Ironman Lanzarote 2026: Where to Stay

Ironman Lanzarote takes place on May 23, 2026 in Puerto del Carmen. A 3.8 km ocean swim, 180 km bike through volcanic terrain with relentless wind, and a 42.2 km marathon under the Canarian sun. Athletes from over 50 countries race it every year, and it has a reputation as one of the hardest full-distance triathlons on the calendar. The bike course alone has over 2,500 metres of climbing, most of it exposed to trade winds that never let up.

What is Ironman Lanzarote?

The race has been running since 1992 and it consistently ranks among the toughest Ironman events in the world. The swim starts at Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen, a two-lap ocean course in the Atlantic. The bike heads north through the volcanic interior, climbs to Mirador del Rio at the northern tip of the island, then returns south through Timanfaya and the wine region before finishing back in Puerto del Carmen. The marathon is a multi-lap course along the coast between Puerto del Carmen and Playa Honda.

What makes Lanzarote different from other Ironman races is the combination of heat, wind, and terrain. There is almost no flat road on the bike course. The landscape is barren volcanic rock with zero shade. Trade winds hit you on every exposed section. Finishing this race is a serious achievement at any pace.

Why is Costa Teguise a good base for Ironman Lanzarote?

Costa Teguise is quieter than Puerto del Carmen, which gets packed and chaotic during race week. Hotels near the start line charge premium prices and sell out months in advance. Costa Teguise gives you everything you need. A full supermarket (Spar, 3 minutes on foot from Casa Los Alisios), restaurants at Pueblo Marinero, a pharmacy, and actual space to breathe during the most stressful week of your racing year.

The bike course passes through Costa Teguise on its way north, so your support crew can watch the cyclists from the roadside without fighting the crowds at Puerto del Carmen. They can cheer you on as the peloton passes through town, then drive south to catch you at the finish.

Costa Teguise also has a proper beach for recovery. Playa El Ancla is 10 minutes on foot, with calm, sheltered water perfect for the day after the race when your body is wrecked and you just need to float. For more on the local beaches, see our guide to Costa Teguise beaches.

How far is Costa Teguise from the Ironman start in Puerto del Carmen?

20 minutes by car via the LZ-2 motorway. The distance is about 15 kilometres. On race morning, the roads are quiet because the race does not start until 07:00 and the motorway does not close. Leave by 05:30 and you will be at the race venue with time to spare for transition setup.

Free parking is available near the race venue at Puerto del Carmen, but it fills up early on race day. The Ironman Expo and bike check-in happen at the Hotel Fariones area in the days before the race. Plan to make 2-3 trips to Puerto del Carmen during race week for registration, bike check-in, and the race itself.

Lanzarote Airport (ACE) is 15 minutes from Casa Los Alisios. Most European airlines fly direct. You can pick up a rental car at the airport and be at the villa within 20 minutes of clearing arrivals.

Where can I store my bike and gear in Costa Teguise?

Casa Los Alisios has a secure, dedicated storage room. Your bike, wheels, tools, wetsuit, race bags, and all the gear you haul to an Ironman fits inside with the door locked. No hotel corridor, no dragging a bike through a lobby, no leaving a 5,000 EUR time trial bike on a balcony overnight.

Parking is right at the doorstep. You load the bike directly from the storage room into the car. On race morning, that saves you 15 minutes of stress compared to wrestling a bike box through a hotel. The entire villa is single level with no steps anywhere. After 226 km, stairs are the last thing you want.

The villa sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms, so bring your support crew or training partners. The full kitchen handles meal prep and race nutrition. The WiFi is 1 Gb mesh with Cat6 ethernet, solid enough for uploading training data, video calls with your coach, or streaming the live race tracker while your crew waits at the villa.

Can I train from Costa Teguise before race day?

Yes, and it is a good spot for it.

Swimming: Playa de Las Cucharas is the main open water training spot for triathletes in Costa Teguise. The water is choppy with wind chop and small waves, which is realistic preparation for the race swim. It is a 40-minute walk from the villa, or a 5-minute drive. For calmer water, El Ancla is 10 minutes on foot.

Cycling: The Ironman bike course runs along the LZ-1 near Costa Teguise. You can ride sections of the actual course from the villa. The roads in Lanzarote are well-maintained with wide shoulders. Traffic is light outside the main towns. The terrain north of Costa Teguise towards Arrieta and Haria gives you climbing practice on quiet roads.

Running: The coastal path from Costa Teguise is flat and runs for several kilometres along the shore. Good for easy recovery runs. For hillier terrain, head inland towards the Montanas de Teguise. The coastal promenade towards Arrecife also gives you a long, flat route with bike lane alongside.

How do I get from the villa to the race on race day?

Drive. 20 minutes on the LZ-2, no tolls, straightforward route. Leave by 05:30 at the latest. The race start is at 07:00 and you need time for transition setup, body marking, and the usual pre-race routine.

Your support crew can follow a different schedule. The bike course passes through Costa Teguise around mid-morning (depending on your pace), so they can watch from the roadside in town. Then they drive to Puerto del Carmen to catch the marathon and the finish. Having a car at the villa means they are flexible all day.

After the race, the 20-minute drive back to the villa is far more comfortable than trying to walk to a Puerto del Carmen hotel on destroyed legs. You collapse on the sofa, your crew brings you food from the kitchen, and you do not move until morning.

What else can I do during Ironman race week?

Race week is mostly about staying calm, eating well, and not doing anything stupid with your legs. Costa Teguise is ideal for that. Here is what fills the days:

• Monday/Tuesday: registration and Ironman Expo in Puerto del Carmen (20-minute drive). Browse the expo, attend athlete briefings, collect your race pack.
• Wednesday: bike check-in at transition in Puerto del Carmen. Short shakeout swim at El Ancla or Las Cucharas to stay loose.
• Thursday: rest day. Walk to Spar for last-minute nutrition supplies (3 minutes). Prep meals in the villa kitchen. Pre-ride the first 10 km of the bike course if you need to settle nerves.
• Friday: light spin and swim. Final equipment check. Carb-load dinner at the villa or at Pueblo Marinero restaurants.
• Saturday race day: leave at 05:30. Race. Return to villa. Collapse.
• Sunday: recovery float at El Ancla. Sit by the communal pool. Eat everything in the fridge.

If you are extending your trip, the Famara cliffs are 20 minutes north for hiking with incredible views of La Graciosa island. The Wine Run Lanzarote in June is another event worth considering if you want to come back for a more relaxed race through the volcanic vineyards of La Geria.

There is also a dedicated office at the villa with a motorized sit-stand desk and ergonomic chair if you are combining Ironman week with remote work. The 1 Gb WiFi holds up for video calls and large file uploads without issues.