Going to the races may not exactly be the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of things to see and do on holiday in Lanzarote. But the island has the capacity to amaze visitors over and over again. Horse racing is just another example of the diverse range of activities that this wonderful island has to offer those who chose it as a holiday destination.

Lanzarote might not be famous for its horse racing, in fact even some people who live on the island don’t know that it takes place, but Lanzarote actually does have a horse racing season that runs (at a gallop) from March to November.

The races are great fun, featuring horses from France, England and Ireland and are nearly as exciting as a day at Newmarket…even if the outfits worn by spectators couldn’t be more different. Lanzarote’s hot climate means that T-shirts and shorts are more appropriate and comfortable.
The track is located at  the Hipódrome which is situated in the Complejo Agroindustrial just outside the lovely town of Teguise. For anyone staying at Sands Beach Resort it’s only a relatively short trot away.

Race meets don’t last long; usually not much more than an hour, with three races taking place during that time. That means there is plenty of time for lunch and a walk around Teguise afterwards.

The season, known as the Carrera de Caballos, got off to a start on 13th March but the second meet due on 17th April was postponed until 1st May. The dates after that are 29th May, 24th July, 21st August, 11th September, 2nd October and finally 12th November.

The first race usually starts at about 11.30 but it’s worth getting there a bit earlier. That’s not to ensure you get a good view (there’s usually no more than 1000 spectators) it’s more because Spanish times are not always precise, so races might start a little bit earlier…or a little bit later.

So how much is a day at the races going to cost you on Lanzarote? The answer to that is whatever it costs to travel to the course as entry to all the races is free.