Florence Marathon 2026: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

27 to 29 November 2026 · ExpectedFlorence, Italy

Florence Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Florence.

Tours in Florence Hotels for these dates

Airport to Piazza Duomo and the old centre

Florence airport (FLR) is linked by tram T2 to the centre in 20 minutes. Pisa (PSA) is 1 hour by train.

Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

Public transport directions to Piazza Duomo and the old centre

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Santa Maria Novella station area	Cheaper hotels next to trains.
Mid-range	Oltrarno and Santa Croce	Artisan streets and wine bars.
Splurge	Lungarno	Riverside palace hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Plus Florence
Mid-range: Hotel Spadai
Splurge: Hotel Lungarno

Links search the nights from 26 November to 30 November. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 27 to 29 November 2026. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 25 November

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayPasta and gelato class Half day · Food · Family · Indoor
Make pasta and gelato.
EatTrattoria Mario Lunch-only trattoria

Day before the race

Thursday 26 November

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingUffizi Gallery guided tour Half day · Indoor · Low walking
Botticelli and Leonardo.
EatGelateria dei Neri Gelato

Race day

Friday 27 November

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointPiazza della Signoria.
Cheer pointThe Duomo finish.
EatBuca Mario Bistecca alla fiorentina

Recovery day

Monday 30 November

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingAccademia and David Half day · Indoor
Timed entry to see Michelangelo's David.
Rain or heat backupPalazzo Pitti.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Pisa and Lucca day trip

The tower and the walled town.

See times and prices

Half day · Food · Family · Indoor

Pasta and gelato class

Make pasta and gelato.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Duomo climb

Brunelleschi's dome, 463 steps.

See times and prices

Boboli Gardens.
Museo Galileo.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Food

Chianti wine tour

Two estates and lunch.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Pisa and Lucca day trip

The tower and the walled town.

See times and prices

Full day

Siena and San Gimignano

Medieval towers and the Campo.

See times and prices

After dark

Santo Spirito and Sant'Ambrogio bars.

8 tours worth booking for Florence Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Chianti wine tour	Full day	Food lovers
Pisa and Lucca day trip	Full day	Families
Siena and San Gimignano	Full day	Everyone
Pasta and gelato class	Half day	Food lovers, Families, Bad weather
Duomo climb	Half day	Families
Vespa tour of the Tuscan hills	Half day	Everyone
Uffizi Gallery guided tour	Half day	Bad weather, Tired legs
Accademia and David	Half day	Bad weather

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

All'Antico Vinaio Giant schiacciata sandwiches
Mercato Centrale Food hall
Trattoria Mario Lunch-only trattoria
Gelateria dei Neri Gelato
Buca Mario Bistecca alla fiorentina

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Food · Family · Indoor

Pasta and gelato class

Make pasta and gelato.

See times and prices

Half day · Indoor · Low walking

Uffizi Gallery guided tour

Botticelli and Leonardo.

See times and prices

Half day · Indoor

Accademia and David

Timed entry to see Michelangelo's David.

See times and prices

Uffizi and Accademia.
Palazzo Pitti.
Bargello.

Getting around on event days

The centre is walkable; buses and trams for the edges.
Mugello circuit is 45 minutes north; shuttles run on MotoGP weekend.
Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo high-speed trains link Milan, Florence, Rome and Venice; book ahead for event weekends.
Validate paper regional train tickets before boarding; contactless works on most city metros.

Day trips from Florence

Pisa: 1 hour by train
Siena: 1 hour 15 minutes by bus
Bologna: 35 minutes by train

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Florence Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Florence Marathon 2026?

The next edition is 27 to 29 November 2026, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Piazza Duomo and the old centre?

Florence airport (FLR) is linked by tram T2 to the centre in 20 minutes. Pisa (PSA) is 1 hour by train. Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

Where should I stay for Florence Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is Oltrarno and Santa Croce: Artisan streets and wine bars.

What else can we do around Florence Marathon?

Good short outings in Florence include Uffizi Gallery guided tour, Accademia and David, Pasta and gelato class. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Florence Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Pisa and Lucca day trip, Pasta and gelato class, Duomo climb. Boboli Gardens.

How far is Piazza Duomo and the old centre from Florence centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

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