emma88

Hey, i'm going to italy for 12 days in august. I'm training to run a marathon and would idealy like to get some running in while i'm there. I'm a 20 year old girl and i'm pretty small. How safe is it to run in the streets of Italy (particularly around venice and florence)? (I usually run in the morning around 8-10am)

allanc

If you are fast and wiley....no issue!

WillTravel

I certainly didn't get everywhere in Venice, but it seems to me that you would have to be very careful not to run into people, walls, bridges, objects, etc. in those tiny narrow streets. The Strada Nuova is wide enough, I suppose, but there are lots of people on it. Maybe if you changed your run time to 5 AM? Venice is safe.

In Florence, there are some green spaces in the Oltrarno which could be quite suitable.

LoveItaly

Well emma when you ask about safety are you asking about vehicle traffic? If so of course that will not be a problem in Venice. In Florence I sure wouldn't run in the streets, the traffic is pretty wild.

If you are asking about personal safety I don't think that would be any problem.

Do keep in mind all the cobblestones, it would be easy to fall while running.

If I were you I would ask the hotel where you are staying for suggestions as to good places to run.

Have a fun trip, and good luck with your marathon.

rialtogrl

It is hard (though not dangerous) to run in Venice. There just aren't that many places to Really Run. And as Willtravel says, there are an awful lot of people about and that makes it even harder.

You could go to one of the Fondamentas on the lagoon (Fondamenta Nova, the Zattere, the Riva Schiavoni) and run back and forth. But I'd do it early before anyone gets up.

People don't run much there though, so you'll probably get some weird looks. You can power-walk way, way easier.

christieCA

When I was 20, I studied in Florence. I jogged 4 days a week while I was there. Never had any problems though the earlier you go the better due to the smog. I ran along the river and through a park (though i don't recall the name).
Have fun!

ssachida

I ran every morning around 5am to 6 am while I was in Venice and Florence last November. It was great running. I would agree though that the streets would be too busy to get in a good run after 8:30 or 9 am.

Earlier in the morning, not only is the running great, the city is wonderful. Watching a city come awake - the janitors wrapping up, the gondoliers cleaning their gondolas, the docent unlocking St Marks, a baker taking out the first fresh batch of bread for the day, being alone in many places that are crowded later, feeling like Venice and Florence are for your eyes and your eyes alone - its enchanting. Go for it!

Have fun!

tashak

The most dangerous thing will be running on cobblestones. Very very hard on feet and knees. August is crowded and can be very hot, so plan on running earlier, by 9 or 10 am there will be too many people on the streets.

bellastar

emma88-
Venice has its own Marathon every year-google and it will be easy to find. I'll bet the site will have good advice on running in that vicinity.
Many people run in Italy. There are always a healthy number of Italians at the NYC marathon, so I don't think you'll have a problem.
BTW, re running on cobblestones, I must agree, it's a challenge to the feet-I ran the Rome Marathon last spring, and much of the course was cobblestones!
Best of luck with running in Italy, try to go as early in the day as you can, because if the heat.

ira

Hi emma,

08:00 is rather late to go running. Venice's streets are crowded with commuters. By 10:00, all of the daytrippers have arrived.

I think that the Fondamente Nova would be the best place.

In Florence, you can run along both sides of the Arno and in the Ippodromo delle Cascine.

nytraveler

The problem with running around the sidewalks of Venice and Florence at 8 or 10 am is that they are mobbed with people and very narrow. There would be literally no place to run without tripping over someone - unless you are far out in the suburbs.

The streets also tend to be very narrow (or in Venice nonexistent) and drivers go everywhere - including parking on the sidewalk - so that's not an option either.

For Venice - I reco taking a boat to the Lido - which has streets and is much less crowded. For Florence - you should try one of the parks - I would ask your hotel for the best place.

If you mean personal safety - I can;t image you could have any problems.

suze

My thoughts are in agreement with most posters here. That personal safety is not the issue. But logistics of traffic, pedestrians, cobblestones, stairs, bridges, etc. will be your challenge.

kfusto

I run everywhere I go and my routine is to leave as soon as it is light. This time of year that was about 5:30am.

Florence is easy at that time of the morning. Running is more difficult in Venice just because of the layout.

Rome has lots of spots for running.

I concur that time of day is the most important factor. Also, the heat is already a challenge at 9 am in August.

Patrick

Is it safe? Only if you can run faster than the Italian "bottom pinchers" who might be chasing you!

LoveItaly

Patrick, LOL!!! emma, if you run real early in the morning before it gets hot and humid all the bottom pinchers will be home sleeping as they like to stay out real late at night. So problem solved!

KT

I've seen runners in Venice on the paths of the Giardini Pubblici. There are also some straight, relatively uncrowded streets nearby that you might try. But the Biennale is on this year, so there will definitley be more people in that area than usual.

Some other possibilities for long, relatively uncrowded streets are the Giudecca island, or the quiet western edge of the Cannaregio district, NW of the station. I think there are also some areas in the western part of Dorsoduro that have been redeveloped with new housing and might work, but I haven't poked around there recently.

bellastar

I had a good laugh at Patrick's reply, because I actually had an Italian man try over and over again to pick me up while running at about mile 18 of the Rome Marathon, I was trying to focus on my pace, and couldn't believe he would find the extra energy for flirting, but he finally gave up after a few miles.

I still laugh at the image of him trying to use pickup lines while pouring with sweat and trying to keep the pace!

Dick

Biggest drawback to running in Venice....is getting lost.

bellastar

Venice is one of the places in the world where getting lost can be a real pleasure!

MelissaHI

here's another vote of confidence for Venice. I ran along the water and up & down the bridges, then into a residential area. I was also marathon training, so the big drawback for me was not getting enough mileage in. don't worry about getting lost.....hey, you're on an island!