Gyms and Healthy Food in Florence 2026: Running Routes
Updated: Oct 26
Updated October 2026
Staying fit in Florence is easy, and it is a great way to see the city. My favorite workout is running up to San Miniato and taking the last steps like Rocky. Here are my routes, gyms and post-run food, with more in my practical tips for travelers in Florence.
Running routes
San Miniato and Piazzale Michelangelo
From San Niccolò, climb the Rampe del Poggi up to Piazzale Michelangelo, then take the steps to San Miniato al Monte. The whole city opens up below you at the top, and it is the best reward I know for a hard climb. The terrace at the Piazzale is also where I end most runs with an orange spritz.
The Lungarni
The riverside avenues are flat and scenic, and you can string together several kilometers by crossing bridges and doubling back on the other bank. Go early, before the traffic and the tour groups.
Parco delle Cascine
Florence's largest park runs along the Arno west of the center, with long tree-lined paths and plenty of shade on hot summer mornings. Locals jog, cycle and walk dogs here, so you will rarely run alone.
Giardino delle Rose
Just below Piazzale Michelangelo, the Rose Garden is free and my favorite cool-down stop, with a view of the rooftops between the bushes. It opens fully in spring.
Gyms with day passes
Most central gyms are small and membership-based, so call ahead. Virgin Active sells daily entry at its Firenze Rovezzano and San Donato (Novoli) clubs, both outside the historic center. Many hotels also have their own fitness rooms.
Healthy eating
Markets. I buy fruit for the room at Sant'Ambrogio market or downstairs at the Mercato Centrale.
Flower Burger, Via San Gallo 13. A fully vegan burger spot for a post-workout meal.
Tuscan staples. Ribollita, bean soups, grilled vegetables and good olive oil make everyday Tuscan food naturally healthy.
Plant-based? See vegetarian food in Florence. Working remotely between workouts? Try my list of Florence cafes with free wifi. Students should read my guide to studying abroad in Florence.
Where to stay for runners
San Niccolò sits at the foot of the climb. See where to stay near San Niccolò.
My running week in Florence
When I am in Florence for a week, I run four times. Monday is an easy loop on the Lungarni at dawn, out to the Cascine and back, about eight kilometers. Wednesday is hills: the Rampe up to Piazzale Michelangelo, on to San Miniato, and down the cypress lane, repeated twice.
Friday is a long, slow run through the Cascine park in the shade. Sunday I head out to Fiesole for a climb with views over the whole valley, then take the bus back down. Starting early matters, especially from June to September, when the city is hot by nine.
Cycling and swimming
Road cyclists head for the hills north and south of the city, and rental shops near the center hire road bikes and e-bikes by the day. For swimming, Florence has public pools, including outdoor ones that open in summer, and some hotels sell day passes to their pools in the warm months.
Ask at your hotel desk for the closest option. After a swim or a long run, a fresh squeezed orange juice, a spremuta, at a café bar is my favorite reward after a hard morning.
Walking counts too
Even if you never step into a gym, you will walk ten to fifteen kilometers a day in Florence. Climbing the Duomo's 463 steps or Giotto's bell tower counts as a workout.
Take the stairs up to Forte Belvedere, walk from Porta Romana to Bellosguardo for the view, and swap taxis for your feet. It is the best fitness plan in the city.
Yoga and pilates
Several studios in the center offer drop-in yoga and pilates classes in English, and in summer some host outdoor sessions in gardens. Check schedules online and book ahead, because classes are small and fill quickly in high season.
Eating well while traveling
Tuscan food is naturally balanced if you order like a local: a primo of pasta or soup, a secondo of grilled meat or fish, and a contorno of vegetables. I keep one big meal a day, usually lunch, and eat lighter at night with a salad, beans or grilled vegetables.
Fresh fruit from the markets, good olive oil and plenty of water from the public fontanelli keep me going. My best bakeries guide is for the rest days.
Hotels and villas with gyms
The grand hotels, like the Four Seasons with its garden, have proper fitness rooms and spa facilities. My luxury hotels guide covers them. For a group wellness trip, a villa with a pool and a private trainer is easy to arrange; see Exclusive Villa Collection.
Hiking from the city
Some of the best exercise around Florence starts at the edge of the center. From Porta San Niccolò, a path climbs to San Miniato and continues along quiet lanes to Arcetri and Pian dei Giullari, past olive groves and villas, including the house where Galileo spent his last years.
To the north, the walk from San Domenico up to Fiesole is a steady climb with huge views back over the city.
Further out, Monte Morello, the mountain north of Florence, has marked trails through woods, and the Monte Senario sanctuary makes a good goal. For a full day, the trails of the Casentino Forests National Park are about an hour and a half away by car.
Rowing and the river
Florence has a long rowing tradition on the Arno. The Società Canottieri Firenze, a rowing club whose boathouse sits under the Uffizi beside the Ponte Vecchio, is one of the oldest in Italy. In summer, you see rowers and kayakers training on the river at dawn. Some clubs offer introductory sessions for visitors; ask in advance.
Healthy Tuscan food
Tuscan cooking is naturally healthy when you choose well. Legumes are everywhere: cannellini beans, chickpeas and farro appear in soups like ribollita and minestra di farro. Vegetables are seasonal and simply cooked with olive oil.
Fish is common in summer, especially on the coast. I order a plate of grilled vegetables, a bean soup or a farro salad for lunch and keep pasta for dinner. Ask for olive oil and lemon on salads instead of creamy dressings, which Tuscans rarely use anyway.
Juice bars and plant based cafés
Florence now has a good number of cafés serving fresh juices, smoothies, bowls and plant based dishes, especially near the university and in Sant'Ambrogio and the Oltrarno. They are popular with students and expats and are a nice change after days of rich food.
Staying hydrated
Summer in Florence is hot, often above 35°C in July and August. Carry a bottle and refill it at the city's public fountains, including the fontanelli that dispense free still and sparkling water. Exercise early in the morning or in the evening, never at midday in summer.
Rest days
Walking 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day around museums is exercise too. I plan one easier day a week, with a long lunch and an afternoon in a garden, so my legs recover.
My healthy morning
A run along the river at 7:00, a cappuccino and fruit at the market, then a museum before the crowds. It is the best start to a day in Florence.
FAQ
Can I get a gym day pass in Florence?
Yes, at some clubs such as Virgin Active's Rovezzano and Novoli locations. Call central gyms to ask.
Where is the best place to run in Florence?
The Lungarni for flat miles, Cascine park for shade, and the climb to San Miniato for a challenge.
Is it safe to run in Florence early in the morning?
Yes. The Lungarni and the Cascine are busy with local runners at dawn.
Are there yoga classes in Florence?
Yes, several central studios offer drop-in classes in English.
What is the hardest run in Florence?
The climb to Fiesole, about eight kilometers from the center, most of it uphill.
About the author
I'm Jason GaNung, and I write every guide on Florence Life. I have spent extensive time in Florence over many trips, and I have stayed in many of the hotels and villas I cover, so my picks come from my own stays, not press releases. More about me.
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