Here are my take-aways from why the Canary Islands are a wonderful place to base yourself.
- Great weather all year round. The islands enjoy very mild winters. Although they do get the odd storm or cloudy day, temperatures usually hover around 20-30 degrees Celsius even during the winter months.
- Great connections. Connections between the islands are easy either by plane or boat. Over the past few years, new routes between the islands and nearby Morocco and Madeira (an island that is part of Portugal) have been launched. Flights to mainland Spain are also frequent. Search flights with Kiwi here and get 10€ off!
- They are part of Spain, so part of the EU and Schengen area. This is great if you are lucky enough to hold an EU passport. If you do not, you can investigate other visa options that might be available to you. If you already hold a Schengen visa, Spanish resident permit or a passport issued by an exempt country such as the USA or UK, you do not need any additional paperwork to visit the Canary Islands.
- A relaxed pace of life. Canarians are laid-back and there is never any rush for anything. This helps when managing Spanish bureaucracy and paperwork.
- A low cost of living. Although prices have increased post-Covid, costs of food, groceries and eating out, remain low compared to the rest of Europe or the UK. Due to their low-tax status, alcohol, fragrances, and tobacco are cheap to purchase in the Canary Islands. Spend fee-free with Revolut here.
- Great beaches and things to do for free or low-cost. You do not need much money to live on these islands as you rarely need jumpers and never need a winter coat. Looking for something to do? Take a walk or visit the beach! If you’re feeling more adventurous, see what tours Viator has to offer.
- Time zone – the islands are in the same time zone as the UK and one hour behind mainland Spain. Therefore, for us British and Irish folk, we do not need to worry about adjusting our watches or calling home.
Digital nomad life
The Canary Islands have recently become a popular place for those who work remotely. For most Europeans, the time zone will not be a problem. The islands have also had fibre-optic internet for almost a decade now, and most homes and businesses have Wi-Fi. Although working from the beach may not be practical, there is a small digital nomad community. Try searching for co-working spaces in your area or looking for Facebook or MeetUp groups. Working remotely need not be isolating. If you speak the local language, you will find that locals are usually friendly and accommodating. The islands rely on a certain number of visitors each year and nomads can help give back to the community by supporting local property owners and businesses, getting involved with volunteer opportunities or investing in start-ups.
