Discover Why Calella Is One of the Best Destinations for Triathlon Training

If you’re a triathlete searching for the ideal training spot in Europe, Calella is a destination you can’t afford to overlook.

This vibrant and urban coastal city in Catalonia has transformed into an internationally renowned sports destination. With a favorable climate and a prime location on the Maresme coast, Calella offers the perfect setting for running, cycling, and swimming training year-round.

In this article, you’ll discover how Calella has become one of the top spots for triathlon training, featuring top-notch facilities, famous sporting events, and unique benefits for triathletes from around the world. You’ll also learn how to make the most of your stay, both for enjoying the city and enhancing your training.

• The Sports History of Calella
• Top-Notch Triathlon Facilities
• Major Sporting Events in Calella
• Benefits of Training in Calella
• Prime Location and Ideal Climate
• Athlete-Friendly Accommodations
• Tips for Planning Your Training in Calella
• Conclusion

The Sports History of Calella

For decades, the city of Calella has seen strategic investment in the sports sector, complementing and enhancing its long-standing importance as a tourist destination. The city began to stand out on the sports map thanks to the commitment to sports by the local government and authorities, which managed to position it as the European Sports Town in 2016, Catalan Sports Capital in 2018, and Catalan Basketball Capital in 2019.

The organization of numerous national and international sporting events (over 120 per year), such as IRONMAN Barcelona and the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, has significantly contributed to this positioning. This sports legacy has created an infrastructure that is envied by sports destinations worldwide, benefiting athletes from various disciplines and attracting thousands of sports enthusiasts every year.

Top-Notch Triathlon Facilities

The most evident advantages of a destination like Calella for training and enjoying sports, in general, are the excellent top-level facilities and infrastructure available to athletes, groups, and local, national, and international triathlon, athletics, and swimming clubs. Olympic swimming pools, varied cycling routes, and a running track are frequented by athletes from around the world throughout the year.

Olympic Swimming Pools

Las piscinas de Calella son populares entre los clubes de natación y triatletas europeos. La Piscina Municipal Dorly Strobl, de 25 metros, y el Croll Center Calella, con una piscina de 50 metros, ofrecen entornos de alta calidad para entrenamientos. Ambas muy bien ubicadas cerca del centro de la ciudad y con acceso directo a servicios y la playa Garbí. 

Calella también presume de una playa de casi un kilómetro de largo, ideal para entrenar la modalidad de aguas abiertas durante el verano. Esto garantiza a los triatletas una variedad interesante para mejorar su rendimiento en natación.

Running Tracks

The La Muntanyeta Sports Zone, a multifunctional space primarily dedicated to athletics and football, features a 400-meter, six-lane running track, perfect for specific running training.

There are also various areas and facilities for other sports, including football fields and a well-equipped gym, making this area a complete and versatile space for athletes and clubs across multiple disciplines.

Cycling and Running Routes

Cycling enthusiasts will love the routes in Calella. Imagine starting from the city early in the morning after a coffee at La Riera, with the option to ride along the coast to a Costa Brava town like Tossa de Mar. The views are spectacular, but the route is demanding, with significant elevation changes—a good mix of landscapes with long climbs.

If you prefer flat routes, you can pedal in the opposite direction along the coast to Barcelona. This route is perfect for speed training as it is almost entirely flat with few traffic lights. There are also many towns along the way to stop and enjoy.

For those who prefer mountain scenery over the beach, there are numerous routes from Calella into the mountains. With different elevations and difficulties, routes lead to the Montnegre-Corredor Natural Park, Montseny, or even further to the Pyrenees. All are well signposted with good road conditions, and drivers are generally aware of the frequent presence of cyclists.

Major Sporting Events in Calella

As the capital of the Maresme region and one of the largest and most tourist-friendly cities, Calella is the epicenter of some of Catalonia’s largest sporting events. Attracting thousands of triathletes and sports enthusiasts from around the world, these events elevate the city’s profile and position it as a premier sports destination for both training and competition.

IRONMAN Calella-Barcelona

One of the most prominent events is IRONMAN Calella-Barcelona, held annually in Calella since 2014. The event currently focuses on the Full distance, though it was previously popular for its Half distance. It’s a true sports festival that transforms the streets of Calella, dressing the city with the iconic IRONMAN branding and attracting numerous triathletes and spectators.

In the weeks leading up to the event, it’s common to see triathletes training in Calella, taking advantage of the excellent facilities and spaces available to get in shape and familiarize themselves with the course. The famous training camps are held during this period, so it’s not unusual to see many cyclists and runners preparing.

Other Major Events

In addition to IRONMAN Calella-Barcelona, Calella hosts a variety of other sporting events year after year, including marathons like the Costa Barcelona Maresme Half Marathon, local triathlons like the Festrival Esportiu, and cycling competitions like the Volta a Catalunya or even the Vuelta a España, which has passed through the city several times.

Other sports such as football, basketball, and Paralympic sports are also welcomed in Calella for popular, federated, and friendly competitions. It’s a city that undoubtedly has all the merits to be a reference as a sports tourism destination and to be at the top of the list of sports cities.

Benefits of Training in Calella

Training in Calella offers numerous benefits that can help improve your performance and ensure you have a high-quality training experience.

Active Sports Community

Calella’s sports community is known for being active and supportive. Whether you’re an international athlete or from another region of Catalonia or Spain, it would be easy to connect and gain access to groups of athletes, coaches, or local enthusiasts to accompany you in your training. It’s a very dedicated and friendly community, making it possible to form networks and friendships at different levels for training and competition.

There are more than 30 sports institutions where over 50 disciplines are practiced. Additionally, the local sports community, along with enthusiasts and athletes from neighboring towns, creates a motivating and positive atmosphere for the exchange of knowledge and sports experiences.

Specialized Services for Athletes

Being a city strategically oriented towards sports, Calella offers a range of specialized services for triathletes and athletes in general, including physiotherapy, bicycle mechanics, and specialized equipment shops. The proximity to cities like Mataró, Girona, and Barcelona facilitates access to additional sports services.

Many of these services are provided by professionals experienced in the sport and the triathlon niche, ensuring a high level of quality and understanding of the athlete’s demands.

Gastronomy and Tourism

Calella offers an excellent variety of dining and tourism options. Local markets, well-stocked supermarkets, and quality restaurants offer nutritional options for all tastes. Additionally, its proximity to towns with a gastronomic reputation, such as Sant Pol de Mar, allows you to enjoy a diverse culinary experience.

Training in Calella also allows you to enjoy tourist activities like exploring nearby beaches and coves, strolling through the old town, and engaging in hiking and cycling routes. As previously mentioned, the proximity to cities like Barcelona or Girona also makes it easy to plan excursions and cultural activities during your stay.

Training Acompanied by Family and Friends

Training in Calella will not only benefit athletes but also the family and friends who choose to accompany them or enjoy their vacations. The options for activities and entertainment are vast: from enjoying the beaches and promenades, engaging in water sports, to exploring local shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. Additionally, you can take advantage of the proximity to famous tourist destinations such as Barcelona, Girona, Figueres, and many more.

For those who wish to support the athletes, there are many accessible points along the cycling and running routes to take photos and cheer them on as they pass. Furthermore, Calella has childcare services and recreational areas for the little ones, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, can enjoy their time in the city.

Prime Location and Ideal Climate

Just 60 kilometers from the major city of Barcelona, easy accessibility by road, bus, or train makes Calella a highly sought-after destination. Its location on the Mediterranean coast, near tourist towns like Sant Pol de Mar (Maresme) or Lloret de Mar (Costa Brava), makes it a must-visit on itineraries.

It offers mild weather throughout the year, with winter temperatures rarely dropping below 5 degrees Celsius and warm summers reaching up to 32 degrees Celsius—ideal for outdoor sports. The combination of favorable climate, sea, and wind conditions, along with coastal landscapes, provides triathletes with a motivating environment for their training.

Athlete-Friendly Accommodations

As everyone in the cycling and triathlon world knows, in popular destinations for practicing and competing in these disciplines, there are athlete-friendly accommodations (e.g., bike-friendly hotels) as well as specialized accommodations for cyclists and athletes (e.g., bike hotels). Calella is certainly no exception. The city offers a variety of accommodation options that are specially adapted for triathletes, ensuring comfort and convenience during your stay.

Hotels with Sports Facilities

Most hotels and accommodations in Calella are “bike-friendly” as they have dedicated areas for cyclists and focus on providing specialized services for this clientele.

There is a variety of star categories to suit different tastes and budgets, and they are equipped with sports facilities such as gyms, bike maintenance areas, and recovery zones. These hotels prioritize the needs of athletes and offer additional services such as sports menus, relaxing massages, and personalized services for competitions.

Apart-Hotels, Apartments, and Campings

Calella also offers a wide range of apart-hotels, apartments, and campgrounds, more economical options that do not sacrifice service quality. These accommodations are usually well-equipped and are ideal for triathletes and tourists.

It’s worth noting that all these types of accommodations generally cater to cyclists and athletes, so they fill up quickly, especially during the high season and sporting events. Therefore, it is recommended to book in advance and with specialized agencies to ensure availability and the best rates.

Tips for Planning Your Training in Calella

The best option for training in a destination like Calella is to coordinate your trip with an agency specialized in organizing training stages and camps. However, for an optimal experience, consider the following practical tips:

Train with Locals

Even if you travel with a group and your coach, it is highly beneficial to plan the training and the team’s stay with local coaches and athletes. They know the best routes and can offer valuable recommendations to maximize your training time.

Collaborating with local experts will allow you to discover Calella’s best-kept secrets and optimize your preparation. They can also help with booking swimming lanes, running tracks, and other facilities you’ll need for your training.

Best Training Season

The best season to visit the Maresme coast, and specifically Calella, for training is during spring and fall when the weather conditions are more favorable for outdoor activities. Summer is also a popular option, although temperatures can be higher and the city more crowded due to the tourist season.

Winter tends to be cold and humid, making it less ideal for training. However, local triathletes often continue their training using clothing and equipment suited to the conditions. Of course, swimming sessions are conducted in indoor or heated pools rather than in the sea.

How to Move Around the City

Getting around Calella during your training camp is quite easy. As a reference, it might take about 45 minutes to walk from one end of the city to the other, so many areas, sports facilities, and training routes are accessible on foot or by bicycle.

There is an efficient public transportation system, including buses and trains that connect with Barcelona and other nearby towns. Additionally, for those who prefer more independence, car rentals are also a viable option (although we don’t usually recommend it as parking is expensive and often hard to find).

Conclusión

Calella stands out as one of the best European destinations for triathlon training (and many other sports), offering top-notch facilities, perfect weather, an active sports community, and a rich cultural offering. Both professional athletes and beginners or sports enthusiasts can find the best training conditions here, even for competition, ensuring not only a comprehensive high-level sports experience but also an opportunity to improve performance while enjoying the city.

Calella is the ideal destination to plan your next triathlon camp. Whether you are part of a team, a club, or an individual athlete, including the sports capital of the Maresme in your annual training calendar could be the necessary step to take your performance to the next level in any of the triathlon disciplines.

To ease logistics and ensure an optimal experience, consider contacting a specialized sports tourism agency. Agencies like Trisoul Sports Travel have the experience and local knowledge needed to help you coordinate every detail of your training camp, from accommodations to the most recommended training routes.