Florence gave me more than just an appreciation for art—it gave me the chance to explore the city one stride at a time. As an avid runner, I laced up my shoes and set off to discover the best routes Florence has to offer. Florence is a beautiful city, filled with gorgeous scenery and great running trails. Additionally, if you are looking to save money and explore free sites across Florence, running is a great activity to do so.
From winding cobblestone streets to scenic paths along the Arno River, here are my favorite spots to run in this timeless city.
Parco delle Cascine
This garden was beautiful and had several paths, with some routes extending by the Arno River and others cutting through the luscious green trees. The whole area is a pedestrian-only zone and is comprised of a mixture of asphalt and dirt paths.
You’ll see people leisurely strolling here or biking through the park. At the end of these gardens, there is a coffee and pastry shop, where you can stop and grab a bite. If you are looking to increase your mileage, you can continue past the park by going across the bridge. This leads you to a longer waterfront path. You’ll also eventually end up close to the airport, where you may see some planes enter Florience.
The path along the waterfront
Piazzale Michelangelo
This wouldn’t necessarily be a long run (depending on where you are starting from), but certainly challenging. Piazzale Michelangelo is at the top of a hill, boasting some of the best views of the city. Even if you choose not to run here, we recommend taking a walk and enjoying the sunset. You can bring a picnic or purchase snacks from one of the many vendors at the top.
View from Piazzale Michelangelo
Run Through the Main Part of Town
If you want to see all the sites quickly on foot, this is a great way to do it. However, you should make sure you do this run early in the morning. Florence has a lot of pedestrians and tourists, so the streets and sidewalks can become very crowded later in the day.
Final Thoughts
Are there other paths in Florence you’ve explored and would add to this list? If so, leave it in the comments below. Be sure to also check out our guide on the best running routes in Rome!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you run along the river in Florence?
You can absolutely run along the Arno River in Florence and this was one of my favorite places to run. The sidewalks can get very crowded during the day, so we recommend either starting early or heading to Parco delle Cascine, which has running trails that stretch along the waterfront.
Is Florence Hilly or Flat?
Parts of Florence are very hilly and if you are looking for a challenging run, we suggest Piazelle Michaelangelo. However, if you are looking for a flat run, we suggest running alongside the Arno.
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