Looking for reliable sunshine and low rainfall?  Then take a closer look at Lanzarote – a cool, little Canary Island that has managed to escape the excesses of over development that have so scarred other holiday hot spots largely unscathed.

Lanzarote looked set to endure a concrete burial during the 1970´s as tractors and mixers moved across the Costas and the other Canary Islands.  But fortunately the islands favourite son, Cesar Manrique, came to the rescue.  Arguing that in the long term tourism would be best served by a more considered approach. 

How right he was, as now Lanzarote can boast that it is largely untouched by tourist development.  With no high rise hotels or complexes blotting the landscape.  Whilst near neighbours such as Tenerife have been all but swallowed up.  This intelligent approach has ensured that Lanzarote has also managed to retain much of its identity intact, making it a really unspoiled option.

Holidays in Lanzarote still appear in the travel brochures of the main tour operators though and the island welcomed over one million visitors last year despite the economic crisis.  But these guests are all well contained in the islands three main holiday resorts, located in the south.  Whilst the north remain much as it has for centuries.  With plenty of agricultural activity still going on.

For those who prefer the convenience of a holiday resort then there are plenty of Lanzarote villas and hotels available.  Especially in Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen.  As well as a good selection of well priced apartment accommodation.  But for those in search of something different then the countryside offers plenty of possibilities. Such as the islands only eco friendly accommodation, Finca de Arrieta, which runs exclusively on solar and wind power.  And where guests can even pick their own organic fruit and veg from the gardens.

There are also some charming rental properties to be found in the small village of Haria, located in the heart of the Valley of 1000 Palms.  Such as the popular Finca La Crucita, home to eight individual villas all named after local villages.

Such is the appeal of the island that many visitors end up buying into the Lanzarote property market – either to secure their own holiday bolthole or to rent out to other tourists.  As the islands twelve month rental season is a real magnet for overseas investors.  Apartments currently start from as little as €45,000, whilst basic villas cost upwards of €200,000.