Whoever said that running is all about effort alone? Italian cities are full of enormous green spaces, wonderful walks and enchanting waterfronts that make taking physical exercise even more enjoyable and relaxing.
Here is a round-up of some distinctive places to go running in four cities in northern Italy: Turin, Milan, Genoa and Venice.
Turin. Turin has many green spaces, but we can recommend two places not to be missed by running enthusiasts: Parco del Valentino and Parco della Mandria. The former, in the centre of the city, flanks the river Po and has wide, tree-lined and completely pedestrianised avenues where you can practice all kinds of sports. The second is the park belonging to the historic hunting lodge of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy. The approximately 3,000 hectares of meadows and woods of the Mandria provide space for running immersed in a natural environment and Savoy history.
Genoa. What could be better for running enthusiasts than Corso Italia? A total of about 2.2 km of wide pavements enable you to run in complete safety along the Genoa seafront, leading to one of the unmissable places to visit in this evocative city: Boccadasse. This old fishing village, with its colourful houses overlooking a small, pebbled beach, is ideal for taking an enchanting break from running.
Milan. The great Milanese classic for all runners is Parco Sempione. The route, which is about 3.5 km in length, includes a view of the famous Castello Sforzesco. The avenues are well lit, if a little crowded. Away from the traffic of central Milan, the Parco delle Cave is certainly worth a mention. Situated between Baggio and Quinto Romano, this is an unfenced green area of 1,350,000 square metres: the ideal place for sports lovers looking to escape the stress of the city for a short while.
Venice. Venice is a true open-air museum: why not enjoy it also while you’re running? That’s why the characteristic Riva degli Schiavoni is highly recommended, connecting St Mark’s Square with the gardens of the Biennale. If you want an unrivalled experience it’s best to run early in the morning: this is also the only way to avoid floods of tourists and to see Venice from an absolutely unique perspective!
Source:
https://www.parcodellecave.it/
https://torinosegreta.com/parchi-torino/?nowprocket=1
https://www.lavenaria.it/it/venaria-reale/parco-mandria
https://www.quotidiano.net/magazine/tempo%20libero/smaltire-calorie-1.3620237
https://www.veneziatoday.it/social/jogging-venezia-dove-allenarsi.html
https://www.sportoutdoor24.it/sport/running/dove-correre-a-milano-6-percorsi-nei-parchi-in-citta/
