Independent travel guide · English and German
Perugia, Assisi and the hill towns of Umbria, taken slowly.
What is really worth seeing in Perugia and Assisi, where to stay, how to manage without a car, and the towns, wines and festivals that make a trip to Umbria special.
Places and topics
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01 4 pages
Perugia
Umbria's hilltop capital: what to see in the old town, which area to stay in, how the Minimetrò and escalators work, and the best day trips.
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02 3 pages
Assisi
How to visit the Basilica of St Francis, what else to see in Assisi, and how to get there from Perugia by train, bus or car.
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03 6 pages
Hill towns and lakes
Orvieto, Gubbio, Spello, Bevagna, Spoleto, Norcia and Lake Trasimeno: what each place is like, what to see and how to fit it into a trip.
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04 3 pages
Food and wine
What to eat in Umbria, which wines to try, and where truffles and olive oil fit in: a practical guide for travellers who like to eat well.
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05 5 pages
Festivals and culture
Umbria's festival year, Umbria Jazz and Eurochocolate for visitors, Renaissance art and music, and how the European Capital of Culture title works.
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06 3 pages
Plan your trip
A seven-day Umbria itinerary, how to choose an agriturismo, and walking the Way of St Francis: the practical side of travelling in Umbria.
Where most readers start
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Things to Do in Perugia: Old Town Sights and Tips
What to see in Perugia's old town, from Piazza IV Novembre to the Rocca Paolina, how long to stay and how to plan the climb up without a car.
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Things to Do in Assisi: a Practical Guide
The Basilica of St Francis, Santa Chiara, the Rocca Maggiore and the quieter sites beyond the walls: what to see in Assisi and how to plan your day.
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Umbria Itinerary: 7 Days by Car, Day by Day
A seven-day Umbria itinerary by car: Perugia, Assisi, Spello, Montefalco, Spoleto, Norcia, Todi, Orvieto and Lake Trasimeno, with bases, timing and tips.
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Orvieto Travel Guide: Cathedral, Caves and Wine
Orvieto on its rock: the cathedral and Signorelli's chapel, the underground city, St Patrick's Well, how to get there by train and how long to stay.
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Where to Stay in Perugia: Best Areas Compared
Old town, Corso Garibaldi, near the station or out in the countryside: which part of Perugia suits your trip, with tips on parking and stairs.
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What to Eat in Umbria: Dishes, Pasta and Local Specialities
What to eat in Umbria: the pasta, cured meats, lentils, truffle dishes and sweets worth ordering, plus how menus work and where each speciality comes from.
Perugia · Assisi · Umbria
Before you go
Umbria is hilly and rural. These three guides save most of the detours: getting up into Perugia without a car, getting over to Assisi, and finding the right place to stay in the countryside.
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Perugia Without a Car: Minimetrò, Escalators, Buses
How to get up to Perugia's old town by Minimetrò and escalators, how trains and regional buses connect, and how to reach the city from the airport.
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Perugia to Assisi by Train, Bus or Car: How to Go
How to get from Perugia to Assisi: regional train plus local bus, direct buses, driving and parking. Journey times, tickets and tips, as of October 2026.
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Agriturismo in Umbria: How to Choose the Right Farm Stay
How to choose an agriturismo in Umbria: what the term means, rooms versus apartments, meals, minimum stays, pools, access roads and which area suits your trip.
Through the year
Jazz in July, chocolate in autumn, lentil fields in flower in early summer: when each kind of trip makes sense.
Planning a trip around Sagrantino and Grechetto? Get an overview of wine regions and grape varieties (in German) before you head into the cellars. And if the Rocca Paolina leaves you wanting more, you can explore castles and palaces (in German) well beyond Umbria too.
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Umbria Festival Calendar: Events Month by Month
Umbria’s festival year month by month: Umbria Jazz, Eurochocolate, the Ceri of Gubbio, Spoleto’s festival, flower carpets in Spello and autumn food fairs.
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Umbria Jazz Visitor Guide: Dates, Venues, Tickets, Stays
Umbria Jazz for visitors: when the Perugia festival takes place, which concerts are free, how tickets work, where to stay and how to get around the old town.
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Eurochocolate in Perugia: Visitor Guide for 2026
Eurochocolate for visitors: 2026 dates, how the chocolate festival in Perugia’s old town works, when to go to avoid crowds, where to stay and how to get there.
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Norcia and the Castelluccio Lentil Bloom: Guide
Norcia after the 2016 earthquake, its food traditions and reopened basilica, plus when and how to see the lentil bloom on the Castelluccio plain.
Further reading from our partners
Still torn between spring and autumn? Look up the best time to travel to Italy (in German) before you book your accommodation.