Dirt tracks versus motorways – La Graciosa and Lanzarote compared
A 25–30-minute ferry ride separates La Graciosa von LanzaroteAnd 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 | La Graciosa | Lanzarote |
|---|---|---|
| Size | ~29 km² | 846 km² |
| Population | ~700 | ~150.000 |
| 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 |
| Nature conservation | Highly protected – nature park + UNESCO | Partly a protected area |
| Atmosphere | Unspoilt, quiet, unhurried | Developed, diverse, lively |
Who is it suitable for?
La Graciosa is ideal for…
..anyone seeking solitude. Those who don’t want a formula for the perfect holiday, but simply an island that is unpretentious. Cyclists, Snorkellers, WalkersThose 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.
Combination: the best of both worlds
The smartest solution: La Graciosa as your base + Lanzarote as a day tripThree to five days on La Graciosa – then a day on Lanzarote to visit Timanfaya and Jameos del Agua. Take the first ferry over in the morning, return on the last ferry in the evening. No stress, maximum contrast.
Travel tips
- La Graciosa first: visit the small island before the big one
- Book a hire car on Lanzarote in advance – available in Órzola
- Combination: 4 days on La Graciosa + 1 day on Lanzarote = the ideal week’s holiday
La Graciosa first – then you’ll appreciate Lanzarote for what it is: a developed island with its own charm. Conversely, after visiting Lanzarote, La Graciosa seems even more unspoilt.
Conclusion
- La Graciosa and Lanzarote are not rivals – they complement each other.
- La Graciosa: unspoilt, peaceful, with no tarmac. Lanzarote: developed, diverse, comfortable.
- This combination makes for the perfect holiday in the Canary Islands.
This article is based on on-site research by the go-la-graciosa.com editorial team. Last updated: April 2026
