Explore Canary Islands
Volcanic landscapes, Atlantic beaches and outdoor living give each island its own rhythm.
About Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are the answer if you want warmth all year. Off the coast of Africa, they have spring-like weather in every month: January afternoons above 20 degrees and summers that stay milder than in southern Spain. No other part of Spain comes close in winter.
Each island has its own character. Tenerife has Mount Teide, a sunny, international south around Costa Adeje and a greener, more Spanish north around Puerto de la Cruz. Gran Canaria combines the lively city of Las Palmas with beach resorts in the south. Lanzarote is volcanic and calm, Fuerteventura has endless beaches and wind for surfers, and La Gomera is small, green and quiet. Every island has an airport, and ferries link them all.
Prices sit below the Balearics: Costa Adeje is the most expensive at around €5,309/m², and Las Palmas asks around €2,915/m². Taxes are favourable too, with a 6.5% transfer tax on resale homes and a lower sales tax than on the mainland.
What to know first
- The warmest winters in Spain, with January afternoons above 20 degrees
- Seven islands with very different characters, from lively Tenerife and Gran Canaria to quiet La Gomera
- Cheaper than the Balearics, with Costa Adeje the most expensive area
- Low taxes: a 6.5% transfer tax on resale homes and a lower sales tax than on the mainland
- Strict rules on holiday rentals since 2025
Asking prices compared
Ranked on asking price per m². Municipalities and sub-municipal entries are listed apart, because a district cannot be ranked against the municipality that contains it.
| Place | Asking price / m² | Population | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole municipalities | |||
| Puerto de la Cruz | €3,475/m² | 31,589 | Mid |
| Las Palmas | €2,915/m² | 384,023 | Mid |
| Districts, nuclei and urbanisations | |||
| Costa Adeje Area of Adeje | €5,309/m² | 20,666 | Premium |
| Islands | |||
| Fuerteventura Island, Canary Islands | Not priced | 129,080 | No data |
| Gran Canaria Island, Canary Islands | Not priced | 875,589 | No data |
| La Gomera Island, Canary Islands | Not priced | 22,560 | No data |
| Lanzarote Island, Canary Islands | Not priced | 166,878 | No data |
| Tenerife Island, Canary Islands | Not priced | 966,469 | No data |
How the prices spread
Costa Adeje, in Tenerife's sunny south, is the most expensive area, a resort with many international buyers. Puerto de la Cruz, in Tenerife's greener north, asks clearly less, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the islands' largest city, less again. Prices on Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Gomera vary by town and are shown on their island pages.
The table shows average asking prices, not sale prices. Within one town, prices can vary a lot from one area to the next.
Who each part suits
Sun all year in a resort
Tenerife's sunny south, with beaches, golf, restaurants and a large international community.
A real city with beaches
The islands' largest city, with a city beach, culture and everyday Spanish life, at lower prices.
A greener, more Spanish Tenerife
A historic town on the green north coast, with a more local atmosphere and lower prices than the south.
Volcanic landscapes and calm
Lava fields, white villages and a relaxed pace, with a long-established international community.
Beaches and wind
Endless beaches and dunes, perfect for surfing and kitesurfing, and the sunniest weather of all.
Nature and quiet
A small, green island of hiking trails and forest, reached by ferry from Tenerife.
Cities in Canary Islands
Browse properties by city
Tenerife
Canary Islands
Population 966.469
Gran Canaria
Canary Islands
Population 875.589
Las Palmas
Canary Islands
€2,915/m² · Population 384.023
Lanzarote
Canary Islands
Population 166.878
Fuerteventura
Canary Islands
Population 129.080
Costa Adeje
Canary Islands
€5,309/m² · Population 20.666
Puerto de la Cruz
Canary Islands
€3,475/m² · Population 31.589
La Gomera
Canary Islands
Population 22.560
The case for
- The warmest winters in Spain
January afternoons above 20 degrees, with very few rainy days.
- Milder summers than southern Spain
The ocean keeps summer afternoons below those of Seville or Mallorca.
- Low taxes
A 6.5% transfer tax on resale homes and a lower sales tax than VAT on the mainland.
- Cheaper than the Balearics
Most towns ask less per square metre than anywhere on the Balearic Islands.
- Cheap travel for residents
Registered residents get a large discount on flights and ferries to the rest of Spain.
The case against
- Far from mainland Europe
Flights to northern Europe take around four hours or more.
- No trains
Apart from a tram in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you get around by car, bus, ferry and plane.
- Strict holiday-rental rules
Since 2025, municipalities decide where holiday rentals are allowed, and new-build homes can't be let to tourists for ten years.
- Climate differs within an island
On Tenerife the north is greener and cloudier than the sunny south, so the exact location matters.
- Smaller islands mean fewer services
On La Gomera, specialist hospital care means crossing to Tenerife.
Questions buyers ask
- How warm is it in winter?
- January afternoons are typically between 20 and 22 degrees, several degrees warmer than in Seville or on Mallorca.
- Which island suits me?
- Tenerife or Gran Canaria for the most choice and services; Lanzarote for calm and volcanic landscapes; Fuerteventura for beaches and water sports; La Gomera for nature and quiet.
- What taxes do I pay when buying?
- On a resale home, a 6.5% transfer tax (lower for a qualifying main home). New-build homes carry the Canary sales tax, IGIC, which is lower than mainland VAT. Ask a tax adviser about your situation.
- Can I let my home to tourists?
- Only where the municipality allows it, and at most around 10% of homes per municipality as a rule. New-build homes can't be let to tourists for ten years. Check before you buy.
- The Canary Islands or the Balearics?
- The Canaries are clearly warmer in winter and generally cheaper. The Balearics are closer to the rest of Europe and have a stronger international market.
- How do I travel between the islands?
- By ferry or by short flights. Every island has an airport, and there are also ferries to the mainland from Cádiz.
Where you might be better off elsewhere
If you want to be closer to the rest of Europe, with shorter flights, the Balearic Islands or the Costa del Sol are the alternatives, though with cooler winters. If budget matters most, the Costa de Almería is the cheapest Mediterranean coast and has some of the mildest winters on the mainland. And if you love island life but want more of a Mediterranean feel, look at Mallorca.