Must-visit European Parkruns outside the UK, from Rotterdam to Milan

I never miss a chance to experience a local parkrun while travelling. These are my favourite European parkruns outside the UK, and they’re definitely worth checking out if you're keen on some parkrun tourism!

Must-visit Parkruns outside the UK

Check out these Parkrun recommendations in the Netherlands, Italy and Germany! I’ll be updating this post with other locations I visit in the future.

Eindhoven Parkrun

Eindhoven’s Karpendonkse Plas Parkrun course consists of two small loops around a grassy field followed by two larger loops around the lake.

The terrain includes grass, asphalt, and unpaved trails, with the final 100 meters on grass. The route is flat and shaded by trees.

This Parkrun started in 2020 and isn’t huge in terms of attendance (less than 100 runners per week on average), which makes for a very different atmosphere compared to the busier UK locations.

I really enjoyed the course and chatting to other tourists, who were here for the Eindhoven Marathon.

You can see more details about the course on my Strava activity and in this vlog:

Rotterdam Parkrun

Rotterdam’s Kralingse Bos Parkrun was one of six events launched simultaneously in the Netherlands in February 2020, marking a significant expansion of parkrun in the country

This course is a scenic, single loop entirely on tarmac paths, starting through the forest and returning along the lakeside. The flat route offers views of the Rotterdam skyline and a traditional Dutch windmill.

This is one of my favourite Parkrun courses to date, and if it was my local I’d be there every week! I would highly recommend visiting this one if you’re in the area.

Find out more about the course on my Strava activity and in this vlog:

Milan Parkrun

Milano Nord Parkrun takes place in Parco Nord Milano, a vast urban park in the northern part of the city. The course is a two-lap loop covering a mix of paved and gravel paths, with a short grass section near a small lake. It is relatively flat, with just a couple undulating sections.

When I took part, it had rained during the week and there were rather large puddles in various sections, that we could only avoid by stepping onto the (muddy) grass. If I had known, I would have worn trail shoes!

What I enjoyed the most about this Parkrun was the enthusiasm from the volunteers, who loudly cheer participants with the Italian phrase "Dai, dai, dai!" meaning "Go, go, go!" I was the first lady and got a lot of cheers!

There was also a generous spread of food at the finish, including homemade cakes, bread, cheese, crisps and refreshments. More than just a 5k, this event feels like a weekly social gathering, with locals regularly turning up to watch, chat and enjoy the atmosphere. As a tourist, it was lovely to experience!

Take a look at the course on my Strava activity and check out this vlog:

Hamburg Parkrun

This Parkrun takes place in Hamburg's scenic Alstervorland park, nestled along the western shore of the Außenalster lake.

The volunteers are very friendly and welcoming, taking time to talk you through the course if you’re a tourist.

The two-lap course follows gravel and trail footpaths. Whilst it’s a lovely scenery and a flat course, it's not the fastest. You’ll navigate a U-turn and a tight hairpin bend twice, which can slow the pace. Some congestion can also occur on the second lap.

I enjoyed the experience, but I wish I had done my research because I didn’t expect to run on gravel all the way! If it’s been raining at the time of your visit, you may want to wear trail shoes.

For a more detailed look at the course, check out my Strava activity and this vlog: