Mugello Circuit: A Visitor’s Guide and Where to Stay
One of Italy’s Best-Known Circuits, in the Heart of Tuscany
The Mugello Circuit, as it is known internationally, is in Scarperia e San Piero, in the heart of the Mugello Valley. It is one of Italy’s best-known motor racing and motorcycle racing circuits.
Set among the Tuscan hills and owned by Ferrari, it hosts races, tests, national and international competitions, track days and other events for motorsport enthusiasts throughout the year.
Its most famous event is the Italian MotoGP Grand Prix, one of the highlights of the MotoGP calendar. It draws thousands of fans from Italy and abroad.
There’s plenty to enjoy at the circuit throughout the year. A trip to watch a race can also be a great opportunity to explore Scarperia and other villages in Mugello, sample the local cuisine and spend a few days in the Tuscan countryside.
The Mugello Circuit
The circuit stretches for more than five kilometres, following the natural contours of the hills.
Its climbs, descents, fast corners and constant changes in elevation make it a spectacular track for both drivers and spectators.
Some of its best-known corners are San Donato, Luco, Poggio Secco, Materassi, Borgo San Lorenzo, Casanova-Savelli, Arrabbiata 1 and Arrabbiata 2, Scarperia, Palagio and Bucine.
One of the features that sets the Mugello Circuit apart from many modern racing circuits is its connection with the surrounding landscape.
The track is not in an industrial area or on flat ground. It is set among the hills of Mugello. The constant changes in elevation are part of the circuit’s technical character and create many different vantage points for watching the races.
For motorsport fans, the Mugello Circuit is more than just a track: it is closely tied to the landscape and terrain around it.
A Circuit Loved by Drivers
The Mugello Circuit is known as a particularly fast and technical track.
The long main straight leads into the San Donato hairpin, while other sections combine rapid corners with quick changes of direction. The Arrabbiata corners, in particular, are among the circuit’s best-known and most spectacular features.
The track’s width, fast corners, technical sections and changes in elevation make it challenging for drivers and exciting for spectators.
Over the years, the circuit has also hosted professional motorsport tests, as well as numerous motorcycle and car races.
MotoGP at Mugello
The biggest event of the year is undoubtedly the Italian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
The Mugello Circuit has become one of MotoGP’s iconic venues thanks to its speed, the close racing it often produces and, above all, the atmosphere over the race weekend.
For a few days, the whole area takes on a different feel. Thousands of motorcyclists and fans descend on Mugello, filling the roads, campsites, restaurants and accommodation, as well as the circuit’s grandstands and general admission areas.
The celebrations are not confined to the circuit: Scarperia and other nearby towns become part of the Grand Prix experience.
If you’re planning to attend MotoGP, it’s best to arrange your travel and accommodation well in advance.
Race Weekend
A MotoGP weekend is very different from an ordinary day at the circuit.
With tens of thousands of people attending, traffic can be heavy, road access may change temporarily and journey times can be much longer than at other times of the year.
It’s a good idea to plan your journey carefully and check the latest information from the organisers and local authorities in the days before the race.
Before setting off, check which entrance serves your grandstand or general admission area.
Leaving early can make the journey less stressful and give you more time to enjoy the atmosphere before the races.
More Than MotoGP
Although the Italian Grand Prix is the circuit’s best-known event, the Mugello Circuit hosts many others throughout the year.
These include car and motorcycle races, Italian and international championships, Ferrari events, classic car shows, test sessions and track days.
For fans, that means there are plenty of opportunities to visit the circuit outside the MotoGP weekend.
The calendar changes each year, so check the official circuit website before planning your trip.
Tickets, Grandstands and General Admission
Your experience at the Mugello Circuit can vary considerably depending on the event and the type of ticket you choose.
At MotoGP, for example, you can watch the races from the grandstands or from designated general admission areas.
Each area offers a different view of the track and may have its own entrance and access arrangements.
When buying tickets, check:
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which area or grandstand you have chosen;
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which entrance to use;
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how to access your area;
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whether a specific car park is assigned to you;
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which items you can bring into the circuit;
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when the gates open.
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Rules can vary by event, so the official Mugello Circuit website should always be your main source of information.
How to Get to the Mugello Circuit
The circuit is in the municipality of Scarperia e San Piero, in central Mugello. Most visitors travel there by car or motorbike.
For major events, special directions are often issued for road access, parking and the circuit’s various entrances.
Keep in mind that a journey that normally takes just a few minutes can take much longer during MotoGP weekend.
We recommend checking official updates a few days before the event rather than relying solely on your sat-nav’s usual directions.
Scarperia: The Village by the Circuit
If you’re visiting the Mugello Circuit, it’s worth spending some time in Scarperia too.
The village is close to the circuit and has one of the most interesting historic centres in Mugello.
Founded in the Middle Ages along the old road linking Florence with the north, it still has a compact and charming historic centre.
Its most notable building is the Palazzo dei Vicari, which overlooks the main square. Its distinctive façade is decorated with the coats of arms of the families who governed the area.
Scarperia is also known for its long tradition of handcrafted knives and cutting tools, still celebrated in local workshops and a museum dedicated to the craft.
A stroll through the historic centre is easy to combine with a visit to the circuit.
Borgo San Lorenzo
Borgo San Lorenzo, the main town in Mugello, is a short distance from the circuit.
It has shops, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants and a range of useful services, as well as several places of cultural interest.
It makes a convenient stop during a longer stay, especially if you’d like to explore more of the area beyond the motorsport event.
Vicchio and Giotto’s Homeland
Further east lies Vicchio, another historic town in Mugello.
The town and surrounding countryside are linked to Giotto and Fra Angelico, two great figures in the history of Italian painting.
Nearby, you can visit Giotto’s House in Vespignano, the Fra Angelico Museum and walking trails through the rural landscape.
Vicchio is also associated with Don Lorenzo Milani and the school in Barbiana.
For anyone staying in Mugello for a few days after a race, these places offer a completely different side of the area from the atmosphere of the circuit.
Lake Bilancino
Lake Bilancino is in western Mugello.
In the warmer months, it’s a lovely place to spend a few hours outdoors, stroll along the shore or take part in sports and other activities.
It can be a relaxing choice after an action-packed weekend at the circuit.
Giogo Pass and the Apennine Roads
For those travelling to Mugello by motorbike, the surrounding area can become part of the trip too.
Giogo Pass connects Mugello with the Romagna side of the Apennines and is one of the best-known scenic roads in the area.
Its bends, woodland and mountain scenery make it a favourite with motorcyclists.
There are plenty of other routes through the Apennines and Mugello countryside, turning a visit to the circuit into a full weekend of motorcycling and exploration.
Where to Eat in Mugello
A trip to an event at the Mugello Circuit is also a great opportunity to sample the local cuisine.
Local specialities include potato tortelli, usually served with ragù or other traditional sauces, as well as grilled meats, cured meats, cheeses and dishes inspired by Apennine cooking.
Scarperia, Borgo San Lorenzo, Vicchio and other nearby
Turn Race Day into a Weekend in Mugello
One of the best things about the Mugello Circuit is its location in an area with plenty to offer even if you’re not a motorsport fan.
That can be especially useful for families or groups where not everyone wants to spend every day at the circuit.
While some of your group watches practice or the races, others can explore nearby villages, go for a walk, spend a few hours at the lake or visit Florence.
Stay an extra day or two and you’ll have more time to discover Mugello at a gentler pace, away from Tuscany’s busier destinations.
Florence from Mugello
Florence is easy to include in a stay centred around the Mugello Circuit.
Depending on where you’re staying, you can reach the city by car or take a train from one of the main towns in the valley.
For visitors from abroad, it’s a great way to combine two very different experiences in one trip: motorsport and one of Italy’s great art cities.
Where to Stay Near the Mugello Circuit
Accommodation near the Mugello Circuit can fill up quickly during major events.
The best area to stay depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for.
Staying right by the circuit puts you close to the event, but also in the areas most affected by traffic and, especially during MotoGP, noise and crowds.
Another option is to stay in one of the nearby towns or in the surrounding countryside.
La Casa nel Bosco, in the countryside near Vicchio, is normally about a 15–20-minute drive from the Mugello Circuit. It’s an easy base for reaching the event while staying just outside the busiest areas during race weekend.
The house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a private garden and parking, making it especially suitable for families or groups of friends who want to stay together.
During major events, journey times can of course increase because of traffic and changes to road access.
Before You Go
If you’re planning a day or weekend at the Mugello Circuit, a few simple steps can make your visit easier:
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buy tickets for major events in advance; see our article on the 2027 MotoGP dates;
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check the location of your grandstand or general admission area;
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confirm which entrance to use;
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check the latest parking and road access information;
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allow extra travel time during MotoGP weekend;
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book your accommodation and restaurants in advance;
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check the weather forecast;
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check the official Mugello Circuit website for the latest information.
Discover Mugello Beyond the Circuit
The Mugello Circuit may be what brings you to this part of Tuscany, but it’s well worth taking the opportunity to explore beyond the track.
Scarperia, Vicchio, Borgo San Lorenzo, Lake Bilancino, the Apennine scenery and local cuisine make it easy to plan a stay of several days.
For a cultural visit, discover the places associated with Giotto and Fra Angelico or head to Barbiana, closely linked to the story of Don Lorenzo Milani.
If you prefer the outdoors, choose from hiking trails, scenic roads and woodland walks.
The Mugello Circuit is one of the area’s great landmarks, but just a few kilometres away you’ll find a completely different side of Mugello.
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