Introduction to Tenerife

In our blogs it is our aim to not only keep you, our valued clients informed on property purchase here in Tenerife, but also, on a regular basis to brief you on current events, news, attractions, and all aspects of the Tenerife “ living” and “holiday” scene. Our first blog is a basic introduction to the island and a little about the progress of construction and development since the island became a prominent holiday and property investment name.

The Canary Islands, many often say are “the ultimate winter holiday destination, and definitely somewhere in the world I would love to purchase a property one day”. If you are a holidaymaker, the choice is rather simpler. Each time you take a break you can try a different island, and more often than not it would be one of the 4 pre-dominant islands, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote. That’s not going to break the bank, and if you choose wrongly, and if your choice of island doesn’t come up to your expectations, you have other alternatives for your next holiday. If on the other hand you are going to invest what are possible your lifetime savings in that dream property overseas, you need to be sure your choice is wisely made, and that island has all the requisites for that perfect second home in the sun.

I personally chose Tenerife in 1976, for a winter holiday. I then purchased an apartment in the south of the island in Playa de las Americas, and apart from spending various terms of residence here in the 80´s and 90´s I finally made the island my permanent home in 1999.

In between, I have also lived and worked in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, and visited Gran Canaria and the smaller island of La Gomera on a number of occasions. All of these islands have their own character and charm, and traits of their own, but none really have ALL the facilities, attractions, and cultured, sophisticated and cosmopolitan style of Tenerife. In my opinion of course!

And despite having visited some wonderful holiday destinations throughout the world, I can truly say that nowhere compares with the island of Tenerife for idyllic living. It really does have everything!

The islands have grown in popularity since the late 1960`s, and really started to take off when the warm winter climate holidays became fashionable in the 1970´s. The north of the island of Tenerife, and its famous resort of Puerto de la Cruz, has been a holiday destination, for the British, and other Europeans, since Victorian days, and with the advent of a post war airport, near the island capital of Santa Cruz, it soon became known as the pearl of the Canaries. In 1978, however, the new airport in the South, named after the Queen of Spain, Reina Sofia, was opened and the island of Tenerife was to encounter some massive changes. First and foremost, the south of the island with warmer temperatures, and more sunny days, all through the year had begun its development, and this is where the “boom” really took place, and the transformation from north to south began. Within a few short years foreign holidaymakers who had a found a new “pearl” in the Atlantic Ocean wanted a small piece of it, not just for holidays, but for retirement, and some even yearned to become employed or start their own business in order to be able to live permanently in these “Fortunate Islands”.

It may be interesting to read what other neutral media and press reports say about Tenerife, its magic, charm, and truly cosmopolitan ambience! Here are some links…..which cover Tenerife’s famous fiestas and carnivals, some of the islands hidden treasures, and what to do in Tenerife.

Watch out for out next blog which will cover the primary investment and resort areas of Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Americas, Costa Adeje, and the popular areas of San Eugenio and Torviscas, and all the local amenities.