Four miles north of Florence, the Etruscan town of Fiesole offers runners a respite from the crowds, some wonderful quiet streets, and an sample of the Tuscan hills. Many choose to stay there for the less expensive rooms and great views of Florence. The 7 km run to Fiesole is in the steps of E.M. Forster’s book, ‘A Room with a View’. Note: it’s a 700 foot elevation gain from Florence to Fiesole, with steeper grades for the second half of the run. Also note that some of the roads outside Florence are narrow and don’t have sidewalks.
Villa Schifanoia
Start in central Florence at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Take via Ricasoli to Piazza San Marco. The next section is a bit tricky. Cross viale Giacomo Matteotti,and take via Frà Bartolomeo. LEFT on via Masaccio and then next RIGHT and down into the underpass, to piazza delle Cure. You’ll then follow the main road, Via Giovanni Boccaccio, for 2 km, passing the Villa Schifanoia and the Convent of San Domenico. It’s a pretty road, shaded, with some old walls, and narrow. Continue following the main road, via Giuseppe Mantellini and Via Frà Giovanni da Fiesole Detto l’Angelico, a nice climb into the central square of Fiesole.
For the return, you can retrace your steps, or hop on the train or the bus back. One variation on the route back would be to take Via S. Domenico for 2 km instead of Via Giovanni Boccaccio (shown in our map of the route).
Four miles north of Florence, the Etruscan town of Fiesole offers runners a respite from the crowds, some wonderful quiet streets, and an sample of the Tuscan hills. Many choose to stay there for the less expensive rooms and great views of Florence. The 7 km run to Fiesole is in the steps of E.M. Forster’s book, ‘A Room with a View’. Note: it’s a 700 foot elevation gain from Florence to Fiesole, with steeper grades for the second half of the run. Also note that some of the roads outside Florence are narrow and don’t have sidewalks.
Villa Schifanoia
Start in central Florence at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Take via Ricasoli to Piazza San Marco. The next section is a bit tricky. Cross viale Giacomo Matteotti,and take via Frà Bartolomeo. LEFT on via Masaccio and then next RIGHT and down into the underpass, to piazza delle Cure. You’ll then follow the main road, Via Giovanni Boccaccio, for 2 km, passing the Villa Schifanoia and the Convent of San Domenico. It’s a pretty road, shaded, with some old walls, and narrow. Continue following the main road, via Giuseppe Mantellini and Via Frà Giovanni da Fiesole Detto l’Angelico, a nice climb into the central square of Fiesole.
For the return, you can retrace your steps, or hop on the train or the bus back. One variation on the route back would be to take Via S. Domenico for 2 km instead of Via Giovanni Boccaccio (shown in our map of the route).
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Essentials
14.9 km (9.2 miles) round-trip. Option to take bus/train back
A spectacular running experience, especially if you go early. Central section has wonderful tree-lined walkways with great views from the bridges. Further west and east sections have gravel paths. We've mapped 15 km along the river.
Classic European urban park, and the most significant green space in Florence for a run. 395 acres on the north side of the Arno river, there are meadows, river paths, and wooded paths. 3.8 km from one end to the other
This defines 'run with a view'. You'll be rewarded with the hilly run up to the Piazzale with great views. A wonderful 7.7 km loop is to run up Viale Michelangelo, then down using Viale Galileo Galilei/Via di San Leonardo.
A route showcasing some of the historic gardens of central Florence: Giardini Terzo, Bardini, and Boboli. It can be combined with other central Florence routes. Use our mapped route as a guide, as there are numerous additional paths.
A 'runseeing' tour of Florence. GO EARLY. This won't be fun after 8am. Our 10 km tour starts near the Duomo and includes many of this Renaissance city's highlights. Longer run includes Piazzale Michelangelo, shorter run saves 3.5 km.
Just north of Florence in the Sesto area, create your own run in several small, pleasant parks: Villa Solara, Villa dei Marchesi Gerini, and Oliveta. Do a run through Sesto. Or combine the Asmana Wellness Center and Villa Montalvo And Ragnaia Park.
Near Florence, this Etruscan town offers a respite from the crowds, wonderful quiet road, and an opportunity to sample the Tuscan hills. We've created a 6 km Fiesole Highlights run, and a 15 km loop to the hillside town of Settignano.
The nearby towns of Pistoia and Prato are often part of a Florence itinerary. In Pistoia, run in Villoni Puccini, a lovely city park with ~3 km of paths. In Prato, nice path along the river, the Parco di Galceti, and hill running in Natural Protected Area of Monteferrato.
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Essentials
14.9 km (9.2 miles) round-trip. Option to take bus/train back
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!