Umbria Travelers Recommend

Birthplace of St. Francis and one of the most atmospheric hill towns in Italy, Assisi is best-known for its magnificent Basilica of Saint Francis, but this UNESCO World Heritage Site isn’t the only reason to visit. Here’s how to experience Assisi’s captivating Roman ruins, medieval center, Franciscan sites, and local cuisine in just one day.

Morning: Saint Francis in Art

Assisi’s headliner is its 13th-century Basilica of Saint Francis, part of the massive hillside Sacro Convento friary complex, which can be seen from miles in any direction. Built over the saint’s tomb and lavishly decorated with late-medieval frescoes by Cimabue and Giotto, the upper and lower churches of the basilica are both pilgrimage site and de facto art museum, best appreciated with a guide first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive. Join a small-group or private tour of Assisi that begins with a stop here, or explore its art and architecture more in depth with a morning guided or audio tour focused exclusively on the basilica complex. 

Afternoon: Assisi and the Life of Francis

After taking in the basilica dedicated to Francis, explore the hilltop town where the saint was born. Known as Asisium during ancient times, Assisi is home to a number of fine Roman ruins standing side-by-side with soaring Romanesque churches and humble Franciscan landmarks. Walking tours of the historic center touch on these highlights, including the Temple of Minerva, the New Church (Chiesa Nuova), and Basilica of Saint Clare. Those particularly curious about the life of the saint can opt for a tour that includes Franciscan sites such as the Porziuncola church and Eremo delle Carceri hermitage complex. Alternatively, choose a day trip that combines a tour of Assisi with Cortona, Perugia, or Passignano sul Trasimeno to explore farther afield.

Night: Food for Body (and Soul)

Assisi and its famous basilica may be a feast for the eyes, but now it’s time to satisfy the palate with this region’s excellent food and wine. Sit down for a tasting in a winery just outside the historic center to sample local wines paired with specialities such as extra-virgin olive oil, bruschetta, artisan cheeses, and traditional desserts. For a more hands-on experience, join a cooking class and learn how to make regional dishes such as antipasti and fresh pasta before sitting down to feast on the fruits of your labor. 

Orvieto is a popular day trip from Rome, as well as a convenient stop when traveling between Italy’s capital city and Florence. With its magnificent cathedral (Duomo), historic underground tunnels, and surrounding wine country, this Umbrian hill town has plenty to keep you occupied. Here’s how to get the most out of one day in Orvieto.

Morning: Historic Highlights

Get your bearings with a morning walking tour of Orvieto’s historic center. Take in its glorious Gothic cathedral, which soars high above the city rooftops and is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. Head below the city streets to explore its network of hidden tunnels and caverns, dug over the millennia by everyone from the Etruscans to 20th-century Orvietani and now open as Orvieto Underground. Finally, descend into Pozzo di San Patrizio and Pozzo della Cava, two medieval wells dug to provide water in times of siege, and take a few minutes to admire the sweeping views from their clifftop perch over the surrounding rolling countryside.

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Afternoon: Food and Wine

Once you’ve explored the cultural highlights, turn your attention to the local cuisine. Orvieto has been known for its white and red wines for centuries, produced in the vineyards lining nearby Lake Corbara. Join a wine tour to sample the best vintages paired with artisan cheeses and other local specialties. Passionate cooks can instead opt to join a cooking class to learn how to prepare classic dishes from Orvieto and the surrounding hills. Another fun foodie option is a truffle hunt through the wooded hills with a local forager and his dogs. Alternatively, take the afternoon to visit the tiny clifftop hamlet of Cività di Bagnoregio, linked to the outside world only by a footbridge.

Night: An Underground Aperitivo

End your day in Orvieto by combining two of the city’s most unique features: its local wines and famous underground warren of tunnels. Relax with an aperitivo in one of the historic caverns dug into the soft volcanic stone of Orvieto’s towering cliff, including wine and a buffet of savory finger foods and traditional sweet biscotti. Afterwards, stroll through town for one final glimpse of the Duomo’s dramatic facade, theatrically illuminated at night.

Just as the region of Umbria is at the heart of Italy, the town of Assisi is at the heart of Umbria, both figuratively and geographically. By far the biggest draw in the region, Assisi is also centrally located for exploring all of Umbria. Here’s how to see the best of the town and its surrounding region in three days. 

Day 1: The Land of Saint Francis

Immerse yourself in Franciscan Assisi, from the spectacular 13th-century Basilica of Saint Francis to the humble Porziuncola church. Avoid the crowds by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site first thing in the morning with a guide to take in masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue and the saint’s sacred tomb. Afterwards, take a walking tour through Assisi’s medieval center, visiting highlights from its ancient Roman temple to its Romanesque churches, then strike out beyond the city walls to explore Franciscan sanctuaries and chapels. Foodies can opt for an Assisi walking tour that focuses on local cuisine and artisan shops, or join a medieval cooking class to learn about the Middle Ages through the lens of food. 

Day 2: Flavors of the Countryside

Devote your second day to Umbria’s culinary delights by touring a local winery to sample Assisi’s best wines paired with traditional Umbrian dishes, visiting an olive farm to sample the area’s “green gold” drizzled over bruschetta and pasta, or setting off with a local forager and dog to hunt wild truffles in the woods. Most gastronomic day trips to the wineries and farms in the countryside near Assisi include a rustic lunch featuring hearty local fare and may even include transportation so you can imbibe with peace of mind.

Day 3: The Treasures of Umbria

On your last day, take advantage of Assisi’s strategically central location as a convenient jumping-off point for day trips farther afield. The most captivating destinations in Umbria include the elegant capital city of Perugia, home to the Perugina chocolate factory; and the clifftop town of Orvieto and tiny neighboring Civita di Bagnoregio, the latter accessible only by footbridge. Tireless gourmands can continue their gastronomic discoveries at wineries and olive oil mills in Montefalco and Spello, while others may opt to visit Passignano sul Trasimeno, a relaxed resort town on the shores of Lake Trasimeno. For a final foray into Francis’ life, catch the ferry from here to the lake’s tiny Isola Maggiore, where the saint lived for 40 days as a hermit.

With two days in Assisi, you can take a deep dive into the life and times of Saint Francis and still be able to strike out for the surrounding hills of Umbria, a region beloved for its medieval villages and hearty food and wine. Here are your best options for combining Assisi’s cuisine and culture in just two days.

Day 1: Assisi, Sacred and Secular

**Morning:**Beat the crowds by starting your day at the Basilica of Saint Francis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and favorite of pilgrims and art aficionados. Visit with a guide to fully appreciate the historic and artistic significance of this 13th-century complex built above the saint’s tomb and frescoed by Giotto and Cimabue. 

**Afternoon:**From the basilica, move on to Assisi’s medieval old town, where Francis was born. The compact center is peppered with ancient Roman ruins and sacred Franciscan sites; you can take in the town’s highlights—from the Temple of Minerva to the Basilica of St. Clare—with a walking tour in just a few hours.

**Night:**After a day of food for the soul, it’s time to feed the body. Unwind with an informal evening wine tasting to sample Assisi’s excellent local labels paired with regional cheeses and prosciutto, a delicious way to appreciate the more secular side of Assisi. 

Day 2: Set Your Sights Beyond Assisi

**Morning:**Dedicate your second day to enjoying the local cuisine. Early risers can join a morning truffle hunt, visit a winery, tour an olive oil mill, or dive into a hands-on cooking lesson—all followed by lunch featuring regional delicacies and traditional dishes. 

**Afternoon:**If you’d rather take advantage of your second day to head farther afield, you can combine a wine tasting with a jaunt to one of the many picturesque hill towns in Umbria and Tuscany. Tour the historic center of Orvieto or Montepulciano and sample their prestigious local wines on a guided day tour from Assisi.

**Night:**End your time in Assisi by relaxing in the hilltop historic center as the sun sets over the valley. Grab a spot on the scenic overlook in Piazza Santa Chiara, or climb to the Rocca Maggiore fortress above town for unparalleled views across the rooftops to the Umbrian countryside beyond.