Where to Stay in Umbria

A lively university city and Umbria’s capital, Perugia is an intriguing destination with a beautifully preserved Old Town. Most of its attractions are located atop a hill in the historical center, so it’s basically a large hilltop town with 3,000 years of history jam-packed into a relatively small space. It’s easily walkable and well-located, making it easy to reach most of the towns throughout Umbria with direct connections to Rome and Florence by train.

The only downside is that if you plan to have a car, the streets in the central area are confusing and parking is very challenging, which makes it best to leave your vehicle in a parking lot below. Otherwise, you’ll be steps from numerous attractions as the city is an important center of medieval art which can be viewed at places like the National Gallery of Umbria which features works painted by artists from the Umbrian school, including Diamante, Perugino, and Raphael.

One of Umbria’s most picturesque and interesting cities, Orvieto sits along the border of Tuscany atop a volcanic butte overlooking the region’s scenic plains. There are numerous museums and cathedrals to explore, including the 14th -century Gothic Duomo, renowned for its vibrant façade and chapel with gorgeous frescoes created by Renaissance painter Luca Signorelli. Nearby is a fine Etruscan museum and a fantastic gelato shop for a sweet treat afterward.

Beneath the city is an intriguing network of Etruscan-era grottos and tunnels that have had various purposes, including being used as wine storage and World War II bomb shelters. From the bell tower, Torre del Moro, one can enjoy an awe-inspiring view of the town and countryside. The city can be easily explored on foot, and there are frequent buses that run through as well. As Orvieto is best explored in the early morning hours or around sunset, you’ll want to spend at least one night here.

If you want to do a lot of hiking, walking, or biking, consider staying in Preci as it sits right next to Monti Sibillini National Park which covers a substantial mountainous area with beautiful valleys, rivers, scenic gorges, and forests. There are many well-marked paths that will allow you to easily explore on foot or two wheels while watching for some 50 different mammal species from the Apennine deer to the chamois, European wildcat, and snow voles.

Birders will love it too, with golden eagles often seen soaring through the skies. The town of Preci itself was founded in the late 5 th century, developed within a fortress. It boasts an alluring historic center with the main square home to a 14 th  century castle along with multiple other landmarks. You’ll find many agriturismos (farm stays) throughout the surrounding area providing memorable stays and accommodation is even available in the St. Eutizio monastery.

The capital city of Umbria, Perugia is a picturesque Etruscan town with a medieval atmosphere and the largest fortress in all of Italy, Rocca Paolina. While there is a sprawl of suburban and industrial areas, the historical center is one of the best in Italy and a great place for tourists to stay. Starting from the Palazzo dei Priori which is home to Umbria’s main art museum (La Galleria Nazionale dell’ Umbria) and the town hall.

Cobblestone streets spread from there while many attractions can be seen throughout, including Etruscan ruins like the 3 rd century Sorbello Well, named for the noble family which still owns the mansion that includes the structure, open to the public as a museum. Notable sites within easy reach include the Church of Sant’Angelo and the Monastery of Sant’Agnese. Perugia is also widely regarded as Italy’s chocolate capital, home to the world-famous creators of the legendary Baci chocolate kisses, Perugina.

Overlooking the clear blue waters of Lake Trasimeno, Castiglione del Lago is an ideal base for a lakeside getaway, but it offers much more, with stunning natural, historical, and architectural beauty along with mouthwatering cuisine. It’s the largest of the hilltop towns along the lake, providing a perfect combination of water and beach activities. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding scenic trails are available, and on and around the lake, kite surfing, canoeing, and beach volleyball are all popular. Many like to rent a chic Vespa to explore the area in Italian style.

It’s also possible to visit one of the lake’s three islands by boat, with Maggiore the closest and only inhabited island. It’s home to attractions like the Chapel of San Francesco which contains the saint’s bed, and Guglielmi Castle. Don’t miss sampling the signature dish, Tegamaccio, which features all types of fish from the lake combined with an aromatic tomato broth.

A city of culture and the arts, Spoleto is surrounded by hills covered with vineyards and olive groves while providing a tranquil experience with crowds and lines rare, even at popular sites like Roman ruins. It’s mostly known for its famous Festival of the Two Worlds, Festival dei Due Mondi, hosted annually for several weeks around late June through mid-July, focused on music, theater, and opera. If you come outside of that period, you might find you have some areas of town practically all to yourself.

It’s divided into the medieval hilltop Upper Town, home to most of the key galleries and museums as well as the Duomo, and the predominantly modern Lower Town, which also includes a number of Roman ruins and Romanesque churches. The 12 th – century Spoleto Cathedral displays a cycle of frescoes by medieval artist Filippo Lippi while the National Archaeological Museum features items from the Bronze Age and Roman era, including a restored Roman theater.