10 + 1 Reasons Why Sports Lovers Visit The Canary Islands
Have you ever wondered why the Canary Islands are such a popular destination for athletes and sports lovers?
Every year thousands of people choose the Canary Islands for their sports holidays. Even professional athletes have endless reasons as to why they head to the Archipiélago as a preseason training destination.
If you’re passionate about sports and love to stay in shape on your travels, then you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve helped individuals, families, groups and even professionals organize their active holidays and training camps in the Canary Islands and the feedback is always great.
The year-round sunshine plays a very important role in that, but there are many more reasons.
Although I mainly cater to cyclists, triathletes and swimmers, you’ll find that my 10 + 1 Top Reasons Why Sports Lovers Visit the Canary Islands apply to many others sports too!
LET’S DIVE IN!
10. Healthy properties
The Canary Islands are renowned for their healthy properties, and both the pros and the ambitious amateurs often mention the positive impact it has on recovery.
These beneficial properties come from the seawater, the sea breeze, the sunlight and the volcanic material. If you’re a swimmer, for sure the concentration of sodium, vitamins and nutrients in the seawater will help.
Speaking of diving in, there are numerous natural pools in the Canary Islands you must check out. These are enclosed spaces into which the sea water seeps without any human intervention apart from some walkways and added steps. These are great places to recover and soak up the healthy properties your body needs.
Also, the sea breeze is full of mineral salts and negative ions that make it ideal for detox and activates blood circulation and improves the respiratory system. And the sunshine brings you serotonin for your mental strength.
9. The Surroundings
The Canary Islands isn’t just one destination. In fact, seven beautiful and unique islands make up this region and are all unique in their own way. Five of them were declared Biosphere Reserves.
Prepare yourself to enjoy outdoor training surrounded by the diversity of spectacular landscapes, including volcanic trails. amazing beaches, vineyards, arid paths, pine forests, protected natural areas and even dunes.
The Canary Islands have more than 1,500 km of coastline, ideal not only for triathletes but also watersports lovers. I know many cyclists and triathletes who also enjoy surfing on their “days off”.
8. The Orography
The Canary Islands have a special orography with lots of elevation variance and peaks.
In Tenerife, you can test your performance training at high altitudes and lower temperature over 2,500 metres, improving strength and resistance, by exercising in an environment with a low level of oxygen. Check Teide National Park (Tenerife), Roque de Los Muchachos (La Palma), Pico de Malpaso (El Hierro) or Pico de Las Nieves (Gran Canaria) for training at altitude under hypoxic conditions.
You can be back at sea-level from all these summits within just one hour. Thanks to this diversity you expose your body to different conditions, increasing performance.
Did you know that Mount Teide is the highest mountain in Spain with it’s summit at 3700 metres?
7. The Connnectivity
Did you know that the Canary Islands have one of the best air connections of all the European continent? With 8 airports (6 international and 2 local), the Archipiélago has direct flights to over 140 European destinations. It takes only a few hours flying from the main European cities and there are frequent daily or weekly departures. Plus the flight prices are very affordable.
- 2h 30min from Spain mainland
- 4h from UK, Germany and Belgium
- 6h from Sweden, Norway and Poland
6. Family-friendly destination
Besides being a very safe destination, The Canary Islands are also very family friendly and have endless activities and entertainment for all of the family.
With good weather all year round, there are endless sights, things to do and activites in the Canary Islands. These include waterparks, family-friendly beaches, adventure trips and theme parks.
A perfect destination to combine your sports break with a family holiday!
5. The Infrastructure
In the Canary Islands you will find beautifully tarmacked roads (calling all cyclists!), local sports shops and suppliers for all your sporting needs and world-class sports facilities.
There are high performance sports centres with highly qualified professionals and even centres specialized in sports medicine for athletes.
Actually, there are more than 30 professional training centres with top professional services, and they can host more than 3,000 high-level athletes.
Below is an example of a high-performance training centre called Tenerife Top Training where both amateurs and pros from all over the world come and train.
4. The Community
There’s nothing like being surrounded by like-minded people. And the Canary Islands will give you jus that!
According to the specialized press, 200 elite athletes of 35 nationalities chose the Canary Islands as their training camp base last winter. Also a a countless number of amateur athletes stayed in sports hotels to enjoy their active holidays.
3. The price
The Canary Islands is an affordable destination. The chances are high that you already spend a fair amount of money on your sporting hobbies. Well at least you can save on travel!
The affordable prices are partly due to the fact that the Canary Islands are tax-free. So enjoy affordable hotel accommodation, restaurants, transport, activities, excursions and more.
2. The Sporting Events
With all the reasons mentioned so far, it’s no wonder that the Canary Islands host so many prestigious sporting events. And it is events like these that keep bringing back more athletes to the region.
Here is just a small selection of the sporting events in the Canary Islands:
Ironman Lanzarote
Gran Canaria Marathon
Transvulcania of La Palma
Transgrancanaria
Ocean Lava Triathlon
Volcano Triathlon
Don’t miss your next world-class competitions in the Canaries!
1. The Weather
It’s all about the weather, right? I love the Canary Islands mainly because it seems to be springtime during the whole year. With 4,800 hours of light per year, barely any rainfall and an average annual temperature between 19º and 24º.
These are ideal weather conditions for all athletes and sport lovers and especially cyclists, triathletes and swimmers. If you are looking for clear skies, you have a 90% chance to find them in Canarias, even when the weather is terrible back home!
10 + 1. Sports Hotels in the Canary Islands
You can some of Europe’s Best Sports Hotels and Resorts in the Canary Islands, these include great Cycling Centres, Olympic sized lap pools, Premium gyms plus facilities for dozens of other sports and activities.
The more ambitious atheletes can even enjoy hipoxia facilities, healthy meals plans, wellness areas for recovery and relaxation and much more. Plus there are many activities for children and non-atheletes so everyone can enjoy an active holiday in the Canary Sun.
Check out this video below for a sneak peak at Playitas Resort, one of my favourite sports resorts in the Canary Islands.
Quick Travel Links To The Canary Islands
Are you ready?
Now that you’ve read the reasons why sports lovers visit the Canary Islands, I’m sure your keen to pack your bags for your next active holiday or training camp in the sun.
Have a look at some of my favourite Sports Resorts in the Canary Islands.
Or otherwise just reach out to me using the form below and let me know what you’re passionate about.
-Dennis
