Go-karting in the Canary Islands is a great-value, all-weather day out, with the main circuits at Las Americas on Tenerife, near Maspalomas on Gran Canaria, and at San Bartolome on Lanzarote — offering adult, junior and cadet karts, sessions from roughly EUR 15 to EUR 30, and age or height rules that let most of the family race. It's a firm favourite with teenagers and a reliable rainy-day or too-hot-for-the-beach option, since the tracks run whatever the weather. This guide covers where to race, who can drive and what to expect, and links to our family and teen planning guides.
Where to go karting
Each of the three biggest islands has a proper outdoor karting circuit within easy reach of the main resorts:
- Tenerife — the island's main track sits near Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos in the south, minutes from the big resorts, with a floodlit circuit and a range of kart classes.
- Gran Canaria — the principal circuit is in the south near Maspalomas and San Agustin, a short hop from Playa del Ingles, making it an easy add-on to a beach holiday.
- Lanzarote — the island's karting is based around San Bartolome in the centre, a straightforward drive from Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca.
Fuerteventura's options are more limited, so karting fans there often combine it with other activities; check locally for current tracks.
Who can drive — ages and karts
Most circuits run a tiered fleet so the whole family can take part:
| Kart type | Typical age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cadet / bambino | Around 5-9 | Slower karts, often on a smaller track |
| Junior | Around 8-13 | Faster juniors, usually a minimum height too |
| Adult / senior | Around 14-16+ | Full-speed karts on the main circuit |
| Two-seater | Any (as passenger) | An adult drives, a young child rides along |
Exact minimum ages and heights vary by circuit and kart, and there's usually a height requirement (often around 1.3-1.5m) as well as an age one. Two-seater karts are a lovely way to include children too young to drive. Always confirm the rules for your chosen track before you go.
What it costs
Karting is refreshingly affordable. As a 2026 guide, expect a single session (typically 8-10 minutes on track) to cost roughly EUR 15-25 for juniors and cadets and EUR 20-30 for adults, with cheaper multi-session and family deals if you're racing more than once. Two-seater rides sit around the adult price. Prices vary between circuits and with any promotions, so treat these as ranges rather than fixed figures and check the current tariff on arrival.
What to expect on the day
You'll get a short safety briefing and a helmet (bring or buy a balaclava for hygiene, or the track provides hairnets). Wear closed shoes and comfortable clothes — no loose scarves or long open jackets — and tie back long hair. Sessions are timed by the flag, and many circuits post your fastest lap so the competitive members of the group can compare. The tracks are outdoors and floodlit into the evening, so racing after the heat of the day is popular. It's genuinely all-weather: karting runs in light rain and, of course, when it's too hot or cloudy for the beach.
Go in the late afternoon or evening when it's cooler and the floodlights are on — racing in the midday sun in a helmet and overalls is hard work. Book ahead in peak season and school holidays, when the popular southern circuits get busy.
Booking, getting there and combining it
You rarely need to book far ahead outside the busiest weeks, but in July, August and the school holidays it's worth reserving a slot, especially for evening sessions. Most circuits are a short taxi or hire-car hop from the main resorts — the southern Tenerife and Gran Canaria tracks are minutes from the resort strips, while Lanzarote's central location means a slightly longer drive from the coast. There's usually a bar or café on site, so non-racers can watch in comfort. Karting slots neatly into a bigger day out: pair it with a nearby shopping centre, a water park, or an evening meal, and it fills the gap between beach mornings nicely. For getting around the islands, our guide to getting around the Canary Islands covers taxis and car hire.
Safety and who it suits
Karting is well supervised and genuinely safe when the rules are followed — helmets are compulsory, marshals watch the track, and the karts are speed-limited by class. It suits almost everyone: competitive teenagers, dads reliving their youth, and younger children in cadet karts or two-seaters. Those prone to travel sickness or with back or neck problems should take it steady, as the karts corner sharply and the tracks can be bumpy. Otherwise it's about as inclusive an activity as a family holiday offers.
Great for teenagers and mixed groups
Karting is one of the best activities for keeping teenagers happy on a family holiday — competitive, grown-up-feeling and quickly addictive, with the lap times giving everyone bragging rights. Because there are cadet, junior and adult karts, mixed-age groups can all race at their own level, and the two-seaters bring the youngest along too. It slots neatly alongside a water-park day or an evening out. See our guides to the Canary Islands with kids and the Canary Islands for teenagers for more ideas.
The bottom line
For an affordable, all-weather thrill, head for the karting circuits near Las Americas on Tenerife, Maspalomas on Gran Canaria or San Bartolome on Lanzarote. With cadet, junior and adult karts, sessions from around EUR 15-30 and clear age and height rules, it's a brilliant rainy-day, too-hot-day or just-for-fun outing — and a particular hit with teens. Pair it with a water park day, and for more Tenerife ideas see our guide to the best things to do in Tenerife.