The Best Triathlon Vacation Destinations for Couples
Triathlon doesn't have to be all about you (right?). We've got six spots for triathlon couples that'll elevate your heart rate in more ways than one.
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Looking to get away with the one you love…and your bikes? There’s nothing better than taking a triathlon vacation with your better half. After all, you can spend your days exploring a new destination through swim, bike, and run, and nights canoodling (and carb-loading) in a romantic corner booth. We’ve rounded up six of the best triathlon vacation destinations for couples all over the world, from a swim-bike-run through the City of Love to an active adventure in the Caribbean. These getaways will have you falling in love with each other – and triathlon – all over again.
The best triathlon vacation destinations for couples
Lanzarote, Spain
The fourth largest of the Canary Islands (and the closest to Africa), Lanzarote is known for its moon-like volcanic landscapes, golden coastline, ideal temps year-round, and topnotch training grounds for triathletes.
Where to stay in Lanzarote
For the fully immersive fitness experience, you can stay at Club La Santa, Lanzarote’s sprawling all-inclusive sports resort, and a favorite training spot for pros like Lucy Charles Barclay. Offering facilities like a 400-meter track, Olympic-sized pools, and a spa, there are also a gamut of fitness classes to choose from daily.
What to eat in Lanzarote
Make a reservation at the acclaimed Lagomar restaurant, tucked inside a whitewashed villa once owned by actor Omar Sharif. Request a table on the terrace and enjoy an alfresco meal next to a candlelit lake.
Swim, bike, run in Lanzarote
You’ll never have to battle for lane space at Club La Santa’s three 50-meter outdoor pools—and there’s also a saltwater lagoon on the premises, ideal for open-water practice. (Day passes are available for those not staying on the property.)
Almost all of Lanzarote’s roads are bikeable–and extremely cyclist-friendly, with group rides rolling out daily. Wherever you ride, expect some climbs and wind: Between May and September, the average wind speeds hit roughly 15 miles per hour.
For a challenging run, hit the trails in Haría, the site of the 2020 Mountain Running World Championships. Looking for something less technical? The coastal trail stretching from Playa Quemada to Playa Blanca in southern Lanzarote offers stunning ocean views and mostly smooth terrain.
Race
Ironman Lanzarote (May) is a perennial bucket list race for triathletes around the world. Word of warning: It’s not for the faint-hearted and is among one of the toughest races on the circuit.
Explore
Take a break from the bike and hop on a camel instead. Tours are led daily from the volcanic Timanfaya National Park, where you’ll amble through windswept lava fields.
Rev up the romance in Lanzarote
Head to La Geria, Lanzarote’s wine-growing region. Hop from winery to winery and taste artisan varietals like muscatel and malvasia from grapes grown in the island’s ashy soil.
Paris, France
There are plenty of ways to stay active in the City of Love, which ups its athletic cred this summer as the host of the Olympic Games.
Best hotel for triathletes in Paris
Aside from luxe accommodations and a central location on the Champs-Élysées, the splashy Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris features the longest hotel pool in the city. At 23 meters, it’s perfect for logging laps.
Can’t-miss meal in Paris
For an intimate-yet-affordable dining experience, check out Bouillon Julien in Rue du Faubourg, Saint-Denis. Originally opened in 1906 and a favorite spot of Ernest Hemingway and Edith Piaf, it was recently revitalized to its former glory with an opulent Art Nouveau interior and classic French fare.
Where to swim, bike, and run in Paris
While the Seine is slated to open for public swimming for the first time in more than a century following the 2024 Olympics, you can take a dip in the meantime at Bassin de la Villette, Paris’s largest artificial lake with a section cordoned off for “serious swimmers.” Or hit up a municipal pool, like Piscine Josephine Baker, an open-air spot with four 25-meter lanes situated on a floating barge on the Seine River. (Note: It can get very crowded, so go early!)
If you’re feeling the need for speed, immerse yourself in the local cycling scene by rolling out to Hippodrome ParisLongchamp, a 2.2-mile mostly flat loop circling a racehorse track within Bois de Boulogne park. Rather ride at a leisurely pace? The four-mile loop around the park offers a more relaxed option.
Lace up and run to Bois de Vincennes, the largest park in Paris, created by Emperor Napoleon III in 1855. Follow a four-mile paved loop or the meandering pathways while running past the medieval Chateau de Vincennes, an arboretum, and several floral gardens.
Do this race in Paris
The Garmin Triathlon de Paris in June showcases a unique urban race course. Competitors swim in the Bassin de la Villette, bike through the city, and run around the Parc de la Villette, the third-largest park in Paris.
Explore
Head to Square Jehan-Rictus in Montmartre to seek out Le Mur des Je t’aime (“I Love You Wall”), a mural dedicated to lovers around the world. Adorned with hundreds of expressions of love in 311 languages and dialects, the 40-square-meter mural is a popular proposal spot.
Rev up the romance, Paris-style
Nothing tops Paris at the golden hour, so schedule a sunset cruise along the Seine on an open-air river boat. Be sure to steal a kiss as you pass under Pont Marie bridge. It’s tradition, after all.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Accessible only by ferry (cars were banned in 1898), time seems to stand still on this idyllic island—a hidden gem in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that’s best explored by bike.
A tri-couple’s retreat in Mackinac Island
Snag a room at the recently-opened Bicycle Street Inn & Suites and Waterfront Collection, which conveniently sits on the shores of Lake Huron in downtown Mackinac—and is walkable to many shops and restaurants. Want to up the level of luxe? The 45-room Hotel Iroquois on the island’s southern tip features beautifully-appointed suites with lakefront views.
Dinner for two
Sip craft cocktails and munch on an array of small plates at the Cupola Bar at The Grand Hotel. Perched on the top floor of the historic hotel, you can take in panoramic views of the island and the iconic Mackinac Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
Where to swim, bike, and run in Mackinac Island
Lake Huron’s shoreline is rather rocky (and temperatures never really warm up, even in the summer—think max of high 60 F in August), but ambitious swimmers can take the plunge from the beach at Mackinac Island State Park.
Biking is the main mode of transportation on Mackinac, as more than 80% of the island is state park land. Depending on where you roam, roads range from pancake flat to steep, 300-foot bluff climbs.
Lace up and hit Lake Shore Boulevard, an eight-mile loop hugging Lake Huron. Fun fact: It’s the only car-free state highway in the country.
Race with your love
In August, OTILLO Swimrun descends upon Mackinac, with the swim routes in Lake Huron and the runs on single track trails, roads, and beaches around the island.
Explore
Brush up on local history with a visit to Fort Mackinac, the site of two major battles in the War of 1812, or wander around the Mackinac Island Native American Museum (open in the summer months only), which tells the stories of the region’s indigenous people.
Rev up the romance in Mackinac Island
Arrange for a private horse-drawn carriage ride, where you can cuddle up while looping through some of Mackinac’s most famous landmarks. Then end the day on a sweet note by sampling the island’s famous fudge at the legendary Murray Hotel Fudge Company.
Flanders, Belgium
Some of the world’s top triathletes hail from this region, and it’s no wonder why: With pastoral countryside, cobbles, and decadent food, Flanders, the Dutch-speaking northern portion of Belgium, is especially steeped in sporty culture.
Where to stay in Flanders
The Flandrien Hotel in the town of Brackel is tailor-made for cycling enthusiasts. In the lobby, bikes abound, with frames hanging on the walls as art and plenty of storage, tools, and easy-to-access routes to accommodate those who prefer to ride on two wheels.
The best romantic restaurant in Flanders
If you didn’t eat chocolate, fries, and waffles in Belgium, did you even go there? Take your one-and-only to One Restaurant, which sits on the aptly-named Lake of Love in Bruges and is known for its traditional Flemish fare with an intimate vibe. Or take a day trip to the capital city of Ghent and hit up Publiek, a cozy Michelin-star spot with a rotating menu featuring creative offerings of seasonal and local produce.
Swim, bike, and run in Flanders
In the warmer months, various public lakes in the region allow open-water swimming. In September, the town of Nieuwpoort hosts Long Course Weekend, an endurance festival featuring an open water swim in the Yser River.
From cobblestone streets to country roads, you can roam just about anywhere via Belgium’s famed cycling routes. The granddaddy of them all? The 952-kilometer Flanders Route, a bucket-list adventure through quaint villages, ancient castles, sweeping views, and more.
Circle the (flat and gravel) Outer Canal Loop in Bruges for a 6+ mile tour of the medieval capital city. Or make your jaunt more formal with a professional tour by Go Running, which offers guided runs through Brussels.
A twice-as-nice race
Hit the north-west coast for Ironman 70.3 Knokke-Heist (September) and add another proverbial stamp to your passport: The swim actually takes place in the Netherlands.
Rev up the romance in Belgium
Enjoy some sweets with your sweet (while getting a heaping dose of history) by visiting the Choco Story, a museum dedicated to all things chocolate, in Brussels. (Tasting is part of the tour!)
Curaçao
Compared to other Caribbean islands, Curaçao is a bit off the beaten path (it’s just off the coast of Venezuela), but the journey to this culturally diverse tropical haven is well worth it.
Stay here in Curaçao
Check in to the Lions Dive Hotel, which not only boasts unrivaled views of the sea and lush gardens, but the only Olympic sized (50-meter) pool in the Caribbean to boot.
Where to eat in Curaçao
Dig your toes in the sand and bask in the golden hour at beachside hotspot Karakter for front-row views of a spectacular Curaçao sunset and fresh seafood and other hearty eats infused with Dutch and Caribbean flavors. (Can’t decide? Let the chef surprise you with a multi-course meal).
The best swim, bike, and run workouts in Curaçao
Those staying at the Lions Dive won’t have to go farther than a few steps from their hotel room to log laps in the 50-meter pool (day passes are available for those not staying at the resort). For an ocean swim in Curaçao’s crystal-clear water, head to Mambo Beach, an area protected from the open sea by a long rock wall.
Your safest bet for cycling in Curaçao is to go off-road: The Jan Thiel Lagoon on the island’s eastern end is a popular destination for mountain bikers who flock to the trails that cut through a nature reserve. Look out for flamingos and other exotic birds that call this area home.
The trails in Jan Thiel are both biker- and runner-friendly, while the recreational area of Zakito, known as Koredor, features a 5K loop with ocean views. (Fun fact: There’s a self-timed Parkrun there each Sunday morning at 6:30 am.)
Race Curaçao
TriCuracao hosts a few races a year, including the Half- and Olympic-Distance W3STPUNT triathlon in May with an ocean swim, a ride through Curacaos National Park, and a three-loop run tracing the western side of the island.
Rev up the romance in Curaçao
Go to the end of the earth—or at least the end of the island—with one another by hiking through Christoffel National Park, known for its myriad trails, rugged cliffs and stunning views. Pack a picnic and take a break at Boka Grandi, a large stretch of coral rubble and a white sandy beach that’s also a favorite snorkeling spot.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Like long walks (er, runs) on the beach? This seaside town, just about 90 minutes from Portland, is known for its coastal landscapes, quaint charm, artsy vibes—and Haystack Rock, the third-tallest such intertidal structure in the world.
Where to stay in Cannon Beach
Aside from luxe accommodations with an oceanfront view, Hallmark Resort & Spa offers bike rentals, an indoor pool, and a top-notch spa.
Must-eat in Cannon Beach
Seafood lovers won’t want to miss the clam chowder and Dungeness crab that Cannon Beach is known for. Head to Cannon Beach staple Mo’s for a bowl of soup in a casual atmosphere with a great view of Haystack Rock.
Where to swim, bike, and run in Cannon Beach
Up for an ocean swim? Pack your wetsuit. Water temperatures at Cannon Beach peak in August at around 55° to 63°F. (For a tamer—and warmer—swim, you can log laps at Sunset Pool in Seaside, about a 10 minute drive away.)
Fat tire biking on the hard-packed sand is the big thing in Cannon Beach—the town even hosts a Fat Tire Bike Festival each May. Roadies can hit the pavement on the Oregon Coast Bike Route, a 370-mile route that’s accessible to Cannon Beach.
Head out on the Crescent Beach Trail in Ecola State Park, a 3-mile out-and-back that leads you to a secluded stretch of the Oregon Coast. Up for a longer run? Hit the Tillamook Head Trail, a single track with rolling hills and views that’ll help you forget about your heavy legs for a moment.
Make it a race-cation in Oregon
Ironman 70.3 Oregon (July) in Salem, some two hours southeast of Cannon Beach, is the closest major triathlon, but may be worth the trip: The 1.2-mile swim in the Willamette River is said to be one of the fastest on the 70.3 circuit.
Rev up the romance in Cannon Beach
Take a stroll through downtown Cannon Beach, making sure to pop into the some 15 art galleries throughout the area, then watch saltwater taffy being made from Bruce’s Candy Kitchen (make sure to try some, too).