The number of registered holiday rental properties (VV) in the Canary Islands has risen sharply, reaching 48,168 by the end of March 2025, which is an increase of 6.3% compared to the same month in 2024.
These figures, released by the Canary Islands Institute of Statistics (ISTAC), mark the second-highest total in the historical series dating back to 2019.
The only month to surpass it was December 2024, when 50,398 properties were recorded, reflecting the traditional seasonal spike during the Christmas holidays.
Holiday rental activity continues to be a significant component of the tourism sector in the archipelago. Currently, there are more than 201,665 beds available in holiday rental properties across the islands, representing a 4% increase over March 2024. Of these properties, an impressive 95% received at least one booking during March, according to ISTAC’s analysis of listings on digital platforms.
Tenerife has the largest share of holiday rental properties, accounting for 41% of the total, followed by Gran Canaria with 22%, and then Lanzarote and Fuerteventura each with 16%.
The rise in numbers is particularly notable in two municipalities in the south of Tenerife: Arona and Adeje, which top the list with 4,407 and 4,123 registered properties, respectively.
These are followed by San Bartolomé de Tirajana (3,631) in Gran Canaria, La Oliva (3,553) in Fuerteventura, Yaiza (2,392) in Lanzarote, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (2,476).
Despite the widespread presence of holiday rentals throughout the archipelago, all 88 municipalities have at least some, there are notable contrasts in scale. The smallest numbers are found in rural or less tourist-heavy areas such as Artenara, with only 30 registered properties, Betancuria (35), La Victoria de Acentejo (37), and San Andrés y Sauces (38).
The continuous expansion of the holiday rental market in the Canary Islands is sparking ongoing debate about its impact on local housing availability and affordability. Some municipalities are now considering new regulations, including proposals to give residents more say in approving future holiday rental licences.
