Field guide
Running in Rome: routes in parks and historic areas
Find practical information for running in Rome. This guide covers routes in Villa Borghese, the Circus Maximus, and Appia Antica Regional Park.
Rome offers several distinct areas for running, from a large central park to an extensive regional park with ancient roads and archaeological sites.
Villa Borghese provides a network of paths within a landscaped setting. The Appia Antica Regional Park contains long routes on varied surfaces, including dirt paths and ancient cobblestones. The Circus Maximus is a historic open space for shorter runs.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Borghese | Not listed | Always open | Not listed |
| Circus Maximus | 600 m; 140 m | Not listed | Not listed |
| Appia Antica Regional Park | Not listed | Always open; All day 9 am / 5 pm (except Wednesdays) | Original cobblestones of 312 BC; Dirt path |
Villa Borghese
This 80-hectare park in the city center is always open and has multiple entrances. The landscape contains secular trees, including holm oaks, plane trees, and stone pines, along with Italian gardens and large open spaces for running.
Paths go by buildings, sculptures, monuments, and fountains. The park also contains a small lake, a children's play area, and several museums. A cafeteria is located in the Casina del Lago building.
- Area
- 80 hectares
- Type of place
- A vast park in the heart of the city, between the Aurelian Walls (Porta Pinciana to Piazzale Flaminio) and the Salario and Pinciano neighborhoods.
- Type of place
- One of the Roman villas richest in artistic and landscape heritage.
- Nickname
- Park of Museums
- Location
- Municipio II, Pinciano district
- Opening hours
- Always open
- Public access
- Open for festive walks, a tradition maintained to this day.
- Entrances
- Via Aldrovandi, Via Raimondi (2 entrances), Via Pinciana (2 entrances), Piazzale San Paolo del Brasile, Piazzale Flaminio, Piazzale Cervantes, Piazzale Pablo Picasso (via di Valle Giulia)
Sources: Villa Borghese (sovraintendenzaroma.it), Edifici (sovraintendenzaroma.it). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Villa Borghese hours and running information
Circus Maximus
This archaeological area is a large, open space, 600 meters long and 140 meters wide, located in a valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills. Its size and shape are suitable for running laps.
Access to the site is controlled and requires a ticket. It is strongly recommended to purchase tickets online or by phone before visiting. The site's galleries are also accessible to visitors.
- Type of place
- The largest entertainment building of antiquity and one of the largest of all time
- Type of place
- Archaeological area
- Location
- Wide valley between Palatine and Aventine
- Length
- 600 m
- Width
- 140 m
- Ticket purchase recommendation
- Strongly recommended to purchase tickets online or by calling 060608
- Entry fee
- Ticket purchase required
- Entry rules
- Controlled entry
Source: Circo Massimo (sovraintendenzaroma.it). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Appia Antica Regional Park
This 4580-hectare park is always open and free to enter. Its main route is the Appian Way, which features its original cobblestone surface from 312 BC. The park also contains the Caffarella Valley, a 200-hectare car-free area with dirt paths.
Water fountains are available in the Caffarella Valley and the Park of the Aqueducts sections. The Appian Way has limited street lighting and is best visited before sunset. A car-free zone can be reached by using the private road of the catacombs of S. Callisto, which is open from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Wednesdays.
- Park description and size
- One of the biggest archaeological areas of Europe, embracing 4580 hectares, crossed by the Appian Way, surrounded by macroareas like Caffarella Valley and Aqueducts areas.
- Caffarella Valley description and size
- A green area tailor-made for families, with no cars at all, 200 hectares.
- Appian Way surface
- Original cobblestones of 312 BC
- Caffarella Valley path surface
- Dirt path
- Park hours
- Always open
- Catacombs of S. Callisto private road hours
- All day 9 am / 5 pm (except Wednesdays)
- Park entry fee
- Free
- Car-free area transit access
- Bus stop “Basilica di San Sebastiano” with the 118 bus
Source: Smart Info EN (parcoappiaantica.it). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Before you go
- Check access hours for specific routes, such as the private road near the catacombs of S. Callisto.
- The Circus Maximus is an archaeological area that requires a ticket for its controlled entry.
- Be aware of different running surfaces, from the original cobblestones of the Appian Way to the dirt paths in Caffarella Valley.
- Plan to visit the Appia Antica Regional Park during daylight hours, as it does not have enough street lights.
- Water fountains are available in certain areas, including the Caffarella Valley and the Park of the Aqueducts.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.