Everything you need for race weekend at Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, 29 May – 1 June 2026
“Mugello sits in the heart of Tuscany, surrounded by rolling vineyards, medieval hilltop towns, and some of Italy's finest food and wine. The circuit itself is considered the cathedral of MotoGP — a 5.245 km ribbon of asphalt carved through forested hills where the tifosi create an atmosphere unmatched anywhere on the calendar. Beyond the racing, you're within easy reach of Florence (35 minutes by car), the Chianti wine region, and the Mugello valley's artisan workshops. Race weekend transforms the entire area: local agriturismos host rider meet-and-greets, Scarperia's historic knife-making district fills with fan zones, and the hillsides around the circuit become impromptu campsites with panoramic views of the track. Whether you're a die-hard MotoGP fan or a first-timer combining motorsport with a Tuscan holiday, the Italian Grand Prix delivers world-class racing in a setting no other venue can match.”
Mugello isn't a city — it's a valley, and that's exactly what makes it special. Tucked into the Tuscan hills 30km north of Florence, the Mugello circuit sits surrounded by medieval villages, rolling vineyards, and some of the best food in Italy. Florence (Firenze) is your base. With direct trains from Rome (1h35, €25), Milan (1h50, €45), and Bologna (35min, €12), it's one of the most accessible MotoGP rounds on the calendar. The circuit itself is near Scarperia e San Piero, a town of 10,000 people that has been making knives since the 14th century.
Florence Centro Storico — Stay here if it's your first time. The Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Uffizi Gallery are all within a 15-minute walk of each other. Hotels fill fast on race weekend — book three months out minimum.
San Lorenzo & Mercato Centrale — North of the Duomo, this is where locals actually eat. The Mercato Centrale ground floor is a working food market; the upper floor is a curated food hall open until midnight. Budget €15–25 for a full meal with wine.
Borgo San Lorenzo — The largest town in the Mugello valley itself, 8km from the circuit. If you want to skip the Florence commute, stay here. Accommodation is limited to agriturismos and small hotels — expect €80–150/night on race weekend.
Scarperia e San Piero — Walking distance to the track. Visit the Palazzo dei Vicari in the town square, then pick up a handmade Scarperia knife from one of the remaining artisan workshops. Prices start at €30 for a folding knife.
Tuscany doesn't do bad food — it's nearly impossible. Start with bistecca alla fiorentina, a thick-cut T-bone from Chianina cattle, grilled rare and priced by weight (expect €45–55 per kilo at a proper trattoria). In the Mugello valley, order tortelli mugellani — pasta stuffed with potato and drizzled with ragù. Pair everything with Chianti Rufina, the local DOCG wine that's sharper and less touristy than standard Chianti — a bottle at a restaurant runs €18–30.
For race day, grab a lampredotto sandwich from a street vendor near the circuit gates. It's tripe in broth on a roll, dipped in salsa verde — €5, and it's the most Florentine thing you'll eat all weekend.
Mugello is a pilgrimage. The tifosi arrive Thursday, set up camp on the hillsides with flags the size of small buildings, and don't leave until Sunday night. The atmosphere inside the circuit is deafening — 100,000+ fans packed into a natural amphitheatre — but outside, it's pure Tuscan calm. Friday evening, the piazza in Scarperia fills with fans drinking Peroni and arguing about Ducati's tyre strategy. Saturday night shifts to Florence, where the bars along Piazza Santo Spirito stay open past 2am. By Sunday morning, the valley roads are a parade of red and yellow, scooters and campervans crawling toward the gates. There is no MotoGP weekend that sounds, smells, or tastes better than this one.