The Canary Islands – Multiple Choice Question

More UK tourists visit the Canary Islands than from any other country, and overseas property investors are spoilt for choice, with four main islands vying for attention.

All of the Canary Islands are just a four hour flight away from the UK and share year-round sunshine, tempting British holidaymakers more than any other.

There were nearly 15 million visitors to the Canary Islands in 2016 according to the Canarian tourism board, a figure up by around 11 per cent on the previous year.

But which one should you choose?

Tenerife

The original Canary Island holiday destination, popular with British holidaymakers since the dawn of package holidays in the 60s, Tenerife is also the largest of the islands.

More tourists travel to Tenerife than any other Canary Island, around 5.7 million of the near 15 million overall visitors to the islands in 2016.

Many of the budget airlines, including new kids on the block such as Jet2 and Norwegian have announced extra flights to cope with demand.

Most overseas property investors tend to look for property in the south of the island, near the airport, to help ensure a steady flow of renters.

Lanzarote

The smallest of the four Canary Islands, measuring just 37 miles long by 12 miles wide, Lanzarote has long been a favourite holiday haunt.

However, far from its original ‘cheap and cheerful’ reputation, Lanzarote is now forging a new identity as the upmarket Canary Island.

With boutique hotels, eco-villages and vineyards the island is starting to attract a younger crowd.

Property investors tend to stick to the established resorts such as Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and the slightly quieter Playa Blanca.

Gran Canaria

All things to all property investors probably best describes Gran Canaria. From the lively resorts around Maspalomas in the south, to the rainforest-like north. Whilst inbetween lies the cosmipolitan capital of Las Palmas.

Many overseas property investors from the UK flock to Playa del Ingles (The English Beach) in the south of the island.

Golf courses and the shopping centre of Yumbo Centrum in Maspalomas where apartments can be found for around €120,000 draw the attention of property buyers looking for a bargain. Even small bungalows start from around €150,000.

Fuerteventura

Despite being the second largest island after Tenerife, Fuerteventura has not been a holiday destination for as long as the others, and is still one of the least populated islands.

Known as the quietest of the Canary islands, Fuerteventura boasts no fewer than 152 beaches – including those of the Isla de Lobos, North of Fuerteventura – and bargain property buys can be found not far from one.

The capital, Puerto del Rosario can currently offer new three-bedroom apartments for under €70,000. Even Villaverde, known as the rich part of the island with its impressive villas, has new one-bedroom apartments on offer starting at just €100,000 with expected rental yields of €500 per week in peak season.

For overseas property investors, the Canary Islands can be a safe all-year-round bet, you just need to decide which one!