{"id":193,"date":"2026-11-11T09:20:33","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T08:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute-transfer.com\/blog\/?p=193"},"modified":"2026-11-11T16:42:47","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T15:42:47","slug":"how-big-is-lanzarote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute-transfer.com\/blog\/how-big-is-lanzarote\/","title":{"rendered":"How big is Lanzarote? Size, distances and travel tips for exploring the island"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lanzarote <\/strong> is an island that is part of the Canary Islands, well known for its very distinctive characteristics and natural attractions, including volcanic landscapes and crystal-clear beaches, with an ideal climate all year round. Before visiting, we recommend that you get to know how big Lanzarote is. <\/strong> And other details, such as its size, distances and travel tips for exploring the island. <\/strong><\/p>\n

How big is Lanzarote really?\u00a0Size and geography<\/h2>\n

Total area in square kilometres and miles<\/h3>\n

Although it is a small island, it is the fourth largest of the Canary Islands, with a total surface area of 845\u00a0km\u00b2,<\/strong>\u00a0which is equivalent to 326.62\u00a0square miles.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Island dimensions: length, width, and coastline<\/h3>\n

Lanzarote <\/a>spans 60\u00a0km <\/strong> in width, and from north to south, it can reach 25\u00a0km,<\/strong>\u00a0while its coastline stretches for 213\u00a0km.<\/strong>\u00a0The island\u2019s highest point is 670\u00a0metres <\/strong>at Pe\u00f1as del Chache.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Landscape overview: volcanoes, beaches, and natural parks<\/h3>\n

Lanzarote is characterised as a volcanic island, largely covered by expansive volcanic mantle areas. Despite this, its terrain is relatively smooth, having eroded over time to form mostly flat areas, which make it easy to access the many wonders the island offers throughout its entire expanse.<\/p>\n

Volcanic formations have given rise to landscapes with impressive features, making them key tourist destinations, such as Timanfaya\u00a0National Park,<\/strong> with its craters that resemble landscapes like those on Mars or the Moon.<\/p>\n

Other notable natural sites include Mirador\u00a0del R\u00edo,<\/strong>Jameos del Agua,<\/strong>\u00a0and Cueva\u00a0de los Verdes\u2014all<\/strong>\u00a0natural formations that have been adapted for tourist visits.<\/p>\n

In contrast to the volcanic scenery, Lanzarote also boasts iconic beaches such as Playa Papagayo, Playa<\/strong> de Famara, Playa<\/strong> Blanca, Puerto<\/strong>\u00a0del Carmen,<\/strong>\u00a0and Costa\u00a0Teguise.<\/strong>\u00a0Their crystal-clear waters, golden sands, and facilities for water sports make these beaches a must-visit when travelling to Lanzarote.<\/p>\n

Where is Lanzarote located?<\/h2>\n

Lanzarote is located in the Canary Islands, Spain, in the Atlantic Ocean, at the eastern end of the Canarian archipelago, off the north-west coast of West Africa. It is the easternmost of the main Canary Islands, north of Fuerteventura, in the province of Las Palmas.<\/p>\n

The Canary Islands are an archipelago made up of eight volcanic islands, with Lanzarote being the fourth largest.<\/p>\n

Is Lanzarote in Spain or Africa?<\/h3>\n

Lanzarote is part of Spain, although geographically it is located closer to Africa. The Canary Islands, to which Lanzarote belongs, are an autonomous community of Spain and are approximately 1,000 km from mainland Spain.<\/p>\n

The distance between Lanzarote and the African coast is approximately 125 km. The closest African neighbour is the coast of Western Sahara and Morocco. This proximity gives the island its distinct semi-desert climate, warm temperatures and sunny weather throughout the year.<\/p>\n

Its closest Spanish island neighbour is Fuerteventura, located just 11\u201314 km away at its nearest points. The two islands are separated by the Strait of La Bocaina and are connected by ferry services between Playa Blanca and Corralejo.<\/p>\n

Gran Canaria is approximately 168 km from Lanzarote, while Tenerife is further away, at a distance of 221 km. The islands are connected to Lanzarote by ferry and air.<\/p>\n

A flight from Madrid takes approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. You can reach Lanzarote from the UK on direct flights, which take between 4 and 4.5 hours. If you fly from Bristol to Lanzarote Airport, the journey takes around four hours. Flights from London Gatwick take approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes, while flights from Edinburgh take around 4 hours and 45 minutes. There are also flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast and other UK airports.<\/p>\n