An island for less than the cost of a tiny city apartment? Escape to Scandinavia or Great Britain

Ever thought of buying an island in the Atlantic Ocean, in places that usually don’t come to mind like Scandinavia or Great Britain? Now might be the right time to secure a green slice of untouched northern paradise for the cost of a city apartment.

While tropical isles, of course, may have their own special allure and dreamy vibe, prices in North Europe can be much more affordable and it is possible to snatch a corner of Nordic peace at costs usually unimaginable when it comes to owning private isles.

In Scandinavia most private islands on sale rise out of lakes and offer an adventurous Robinson Crusoe-style retreat for nature lovers. And they’re already developed.

In Finland's pristine lake district the tiny lake island of Salonpaa is up for US$108,500 through Vladi Private Islands real estate agency. Rising out of clear waters surrounded by sandy shores, the island comes with a typical Finnish wooden cottage of roughly 40 square metres featuring a large terrace, a living room, a sleeping alcove, an old smoke sauna and a woodshed and storage room.

“Scandinavia has lots to offer in terms of pristine nature, absolute privacy and feeling of safety, tranquillity and silence for owners who can enjoy the bliss of living outdoors. Even a tiny isle in a lake, with a single log cabin, can be precious,” says Farhad Vladi, founder and CEO of Vladi Private Islands that handles the sale and rent of private isles across the world. In this corner of the world, palm trees and baby-powder beaches are replaced by stunning sceneries and the spectacle of the Northern Lights.

Another great deal can be found in Northern Ireland, where the six-acre Crehan Island is on the market for offers of roughly £85,000-£90,000 (US$108,000-US$114,400). An ideal spot for bird watchers, its wooden cabin is surrounded by oak and beech trees and comes with a private wooden jetty providing a safe harbour for private sailing boats and small yachts.

At a higher price, €160,000 (US$181,300), Scandinavia fans can opt for charming Paskosaari private island dotted with blueberry bushes and lichen, featuring a log cabin, sauna, storage building for boating equipment and woodshed. It's located in the breathtaking Lake Suvasvesi, the third deepest body of water in Finland.

North European private islands offer the possibility of practising many water sports in total privacy and being one with mother nature, says Vladi. Despite their isolation, they’re usually also well connected with cosy villages and picturesque folklore towns. A lake is of course different from a seaside location, but has it own wild, alternative appeal, he adds.

If the idea of buying a whole island seems a bit over the top and you just don’t want the hassle of looking after another property, you can always rent an isle for a night or long stay. Majorsgrund isle in Finland can be rented to groups of 10 people for €215-€333 (US$215-US$243) per day, depending on the length of the sojourn. Featuring a 90-square metre simple wooden lodge, it’s perfect for a detox holiday. The area around Majorsgrund is one of Finland’s sunniest destinations, offering more than 2,100 hours of sunshine per year.