The best locations in Europe for running enthusiasts have been revealed, with some locations you wouldn’t expect including Spain, Malta, Portugal, France and Finland making the list
The best locations in Europe for running enthusiasts have been revealed, featuring some lesser-known yet idyllic holiday destinations.
Footwear brand HOKA has created a list analysing locations by number of spas, pollution levels, average temperature, Strava downloads and national parks to reveal the best running spots.
Spain trumped all other European locations to score the best holiday hotspot for running. The country has 14 national parks, warm average temperature of 14C, approximately 2,796 average annual daylight hours, and low pollution levels — all making it the perfect destination for most runners.
Malta secured the second spot, boasting the highest average temperature across all countries at 20C. Malta also has over 30km of waterfront paths and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While Malta is one of the more popular tourist destinations, the island has a great mix of promenades and historic routes. There are even ready-made ‘runseeing’ tours available, so you can ensure your run is the best for you.
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The fifth smallest country on Earth featured as the sixth best ‘runcation’ location in Europe. San Marino is the sole-survivor of Italy’s once powerful city-state network. As the world’s oldest surviving sovereign state, running locations across the country include the the neo-Gothic Palazzo Pubblico and the Cesta castle.
According to Our Sporting Life, one in five people over the age of 16 in the UK claim to go running at least monthly in 2024, with the 35-44 age group running the most each month (30.12%). Overall, running has been on the rise since the Covid-19 pandemic, where many people took to the sport during lockdown.
The rising trend of ‘runcations’ or running holidays has seen a significant increase (22%) in Google searches over the past year, with social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram showcasing the excitement of running in new and picturesque locations.
More than 288,000 running-related hashtags have been shared on Instagram by runners across Europe showcasing their stunning run routes and videos tagged with #runcation have amassed over 745,000 views on TikTok.
For those who love running and wish to incorporate it into their holiday, it can be hard to know the best locations. Whether a trail, long-distance or short-distance runner, you need to think about which terrains, weather conditions and settings suit you.
The lesser-known landlocked country of Andorra featured in eighth position. The country is home to the Trail 100 Andorra, which is an exciting new trail expedition which goes into the Pyrenees. Distances are suited to all runner levels and the event allows runners to test their limits while exploring landscape and heritage of Andorra.
For post-run rejuvenation, Iceland is the go-to with 18 spas, whereas Finland plays host to the most national parks, with 41 in total covering approximately 2.7% of the country’s land area.
The rich principality of Monaco featured in tenth place. Loved by the rich and famous and tourists alike, Monaco has long been a destination loved by runners. With waterfront promenades, Japanese gardens, and a historic port, Monaco offers a great location for those who wish to run, but also experience the holiday atmosphere and enjoy tourist attractions. To avoid crowds and busy roads, maybe running in the early morning is best.
HOKA scored each European country a rating between 1 – 100 across the eight data points, with an average score determining the final ‘runcation’ ranking.
Top ten countries for runners
1. Spain
2. Malta
3. Portugal
4. France
5. Finland
6. San Marino
7. United Kingdom
8. Andorra
9. Iceland
10. Monaco
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