Perugia Old Town Walking Tour
A guided walk up and down the hill town: Corso Vannucci, Piazza IV Novembre, the medieval lanes of Via dei Priori and the Etruscan gates, with the stories that make a steep city make sense.
Umbria (Italy)
Perugia and Umbria
Perugia is the hill-town capital of Umbria, a student city of medieval stone, Etruscan gates, Perugino frescoes and Italy's chocolate story, with the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi, the cliff-top cathedral of Orvieto, flower-draped Spello, Gubbio's stone lanes, Spoleto's soaring bridge and the calm blue water of Lake Trasimeno all within easy reach.
This guide sets out the essentials: a guided walk through the old town and the buried streets under the papal fortress, the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria, the Perugina chocolate museum and hands-on classes, food tours, cooking classes and truffle hunts, Sagrantino tastings in Montefalco and the best day trips by train or car. It then matches you to a base, from Perugia's grand palace hotels to quiet Assisi relais, an Orvieto palazzo, a lakeside stay and a countryside resort.
Don't miss
Perugia Old Town Walking Tour
A guided walk up and down the hill town: Corso Vannucci, Piazza IV Novembre, the medieval lanes of Via dei Priori and the Etruscan gates, with the stories that make a steep city make sense.
Perugina Chocolate Museum and Casa del Cioccolato
The home of Baci, the hazelnut chocolate kisses wrapped with love notes: a museum of the Perugina story, a look at the factory heritage and a gift shop sweet enough to justify the detour to San Sisto.
Basilica of St Francis, Assisi
The UNESCO-listed double basilica holding the tomb of St Francis and the fresco cycles of Giotto, Cimabue and Simone Martini, with a guided walk through the medieval pilgrim town of Assisi.
Orvieto Cathedral and Signorelli Chapel
The golden mosaic facade and Luca Signorelli's Last Judgment inside a cathedral built for a miracle, on a volcanic cliff town reached by funicular, with the underground caves as a bonus.
Things to do in Perugia and Umbria
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria and Palazzo dei Priori
The great Umbrian painting collection inside the medieval Palazzo dei Priori: Perugino, Pinturicchio, Fra Angelico and the golden-ground panels that built the Perugian school. Add the Collegio del Cambio next door for Perugino's frescoes.
Rocca Paolina and Underground Perugia
The buried medieval streets beneath the papal fortress that Perugians tore down in 1860: vaulted lanes, Etruscan stone, the escalators between Piazza Partigiani and Piazza Italia, and a walk through the city's sharpest historical grudge.
Perugia Cathedral of San Lorenzo and Chapter Museum
The Gothic cathedral on Piazza IV Novembre with its unfinished facade, outdoor pulpit and Barocci altarpiece, plus the chapter museum and the archaeological area beneath the city.
Fontana Maggiore and Piazza IV Novembre
The thirteenth-century fountain by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano at the center of Perugia: carved panels of months, saints and the city's griffin, the best free sight in town and the natural meeting point.
20-60 minutesDetails →
Etruscan Perugia: Arch, Well and Ancient Walls
The oldest layer of the city: the Etruscan Arch, the deep Etruscan Well, Porta Marzia and the stone walls that predate Rome. A private tour ties them to the Middle Ages and Renaissance above.
Perugina Chocolate Museum and Casa del Cioccolato
The home of Baci, the hazelnut chocolate kisses wrapped with love notes: a museum of the Perugina story, a look at the factory heritage and a gift shop sweet enough to justify the detour to San Sisto.
Artisan Chocolate Making Class in Perugia
A hands-on session in the chocolate capital of Italy: temper, mold and fill your own bars and pralines with a local chocolatier, then take your creations home.
Taste Perugia Food Tour
A walking tasting through the old town: porchetta, torta al testo, pecorino and cured meats, Umbrian olive oil, wine and sweets, with the shopkeepers and stories behind them.
Umbrian Cooking Class in Perugia
Cook like a local in a family home or farm kitchen outside the center: hand-rolled pasta, regional sauces and tiramisu, followed by lunch or dinner with the wine to match.
Basilica of St Francis, Assisi
The UNESCO-listed double basilica holding the tomb of St Francis and the fresco cycles of Giotto, Cimabue and Simone Martini, with a guided walk through the medieval pilgrim town of Assisi.
Eremo delle Carceri and Mount Subasio
The wooded mountain hermitage where Francis and his companions prayed: a small stone convent in an oak forest above Assisi, with trails across Mount Subasio and wide views of the Umbrian valley.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Sina Brufani
Piazza Italia / Old Town
The grand dame of Perugia, a nineteenth-century palace on Piazza Italia built over the old papal fortress, with valley views from the terrace side and the old town at your door.
Check rates →Hotel Sangallo Palace
Perugia city
A four-star in Perugia with a polished business-and-leisure feel, good for travelers who want modern comforts, on-site dining and an easy base for Umbria.
Check rates →Locanda della Posta
Corso Vannucci / Old Town
A historic boutique hotel on Corso Vannucci in a palace with an inn tradition that stretches back centuries, steps from the cathedral square and the Galleria Nazionale.
Check rates →Hotel Fortuna
Central Perugia
A friendly three-star in central Perugia, a good-value choice within walking distance of the main sights for travelers who want a simple room and an easy location.
Check rates →Chocohotel
Perugia (outside the center)
A chocolate-themed hotel in Italy's chocolate capital, with playful decor, sweet touches at breakfast and an easy base for families and anyone driving.
Check rates →Borgo dei Conti Resort Relais and Chateaux
Countryside near Perugia
A countryside luxury resort outside Perugia in the Relais and Chateaux collection, for travelers who want vineyards, quiet and a high-end base with Umbria's hill towns within reach.
Check rates →Nun Assisi Relais and Spa Museum
Assisi Historic Center
A restored monastery property in Assisi's old town that blends heritage architecture with wellness, built for travelers who want a contemplative, design-aware stay near the great basilicas.
Check rates →Hotel Fontebella
Assisi Historic Center
A long-standing hotel in an old palazzo near Assisi's main square, known for its terrace restaurant, period rooms and a position a short walk from the basilicas.
Check rates →Palazzo Piccolomini
Orvieto Historic Center
A historic palazzo hotel in Orvieto, a good base for seeing the cathedral and caves after the day trippers leave and for onward trips to Perugia and Umbria.
Check rates →Hotel Lido Passignano
Passignano sul Trasimeno
A lakeside-town hotel at Passignano sul Trasimeno, close to the ferries for Isola Maggiore and a relaxed alternative to a hill-town base, about 25 kilometers from Perugia.
Check rates →Perugia and Umbria guides
Perugia in Three Days: Hill Town, Chocolate and Day Trips
A three-day plan for Perugia and nearby Umbria: the old town and museums, Assisi and Spello, and a final day for food, wine or the lake.
Where to Stay in Perugia and Umbria: Old Town, Assisi, Orvieto or the Lake
A guide to choosing a base: Perugia's old town, the edges of the city, Assisi, Orvieto, Lake Trasimeno and countryside relais, with trade-offs for each.
Umbria Food and Wine: Truffles, Porchetta, Sagrantino and Olive Oil
What to eat and drink in Perugia and Umbria, from strangozzi and torta al testo to Sagrantino and Grechetto, with seasonal tips and classes.
Day Trips from Perugia: Assisi, Orvieto, Gubbio, Spoleto and the Lake
How to choose among the best day trips from Perugia, with travel times, what to see and how to combine them.
When to Visit Perugia and Umbria: Seasons, Festivals and Crowds
A season-by-season guide to Umbria: weather, festivals like Umbria Jazz, Eurochocolate and the Infiorata, truffle and harvest seasons and crowd patterns.
Perugia's Chocolate Story: Baci, Museums, Classes and Eurochocolate
Why Perugia is Italy's chocolate capital: the Perugina story, the museum, hands-on classes, festival tips and where to buy.
