Best European Marathons 2027: PB Courses, Bucket List Races & Hidden Gems
Updated: 3 days ago
Written by Andy Hood · Ultra runner, cancer survivor and Runna ambassador
Last updated 2 November 2026 | First published 5 July 2026
Article contains affiliate links or codes that support this blog and the cancer charity work Andy undertakes.
Whether you're chasing a new personal best, ticking off a once-in-a-lifetime experience, or hunting for a brilliant race without a two-year ballot wait, these are the best European marathons for 2027. Here's every race date and everything you need to plan your next big start line.
Best European Marathons 2027: Quick Answer
Fastest course for a PB: Valencia, expected Sunday 5 December 2027. Over 5,500 runners went sub-3 there in 2025.
Best early-season PB: Seville, Sunday 21 February 2027, the flattest marathon in Europe.
Best bucket-list race: Athens, the original route, in November 2027 (date TBC). Rome, Sunday 14 March 2027, for landmarks.
Enter this week: Rotterdam 2027 entries go on sale on 4 November 2026 with no ballot. The Berlin 2027 ballot closes on 12 November 2026.
London 2027: The Double, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. I'll be on the start line on the Sunday.
In this article
When I wrote the first version of this guide back in May, I was sat at home recovering from emergency surgery, out of my running shoes and missing the rhythm of it more than I could put into words. Six months on, things look very different. I'm back training, and I'm six months out from the London Marathon
And 2027 isn't just any London. It's The Double: two days, 100,000 runners, same route from Greenwich to Westminster. I'll be cheering on the Saturday and running on the Sunday for The Robin Cancer Trust. Dressed as a giant pair of testicles. I'll be hard to miss.
New York is very likely to follow in November. More on that at the end.
Running isn't just something I do, it's who I am. It's what got me through a testicular cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy and surgery in 2021. It's what took me 170 miles from Westward Ho! to Land's End on the run that gave this blog its name. Along the way I've designed a series of bold charity ultras, launched Check Ya Balls, and raised over £28,000 for cancer and mental health charities.
So when I talk about finding a race that makes you want to train, to lace up on the dark mornings and push through the wall at mile 20, I mean it. A great race destination isn't just a backdrop. It's motivation. It gets you out the door on the days when nothing else will.
Europe is the greatest continent on Earth for marathon running. Sea-level Spanish speedways, cobbled Italian streets lined with 2,000-year-old ruins, a finish inside an Olympic stadium. And most of them are a budget flight from a UK airport in under three hours.
I've split the best marathons in Europe into four sections: the PB hunters (flat, fast, built for a big time), the bucket list classics (where the experience is the point), the underrated gems (brilliant races the ballot crowds haven't fully found) and the European Marathon Classics (the eight-city series now heading into its second year). Every date has been updated for 2027.
Let's get into it.
Training for one of these races? I've partnered with Runna, the world's most popular marathon training app, to give my readers an exclusive 2-week free trial. Use code ANDY2 or head to web.runna.com/redeem?code=ANDY2. It builds a fully personalised plan around your goal race, current fitness and schedule.
Fastest Marathons in Europe 2027: The PB Hunters
These are the races you enter when you mean business. Flat profiles, ideal conditions, and fields packed with runners who are there for one reason: a fast time.
1. Valencia Marathon: Sunday 5 December 2027 (expected), Spain
If you want to run your fastest marathon, Valencia has a strong case for being the number one destination in Europe. This is not hype. The 2025 race had 30,523 finishers and more than 5,500 of them went under three hours. That's 18% of the field, a higher share than the 2025 Boston Marathon, a race you have to qualify for.
The course is sea-level flat, early December temperatures sit in that 12–16°C sweet spot, and the Spanish crowds make the whole thing feel like a festival.
This year's race on 6 December 2026 is already sold out. The 2027 race is expected on Sunday 5 December, following the usual first-Sunday-of-December pattern, but keep an eye on the official site for confirmation and entry dates.
Valencia itself often gets overlooked in favour of Madrid and Barcelona. The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences is jaw-dropping, the old town is full of great tapas bars, and the beach is a short tram ride from the centre. It's also where paella was invented, so your carb loading is sorted.
Getting there: Valencia Airport (VLC) has direct flights from most major UK airports. The city centre is around 20 minutes by metro.
2. Seville Marathon: Sunday 21 February 2027, Spain
February is a quiet month in most people's marathon calendars, which is exactly why Seville is such a smart choice. Billed as the flattest marathon in Europe, with temperatures around 10–16°C, it's as close to a guaranteed PB setup as you'll find in the first quarter of the year.
The 2027 date is confirmed: Sunday 21 February, with an 8:30am start and the expo at FIBES on the Friday and Saturday. Entries sell out, so don't leave it late.
The course winds past the cathedral, the Alcázar and palm-lined avenues, so even if you're staring at your watch, you're running through one of Spain's most beautiful cities. Seville is compact, walkable and noticeably cheaper than Barcelona or Madrid. The tapas culture is some of the best in Spain.
Getting there: Seville Airport (SVQ) has direct UK connections. It's about 35 minutes to the city centre by bus or taxi.
3. Rotterdam Marathon: Sunday 11 April 2027, Netherlands
Rotterdam is the quiet overachiever of European marathon running. Flat, well-organised, packed with elite pacemakers, and consistently one of the fastest courses on the continent. Yet it still flies under the radar compared to Amsterdam.
And here's the big news for 2027: the ballot has gone. In 2026 around 50,000 people applied for 18,000 places. For 2027 it's first come, first served, with entries going on sale on Wednesday 4 November 2026. If London and Berlin have rejected you again, set an alarm.
The 46th edition starts at 10:00 at the foot of the Erasmus Bridge, and you're running up it within the first kilometre. The city itself was almost entirely rebuilt after the Second World War and has a bold, modernist energy unlike anywhere else in the Netherlands. The Cube Houses are bizarre and brilliant, and the Markthal is a stunning indoor food market.
Getting there: Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM), or fly into Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), around an hour by direct train to Rotterdam Centraal.
4. Berlin Marathon: Sunday 26 September 2027, Germany
Berlin needs no introduction. Legendarily flat, typically cool in late September, and the place where world records go to fall. It's a World Marathon Major, so the organisation, the expo and the atmosphere all operate at the highest level. Running under the Brandenburg Gate near the finish is one of sport's great moments.
One change for 2027: insurer Generali takes over as title sponsor from BMW, whose name had been on the race since 2011. Same course, new name.
The 2027 ballot opened on 1 October and closes on Thursday 12 November 2026. Results land on 3 December, and if you're picked the entry fee is €215. If you're reading this in time, get your name in.
As a city, Berlin is gritty, creative, historically layered and still surprisingly affordable for a capital. The Reichstag, East Side Gallery and Checkpoint Charlie sit alongside world-class museums and a food scene with no equal in Europe.
Getting there: Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has direct flights from across the UK. The Airport Express train runs to Berlin Hauptbahnhof in around 30 minutes.
European Marathon Dates 2027: Full Race Calendar
Here's every race in this guide in calendar order. "Expected" means the organiser hadn't published the 2027 date when I checked, so it's based on the race's usual weekend. Always confirm on the official site before you book flights.
Race | 2027 date | Date status | Best for |
Seville | Sun 21 February | Confirmed | PB |
Rome | Sun 14 March | Confirmed | Bucket list, EMC |
Rotterdam | Sun 11 April | Confirmed | PB |
Vienna | Sun 18 April | Confirmed | EMC |
London (The Double) | Sat 24 and Sun 25 April | Confirmed | EMC, World Major |
Madrid | Sun 25 April | Confirmed | EMC |
Prague | Sun 2 May | Confirmed | Hidden gem |
Copenhagen | Sun 9 May | Confirmed | EMC |
Stockholm | Sat 29 May | Confirmed | Bucket list |
Berlin | Sun 26 September | Confirmed | PB, World Major |
Warsaw | Late September | Expected | Hidden gem, EMC |
Lisbon | Sat 9 October | Expected | Hidden gem, EMC |
Budapest | Sun 10 October | Expected | Hidden gem |
Frankfurt | Sun 31 October | Confirmed | EMC |
Athens | November | Expected | Bucket list |
Florence | Sun 28 November | Expected | Bucket list |
Valencia | Sun 5 December | Expected | PB |
EMC = European Marathon Classics series.
Entering a European marathon in 2027? Let me know which one in the comments.
Bucket List Marathons in Europe 2027
These aren't just races. They're reasons to travel.
5. Athens Marathon: November 2027 (date TBC), Greece
This is the marathon. Not just one of the best, the original. The course follows the route of Pheidippides, the messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce victory over the Persians. It starts in the town of Marathon and finishes inside the all-marble Panathenaic Stadium, built for the 1896 Olympics.
To be clear: this is not a PB course. There's a long climb from around 10km to 30km that will humble anyone who hasn't trained for it. But when you run into that stadium, 2,500 years of history hits you in a way that's hard to put into words.
The 2026 race is this Sunday, 8 November, and it sold out well before entries closed. The 2027 date hasn't been announced yet, but expect early November. Registration for 2026 opened in late April, so plan for a similar window in spring 2027 and enter within days, not weeks.
Athens itself is extraordinary. The Acropolis and Parthenon are among the most impressive things humans have ever built, and the street food is brilliant: souvlaki for pre-race carbs, loukoumades for the post-race reward.
Getting there: Athens International Airport (ATH) has direct flights from most UK airports. The metro runs to the city centre in around 40 minutes.
6. Rome Marathon: Sunday 14 March 2027, Italy
In a single morning you run past the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Roman Forum, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. No other marathon fits that many world-famous landmarks into 42.2 kilometres. The course is mostly flat and mid-March temperatures are ideal for running.
Note the date: 2027 is earlier than this year's race on 22 March, so plan your training block accordingly. The 2026 race sold out four months in advance, the organisers have been confirmed through to 2031, and registration for 2027 is already open. It's also part of the European Marathon Classics.
Rome rewards slow travel. Arrive a couple of days early, not just for the legs, but because there's too much to see and eat to squeeze into a weekend. A bowl of cacio e pepe after a marathon is among life's great pleasures.
One practical note: there are cobbled sections that can be brutal on tired legs. Train on varied surfaces and wear shoes with a bit of cushioning.
Getting there: Fiumicino (FCO) is the main hub, around 45 minutes from the centre on the Leonardo Express. Ciampino (CIA) is used by budget carriers; a bus or taxi takes 40–50 minutes.
7. Florence Marathon: Sunday 28 November 2027 (expected), Italy
If Rome is about ancient history, Florence is about the Renaissance. The course starts in Piazza del Duomo and passes the Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria, essentially a moving tour of one of the world's great art cities. Late November is cool and crisp, and the field is smaller and more personal than Rome's.
This year's 42nd edition is on Sunday 29 November 2026. The 43rd is expected on the last Sunday of November 2027, the 28th, but the organisers haven't confirmed it yet.
Florence is compact and easy to explore on foot. If you can extend the trip, a day in the Chianti region or the hill towns of San Gimignano or Siena is one of the best things you can do in Europe.
Getting there: Florence Airport (FLR) has some direct UK connections. Alternatively fly into Pisa (PSA), a one-hour train, or Bologna (BLQ), around 35 minutes by high-speed rail.
8. Stockholm Marathon: Saturday 29 May 2027, Sweden
Stockholm 2027 is a late-May race, on Saturday 29 May. It starts and finishes at the 1912 Olympic Stadium, so you finish inside a stadium that has hosted champions for over a century. In late May the sun doesn't set until around 10pm.
It's also selling fast. When 2027 entries opened, 21,000 places went in two weeks, so if this one's on your list, don't sit on it.
Stockholm is one of Europe's most beautiful capitals, built across 14 islands. The Vasa warship museum alone is worth the trip, and the food scene around the Östermalm food hall and Södermalm is world-class. This is more of a scenic experience than a time race, but that stadium finish is something special.
Getting there: Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is well connected from the UK. The Arlanda Express takes around 20 minutes to Stockholm Central.
Underrated European Marathons 2027: The Hidden Gems
9. Budapest Marathon: Sunday 10 October 2027 (expected), Hungary
Run across the Danube, through the streets of both Buda and Pest, with the Parliament building and Buda Castle lit up in that golden October light. This is one of the most visually stunning marathon courses in Europe, and it still flies under the radar compared to the Western European big names.
The marathon is the centrepiece of a whole weekend festival, usually on the second weekend of October. This year's 41st edition ran on 10–11 October 2026, and the 2027 race is expected on Sunday 10 October.
Budapest is one of those cities people visit once and immediately plan a return. The thermal baths are world-class (a post-race soak at Széchenyi is practically mandatory), the ruin bars are unlike anything else in Europe, and the food and wine are remarkably affordable compared to Western capitals.
Getting there: Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD) has excellent direct UK connections. It's around 40 minutes to the centre by bus or 30 by taxi.
10. Lisbon Marathon: Saturday 9 October 2027 (expected), Portugal
Start on the Atlantic coast near Cascais and run east along the water into the heart of Lisbon, finishing in the grand Praça do Comércio. The coastal views in the early miles are exceptional, and October brings mild temperatures and sunshine.
Worth knowing: Lisbon is now a Saturday marathon with an 8:00 start. This year's race was on Saturday 10 October 2026, capped at 18,000 runners, and 2027 is expected on Saturday 9 October. It's also part of the European Marathon Classics.
Lisbon's hills, trams, tiled facades and miradouros (viewpoints) make it one of the most photogenic cities in Europe. Pastéis de nata from Belém, petiscos and fresh grilled fish will take care of recovery, and October is arguably the best time to visit, when the summer crowds have thinned.
Getting there: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is on the edge of the city, around 20 minutes from the centre by metro.
11. Prague Marathon: Sunday 2 May 2027, Czech Republic
Prague holds a World Athletics Elite Label, which tells you a lot about the quality of the race. Starting and finishing in Old Town Square, the route takes in Charles Bridge, the river and Prague Castle: the greatest hits of one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities.
The 2027 race is on Sunday 2 May with an 8:00am start. It's not Berlin-flat, but it's fast, and with prize money on offer the elite field up front is serious.
Prague has a stag-do reputation that undersells it badly. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Czech lager is some of the best in the world, and it's significantly cheaper than Western capitals. A brilliant long weekend.
Getting there: Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) has good UK connections. Bus or taxi to the centre takes 30–40 minutes.
Are you running a European marathon in 2027?
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12. Warsaw Marathon: late September 2027 (expected), Poland
Warsaw might be the most underrated marathon destination in Europe. Around 85% of the city was reduced to rubble in the Second World War and rebuilt from scratch.
Running past the reconstructed Royal Castle and Old Town, the Palace of Culture and the gleaming financial district gives you a real sense of that resilience.
The race is traditionally held on the last Sunday of September, so expect 26 September 2027. That's the same day as Berlin, which is worth bearing in mind if you're weighing the two. It's also a European Marathon Classics race.
The marathon is well organised with enthusiastic local crowds, and as a city break Warsaw is extraordinary value. Accommodation, eating out and nightlife are all far cheaper than in Western Europe.
Getting there: Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) has good direct UK connections. The SKM train takes around 20 minutes to Warsaw Central.
European Marathon Classics 2027: Races, Dates and Series Medal
If you want a longer-term challenge, the European Marathon Classics links eight big city marathons across the continent. It launched at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna in February 2026, and 2027 is its second season. Finish any five of the eight, each in a different city, and you earn the series medal, which builds with a badge for every race you add. There's no time limit.
The eight races in 2027:
Race | 2027 date |
Rome | Sun 14 March |
Vienna | Sun 18 April |
London | Sat 24 and Sun 25 April |
Madrid | Sun 25 April |
Copenhagen | Sun 9 May |
Warsaw | Late September (expected) |
Lisbon | Sat 9 October (expected) |
Frankfurt | Sun 31 October |
One thing to watch: London's Sunday and Madrid fall on the same day in 2027, so you'll need to pick one.
It's a brilliant structure for a multi-year project: a reason to travel, train consistently and collect experiences rather than just finishing times. The series is free to join at europeanmarathonclassics.eu, with entry fees for each race paid separately. And yes, London 2027 counts. That's one down for me.
Vienna and Copenhagen deserve a special mention as standalone trips. Vienna tops global quality-of-life rankings, and in April the imperial architecture and coffee houses are at their best. The course is fast too, finishing on the Ringstraße.
Copenhagen in May is cool, coastal and impeccably organised, with some of Europe's best food. Demand has exploded, though: for 2027 it switched to a lottery, which closed back in June. If you missed it, a charity place is now the main way in.
Getting there (Vienna): Vienna International Airport (VIE) is around 30 minutes from the centre on the CAT (City Airport Train).
Getting there (Copenhagen): Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is connected to the city centre by Metro in about 15 minutes. One of the best airport-to-city links in Europe.
Free Marathon Training Plan: Runna 2-Week Trial
Whatever race you've circled on this list, you're going to need a plan. I'm a proud Runna Ambassador, and not because I was asked nicely, but because it works. Training for ultras has taught me that structured, adaptable plans beat generic PDF schedules every time. Runna builds a personalised marathon plan around your life: your current fitness, your goal time, the days you can actually train and your target race date.
Crucially, it adapts as you go. Miss a week through illness, injury or life getting in the way (I know a thing or two about that this year), and the plan adjusts rather than leaving you scrambling. It's what I'm using for London right now. Whether you're chasing a first sub-4 or trying to crack 3 hours, there's a plan built for you.
As one of my readers, you get an exclusive 2-week free trial.
Code: ANDY2 Link: web.runna.com/redeem?code=ANDY2
Pick your race. Build your plan. Get to that start line. I'll be right there with you.
You'll find me at London on Sunday 25 April 2027, running for The Robin Cancer Trust dressed as a giant pair of testicles. And if all goes to plan, I'll be lining up on Staten Island for the New York City Marathon in November too, expected on Sunday 7 November 2027. Two marathons, two continents, one very memorable costume. Follow the build-up in my Journey to London posts.
Have you run any of these? I'd love to hear about it, drop a comment below. And if there's a European marathon you think belongs on this list for 2027, tell me. The running community's knowledge is always better than mine alone.
Best European Marathons 2027: FAQs
What is the fastest marathon in Europe?
The Valencia Marathon is the fastest marathon in Europe for amateur runners. At the 2025 Valencia Marathon, more than 5,500 of the 30,523 finishers ran under three hours, around 18% of the field. The Seville Marathon (21 February 2027) and the Berlin Marathon (26 September 2027) are the other top European courses for a PB.
When is the Valencia Marathon 2027?
The Valencia Marathon 2027 is expected on Sunday 5 December 2027. The Valencia Marathon is traditionally held on the first Sunday of December, and the organisers had not confirmed the 2027 date as of November 2026. The 2026 Valencia Marathon on 6 December 2026 is sold out.
When is the Berlin Marathon 2027?
The Berlin Marathon 2027 is on Sunday 26 September 2027. The 2027 Berlin Marathon is the first held under new title sponsor Generali, replacing BMW. Entry to the Berlin Marathon is by ballot.
How do I enter the Berlin Marathon 2027 ballot?
The Berlin Marathon 2027 ballot is open until Thursday 12 November 2026. Runners apply online through the official Berlin Marathon website. Ballot results are emailed on 3 December 2026, and successful runners pay a €215 entry fee.
Which European marathons have no ballot in 2027?
The Rotterdam Marathon has scrapped its ballot for 2027. Rotterdam Marathon 2027 entries go on sale on 4 November 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis. The Seville, Rome, Stockholm and Prague marathons also sell entries directly, but places sell out quickly.
When is the London Marathon 2027?
The London Marathon 2027 is a two-day event called The Double, on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. The 2027 TCS London Marathon will host 100,000 runners on the same Greenwich to Westminster route, and each runner takes part on one day only.
What is the European Marathon Classics?
The European Marathon Classics is a free series linking eight European city marathons. The eight European Marathon Classics races are Rome, Vienna, London, Madrid, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Lisbon and Frankfurt. Runners who finish any five, each in a different city, earn the series medal, with no time limit.
When is the Athens Marathon 2027?
The Athens Marathon 2027 date has not been announced, but the race is expected in early November 2027. The Athens Marathon, known as The Authentic, is held every November. Registration for the 2026 race opened in late April 2026 and sold out before the closing date.
Is the Athens Marathon hard?
Yes, the Athens Marathon is one of the hardest big-city marathons in Europe. The Athens course climbs steadily from around 10km to 30km before descending to the finish in the Panathenaic Stadium. Most runners treat Athens as a bucket-list experience rather than a PB attempt.
What is the flattest marathon in Europe?
The Seville Marathon is billed as the flattest marathon in Europe. The Zurich Maratón de Sevilla 2027 takes place on Sunday 21 February 2027 and holds a World Athletics Elite Label, making it a popular early-season PB race.
When is the New York City Marathon 2027?
The New York City Marathon 2027 is expected on Sunday 7 November 2027. The TCS New York City Marathon is traditionally held on the first Sunday of November, and the 2026 race took place on 1 November 2026.
About the Author Andy Hood
Andy Hood is an ultra and endurance runner, testicular cancer survivor and men's health advocate based in Devon. After a diagnosis in 2021, Andy laced his running shoes back up and hasn't stopped since: the Tour du Mont Blanc, a series of fundraising ultras, and 170 miles from Westward Ho! to Land's End in the run that gave this blog its name. He has raised over £28,000 for cancer and mental health charities through running.
Andy will run the 2027 TCS London Marathon on Sunday 25 April for The Robin Cancer Trust, dressed as a giant pair of testicles, and is planning to run New York in November 2027. He is a proud Runna Ambassador and the founder of Check Ya Balls, menswear with a simple, serious message.
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