18 Places to Visit in Umbria

Umbria is considered the green lung of Italy, a phrase that perfectly sums up the extraordinary beauty of this land characterized by farmlands, hilly landscapes, forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers. Since prehistoric times, humans have recognized the potential of the territory: it was inhabited by the Umbrians and Etruscans before being conquered by the Romans; three civilizations that have left valuable archaeological evidence throughout the region.

But that's not all, Umbria has also given birth to many famous Saints including Saint Francis, Saint Clare, Saint Rita of Cascia, and Saint Valentine, to whom magnificent religious architectures dedicated to pilgrimage can be found from faithful across Italy. Finally, the region has always stood out for its cultural liveliness, witnessed by the numerous music festivals and its rich food and wine tradition. Here are some must-visit places in this beautiful region.

Perugia is one of the two provincial capitals of the region and is an indispensable stop for anyone wishing to travel to Umbria.

Ancient for three thousand years, the city features a beautiful historic center with a medieval layout full of charming alleys and narrow streets, very pleasant to explore on foot: however, as we are talking about a hilly area, keep in mind that the city is full of ups and downs, so it is essential to pack comfortable shoes!

Among its wonders are: Piazza IV Novembre and the Fontana Maggiore, as well as the Etruscan Arch, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and the Palazzo dei Priori, which houses the National Gallery of Umbria. Perugia also hosts major events such as Eurochocolate, dedicated to Perugian chocolate, and Umbria Jazz, one of the most important jazz music festivals in Europe. See also: Must-see things in Perugia

A deeply spiritual place, Assisi is considered a symbol of peace associated with one of the most beloved and revered saints in the world: Saint Francis of Assisi. It is a delightful medieval town highlighted by the magnificent Basilica of Saint Francis, adorned with frescoes by the master Giotto. The Basilica is not the only religious architecture of interest: in Piazza del Comune, for example, stands The Temple of Minerva, dating back to the 1st century B.C. In Piazza Santa Chiara, one can find the Basilica dedicated to the saint that houses her remains and the beautiful wooden crucifix that, according to legend, spoke to Saint Francis. See also: Assisi: what to see, where to eat, and what to do at night

Another famous provincial capital of the Umbria region, Terni was known in the past by the ancient name Interamna Nahartium, which literally means "land between two rivers", i.e., the Nera and the Serra.

In addition to being the birthplace of Emperor Marcus Claudius Tacitus and writer Cornelius Tacitus, Terni is primarily known as the city of the patron Saint Valentine, remembered by the splendid Basilica that holds the relics of the saint.

In May, every year, the highly appreciated event that recalls popular traditions, the Cantamaggio, takes place: for the occasion, themed floats and dialect singing contests are organized.

Just 7 km from Terni, you will find the Marmore Falls, one of the must-visit sites for anyone looking to discover the natural beauties of Umbria.

The waterfalls are an artificial creation of hydraulic engineering of Roman origin: before 290 B.C., in fact, the Velino River created areas where the water stagnated and was marshy, creating an unhealthy environment for the population of the surrounding towns. In order to channel this water, Consul Curio Dentato ordered the excavation of a canal to direct it toward the Marmore cliff, from which it would plunge, making a 165-meter drop into the nearby Nera Gorge.

The Velino River is the emissary of another natural wonder located near Terni: Lake Piediluco, a lake that, due to its irregular shape, almost resembles an alpine lake. This lake is a great place to relax, take beautiful photographs, and also for water sports: many rowing enthusiasts choose it as their destination for weekends or longer stays. Additionally, world-class events are also held here.

Known primarily for its handcrafted artistic ceramics, Deruta is a beautiful hilltop village in the province of Perugia, rightly included in the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy. But it's not the only one! Less than ten minutes away is Torgiano, which has also received the same recognition. In Torgiano, in particular, one can visit the famous Wine and Oil Museums, managed by the Lungarotti Foundation.

The Wine Museum MUVIT, established in 1974, consists of 20 rooms where over 2800 artifacts are exhibited with great scientific rigor. Among the items, there are Cycladic jugs and Hittite vases, Greek, Etruscan and Roman ceramics, glass and bronze, and also a series of tools for viticulture and winemaking.

With purely Etruscan origins, Orvieto is one of the oldest cities in Italy. Its Cathedral is a splendid and colorful example of Romanesque-Gothic architecture, featuring a façade adorned with numerous bas-reliefs.

However, in addition to the Cathedral, the city offers very characteristic views where one can fully enjoy its timeless atmosphere: there is indeed a subterranean Orvieto, excavated by the inhabitants over the centuries and rich in wells and caves. The most famous of all is the St. Patrick's Well, a civil engineering work created at the behest of Clement VII for survival purposes in case of siege or natural disasters. It is 62 meters deep, has a diameter of 13.5 meters, and is visitable thanks to two helical spiral staircases that never meet, each consisting of 248 steps.

Gubbio, the city of the "crazy people", is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and characteristic cities in all of Umbria. The city's Cathedral, in particular, is a true artistic treasure adorned with numerous works dating back to the 16th century.

Overlooking Piazza Grande is the Palazzo dei Consoli, built in Gothic style: a symbol of the city, it houses the municipal museum, the "big bell", and the seven "Eugubine Tables", an important document for the history of Italic peoples dating back to the 3rd/2nd century B.C. Other sights in Gubbio not to be missed are the Ducal Palace and the Roman Theater, dating back to the 1st century B.C. See also: Guide to Gubbio: what to see, where to eat, and what to do at night

A city with a rich historical and artistic heritage, Spoleto is the ancient capital of the Lombard dukes. Its main attraction, the Rocca Albornoziana, dominates the city from above and bears testimony to the ancient presence of popes and governors. The Rocca is also protected by a high system of walls with 6 rectangular towers, which divides it into two areas: the Cortile d'onore, where the National Museum of the Dukedom is located, and the Cortile delle armi, which features an open-air theater.

For those who do not suffer from vertigo, a visit to the Bridge of Towers is also recommended, measuring 230 meters long and 82 meters high. In Piazza del Duomo, you will also find the Catedral of Santa Maria Assunta, in Romanesque style, which hosts frescoes by Pinturicchio and Filippo Lippi. See also: Guide to Spoleto: what to see, where to eat, and what to do at night

The Clitunno Springs cover an area of almost 10,000 square meters, stretching along the Flaminia road between Spoleto and Foligno. The environment has inspired painters, writers, and poets since antiquity (including Pliny the Younger, Virgil, Corot, Byron, and Giosuè Carducci), fascinated by the aquatic flora, fauna, and the spectacular colors of weeping willows and cypress poplars mirrored in the clear water.

The underground springs, which today gush from some cracks in the rock, once formed a navigable river that reached Rome. The Romans considered these waters sacred and regularly visited to consult the oracle of the god Clitunno.

In the center of the Umbrian Valley, Foligno is a small flat town, perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. Among its main attractions, be sure not to miss the architectural complex located in Piazza della Repubblica, which includes the Cathedral, neoclassical and dedicated to San Feliciano, the Town Hall, and Palazzo Trinci, which houses the Pinacoteca.

Not far from Foligno, you will also find Bevagna, a beautiful village included among the Orange Flags of the Italian Touring Club, known for its production of cloths, nicknamed "bevagne". This town has appeared in numerous films, including "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" by Zeffirelli and the TV series "Don Matteo 6" aired on Rai Uno.

Lake Trasimeno is the fourth-largest lake in Italy, located in the heart of the Umbrian hills. Bathed by its waters are three islands: Isola Maggiore (the only one inhabited), Isola Polvese (the largest), and Isola Minore, which is private and not visitable.

At Lake Trasimeno, you can relax, practice water sports, and circle the entire perimeter, either by car (along state, provincial, and municipal roads) or by bicycle (thanks to the dedicated bike path). Along its shores also lie many beautiful villages that we recommend visiting. The main ones are Castiglione del Lago, San Feliciano, Tuoro sul Trasimeno, Castel Rigone, and Passignano sul Trasimeno. The latter, in particular, is located on a promontory along the northern shore and is renowned for wrought iron production aimed at making chandeliers, lanterns, and other everyday objects.

If you love hunting for adventure and want to feel a little like small Indiana Jones for a day, in Umbria you'll find a town that will suit you perfectly. Narni indeed has a unique atmosphere, having inspired a successful series of books (which have also been adapted into internationally famous films) named The Chronicles of Narnia.

Visiting the subterranean of Narni is a unique experience: lasting about an hour and a half, the exploration starts from the convent complex of San Domenico with the entrance to a 12th-century church (discovered only in 1979 by six young spelunkers!). After passing through a chamber with a Roman cistern, you reach a large room that was the site for interrogations of the Inquisition Tribunal, called Room of Torments, as documented by some documents found in the Vatican Archives and Trinity College in Dublin.

An ancient city like many in the region, Norcia is renowned primarily for its lentil bloom and for being the birthplace of Saint Benedict, the first monk of Christianity and founder of the Benedictine order. He lived around the 500s and became an important spiritual guide for the entire Christian world, primarily remembered for the famous rule of life "Ora et Labora", established to regulate communal life in the convent.

Close to Norcia, you'll also find Cascia, another town linked to the veneration of a religious figure: we are referring to Saint Rita of Cascia. In this small town of just 3,000 residents, you can visit the immense Basilica of Saint Rita, which consists of the main Basilica, the Lower Basilica, the Monastery, and the Penitentiary. Don't miss the Church of Santa Maria della Visitazione, one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Situated between Assisi and Foligno, Spello is a town rich in Roman-era testimonies, among which stand out the city walls, the remains of a theater, an amphitheater, thermal baths, the Porta Consolare, as well as Porta Urbica and Porta Venere from the Augustan era. At the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, there is the Baglioni Chapel, painted by Pinturicchio with images of the Annunciation, Nativity, and the Dispute at the Temple, along with some frescoes by Perugino realized on the access pillars to the presbytery.

Lake Alviano is an artificial reservoir, created by Enel in 1963 to channel and utilize the wastewater from the Corbara reservoir. Over time, the area has transformed into a marshy oasis with particularly favorable conditions for hosting typical fauna and flora of wetland areas. The oasis, inaugurated in 1983, currently spans over 900 hectares (400 of which are entirely covered by water) and is a strong attraction for bird-watching enthusiasts: over 160 species of birds, both resident and migratory, live in the marshy area. Among them, one can spot moorhen, great and little egrets, hawks, mallards, kingfishers, and cormorants.

Halfway between Terni and Perugia, Todi is one of the largest municipalities in the region, as well as one of the hilliest. Among the things to see in Todi, you cannot miss the medieval historic center, of which Piazza del Popolo is the beating heart. A testament to the era of Free Municipalities, the square is flanked by The Cathedral of the Annunciation in Romanesque-Gothic style and the Bishops' Palace. Other notable buildings include the Civic Museum and the Church of San Fortunato, in 13th-century Gothic style: we recommend that you do not limit yourself to viewing the main structure but to also go down into the crypt, where you will find some saint's tombs and a fresco of the blessed Jacopone da Todi.

Montefalco, also on the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy, is a highly recommended destination for wine lovers, for those looking to escape the urban chaos, and also for photography enthusiasts: here, among vineyards and olive groves, you will feel at peace with yourself and the nature around you and can take beautiful photos to take home as a memory. Furthermore, Montefalco is home to the museum complex dedicated to Saint Francis, including the former Church of St. Francis, decorated with frescoes by Gozzoli and Perugino. The best time to visit the town is in September when the grape harvest takes place and some important traditional events occur. See also: Guide to Montefalco: what to see, where to eat, and what to do at night

From its 500 meters in height, Città della Pieve dominates a vast hilly area of Umbria, known as Val di Chiana. Inhabited since ancient times, the city is rich in notable monuments, both religious and civil. Among the most significant, we suggest you visit the Palazzo della Corgna, the Torre del Pubblico made of travertine built in two different periods, but also the Concattedrale dedicated to Saints Gervasio and Protasio and the Convent of San Francesco. If you want to explore the surroundings of the city, take a trip to the small Borgo di Salci, located between Città della Pieve and Orvieto: the first records of this tiny center date back to 1243 when this small territory was used as a sort of "buffer zone" between the Papal State and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

Umbria is a region that lends itself to various types of travel: from cultural itineraries to food and wine journeys, including backpacking trips in contact with nature.

The region has two airports: in Perugia and Foligno (compare flights - from $50.00).

If you are interested in major cities of art or cultural itineraries, we recommend visiting Assisi, Perugia, and Orvieto (compare accommodations on Booking from $30.00 per night).

If, on the other hand, you prefer discovering the villages and ancient vineyards of the region, better choose Montefalco, Gubbio, Foligno, and Bevagna in the province of Perugia, but also Torgiano with its exceptional Wine Museum (accommodations from $37.00 per night).

Finally, for lovers of outdoor life and natural spots, include in your itinerary Marmore Falls and Lake Trasimeno, including a stop at the Natural Oasis of Lake Alviano (accommodations from $27.00 per night).