The Umbria region in central Italy has many Etruscan sites and medieval mountain villages. Umbria is often called the green heart of Italy for its natural parks; It is also home to one of the largest lakes in Italy. These are the best places to visit on your Umbria vacation.
Assisi
Assisi is famous as the hometown of Saint Francis, or Saint Francis, the patron saint of Italy. The Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi houses the tomb of Saint Francis and is a popular tourist and pilgrimage destination. Assisi also has several other interesting churches, Roman ruins, medieval sites, museums, and shops in its walled medieval center. There are good walks from the city to the nearby countryside.
Orvieto
Perched atop huge tuff cliffs, the hilltop town of Orvieto makes for an impressive sight. Inhabited since Etruscan times, Orvieto’s monuments and museums cover millennia of history. Its impressive duomo (cathedral) with its mosaic facade is one of the best medieval monuments in Italy. Orvieto is easily accessible by car or train and is a good day trip to Rome or a good base for exploring southern Umbria and Tuscany. The area around Orvieto is dotted with Etruscan tombs and vineyards.
Perugia
Perugia, the capital and largest city of Umbria, is a lively mountain town with Etruscan and medieval roots. There is a lot to do and see in Perugia and since it is well served by public transport it is a good base for exploring Umbrian hill towns. Perugia has a good Italian language school, a world famous jazz festival and a chocolate festival. Chocolate lovers may want to try Perugia’s Etruscan Chocohotel, where there is a restaurant with a chocolate menu.
Spoleto
Spoleto is a walled city and one of the largest cities in southern Umbria. Spoleto has Etruscan, Roman and medieval sites. Above Spoleto there is a medieval Rocca and stretches over the deep gorge to one side of the Rocca the most famous sight of Spoleto, the Ponte delle Torri or the Bridge of Towers. The old Church of San Salvatore de Longobard is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Festival dei due mondi , festival of two worlds, is held in Spoleto at the end of June until the beginning of July.
Todi
Todi, one of my favorite mountain towns, is a picturesque walled town with good views over the countryside. The views are close together so Todi can be easily explored in a couple of hours, but there are good places to stay, enjoy the views or the atmosphere. Todi or the surrounding countryside would make a quiet base for visiting southern Umbria, especially if you are traveling by car.
Gubbio
Gubbio is a well-preserved medieval town built in gray limestone. The compact center of Gubbio has a good selection of medieval, Gothic and Renaissance monuments. Just outside the city there is a Roman amphitheater. Gubbio is in a picturesque position on the lower slopes of Mount Ingino and from the city there are beautiful views over the countryside.
Trasimeno lake
Direction
Trasimeno lake, Perugia province , ItalyGet directions
Lake Trasimeno is one of the best lakes in Italy. Three picturesque islands can be reached by ferry and there are beaches around the lake. One of the most beautiful towns is Castiglione del Lago with a medieval center and a lakeside castle. The lake was the site of a famous battle between Hannibal and Rome.
Spello
Pretty Spello offers much of the charm of the stone buildings and colorful flower pots of Assisi, but with a fraction of the crowds and fuss. Quaint little lanes, steep stairs lined with cheery geraniums, crumbling Roman ruins, and panoramic views over the valley below. Be sure to pack your camera for your visit to the perfect place for a postcard.
Norcia
The word norcineria , a type of Italian delicatessen, comes from Norcia, a city known for its cold cuts. Norcia, in southeastern Umbria, sits in the hills next to the Monte Sibillini park entrance and is a good base for exploring the park. The city itself is quite flat and is surrounded by 14th century walls. Roman remains are visible in several places, and there is a castle.
Narni
Narni is a small mountain town considered to be the geographical center of continental Italy. Narni was an important Roman settlement and was part of the Papal State in the 12th to 14th centuries. There are many interesting buildings in Narni, and there is a pleasant walk through the city to the 1st century Ponte Cardona, part of the Roman Aqueduct of Formina. Along this tree-lined path, you will also pass a sign that marks the geographical center of Italy.
Ferentillo mummies
Direction
Str. Of Collescipoli, 117 , 05100 Terni TR , ItalyGet directions
The mummy museum, in the small town of Ferentillo, in southern Umbria, may be one of the strangest sites in Umbria. The bodies buried under the Santo Stefano Church were preserved by a rare microfungus that attacked the corpses and turned them into mummies. Some of the best preserved mummies are on display in what is now the mummy museum at the bottom of the church.
