The Canaries – Number One for Sun
The Canary Islands are Europe’s best option for anyone looking to escape the bleak UK winter in search of the sun. Of the seven islands, Tenerife is a clear winner when it comes to guaranteed sun.
Research conducted by Spain’s National Statistics Institute has revealed the country’s hottest, sunniest and wettest locations for last year (2006)…
The Canary Islands
Located off the north west coast off Africa, close to the Sahara Desert, it’s no surprise that the Canaries have the best climate in Europe.
Unlike mainland Spain, the Canaries have a genuine year-round warm season. Southern Andalucia is of course much warmer and sunnier than Britain but can get genuinely cold during the winter months. The south of Spain is however, a very pleasant location if you want to escape the November drizzle and darkness.
The Canaries appear to have the lowest rainfall in Spain, which is good news for holidaymakers but perhaps not too good for the local farmers.
Fuerteventura was the driest in 2006 with just 63.1mm of rain falling at the airport. Next came Lanzarote and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where they received around twice the amount of rainfall as Fuerteventura.
Tenerife
According to the figures Tenerife, the largest Canary Island, came out tops. In 2006 it had an average temperature in of 21.8 degrees centigrade – the highest in the island group. It also had the most sunshine – a staggering 3,565 hours in the year, the same as ten hours every day.
Other Hotspots
Lanzarote followed closely behind Tenerife in terms of temperature. Rota, in Cadiz province in the south west of Spain was the sunniest location on the mainland. Last year the local “gaditanos” received a blazing 3,010 hours of sunshine.
Cold and Wet Spain
If you get tired of all that sunshine and want some genuine cold and damp, head inland. Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe and because of the altitudes can get very cold.
The coldest place in Spain last year was Puerto de Navacerrada ski station, located in the Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains, north of Madrid. The average temperature was a chilling 7.9 degrees for the whole year. Izaña de Tenerife at 2300m in altitude was nearly as cold.
The wettest part of Spain last year was the Labacoa near Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, northern Spain. The town was drenched with well over two metres of rain.
Many other towns in this lush green region suffered a similar fate.
The darkest regions were all along the Costa Verde (Green Coast) in the north of the country. Asturias, Bilbao and Cantabria received less than half the sunshine of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Investing in Tenerife
Tenerife has excellent potential both as a place to live and a place to invest. It has a very high quality of life along with great rental potential.
One of the best ways to research properties and locations on the island is to use the Internet. Any Tenerife Property Search will give you access to property listings, local area information, investment advice, buying guides, mortgage advice and numerous property related articles.
If you’re eager to escape the dark and dismal UK climate for good, Tenerife is clearly the place to buy.
Property for sale in Tenerife
Here’s a few example of what you’ll find online…
Costa del Silencio, Tenerife
2 bed Apartments
An apartment on an older complex, well maintained and ideal for holiday rentals. The property comprises, 2 bedrooms with fitted wardrobes…
Sale Price: €94.500
Guargacho, Tenerife
2 bed Apartments
4 two bed apartments; various floor levels; with community roof terrace and utility room…
Sale Price: €111.000
El Fraile, Tenerife
2 bed Apartments
Two bed apartment; new furniture and doors (in oak); everything new inc. kitchen…