Wondering what are the best things to do in Umbria? Its dense forests and rolling hills have earned Umbria the reputation of being the green heart of Italy. This beautiful region is nestled in the centre of the peninsula in between Tuscany, Lazio, and le Marche, and is renowned for its historic medieval towns, good food, greenery, and valleys. How do you choose what to explore first? Search no further! Here are the best things to do in Umbria.
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Best things to do in Umbria
Umbria is underrated. From backpacking to luxe vacations, Italy is known for many different hot spot destinations like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Sicily, just to name a few. It’s time to add the cities in the region of Umbria to this list!
The landscape of the region is full of history. Umbria strikes that delicate balance between the calm mountainous hills, freshwater lakes, and bustling towns alive with local Italian traditions.
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1) Visit Assisi and the Basilica of Saint Francis
This UNESCO heritage site is a top destination for pilgrims and tourists alike. People from around the world flock to this beautiful town that’s famous for being the birthplace of Saint Francis – one of the most venerated religious figures in Roman Catholic history.
The landscape of Assisi is dominated by the impressive two-story Basilica sitting on top of the hill. Construction began in 1228, two years after the death of Saint Francis, and was completed in 1258. The colourful array of frescoes was done by the hands of some of Italy’s most renowned artists of the 13th and 14th centuries including Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini, and Pietro Lorenzetti.
Visiting the Basilica is FREE, and while there may be a queue, especially in the summer, it moves quickly enough and there’s plenty of shade under the porticos. Assisi is quite small and completely walkable. There is a parking lot at the bottom of the town if you go by car, and there is a path to walk uphill to the town. If you go by train, you will get off at Santa Maria degli Angeli, the town right below the hill, and you can make your way up by foot. It’s doable but wear comfortable shoes!
2) Don’t miss the blooming lentils in Castelluccio di Norcia
Castelluccio di Norcia is a tiny, charming town located on the Sibillini mountains near Norcia, Perugia. It sits on a plateau called “Pian Grande” at about 1,350 m above sea level, covering an area of about 15km².
Sadly, the town was almost entirely destroyed by the earthquake of 2016, but the landscapes and the natural sights are still worth a visit. In fact, Castelluccio and its surroundings are the perfect shelters for mountain lovers: hiking Mount Vettore, checking out the Pilato Lakes and wandering around Pian Grande are just some of the many awesome things you can do here.
NORCIA: Castelluccio di Norcia is part of the municipality of Norcia, a mountainous village popular for its town’s butchers, known as norcinos, who produce various kinds of cured meats, with the most popular one being the typical prosciutto di Norcia (Norcia ham).
When in town, don’t miss Piazza San Benedetto, Basilica of St. Benedict, The Castellina, the Town Hall, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Argentea, the Monumental Complex of Saint Francis and the city walls.
THE BLOOM OF LENTILS: Each year, large parts of the Pian Grande are cultivated with lentils and they bloom in a colourful array around late June until the first weeks of July. The exact times depend on the year and weather conditions, but that is a good approximation. Save the date as the bloom of lentils in Castelluccio is one of those things you don’t want to miss.
3) Explore Rasiglia and its water channels
Often referred to as a small Venice of Umbria, Rasiglia is an enchanted town nestled in the mountains characterized by many springs and streams that flow among its houses, making it a very unique town widely known across Italy. The town also used to be a very important textile centre since the water channels were used to power the textile machines. Many mills are also present and you can visit them for free.
Expect Rasiglia to be quite crowded on weekends and holidays, as many locals enjoy the beauty and the atmosphere of this little medieval village.
4) Stroll around Perugia, Umbria’s capital city
For many, the town of Perugia is synonymous with the Baci Perugina chocolate and its cute little messages printed on the wrapping, but this town has so much more to offer! Perugia is the region’s capital for good reason. Upon your arrival, you can walk towards the old city centre through the Rocca Paolina – an impressive 16th-century fortress that lends its beautiful architecture to shelter you while walking uphill to the old square. This important landmark is also used for cultural events in the city, finding a new purpose in the fabric of today’s contemporary society.
Perugia is also known for the University for Foreigners of Perugia, one of Italy’s most historic (founded in the early 14th century!) and prestigious universities for the study of the Italian language amongst foreigners. Talking about historic things, in the old city centre is an Etruscan well dating to the 3rd century B.C.E. known as the Sorbello well. You can visit the well for €3 EUR ($3.5 USD).
5) Day trip to the Marmore Falls
Yes! Umbria is also home to the world’s second highest man-made waterfalls. With a total height of 165m, the Marmore Falls are a set of impressive cascades located near Terni, about 1h drive south of Perugia.
Surprisingly, even though the Marmore Falls are man made, they are definitely not recent. In fact, the Romans built Cascata delle Marmore in 271 BC! They did so by deviating the stagnant water of the Velino river in the Nera river below, thanks to a man-made channel named “Cavo Curiano“.
Cascata delle Marmore received its final, current look in 1787, when some of the water was diverted to create a series of lateral cataracts, thanks to an architect. You can visit Marmore Falls every time of the year, but you need to take into account the time at which the water is being released. Check out times and days here.
6) Città della Pieve, one of Italy’s best-preserved towns
The town of Città della Pieve is a wonderful and beautifully preserved example of Italian medieval town. It’s located on the border with the regions of Tuscany and Lazio, in the middle of the quaint and peaceful Italian countryside.
There are several places of interest in Città della Pieve, including the Church of S. Bartolomeo and of S. Francesco, the Rocca (with its peculiar 5 square towers) which dates back to 1326, and the Plebiscito square which is the town’s main square and features the Duomo, Città della Pieve most important church.
Città della Pieve is also known for saffron, a spice that’s been cultivated and harvested here since the 13th century. And if you like art, make sure to look for the different paintings of Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci, better known as “Il Perugino“.
MUST SEE: If you’re visiting Città della Pieve you cannot miss the “Vicolo Baciadonne“, one of the narrowest streets in Italy. It is quite a long street, very narrow street and at its narrowest point, only one person fits. If someone’s coming in the opposite direction, one of the two will have to go back!
7) Stop by Castiglione del Lago, on the Trasimeno Lake
Castiglione del Lago is a beautiful town that sits on top of a hill on the shores of Trasimeno, Umbria’s largest lake. It is located just a few km away from Perugia and the fort dates back to the middle ages when the town was fortified.
Places of interests in Castiglione del Lago include the 3 gates (Porta Perugina, Porta Senese and Porta Fiorentina), the Rocca del Leone (also referred to as Rocca Medioevale) and Palazzo della Corgna, the only small royal palace in Umbria.
Once in Castiglione, you should also check out the Church of San Domenico and save some time for a walk around the town walls and on the lake’s shores.
THE TULIP FESTIVAL: Every spring, in April, Castiglione del Lago hosts the Tulip Festival, and the whole town becomes incredibly vibrant and colorful.
8) (Don’t) Swim at the Mole di Narni
Mole di Narni is an incredibly picturesque place. The lush vegetation cradle the several emerald ponds near the Nera river gorges.
While the bold turquoise-coloured water tempts you to jump right in and take a swim – don’t! Many don’t know this but the Mole di Narni is located just a few km below the Marmore Falls, whose sluice gate is subject to a water release at specific times of the day. This creates a dangerous environment for swimming, which can be fatal if caught unprepared.
9) Visit the town of Orvieto
Located in the southwest of Umbria, Orvieto is a truly special fortress-town perched on a rocky cliff. Known for its white wine made with the Grechetto and Trebbiano grape variety, Orvieto has made quite the name for itself.
After checking out the wineries, doing some tasting and exploring, head to the old city centre for the pièce de résistance – the Duomo. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a real treasure. It dates from 1290 and colourful façade will leave you standing in front of it in awe. The Cathedral is a blend of Gothic and Romanesque architecture, and its beautiful exterior has a mix of dazzling mosaics and storytelling relief sculptures.
The town is also known for its historic and impressive well, called the Pozzo di San Patrizio. The construction of this wonder of engineering finished in 1537 and it is a whopping 54m deep! There’s a Latin inscription, Quod natura munimento inviderat industria adiecit, celebrating the ability of the human intellect to overcome the limitations of nature. The well is by the cliff on which the town of Orvieto sits and is enclosed in a tall cylindrical building. You can visit the well for €5 EUR ($5.50 USD).
10) Hike from Titignano to La Roccaccia
Also referred to as the Umbrian Grand Canyon, the beauty of this landscape is unmatched in the region. The hike starts in Titignano, a small town built around a castle, hidden in the Tiber River natural park.
It is a pleasant, easy walk that stretches for about 3km one way amongst vineyards and the forest, before reaching the Roccaccia. This is the remains of an old watchtower, and the view is simply stunning.
11) Explore the streets of Montefalco
Located on top of a hill near Foligno, Montefalco is a beautiful town known for its history and architecture.
Its main square is a piece of art itself. Referred to as “platea rotunda” since the 13th century due to its round shape, it is the highest point of the town and became the centre of the town’s activities. Today there are several bars, restaurants and shops all around it and along the 5 streets that lead to it.
Montefalco is also well-known for its Sagrantino, a dry red wine that gained popularity across Italy and Europe.
12) Visit Narni and Narni underground
Narni is a small town packed with a lot of history, located near many other places on this list.
Narni is mostly known for its underground city. The visit begins inside the Dominican church where you can admire some of the most historic frescoes of the town. The journey underneath the city will let your eyes feast on Roman aqueducts, an inquisition chamber, crypts and prison cells too! Open all year long, the complex of underground chambers of Narni has different visiting hours depending on the time of year, and costs €7 EUR ($7.40 USD).
Read more about Narni on our full guide to this beautiful town.
13) Spello, the town of flowers
Known for being the town of flowers thanks to its colourful streets, Spello is located near the town of Foligno, some 30km from Perugia.
The town of Spello was built on a slope and it is “all uphill” or “all downhill”, depending on your point of view. When visiting, stroll around the beautiful streets and admire all the windows decorated with flowers. Fun fact…each summer, Spello citizens compete in setting up the most stunning flower display. You can notice the winning plates of past years on some of the houses.
THE INFIORATA: Every June, on Corpus Domini Santi, Spello hosts its traditional infiorata. This is an event where stunning art pieces are created on the town streets using only flowers. They are basically flower carpets, made by over 2000 people divided into more than 60 groups. Each group creates one art piece, and they do so only the night before Corpus Domini Santi. They start at about 6PM and the work goes on all night long until dawn, in a night called Night of the Flowers.
14) Spend a couple of hours at the Fonti del Clitunno
The Fonti del Clitunno (Clitunno Springs) is a very relaxing oasis in the municipality of Campello sul Clitunno. The water comes from underground springs, creating a crystal clear lake. Walk around the lake shores and enjoy the quietness of this place.
Entrance costs €3 EUR ($3.20 USD) per person.
DON’T MISS: The Tempio del Clitunno, or Temple of Clitumnus, is a temple that is over 1500 years old! It was built by the Romans to celebrate the Clitumnus God, and it was later transformed into an early Christian church.
15) Visit “Borgo di Corciano” near Perugia
The medieval town of Corciano is a gem with homes of limestone and travertine. It’s on the top of a small hill and is surrounded by beautiful lush greenery. The town has several 16th-century landmarks to visit including; the Town Hall, the historic residence of the Della Corgna dukes is embellished with decorations on the wooden ceiling of the Sala del Consiglio; the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo; and the Palazzo dei Priori, also called della Mercanzia, that functioned both as the city market (by the loggia) and for public assemblies (upper level).
16) Try rafting or canyoning on the Nera River Park
Southern Umbria’s mountainous landscape is the perfect environment for adventurous activities like rafting, canyoning, and more. The Nera River (which is the same river as the Marmore falls) is where most of these activities take place. Its waters are crystal clear and generally quite cold year-round, perfect for a refreshing dip during the hot summer days.
RAFTING: There are several companies you can pick for your rafting adventures like Umbria Rafting e Canoa, Rafting Nera River, Rafting Nomad, Rafting Marmore, Pangea Italia, Rafting Umbria, and more. A typical rafting package costs anywhere between €25 EUR ($26 USD) and €50 EUR ($53) per person.
CANYONING: While you might not expect Umbria would offer such awesome activity, canyoning is quite popular on the Nera River. You can check the same companies mentioned above, as well as Umbria Experience to book. A canyoning tour would cost around €40 EUR ($42 USD) to €80 EUR ($84 USD) per person, depending on the duration and difficulty.
17) Explore the tiny town of Torre del Colle
The town of Torre del Colle couldn’t really get any smaller. Only 33 people live there, but guess what…there is even a hostel for backpackers!
This charming village is located near Bevagna, not far from Foligno. Its fortified walls were built on top of a hill, and even though you can walk the whole town in less than 5 minutes, you won’t regret visiting this town. It’s a great choice for staying while you explore neighbouring towns.
THE HOSTEL: Ostello Bello is a widespread hostel in Italy that is also listed on Workaway. Their structure in Torre del Colle might be tiny and off the beaten path, but it’s definitely worth checking out, especially if you plan to visit Assisi, Bevagna and Foligno.
18) La Scarzuola
Want to visit the “Ideal City”? This fairytale-looking place has a unique and quirky story. It is believed that St. Francis visited Scarzuola in the early 13th century and built a hut out of a plant called scarza, hence the name of this town, Scarzaruola. In the 16th century, a church dedicated to the saint was constructed and it wasn’t until later that it became a convent.
Tomaso Buzzi, a well-known Milanese architect bought the property in the 1950s. His aim was to create the “ideal city”, juxtaposing the city with the monastery. This architectural compound has several theatres taking inspiration from famous historic landmarks such as the Colosseum, Pantheon, the Parthenon, the Egyptian Pyramids and more. In this quirky city, there are staircases that lead to nowhere as well as grotesque, monstrous buildings.
You need to reserve by filling out the form online. The ticket costs €10 EUR ($10.50 USD).
19) Ocriculum Archaeological Park
Visit the remains of the ancient Roman town of Ocriculum! The park has different trails that take you through the area of the forum and the basilica, the theatre, the baths, a nymphaeum, an amphitheater, huge funerary monuments, and a Necropolis.
Guided tours of the archeological park are from November to March (by booking ahead of time), and from April to October. The opening hours are based on reservation.
20) Discover the caves of Monte Cucco
The landscape of Eastern Umbria is karstic, which created the perfect environment for the formation of underground caves. While the most popular caves in central Italy (Grotte di Frasassi) are located in the neighbouring region of Le Marche, Umbria also has its very own karst caves.
The Monte Cucco caves are a very complex system of caves that stretches for over 30km, with one going for more than 1km deep down the mountain. A small but beautiful part of this natural tunnel system is accessible by visitors on a regular guided tour, while other parts can be exclusively visited with a speleological tour.
21) Visit the town of Spoleto
Spoleto is widely known for its famous art festival known as the Festival dei Due Mondi or Festival of two worlds in English. Each year, it takes place during the last week of June and the first two weeks of July. It started in 1958 and has really become a large festival that is a true tribute to various art forms which at times also feature artists from all over the world, such as Pavarotti and Andy Warhol.
Spoleto is also known for its bridge the Ponte delle Torri which was erected at the end of the 14th century over the remains of a Roman aqueduct to bring water from the mountain to the city. At its far end is the Fortilizio dei Mulini, from where numerous walks to the Spoleto mountains begin.
22) Todi and its underground town
Todi is a greatly preserved medieval town which is highly worth a visit. When visiting the town, make sure to check out the Piazza del Popolo, Duomo di Todi (Todi’s Cathedral), the impressive Church of Saint Mary of Consolation as well as the tiny but gorgeous Church of the Nunziatina.
The city of Todi has a secret…it has an underground city! Standing at a depth of 600m down, there are more than 3km of tunnels (which once served to bring water to the city) to visit its rich history. During your visit, you’ll see several pre-Roman, Roman and medieval cisterns, hundreds of wells from different eras, many cellars and other underground passages that make up the city’s extremely complex web of underground galleries.
The excursion: the duration of the group tour is about one hour and the route can be done without the need for mountaineering equipment or prior training or experience. Group tours have a maximum of 10 people and it costs €15 EUR ($16 USD)/per person. The guides will provide participants with all necessary equipment such as torches and protective helmets. You can book your visit on their website.
23) Gubbio and its traditional “Corsa dei ceri”
Each year, more than 10 000 people flock to the streets of Gubbio to assist the traditional Corsa dei Ceri. This celebration always falls on the 15th of June, and it’s the town’s most important event. The Corsa dei Ceri has been celebrated uninterruptedly since 1160, and it’s believed to be amongst Italy’s oldest festivals.
The “Ceri” is the Italian for candles, and it refers to the original way the celebrations took place. Since 1500, the candles are represented by three wooden structures, each weighing 300-400kg, which is carried by different teams called “Ceraioli”. The Ceraioli take the Ceri on a crazy race around the streets of Gubbio until reaching the St.Ubaldo Basilica, which is located on top of Mount Igino, with an elevation gain of over 300m.
24) The town of Bevagna
Bevagna is a little jewel that must absolutely be on your Umbria’s bucket list! Here you can set out on a journey to the old Middle Ages by exploring Piazza Silvestri, the church of San Michele, Palazzo dei Consoli, and dozens of other historical monuments.
Its origins are incredibly ancient: the Romans referred to Bevagna as Mevania, and it was an important trading centre also thanks to its location, at the heart of the via Flaminia, a trading route developed by the Romans. During the 3rd century (over 1700 years ago!) Mevania was equipped with a city wall, a spa and an amphitheater, of which the vestiges still remain.
MERCATO DELLE GAITE: Each year in June, the town transforms into a true Medieval village. Bevagna hosts in fact the Mercato delle Gaite, a Circuit of Medieval Crafts that celebrates the ancient life and the old arts. You can even take part in one or more workshops, in order to experience these old crafts first-hand.
25) The world’s smallest theatre in Montecastello di Vibio
Not far from Todi in the province of Perugia is the medival town of Monte Castello di Vibio. It’s been rated as one of the most beautiful medieval towns in the country for its various sights. When you visit, you have to check out the smallest theatre in the world, known as the Theatre of Concordia. Built in the early 19th century thanks to top prominent families of the area, this theatre is the smallest one that is an accurate reproduction of other typical Italian and European theatres. It has 99 seats, and while there are others in the world that have fewer, this is the only one that has the least amount of seats while sticking to the traditional European style making it a unique find in the region and country.
In the theatre, you can admire the rich detail of the materials used in its construction as the beautiful frescoes by Cesare Agretti and his son that decorate the boxes and vaulted ceiling. The structure itself was made completely out of wood in Golodoni style and its name was inspired by concept known as Concordia tra i popoli meaning harmony between peoples.
26) Take a boat to Isola Maggiore
Isola Maggiore is the second-largest island in the Trasimeno Lake. It’s covered by dense vegetation of olive trees, holm oaks and cypresses, and it is accessible from the towns of Passignano sul Trasimeno, Tuoro sul Trasimeno and Castiglione del Lago. You can check the timetable of the ferries here.
The ferry itself isn’t the fanciest nor the most modern, but it is quite affordable as a return ticket only costs about €8 EUR ($8.50 USD) per person.
In Isola Maggiore, make sure to visit Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo (Church of St. Michael Archangel) with frescoes that date back to the 13th and the 16th centuries, the Guglielmi Castle (even though today it is in a state of neglect), and the small village with houses that are 600 to 700 years old.
27) Visit San Gemini, amongst Italy’s most fascinating towns
Only 14km northwest of the province’s capital Terni, visiting San Gemini will give you a taste of real Umbrian life. When visiting San Gemini, you can see ancient ruins of the city such as its forum, the “Gemini Temples”, and an amphitheater. Some historians believe that gladiatorial games took place in the amphitheater, and when you visit you’ll be able to see the remains of a Roman house with beautiful floor mosaics.
28) Hike to the Eremo di Santa Maria Giacobbe
The small church of the Eremo di Santa Maria Giacobbe is located carved out of a natural steep-sided valley at an altitude of 525m above sea level. The hermitage can be reached on foot in about 0.5h starting from the town of Pale and then following the well-marked uphill path. The sanctuary dates to the late 13th century but, based on historical resources, it is likely that it was constructed on a pre-existing pagan settlement. It’s open every day, but you need to book your visit in advance (at least 3 days in advance) by calling their number or sending them an email.
The walk to the hermitage is not recommended during the hottest hours of the summer months since there are many steps – 305 to be exact…and the cobblestones are not always even and smooth. Today, the sanctuary can only be visited upon reservation. Inside, this beauty is entirely frescoed with paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries. Fun fact, up until 1963, it was inhabited by a hermit who acted as a guardian.
29) Explore the small but beautiful Abbadessa Caves in Pale
Have you heard of the Pale caves? Situated in a hamlet of Foligno on the slopes of Monte di Pale, the caves were formed by the dissolution of limestone from the waters of the Menotre river. There are several cool formations that are admired for their architectural beauty. One, in particular, is called Camera del laghetto meaning the Pond room. It’s circular in shape and height of 8-9m.
It’s €6 EUR ($6.30 USD) for a ticket, and you can reserve your visit ahead of time online.
30) Piediluco
Piediluco is a beautiful town sitting by the second-largest lake in Umbria. The name “Piediluco” can be divided into 3 words: Pie di luco, and it is believed to mean “at the foot of the sacred wood”. This beautiful lake has a perimeter of about 13km, a depth of 19m and is located at an altitude of 375m above sea level. It’s definitely worth checking out!
When visiting, be sure to explore the town itself and visit its historic Palace and Rocca. The Rocca di Piediluco is a complex consisting of two distinct sections: the first is the Palace. It was built in the 13th century by the Brancaleoni family members who were the lords of the place. It was built on the remains of an earlier castle dating back to the early millennium. The second section is the Rocca, which served a military-defensive function. This beautiful complex is nestled in thick green vegetation by the lake, making it a beautiful day trip.
31) Amelia
The town of Amelia is one of the oldest in Umbria. It has a picturesque and perfectly preserved old city centre rich in history with its medieval churches, Renaissance palaces and pre-Roman roadways that emerge underground.
Amelia is full of traces from different time periods, including an old wall known as the megalithic wall that dates to the 8th-7th century B.C.E composed only of irregular, unpolished blocks. When visiting, you should also check out the ruins of the underground city. You can admire the ingenuity of the articulated system of Roman cisterns located in Piazza Matteotti, which dates back to the 1st century B.C.E.
32) Deruta
The name of this historic town has an interesting tale. It originates as a variant of ‘Diruta’, meaning ‘ruined’. Due to an ongoing civil war, many Perugians fled their city in 40 B.C.E. during a seven-month siege resulting in the destruction of Perugia. The inhabitants of the destroyed city of Diruta, settled on the hill of the town of today, which took the name of old Perugia.
Deruta is known for its artisanal Maiolica, tin-glazed pottery, and its museum housing its local ceramics. Its collection has more than 6000 pieces! Another treasure house is the Pinacoteca Comunale, with its impressive collection of local art.
33) Collepino
Collepino is a beautiful and quiet hamlet in the town of Spello. When visiting either Collepino or Spello be sure to check out both! Spello is only 7.5km away, and Collepino is perched on Mount Subasio at an altitude of 600m, overlooking olive groves and the valley of the river Chiona.
It’s a small hamlet with a population of just over 30 people. When visiting, you can check out the Abbey of San Silvestro, patron saint of the town, and explore other nearby attractions. From Collepino there are a series of hiking trails to explore neighbouring towns, castles and ancient monuments such as the Roman aqueduct between Collepino and Spello.
