Every June for two weeks, Douglas and the rest of the Isle of Man host the TT Motorcycle Races — the most dangerous and arguably the most spectacular motorsport event in the world. The Mountain Course uses public roads, closed for racing, that wind through towns, over a mountain, and past stone walls at speeds exceeding 300 km/h. It attracts around 50,000 visitors, transforming the island's population by a third.
For motorcycle enthusiasts, this is a pilgrimage. For anyone with even casual interest in speed and risk, it is one of the most extraordinary things to watch. Book accommodation and ferry crossings months in advance — the island fills completely. The event includes practice weeks (where access is slightly easier) and race weeks. The Grandstand in Douglas is the focal point for arrivals and departures.