The Lanzarote Cabildo has published detailed timings for affected routes and has asked the public to follow provisional signage and instructions from the State Security Forces throughout race day. The island authority has also acknowledged the inconvenience caused and thanked residents and visitors for their cooperation during one of the most significant sporting events in Lanzarote's annual calendar.
About the Event
IRONMAN Lanzarote is Europe's longest-running IRONMAN race, having first taken place in 1992. The 2026 edition marks the 34th running of the event and is expected to attract more than 1,150 athletes from around the world, with over 60 percent of competitors racing on the island for the first time. The course is widely regarded as one of the most demanding on the global IRONMAN circuit, combining strong Atlantic trade winds, volcanic terrain, heat and humidity across a 3.8 kilometre ocean swim, a 180 kilometre cycle route around the island, and a full 42.2 kilometre marathon.
The race begins at 7:00am at Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen, with athletes entering the water in staggered rolling starts. The official cut-off time is 17 hours, with the average competitor finishing between 12 and 13 hours.
Municipalities Affected by Road Closures
Road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place across the majority of the island, including Puerto del Carmen, Tías, Yaiza, Tinajo, San Bartolomé, Teguise, Haría, Costa Teguise and Arrecife. Diversions will particularly affect the LZ-2 between Puerto del Carmen and Arrecife, the LZ-1 between Arrecife and Costa Teguise, the LZ-10 through the north of the island, and the La Geria roads through the wine-growing region.
Puerto del Carmen and Tías
Visitors staying in Puerto del Carmen should expect the most significant disruption, as the resort hosts both the race start and the marathon finish. Avenida de Las Playas, the main beachfront thoroughfare, will be closed to traffic from 11:00am on Saturday until 1:00am on Sunday morning as it forms a central section of the running course.
Several bus stops and local access roads will also be suspended or diverted during this period. Visitors are advised to walk where possible, allow significantly extra time for any journeys, avoid driving along the seafront, and check with their accommodation provider for specific local access arrangements.
San Bartolomé and Playa Honda
The LZ-30 between Masdache and La Villa in San Bartolomé will be closed from 8:30am until 6:30pm. In Playa Honda, Camino de Guacimeta will close from 12:45pm until 9:15pm, and the main avenue between 1:00pm and 9:00pm. Access to La Florida and El Islote will be maintained via the LZ-409 at El Peñón, while the southern area of La Florida will be reached using El Lagar street from Montaña Blanca.
Haría and the Northern Route
The LZ-10 in Haría municipality will be closed from 9:00am until 5:30pm. Several streets in Haría town centre, including El Palmeral, La Cilla, La Cruz, María Herrera, Portillo de Bonilla, Santa Bárbara and San Francisco, will be subject to traffic restrictions between 10:00am and 3:30pm.
Traffic will be prohibited on the LZ-201 between Máguez and Yé, and in the direction of Arrieta on both the LZ-202 (Hoya de la Pila to Mirador del Río) and the LZ-203. These northern routes will be closed from 10:30am until 4:00pm. The LZ-1 between Arrieta and Guatiza will also close from 10:00am until 5:00pm.
Access to Haría will be maintained via San Juan Street from Arrieta using the LZ-208 through Trujillo. Vehicles will be diverted through La Cruz Street and Romero Street from Máguez, while access to Guinate will remain possible from Máguez via the Camino del Cuervo.
Arrecife
In the capital, Avenida Secundino Delgado will be closed from 1:30pm until 8:30pm to accommodate the marathon section of the race, which runs along the Arrecife coastline before returning to Puerto del Carmen for the finish.
Impact on Tourist Attractions
Several major tourist attractions in the north of the island are likely to experience limited or restricted access during race day. Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes and Mirador del Río all sit close to sections of the bike course and may be difficult to reach during peak closure hours. Visitors with bookings at these sites are advised to contact the venues directly or check arrival times against the official closure windows.
Official Information Sources
The Cabildo and race organisers have published detailed municipality-by-municipality maps showing the affected sections of each route. Drivers and visitors can find the official information through the following sources:
IRONMAN Lanzarote Traffic Impact Maps
Official 2026 Lanzarote Road Closure Information
Recommended Spectator Locations
For those planning to watch the race, several locations across the island offer strong viewing opportunities throughout the day. Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen is the main hub, hosting the swim start at sunrise, the transition zone, the marathon route and the finish line during the evening. Avenida de Las Playas provides an accessible spectator point along the running course, with cafés and restaurants remaining open throughout the day.
The Famara viewpoints and Mirador del Río offer dramatic vantage points over the cycling stage, particularly during the climbs that have helped earn the race its formidable reputation. Costa Teguise also provides good access to the bike route as athletes return from the northern sections of the island.
Practical Guidance for Tourists
Anyone with airport transfers, organised excursions, restaurant reservations or onward travel arrangements on 23 May should plan for significantly longer journey times than usual. Pre-booked transfers to and from Lanzarote Airport should account for diversions on the LZ-2, which is the primary route between Puerto del Carmen and the airport.
Restaurants and bars along Avenida de Las Playas and at other key spectator points are expected to be very busy throughout the day and into the evening, with the finish line area particularly active until the final athletes cross the line shortly after midnight. Booking ahead is strongly recommended for any visitor wishing to combine race viewing with a meal.
A Notable Edition
This year's race carries additional significance following the announcement earlier in 2026 that the 34th edition will be the final IRONMAN Lanzarote organised by Club La Santa. The club has been at the centre of the event since its inception in 1992, and the 2026 race is expected to draw particularly strong crowds as a result. The future organisation of the event beyond 2026 is yet to be confirmed.
