Best Things To See and Do in Umbria

Imagine a land sculpted by time, where emerald hills roll into valleys veiled in mist and medieval towns cling to ancient cliffs. This is Umbria, the verdant heart of Italy. It is a region that whispers tales of saints, soldiers, and artists, inviting you to step into a living portrait of history and culture. Here, every path leads to discovery, whether it's a secluded hiking trail, a frescoed basilica, or a cellar filled with liquid rubies. This is your exclusive guide to the best things to see and do in Umbria, curated to help you explore a realm where the splendours of the past meet the rich flavours of the present.

 

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Assisi (Photo Credit: Sean Pavone shutterstock)

 

A Walker’s Paradise: Trails Through Timeless Landscapes

Umbria’s countryside beckons you to wander its sacred and scenic paths, offering journeys that are as spiritually enriching as they are physically rewarding.

 

The Way of St. Francis

Embark on a pilgrimage through the same landscapes that inspired Saint Francis of Assisi. The Via di Francesco is a network of trails that meanders through the region, connecting significant sites from the saint’s life. You can choose shorter, curated sections, such as the serene walk from Assisi to Spello, which offers breathtaking views of the Spoleto Valley. This journey is more than a hike; it's a passage through olive groves, dense woodlands, and profound tranquillity, allowing for moments of quiet reflection amidst nature’s elegance.

 

The Sibillini Mountains National Park

For those who crave more dramatic scenery, the Sibillini Mountains National Park presents an explorer's fantasy. Here, wildflower-carpeted plateaus, like the famed Piano Grande di Castelluccio, create an astonishing mosaic of colour from late May to early July. The trails range from gentle strolls to challenging ascents, rewarding every adventurer with panoramic vistas of snow-dusted peaks and deep, glacial valleys. It is a place where the wild, untamed spirit of Italy reveals itself in its most majestic form.

 

 

A Canvas of Culture: Art and History Intertwined

Umbria’s cities and towns are treasure troves of artistic and historical marvels, where the legacy of Etruscans, Romans, and Renaissance masters is etched into the very stone.

 

Perugia: A Citadel of History and Chocolate

Perugia, the region’s proud capital, stands atop a hill, its ancient heart encased within formidable Etruscan walls. Wander through the Rocca Paolina, a fortress that holds a fascinating underground city of medieval streets. Discover masterpieces by Perugino, the master who taught Raphael, at the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria. For a taste of something sweeter, the city is also home to Perugina, where its chocolate-making legacy adds another layer of delight to your visit.

 

Assisi: The City of Peace

The spirit of Saint Francis permeates the luminous, stone-built town of Assisi. The Basilica of Saint Francis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an awe-inspiring sanctuary. Descend into the lower church to witness Giotto’s groundbreaking frescoes, which vividly narrate the saint's life with an emotional depth that transformed Western art. The upper basilica, with its soaring Gothic architecture, feels like a space suspended between heaven and earth, offering a truly transcendent experience.

 

Orvieto’s Unforgettable Duomo

Perched dramatically on a volcanic plug, the town of Orvieto is home to one of Italy’s most stunning cathedrals. The Duomo di Orvieto is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, its façade a glittering spectacle of mosaics, sculpture, and intricate detail. Inside, the Chapel of San Brizio holds Luca Signorelli’s powerful frescoes of the Last Judgment, a work of such visionary power that it is said to have inspired Michelangelo’s own masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel.

 

 

Sagrantino, Umbria (Photo Credit: Robert Harding Video shuttershock)

 

A Feast for the Senses: Umbria’s Culinary Riches

To truly know Umbria is to taste it. The region’s cuisine is rustic, honest, and deeply connected to the land, offering flavours that are both simple and profound.

 

The World of Wine

Umbria's rolling hills are laced with vineyards that produce exceptional wines. Journey to Montefalco to sample the bold and complex Sagrantino, a powerful red wine exclusive to this small area. Or, explore the area around Orvieto, renowned for its crisp and refreshing Orvieto Classico white wine. Many wineries invite you into their cellars, where you can walk among ancient barrels and taste vintages that capture the essence of the Umbrian terroir.

 

Truffles, Olive Oil, and Norcia’s Bounty

The forests of Umbria hide one of the culinary world’s most prized treasures: the black truffle. Join a bespoke truffle hunt with a local expert and their trained dog, then savour your find shaved over fresh pasta. The region is also celebrated for its liquid gold—extra-virgin olive oil with a peppery finish. No gastronomic tour is complete without a visit to Norcia, a town so famous for its cured meats that the Italian word for a pork butcher, norcino, originates here. Indulge in prosciutto, salami, and other delicacies that have been perfected over centuries.

 

 

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