studentsineurope

Favorite Places to Run in Europe

One of the many beautiful spots in the Villa Borghese, a great place for a Roman run.

Whenever I go to Europe, I’m always looking for places to run. It isn’t easy. In some cities I’ve run back and forth along short stretches of sidewalk until I felt dizzy. Sometimes the charming cobblestone streets are so uneven I run in perpetual fear of twisting an ankle. Sometimes the only option is to do loops around a small park, earning the confused stares of passers-by. Finding good places to run in Europe can be difficult, especially if country roads aren’t an option. I have come across some particularly nice spots during my travels, however. Here are a few favorites for the running crowd.

The Villa Borghese, Rome. This huge park is a beautiful part of the city that many tourists never get around to visiting. It’s in the north of Rome, with one entrance off the Piazza del Popolo. The villa proper is a sculpture museum, but the large surrounding grounds contain long, scenic paths perfect for jogging. You may even see other runners – a rare sight in Rome.

Along the Salzach River, Salzburg. The views from the banks of the Salzach River are fantastic. A running trail starts in the city center and follows the river south letting you take in the sights while you get your exercise fix. As you leave town, the buildings are replaced by trees, making it a great way to get a little peace and quiet as well.

The English Garden, Munich. The English Garden is one of the most beautiful parks I’ve ever seen in a big city. It follows the river so there are lots of little bridges crossing over the water and there’s even a small lake. Natural beauty of all varieties abounds: part of the English Garden is a dedicated hangout of Germany’s Free Body Culture naturist movement (translation: you may find yourself running past people with no clothes on). Of course, there’s a beer garden surrounding a big red pagoda where you might prefer to end your run.

Cagliari, Sardinia. There are two great places to run in Cagliari. The first is alongside the castello where a wide sidewalk provides a perfect way to bypass traffic while enjoying the view. Once you get to the top of the castello, dart across the street and into the public garden for a quick lap around the fountains before running up the stairs at the far end. These will spit you out onto the Buoncamino, which provides some of the best views of the city. Of course, the other great place to run in Cagliari is along Poetto, the eight kilometer stretch of sandy white beach that makes Cagliari a fantastic vacation spot. If you’re in the city for more than a few days, try both.

These are just my top four spots. If you’re interested in finding more good places, check out Running the World, a fantastic guide to running in Europe. And if you found your own favorite running spots while you were traveling, please leave a comment and share your knowledge with the rest of us!