Five Places to Go Running in Florence

If you train often, like me, you’ll just as often feel the itch to change your route. And if you barely train at all, you’ll need an extra push to leave the covers behind (or skip the aperitivo) and lace up your running shoes.

Either way, here are five places to run free in Florence that are bound to suit you.

A runner training along the Arno river in Florence at dawn

Lungarni

Feeling romantic? The lungarni — the boulevards that trace the Arno — are the route for you. You can run the whole stretch, east to west and back (or the other way around), cutting through unexplored gardens and picturesque squares (like the underrated Ognissanti) and soaking up the view of the Oltrarno, the Ponte Vecchio and a parade of towers and bell towers. Or you can pick a shorter loop from one bridge to the next.

Pian dei Giullari

If you’re after a bit of a climb — and maybe a little peace from the city traffic — head up toward Piazzale Michelangelo and carry on to Pian dei Giullari and Arcetri. A word of warning: better by day than by night. The lighting isn’t much to speak of, and the odd car still comes through, heedless of the intrepid runners.

San Domenico, Fiesole, Maiano

Not enough climbing for you? For the better-trained there’s another scenic route to run in Florence, with a sweeping view over the city. Climb toward San Domenico and — if you’re up for it — keep going, on toward Fiesole. A word of warning: these are the climbs made famous by the 2013 UCI Road World Championships, so you can check the gradient at regular intervals thanks to the roadside signs. Iron-man version: almost at Fiesole, turn off for Maiano.

A flat riverside path along the Arno on the outskirts of Florence toward Rovezzano

Girone

All flat, on the other hand, is the route that runs along the right bank of the Arno, out of the city, from the Obihall to Girone. Ideal for anyone who wants to run in Florence but leave the urban chaos behind and pretend, for a while, to be out in the countryside.

Candeli

In the same spirit is the route from Nave a Rovezzano to Candeli — first along the left bank of the Arno, then through country lanes and byways, all the way to the little church. Because we love running in Florence, but getting out of town is even better.