Umbria Travel & Vacation Guide

Umbria is full of beautiful hilltop towns and villages, though Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, has to be one of the best known. There is a regular bus service (line E007) from the Perugia main bus terminal. Journey time is around 50 minutes.

The Church of San Pietro is a beautiful Benedictine abbey, originally founded in the 10th century. The church has some fine 15th and 16th century architecture, a good collection of Renaissance art, including frescoes and paintings by Raphael, Vasari, Vassillacchi, Perugino and Parmigiano and possibly the best wooden choir (16th century) in Italy.

The 11th century church of San Severo (Cappella di San Severo) was built on the site of a pagan temple. Rebuilt in the 18th century, it is noteworthy for the fresco in its 14th century chapel: the upper part is by the great Renaissance painter Raphael, the lower part by Perugino.

This is a delightful little church that dates back to the 12th century but was rebuilt in the 1317. Here you find many examples of early 14th century frescoes and other paintings and works of art made by Umbrian painters.

Corciano is a hilltop village around 13 km north of Perugia. With Etruscan-Roman origins, it’s been named as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Bus no.87 runs every hour from Piazza Italia to Corciano. It takes around 50 minutes.

Six of the seven original Etruscan arches into the city can still be seen, with Roman, Medieval and Renaissance alterations. Take a walk around the city following the original walls – the tourist office in Piazza Matteotti has a leaflet with suggested routes.

This fountain, between the cathedral and the Palazzo dei Priori, is considered to be one of the best examples of its kind in existence. It was constructed around 1275 by father-and-son sculptors from the city of Pisa.

This museum is housed in a former convent next to the church of San Domenico. It has an extensive archaeological collection including a lot of Etruscan artefacts. This place is a must for everyone with the slightest interest of history.

Cantiere Club is a club where you can dance all night long and drink great cocktails. DJs play carefully selected music and this is the place to be. It is considered to be one of the most popular places in Perugia.

Elfo Pub is located in the heart of Perugia, in the historic centre of the city. Here you can enjoy over 200 unique beers that are rotated weekly. It dates back to 1989 and is a favourite among locals and tourists. The knowledgeable staff will happily assist you with your selection.

This bar is funky, and conveniently located in a small passageway just off Corso Vannucci. Ferrari Perugia is also a pizzeria/restaurant and they serve a free buffet during happy hour 6:30pm-9:30pm.

This is a chic and stylish bar, restaurant and disco with two floors. The music played is different due to different themed nights. Do not forget to dress up and look your best if you plan to end your night here.

The Vinoteca in Perugia is a modern winehouse that stocks and serves amazing wines as well as delicious delicacies. You can find over 700 wine labels here, both national and international. The cosy atmosphere is forged by experienced staff and a chic interior.

Andrei is located in the heart of the historic center of Perugia and provides men´s and women´s wear. Since its origin in 1883 the shop has been combining tradition and innovation and customer care are one of their main features.

The principal shopping street in Perugia is the wide, pedestrianised Corso Vannucci, along with the streets that run off it and parallel to it: Piazza Matteotti, Via C. Fani, Via Baglioni and Via Oberdan. Perugia in general and Corso Vannucci in particular, have many fashion and shoe stores, including some well-known designer names like Max Mara. Pick up some lingerie at Intimissimi – an Italian chain – or try Calzedonia for smalls and funky, well-priced tights.

Located in Perugia since 1960, this retail shop offers some painted ceramics which will make as a great souvenir to bring back home. The beautiful collection on display are inspired by the Italian Renaissance and if you wish personalized items can also be made upon request.

One of many bookstores in Perugia, Betti carries a good selection of English-language books, cookbooks, guides and dictionaries. You will also be able to find unique and thoughtful gifts and elegant, unusual objects. The staff are aleways friendly and attentive and will gladly help you make a selection.

For tailor-made clothing in high quality, head over to this historic Perugian brand store, Lemmi. Here you can expect refined elegance and the careful attention to detail guarantees that Lemmi products have that authentic “Made in Italy style”.

If you are looking to enjoy mild temperatures, April to June are good times to visit Perugia but be prepared for some rain as well. The winter is surprisingly dry however, so avoid the months of October to December, where rainfall is at its highest. If you are interested in classical music, make sure to check out the dates for the annual Summer Classical Music Festival in Perugia.

Italy can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

The international airport of Umbria – Perugia “San Francesco d’Assisi”, lies in the tiny town Sant’Egidio, about 12 km from Perugia city. There is a bus stop just outside the terminal and from here you can take bus number E007 or E422 (Umbria Mobilità) to Perugia. If you choose to buy the ticket on board the bus you must have the exact change. There is also a shuttle bus service (ACAP-SULGA) running according to airline departure and arrival times. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

The historic heart of Perugia is made for walking, though expect to go uphill and downhill regularly. If you need a bus, most buses stop at Piazza Italia, where there’s an information kiosk where you can also buy tickets. Tickets are valid 70 minutes within the city. Do not forget to validate your ticket upon boarding. Different prices apply if you’re taking a bus out of town. The main bus station is at Piazza Partigiani.

There are taxi ranks on different locations around the city and at the airport. In the city you find one at the main railway station and in Piazza Italia. Rates are higher on Sundays and holidays. If you need to book a taxi in advance you can reach Perugia Taxi at:

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If you need medical help (including dental help) over the weekend or on public holidays Farmacia San Martino at Piazza Matteotti 26 is the place to go. It also has a night service.

You can find the main post office in the historic centre but if you only need stamps you can buy them at a tabacchi - the small tobacco shops you can find all over town. You recognise them by the ‘T’ sign outside.