Lanzarote is the most easterly of the Canary Islands and lies just 70 miles off the coast of Saharan Africa. Creating an enviable year round climate that is characterised by extremely low rainfall (on average of just six days per year) and temperatures that rarely fall below 20c – even in the winter months.
As a result, the island is a popular holiday destination all year round, attracting over one million visitors from the UK and Ireland annually. Drawn to Lanzarote´s ninety plus beaches – the vast majority of which boast fine golden sand.
Where tourism leads, property investment tends to follow. And the strength of the islands tourist industry has created a buoyant market for property for sale in Lanzarote . With many overseas investors enjoying year round rental returns from holiday villa and apartment rentals. Whilst over 5,000 British expats now reside on the island full time – accounting for around 6% of Lanzarote´s total population.
In terms of relocation this is as far south as you can go and still, technically and administratively speaking, find yourself within Europe. So relocating to Lanzarote is a straightforward business for any EU citizen – as there are no visa requirements or restrictions.
Islanders and indeed the broader Spanish population are somewhat mystified by Lanzarote´s cheap and cheerful reputation in the UK. As the island enjoys an upmarket image domestically and is the favourite holiday destination of worthies such as the Prime Minister. Whilst the King maintains an official holiday residence on the island.
Lanzarote is also relatively unspoilt in relation to other Spanish sunspots. And boasts an enormous amount of natural beauty – from the eerie volcanic landscapes of the Timanfaya National Park in the south through to the verdant palm packed valleys in the North of the island.
The development of tourism on Lanzarote has in fact been carefully controlled – thanks largely to the efforts of the island born artist and architect César Manrique whose influence ensures that there are no advertising hoardings or high rise buildings scarring the landscape.
Indeed Manrique illuminated an alternative path for the evolution of the island back in the 1970´s – by creating a unique range of tourist attractions that fuse art with nature. Such as the incredible underground grotto at the Jameos del Agua and his own breathtaking house and studio built into five volcanic bubbles in Tahiche.
As a result, Lanzarote remains an attractive destination for both property investment and relocation. Providing a year round outdoor lifestyle – but just four hours flying time from the UK. With a warm and welcoming local population, low crime rates and a much lower cost of living than in Britain.
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