Although the Spanish real estate boom is being led by the Costa del Sol, southern Gran Canaria remains a crucial safe haven for foreign investors, especially Swedish investors. The latest Bjurfors Spain Index for September 2025 reveals that, while the Málaga region (up 3,7% monthly) is grabbing the headlines, the Canary Islands have managed to reverse the slight declines of August with modest but significant growth and underlying strength that is attractive for long-term capital.
The Canary Islands recorded a price increase of +0,2% in September, bringing its year-on-year growth to a robust +13,5%. This data confirms that, even in a traditionally quiet month, demand, driven by Swedish and North American buyers, is keeping prices up in popular areas, such as the coveted villa and apartment market in Maspalomas and surrounding areas.
With an average price per square meter of €3.084/m², the Canary Islands rank as the third most expensive market in the index, surpassed only by Malaga and the Balearic Islands. This high value reflects the scarcity of developable land and the high perceived quality of the properties, especially those geared toward vacation homes and long-term personal use. Irja Amolin, interim CEO of Bjurfors, emphasizes that foreign buyers remain "very active" and that demand for attractive homes for personal use and "long-term investments" remains strong. This is the key to understanding the resilience of southern Gran Canaria:
Although the south is a hotspot for tourist rentals, demand appears to be driven by private use and investment seeking climate and legal security, which differentiates it from other areas more sensitive to fluctuations in vacation rentals. The recent appreciation of the Swedish krona against the euro has made acquiring properties in Maspalomas more advantageous for Nordic investors than at the beginning of the year, acting as a catalyst for purchases. The report introduces a risk factor: the possible slowdown in tourism in 2025 (after the record 2024). Theoretically, this should "cool down the more rental-oriented areas."
However, in the context of Gran Canaria, the impact could be nuanced. If Nordic and foreign buyers are prioritizing purchases for personal use or capital investment over intensive short-term rentals, the Maspalomas market could show greater stability in the face of a potential drop in the influx of occasional tourists. The focus remains on properties with "good communications" and in "popular" areas, requirements that the infrastructure and air connectivity of southern Gran Canaria more than meet. For economic operators in Maspalomas, the trend is clear: capital continues to flow to the south of the island, valuing stability, long-term profitability, and quality of life over quick rental profits, consolidating Gran Canaria as an essential part of the European real estate portfolio of Nordic investors.
