Canary Island where everyone from Norway seems to holiday - not Tenerife or Lanzarote

The Canary Islands have long been a go to destination for holidaying Brits, but it seems one of them is a firm favourite with another nationality. A good 60% of 500,000 Norwegians a year visiting the Spanish archipelago choose Gran Canaria, according to its tourist board. Many end up in the south western Mogán area, The Telegraph writes, with Arguineguín also reportedly a popular place for people from the Scandinavian countries to go for a winter break. Real estate experts at Cardenas reported in 2013 that 3,000 Norwegians live there all year round, and another 5,000 overwinter.

Canary Island tourist officials add that over the past 60 years, Gran Canaria has "morphed into the best tourist destination in the world for Scandinavians." In 2024, Norwegian Air opened a new permanent base at Gran Canaria Airport, representing a 17.9% increase in seat availability compared to the previous winter’s seasonal operations, Canarian Weekly reports.

Two years ago, a Brit took to Reddit, writing: "I’m from the UK and I was in Gran Canaria for a week or so and I swear every person was from Norway. Some were a bit impolite to say the least."

One person replied: "It's Norway's Florida."

Another person, who seemed to be Norwegian themselves, wrote: "It's a penalty colony where we send old people if they become impolite.

"Just glad they're not here. And please be impolite in return. Their lack of Spanish skills is always a sore point. Enjoy!"

A different account defended their countrymen. It said: "The reason Brits find us Norwegians impolite is due to cultural differences.

"We like it in our own bubble and see no reason to interact with complete strangers... does not mean that we are impolite."

Another commenter wrote: "Norwegians aren't a different species you know, we go on vacations like everyone else.

"Gran Canaria is from my understanding, about 20 years since I was there) fairly cheap to travel to. Greece is also a very popular location for Norwegians."

A different Norwegian provided some more insight, writing: "Lots of people don't like the long and cold winters we have here, which is fine. Gran Canaria or Granka wich is the slang seems to fulfill most people's needs for sun and warmth.

"Personally I love the freezing winters. The whole country turns into a playground!"