How Big Is Lanzarote? How Long Does It Take to Drive from One End to the Other?

When you book a holiday in Lanzarote, you might spend most of your time relaxing by the pool, enjoying the beaches or exploring the resort where you are staying. But have you ever wondered just how big Lanzarote actually is? Could you drive from one end of the island to the other in an afternoon? Is it possible to drive all the way around the outside? And how long would it take to explore the whole island by car?

The good news is that Lanzarote is relatively compact, making it an excellent destination for anyone who wants to explore beyond their hotel or resort. Although it has a huge variety of landscapes, villages, beaches and attractions, distances between many of its most popular destinations are surprisingly manageable.

HOW LONG AND WIDE IS LANZAROTE?

Lanzarote stretches approximately 60 kilometres (37 miles) from north to south, depending on which geographical points are measured. Its widest east-to-west span is approximately 21–25 kilometres (13–16 miles), although measurements can vary depending on the exact points used.

The island covers approximately 846 square kilometres (327 square miles), excluding the surrounding smaller islands and islets. Despite its relatively small size, Lanzarote offers a remarkable variety of scenery, from dramatic volcanic landscapes and rugged coastlines to golden beaches, green valleys and traditional villages.

Its shape is elongated, running roughly from the northern area around Órzola and Punta Fariones down towards Playa Blanca and Punta Pechiguera in the south.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRIVE FROM ONE END OF LANZAROTE TO THE OTHER?

If you wanted to drive from the far north of Lanzarote to the far south, you would generally need around one hour to one hour and 15 minutes of driving, depending on your starting point, destination, traffic and road conditions.

For example, a journey from the northern village of Órzola to Playa Blanca in the south takes roughly an hour to an hour and 15 minutes by car under ordinary conditions.

That means you could enjoy breakfast in the north, explore a few attractions along the way and still reach the southern resorts in time for lunch.

Of course, that is the journey without stopping. And with so much to see along the way, you might find yourself pulling over much more often than you originally planned!

You could visit traditional villages, stop at viewpoints, explore volcanic scenery, enjoy a coffee overlooking the sea or spend some time on one of the island's beautiful beaches.

Our advice? Don't treat the journey as a race. Some of Lanzarote's best discoveries happen when you take a detour or stop somewhere that wasn't on your original itinerary.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRIVE FROM EAST TO WEST?

Lanzarote is much narrower than it is long, so crossing the island from east to west is generally a relatively short journey.

Depending on your route, travelling across the island can take approximately 20–40 minutes by car. The precise time will depend on where you start and finish, as well as whether you are crossing through the centre or travelling between particular coastal locations.

For example, if you are staying in a resort on the eastern coast, reaching western destinations such as La Santa or the Famara area is entirely manageable as part of a day out.

This is one of the reasons Lanzarote works so well for visitors who want to explore. You don't necessarily need to change hotels or spend hours travelling just to experience a completely different part of the island.

CAN YOU DRIVE ALL THE WAY AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF LANZAROTE?

This is where things get interesting!

You might imagine that you can simply follow a coastal road all the way around Lanzarote, keeping the sea on one side throughout the journey. However, there is no continuous road that follows the entire coastline of the island.

Lanzarote has approximately 190–250 kilometres of coastline, depending on the geographical measurement used. Much of that coastline is rugged, rocky or inaccessible, and some areas are protected natural landscapes.

The island's roads do not trace every headland, beach and cliff. In some places, you must travel inland to connect with another coastal road, while other stretches of coastline have no public road running alongside them.

You can, however, create a wonderful circular road trip that takes in many different parts of the island.

A circular route linking the main road network, coastal towns, villages and scenic viewpoints could cover roughly 150–200 kilometres (93–124 miles), depending on the route you choose. Allow approximately three to four hours of driving without sightseeing stops, although a longer route or additional detours could take considerably more time.

This is an indicative estimate rather than an official distance for a single route around the island.

The important distinction is that you can drive around much of Lanzarote, but you cannot drive continuously along every part of its coastline.

HOW MANY MILES OF COASTLINE DOES LANZAROTE HAVE?

The length of Lanzarote's coastline varies between sources because measuring a coastline is not as straightforward as it sounds. The result depends on the scale of the map and how closely every inlet, headland and rocky section is measured.

Some geographical sources put the coastline at around 190 kilometres (118 miles), while other measurements are considerably longer.

What matters for visitors is that Lanzarote has a wonderfully varied coastline. The eastern and southern shores include popular beaches, promenades, harbours and resort areas, while much of the west and north is more rugged and dramatic.

You can spend one day enjoying the sandy beaches of Playa Blanca, another exploring the surf beach at Famara and another admiring the volcanic coastline around Timanfaya.

All of these places are on the same relatively small island, yet they can feel like completely different worlds.

COULD YOU EXPLORE LANZAROTE IN ONE DAY?

Technically, you can drive between many of Lanzarote's main areas in a single day. But would we recommend trying to see absolutely everything in one day? Probably not!

You could spend several hours driving around the island and still only scratch the surface of what it has to offer.

If you want to make the most of your time, it is worth grouping attractions by area.

NORTHERN LANZAROTE

The north is ideal for spectacular viewpoints, traditional villages and some of the island's most fascinating natural attractions.

You could explore the village of Haría, visit the green valley known as the Valley of a Thousand Palms, admire the views from Mirador del Río and discover the volcanic caves at Jameos del Agua or Cueva de los Verdes.

CENTRAL LANZAROTE

The centre of the island is home to agricultural landscapes, historic villages and several interesting stops.

You could visit the former island capital of Teguise, explore the vineyards of La Geria or stop at the Monumento al Campesino to learn more about Lanzarote's agricultural traditions.

WESTERN LANZAROTE

If dramatic volcanic scenery is what you are looking for, the west and southwest should be high on your list.

Timanfaya National Park is one of Lanzarote's best-known attractions, with its extraordinary volcanic landscapes. Nearby, you can explore the surrounding villages, visit the coast at El Golfo and see the striking green lagoon known as Charco de los Clicos.

SOUTHERN LANZAROTE

The south is perfect for beaches, coastal walks and a relaxed day exploring the area around Playa Blanca.

You could visit the Papagayo beaches, explore the resort's seafront or take in the views around the island's southern headlands.

EASTERN LANZAROTE

The east coast includes the capital, Arrecife, as well as the popular resorts of Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen.

You can explore the capital's waterfront, visit the historic Castillo de San José, enjoy the beaches or spend time discovering the restaurants and shops along the coast.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU ALLOW TO EXPLORE LANZAROTE?

If you are visiting for a week, you have plenty of time to explore different parts of the island without spending every day in the car.

A simple approach would be to dedicate one day to the north, one to the volcanic landscapes in the west and southwest, and another to the beaches and attractions in the south. You could then use any remaining time to explore the centre and east, revisit your favourite places or simply relax.

Even if you are staying in one resort for your entire holiday, you can reach many of the island's best-known attractions without travelling enormous distances.

That is one of Lanzarote's biggest advantages: you can enjoy a relaxing beach holiday while still having the opportunity to discover a great deal of the island.

IS IT WORTH HIRING A CAR IN LANZAROTE?

If you enjoy exploring independently, hiring a car can be an excellent way to see more of Lanzarote.

You can travel at your own pace, stop at viewpoints, discover smaller villages and visit places that may not be included in an organised excursion.

However, you do not necessarily need a car for your entire holiday. If you are staying in a resort with plenty of restaurants, beaches and entertainment within walking distance, you might prefer to hire one for just a day or two.

Organised excursions and public transport are also options, depending on where you want to go.

Before setting off, check your route, allow extra time for stops and remember that some attractions have restricted access or designated visitor routes.

SO, IS LANZAROTE BIGGER THAN YOU THINK?

Lanzarote is approximately 37 miles long from north to south and around 13–16 miles across at its widest east-to-west span. You can drive from the northern end to the southern end in roughly an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, while crossing much of the island from east to west may take around 20–40 minutes.

You cannot drive along the entire coastline, but you can plan a circular road trip taking in many of its coastal areas, resorts and inland attractions.

And that is perhaps the best thing about Lanzarote. It is small enough to explore without spending your entire holiday travelling, yet big enough to offer a different experience every time you venture out.

Whether you want volcanic landscapes, quiet villages, beautiful beaches, spectacular viewpoints or lively holiday resorts, there is a remarkable amount to discover within a relatively short distance.

So, next time you visit Lanzarote, why not venture a little further than your usual resort? You might be surprised by just how much of the island is waiting to be explored.

Have you driven around Lanzarote and discovered somewhere unexpected? Share your favourite places and road-trip tips with us!