Perugia – A city of culture with an ancient heartbeat

Starting with Umbria’s lively capital, Perugia, which bridges the old and the new. Beneath its bustling piazzas and student cafés lie Etruscan arches, medieval aqueducts, and a fascinating underground city carved beneath the streets. At the heart of the city stands the Fontana Maggiore, a 13th-century marble fountain, right next to the Palazzo dei Priori, home to the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, which houses masterpieces by Perugino, Pinturicchio, and Fra Angelico. The city’s crown, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, watches over it all. Festivals like Umbria Jazz infuse the historic city with rhythm and celebration. 

Everyone loves the Italian delicasies, for those with a sweet tooth, the city of Perugia is also the birthplace of the iconic Baci chocolates.

Assisi – Home of Saint Francis and Sacred Art

Assisi is best known as the birthplace of Saint Francis, but its impact goes beyond. The Basilica di San Francesco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is adorned with stunning frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue, and stands as one of the most important artistic landmarks in Italy. Just above it, the Rocca Maggiore offers stunning views of the Umbrian valley, lower down, the Basilica of Santa Chiara honors Saint Clare with pink-stone grace.

Wander through the peaceful medieval streets, past olive groves, convent gardens, and artisan workshops. While you’re here, don’t miss the chance to try pane sciapo—a saltless Umbrian bread that pairs perfectly with local cured meats and cheeses, a humble reflection of the region’s monastic heritage

Spoleto – Elegance Carved in Stone

Roman roots, medieval walls, and Renaissance grace. The Ponte delle Torri, a 13th-century aqueduct-bridge, arches across a green ravine, linking town and hillside in spectacular style. At its heart stands the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, with frescoes by Filippo Lippi and a film-like staircase.

Each summer, the Festival dei Due Mondi fills the streets, piazzas, and theaters with opera, ballet, and contemporary performance. But even beyond the festival, Spoleto breathes culture: from Roman theaters and stone towers to quiet artisan shops tucked behind vine-covered alleys. 

Montefalco – Views, Vines, and Timeless Charm

Known as the "Balcony of Umbria", Montefalco offers views across vineyards, olive groves, and distant hilltowns. It’s the proud home of the bold Sagrantino grape, which produces some of Italy’s most structured red wines. A visit to one of the many cantinas is as much about place as palate—wine here is deeply tied to the land.

In the heart of town, the Church of San Francesco houses a small but extraordinary museum, with vivid frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli narrating the life of Saint Francis. Montefalco’s cobbled streets, quiet piazzas, and artisan shops offer an unhurried rhythm for the ones looking for more quiet but beautiful destinations in Umbria.

Gubbio – Home of Stone Towers and Racing Saints

Rising steeply along the slopes of Monte Ingino, its grey limestone buildings are stacked like a fortress above the valley. This is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Italy, with a strikingly atmospheric charm. The Palazzo dei Consoli, a Gothic masterpiece overlooking Piazza Grande, is the town’s symbol—its tower rising above a sea of red-tiled roofs.

History here runs deep: the Roman Theater outside the walls is among the largest of its kind, and the Eugubine Tablets (bronze inscriptions in ancient Umbrian) hint at a mysterious past. Each May, Gubbio comes alive during the Corsa dei Ceri, a thrilling race where massive wooden candles are carried at full speed through the town’s steep streets.

Take a ride on the Funivia Colle Eletto—a two-person open cable car—to the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo, and you have an unforgettable view and an experience.

Orvieto – A Cathedral on a Cliff

A city set high on a volcanic plateau. The town’s centerpiece, the Duomo di Orvieto, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, its façade glittering with mosaics and reliefs, and its interior home to Luca Signorelli’s apocalyptic fresco cycle, a true Renaissance treasure.

Beneath the surface, Orvieto hides a secret world: an underground labyrinth of caves, wells, and passageways carved into the soft tufa rock over centuries. The Pozzo di San Patrizio, a 16th-century double-helix well, is an engineering marvel designed to ensure water access during sieges.

Above ground, winding lanes lead past ceramic shops, wine bars, and panoramic terraces. Orvieto’s white wine is a must try, made from the local Grechetto and Trebbiano grapes, is crisp and historic—once favored by popes. 

 

That completes the enriched profiles for your six must-see Umbrian towns: Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto, Montefalco, Gubbio, and Orvieto—each with its own voice, rhythm, and sense of place. Find your base in Umbria from our collection of beautiful hotels and villas to explore all these gems and many more of the region.