Seven Stunning European Racecourses Worthy of Your Attention

Roy Brindley by 27.07.2026

Whether you are a horse racing aficionado or just a casual observer, it cannot be denied that many of Europe’s racecourses boast stunning backdrops. Here we have listed seven charming European racecourses featuring charm and breathtaking landscapes.

The View from Goodwood's Grandstand

Goodwood offers its racegoers sweeping views of rolling hills and open countryside while delivering a great racing spectacle. © Getty Images

Captivating Charming Racecourses

From rolling emerald hills to snow-capped Swiss mountains, our selection combines stunning natural settings with an unforgettable race-day atmosphere. And while some courses are world-famous, others are hidden gems – proving that prestige isn’t the only measure of greatness.

Beyond their splendid surroundings, these seven picturesque venues possess a special charm that captivates first-time visitors and keeps seasoned racegoers returning time and time again.

Killarney Racecourse (County Kerry, Ireland)

Often called Ireland’s most scenic racecourse, Killarney Racecourse boasts panoramic views of the historic Killarney National Park, Ross Castle, the Lakes of Killarney and MacGillcuddy Reeks – Ireland’s highest mountain range.

Picturesque and romantic, the dual-purpose course – that stages both flat racing and jumps (National Hunt) racing – is a triangular-shaped 9.5-furlong track. With horses racing close to the enclosures and parade rings, the racing experience is intimate, and the atmosphere is electric.

Racing here is grouped into four boutique festivals – in May, July, August and October – offering around a dozen race days annually. Most meetings take place in the evenings, making it an ideal end-of-day activity for visiting tourists.

Goodwood Racecourse (West Sussex, England)

Goodwood is perched on the South Downs in West Sussex. 700 feet above sea level, its sizeable but spotless grandstands give racegoers sweeping views of rolling hills, open countryside, and, in good conditions, a glimpse of the English Channel.

Its elevated position and undulating track create one of the most iconic and beautiful settings in British racing. Categorised as a Grade-1 venue – alongside Ascot, Newmarket, York and a few others – Goodwood does not have a conventional loop circuit and only stages flat racing.

The ‘Glorious Goodwood’ meeting, where strawberries and cream and Panama hats are the order of the day, is the highlight of the course’s calendar. Taking place in late July, this five-day festival features over a dozen Group races, with the one-mile Sussex Stakes being its standout event.

Cartmel Racecourse (Cumbria, England)

A hidden gem in the Lake District, surrounded by lakes, mountains, and ancient priory ruins, Cartmel’s unique, idyllic setting means a day at the races here is more like a garden party or village fair than a typical race meeting.

Relaxed and picnic-friendly – attracting camper vans that set up shop at the course – Cartmel’s track forms part of the historic village, and the course encircles its cricket pitch. Stone cottages, cobbled streets, ancient inns, and a magnificent 12th-century priory surround racegoers.

The quirky Cumbrian circuit’s track is sharp with tight bends. It only stages jump racing, but its meetings, 9-10 annually, all take place in summertime between late May and the end of August.

Merano Racecourse (South Tyrol, Italy)

Little known outside of continental Europe, Merano Racecourse, nestled in a valley where the surrounding Eastern Alps provide a stunning backdrop, is one of Europe’s largest racecourses. It is also one of its most breathtaking.

Built in 1935, the Italian track is a modernist gem built in the rationalist style. Its double-story grandstand, capable of holding 15,000 spectators, features clean lines, sweeping steps and long balconies.

A jumps-only venue, Merano stages 22-24 meetings a year, mainly on Sundays between mid-April and late October. The racing highlight is the Gran Premio Merano staged in late September. A neat feature is the guided tours the course offers on race days before the action starts.

St. Moritz Racecourse (Lake St. Moritz, Switzerland)

Few things are more unique than the spectacle of thoroughbred horses thundering around a course that sits on a frozen lake. St. Moritz, the famous millionaire’s winter playground, provides the setting for this remarkable equine exhibition.

Three days a year, racing under a ‘White Turf’ banner, the spectacular venue, surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains, produces race days so glamorous they would put Parisian fashion shows to shame.

Dusseldorf (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)

Many will be surprised that Germany’s Baden-Baden has been passed over for Dusseldorf, but this venue, set in woodlands with a scenic, green countryside feel, is wonderfully relaxed with an elegant ambiance.

The course was built in 1909, and while its grandstand was replaced in the 1980s, the weighing room remains original and has listed status. A beer garden, restaurant, tea house and refurbished parade ring add to the appeal of this charming track.

A golf course in the track’s infield, bridlepaths and public footpaths make this venue popular even on non-race days. An adjoining restaurant overlooking the course is open daily throughout the summer.

Chantilly Racecourse (Oise, France)

Set against the backdrop of the fairy-tale Château de Chantilly and the majestic Grandes Écuries (Great Stables), surrounded by ancient forest, Chantilly, which first raced in 1834, rarely fails to make the top three of the ‘most beautiful racecourses in the world’ listings.

Race days at the home of the French Derby (the Prix du Jockey Club) have a garden-party vibe, but elegant summer fashion is de rigueur. Chantilly also acts as Europe’s largest training centre, with thousands of thoroughbreds galloping through nearby forests at dawn.

A teardrop shape, Chantilly’s grass course features a complex layout with multiple interlocking tracks. An all-weather fibresand circuit, built in 2011, is situated inside the established turf track. A flat-only circuit, Chantilly races around 50 times a year, with only a short break in August.

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