Orvieto: what to see, where to eat, and what to do at night

Orvieto is a small and wonderful town in Umbria that, due to its unique position, has also been nicknamed "the high and strange city". It is situated on a small rocky promontory, making it visible from kilometers away! Here, time seems to have stopped. Here are all our tips on what to see in Orvieto!

One of the main attractions in Orvieto is its marvelous Cathedral, a great starting point for a journey in the city! Construction began in 1290, but work continued until the mid-1500s and involved as many as 20 different artists! The facade is a true masterpiece: in the lower part, you can admire numerous reliefs that depict stories from the Old and New Testaments, while at the top, you can admire the rose window, surrounded by numerous mosaics.

And if the exterior is spectacular, the interior is no less impressive! Don't miss two of the most important chapels in Italy: the Corporal Chapel and the San Brizio Chapel. The first is dedicated to the Miracle of Bolsena, when blood emerged from a host in 1263. Since then, August 11th has been celebrated as Corpus Christi. The second, the San Brizio Chapel, is a true masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. Its theme is the Last Judgment and is entirely frescoed, a real spectacle!

A unique attraction, certainly not recommended for those who are uncomfortable in tight spaces or when going underground. We are talking about the San Patrizio Well, a true engineering work, built to ensure the city had water year-round.

This work, built in 1527 by Giuliano da Sangallo the Younger at the behest of Pope Clement VII, is 62 meters deep, entirely carved into tuff, the cliff on which the city stands. It consists of double helical staircases, one dedicated to descending and the other to ascending. You can descend to the bottom of the well and then ascend. Keep in mind, though, that there are 258 steps to tackle!

The San Patrizio Well is not the only wonder underground. In Orvieto you can visit a true underground city! This "second" city was born from the work of the inhabitants, who for about 2,500 years have dug into the cliff, creating a hidden underground place.

This underground city has only been revealed in recent years, showcasing to the world a complex of about 1,200 caves, wells, cisterns, and tunnels. A truly unique place, rich in legends and stories. Today it is open to the public, of course only through guided tours for safety reasons, organized through the Orvieto Underground project. An experience you definitely shouldn't miss!

Piazza del Popolo is one of the most beautiful squares in the city. Unfortunately, during the week, it is used as a parking lot during the day, but in the evening and on market days, it is closed to traffic, regaining its charm!

The imposing Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo dominates the square, easily recognizable by its grand staircase. Built in the 14th century, this place represented the institutional figure of political life in the Middle Ages. Today, it serves as an important conference center. Unfortunately, it is not open to public visits, but you can still admire all its beauty from the outside.

Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo is located at Piazza del Popolo 1. It is easily reachable on foot from Piazza Duomo (450m, 5 min) and from the San Patrizio Well (950m, 10 min) - Get directions

Visit duration: 30 min

The Torre del Moro, located in the heart of the historic center, is one of the symbols of Orvieto. Its name comes from the owner of the palace beneath the tower, Roberto di Sante or Gualtiero known as the Moor. In reality, over the centuries it had numerous owners and, for a long time, belonged to the Papacy.

Today it has become a cultural center and, above all, features a wonderful panoramic terrace from which to admire the whole city! To reach the top, you will need to climb 250 steps, but the view is guaranteed!

Given its spectacular position, Orvieto has always been a very protected city, where it was easy to spot enemies in time and defend against attacks. In 1359, work began to build an additional defense point, the Albornoz Fortress.

Located a few steps from the San Patrizio Well, this immense fortress was destroyed multiple times during its construction. From here, you can enjoy a unique view of the entire surrounding valley! Today, it houses a public garden, always accessible to visitors, making it an ideal place for a break after a visit to the city or to watch the sunset!

Located at Via Postierla 301. Easily reachable on foot from Piazza Duomo (800m, 9 min) and from the San Patrizio Well (80m, 1 min) - Get directions

Visit duration: 20 min

In the city, you will also find several interesting museums. One that you definitely should not miss is the Museum of the Opera del Duomo, whose visit is included in the entry ticket to the Orvieto Cathedral. It overlooks Piazza Duomo, just steps away from other important attractions.

The museum consists of various exhibition halls. Not to be missed is the area housed within the Papal Palaces, located just behind the Cathedral. Here the main works are housed in the Room of Wonders.

Following the designated path, you will be able to admire works such as the large Madonna with Child by Coppo di Marcovaldo or the Madonna with Child and angels and Madonna with the Child and saints Mary Magdalene, Dominic, Peter, and Paul by Simone Martini.

Near the Museum of the Opera del Duomo is the National Archaeological Museum of Orvieto, ideal for getting to know the history of the city better. It is also housed within one of the papal palaces behind the Cathedral.

Inside, the collections include various artifacts found during excavations in the Orvieto area. You can admire funerary goods, various objects used in daily life during the Etruscan period, bronzes, and frescoes recovered from various tombs, categorized and exhibited chronologically. A place not to be missed for history and archaeology lovers!

The Emilio Greco Museum is located in the Palazzo Soliano, the largest and most imposing of the papal residences in Orvieto. Located to the right of the Cathedral, this place was built at the behest of Pope Boniface VIII Caetani in the 13th century.

The Emilio Greco Museum occupies the ground floor of the palace and hosts works donated by the artist Emilio Greco, after whom the museum is named. The collection includes numerous bronze works created in the late 20th century by Greco, marking the most significant stages of his career. Among these, the Wrestler, which was also displayed in London during the 1948 Olympics, is unmissable!

In front of the Orvieto Cathedral is the Claudio Faina Etruscan Museum, one of the largest archaeological collections in Italy. Today it is housed within the Palazzo Faina, completely renovated between 1855 and 1856 by the Faina Family, after which it is named.

The museum occupies two floors, the noble floor and the second floor, and was established in 1954 when Claudio Faina donated the entire collection to the Municipality of Orvieto.

In 1957, the Foundation for the Claudio Faina Museum was established to protect and promote the collection, one of the most important in Italy. Here you can admire various objects, such as pottery and coins, from the Etruscan period, all cataloged chronologically!

As we have already seen, Orvieto has unique and fascinating places that develop underground, such as the Underground City or the San Patrizio Well. In the center, you will also find the Pozzo della Cava, a very particular underground museum!

This museum exhibits numerous archaeological finds, such as tombs or furnaces, as well as a well carved in Etruscan tuff. It is a unique place: here during the Christmas season, a nativity scene with lifelike animated characters is organized! A truly unique experience!

Just outside the walls of the historic center are the remains of the Etruscan Necropolis of the Crucifix of Tuff. This is one of the most important testimonies of Etruscan civilization in this area and is now open for visits!

The name comes from the presence of a crucifix carved in tuff, located in a rock church. Nearby, there is a long green path to follow where you can pass by numerous Etruscan tombs arranged in a linear and orderly structure. Moreover, you can even read the names of the Etruscan families buried within them!

Start your morning in Piazza del Popolo, where you can have breakfast at Palace Caffè, with a view of Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. From here, reach the Torre del Moro, where you can enjoy the view of the historic center and the surroundings from above, before arriving at the beautiful Piazza Duomo. Here, we recommend concluding the morning by joining a guided tour of the Underground City, lasting 45 minutes (departure at 11:00 or 12:15).

For lunch, stop for an excellent sandwich or a platter at Antica Bottega al Duomo, and then head to the San Patrizio Well, an attraction you absolutely must not miss! Once your visit is finished, enjoy the panorama from the Fortezza Albornoz. In the mid-afternoon, head back to the center and take advantage of the last hours to visit the Cathedral and the Museum of the Opera del Duomo, both of which are accessible with a single ticket.

In the evening, you will already be in the heart of the center, where the relaxed nightlife of Orvieto concentrates. To conclude beautifully, we recommend dining at Trattoria La Pergola, just a few steps from the Cathedral.

In reality, Orvieto is a very quiet and relaxed city, without a wild nightlife. During the beautiful season, numerous events take place, as well as during Christmas time, but there are no clubs for dancing all night. Instead, you will find various places to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail with company.