AI synthesis with sources · 4 min · edition 2027
Lanzarote logistics: flights, bike, accommodation and family with no surprises
It's a race on a small, in-demand island: book late and you'll pay more and sleep further away; here are the decisions to make and when.
Lanzarote is logistically one of the easiest full-distance races in Europe, on one condition: move early. The island is small, the race is famous, and in 2027 — the 35th anniversary and its Pro Series debut under a new name — demand will likely be higher than usual.
Getting to the island
Lanzarote airport (ACE) is served by direct flights from many European cities and sits about 10 minutes by taxi from Puerto del Carmen. That's one of the big perks of this race: no endless transfers, no risky connections.
For your bike you have two options:
- Hard case on your flight: book the bike slot as soon as you buy your ticket. Check the airline's policies: they change, and in May bike slots on flights to ACE sell out.
- Specialist bike courier: convenient, but book well in advance — the island is small and these services have limited capacity.
Either way: arrive with your bike at least two full days before the race, to leave margin for delays and to reassemble and test it without rushing.
Where to stay
Three options, in order of convenience for the athlete:
1. Puerto del Carmen: swim start, transition and finish are all within walking distance. It's the obvious choice, which is why it needs booking 9 or more months in advance. For 2027 that means: as soon as your entry is confirmed. 2. Costa Teguise: about 15 km away. A good alternative if Puerto del Carmen is full, but you'll need a car and a race-morning plan to deal with road closures. 3. Club La Santa, on the north coast: for 34 years it was the race's historic base (the 2026 edition was the last under that name). A fully equipped sports resort, ideal if you want a training block beforehand, but far from the race venue on competition day.
Practical call: if you're coming just to race, Puerto del Carmen. If you're coming a week early to acclimatise and train, consider La Santa for the first few days and Puerto del Carmen for the last three.
Family and spectators
This race is generous to supporters:
- The Puerto del Carmen seafront is the best spot: the marathon passes three times out and back, with laps close together. Your family sees you six or more times without moving.
- For the bike, the spectacular spots are Timanfaya and the Mirador del Río, but beware: roads on the course close. Anyone wanting to drive around needs to study closure times and alternative routes in advance, as the spectator guides point out.
- Lanzarote is a genuine holiday destination: beaches, Timanfaya national park, La Geria. For the family, the pre-race days are no sacrifice.
Road closures: the detail that catches you out
On race day, much of the island's road network is affected by closures. If you're staying outside Puerto del Carmen, plan to get to transition with plenty of margin and check where to park. Detailed information on timings and closures isn't available in the current race info: check the official athlete guide when it's released.
Decision checklist, in order
1. Entry → immediately after, accommodation in Puerto del Carmen (9+ months out). 2. Flight with a bike slot or courier booking. 3. Rental car: yes if you're staying outside Puerto del Carmen or if the family wants to get around; book this early too. 4. Spectator plan: seafront as home base, a trip out to Timanfaya only if you've studied the closures. 5. Arrival on the island: at least 2-3 days before; a week if you want to acclimatise to the heat and ride sections of the bike course.