
Unspoilt, quiet, unhurried
- Developed, diverse, lively
- Who is it suitable for?
- Lanzarote is ideal for…
- ..anyone seeking solitude. Those who don’t want a formula for the perfect holiday, but simply an island that is unpretentious.
⚠️ Sicherheit & Badehinweise
Snorkellers
Walkers
Those seeking peace and quiet, and those on a digital detox. Anyone who can – and wants to – spend a week with no tarmac, seven beaches and at most one restaurant per evening.
Lanzarote is perfect for…
- ..anyone who values comfort. A good hotel room, a hire car, Timanfaya National Park, the Jameos del Agua, dinner in Arrecife. Lanzarote has a wider range of options – and that’s not a criticism.
- Campfires prohibited – including on the beach
- Bicycles Only on designated tracks
- Do not take stones, shells, sand or plants with you
- Chinijo Archipelago Nature Park · Lanzarote UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · Chinijo Archipelago Marine Reserve
Frequently asked questions
In summer, there is occasionally a small eatery. In winter: nothing at all. Always plan to bring your own food.
Jeep taxi – direct access via sandy tracks. Alternatively: walk along the coastal path (1.5–2 hours) or combine with the Panorama Loop.
Conclusion
- View of Lanzarote from Lanzarote: the most secluded beach on Lanzarote – with a private beach atmosphere to boot.
- Only for explorers who know what they want: no facilities, absolute tranquillity.
- Combining this with the coastal path or the Panorama Loop makes for a perfect day’s walk.
This article is based on on-site research by the go-la-graciosa.com editorial team. Last updated: April 2026
