Umbria Things to Do

  Looks good from any angle
by iandsmith
 
  • Looks good from any angle
      Looks good from any angle
    by iandsmith
  • Gubbio, Loggia dei Tiratori
      Gubbio, Loggia dei Tiratori
    by Trekki
  • Delicious Calabria - olives, onions, peperoncino
      Delicious Calabria - olives, onions,...
    by Trekki
  • Horses in Piano Grande
      Horses in Piano Grande
    by Trekki
  • Nativity - Filippo Lippi
      Nativity - Filippo Lippi
    by tim76
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Tempietto Clitunno – another ancient world

by Trekki

As already mentioned, in addition to the river Clitunno spring there is a little temple close by. It seems to have built in 4th to 6th century. The historians are not exactly sure about the date, as material was used from older buildings and temples (very much common practice as I found here and there in Umbria). Maybe there was even once a pagan temple devoted to Clitumno, the Umbrian river god. Plinius mentioned this temple in one of his writings.The temple is tiny (photo 3) and quite interesting, maybe because it is so tiny and yet has so much to look at. Corinthian columns of different style have been used for the front (photo 2) and the tympanum has an inscription SCS deus angelorum qui fecit resurectionem (god of the angels who ensures resurrection – I hope my age old school Latin didn’t abandon me) which means that it was indeed a Christian temple. There is another piece of stone...

Tip Photo
Little gem church, of the oldest in Umbria

by Trekki

I found this wonderful church only by accident, when I drove north into Valle Umbra coming from Lago Piediluco and Terni. I left the highway (E45/SS3bis) north of Aquasparta and only 5 minutes later I saw this church at the street so I got off and looked a bit closer. I was amazed to say the least (couldn’t close my mouth to be precise). There was this most magic church sitting there without a big sign or any notification. I found a little explanation board though. But it wasn’t mentioned in any of my guidebooks. Only later I found further information on Massa Martana’s website (the village next to it to the north). But this is very much typical for Umbria, at least the way I perceived it: there are so many churches with very fascinating history and treasures inside which are hardly mentioned anywhere. This church is very old. According to legends it was built in 5th century but more...

Tip Photo
Santa Maria Angeli and San Francesco

by Trekki

I didn’t visit Assisi during my trip through Umbria this time. Somehow I was in a kind of spiritual mode, “light and easy” and slow and hadn’t seen many tourists in Valnerina, at Lago Piediluco, in Bevagna and the parts of Valle Umbra I visited. I planned to visit Assisi though but when I approached it and saw the masses of busses unloading more masses of travellers I decided that it is not my time to see the city and churches. So I passed it and went further down (= down the hill) to Santa Maria Angeli, which is located at a place with high significance for San Francesco and his followers. Not that it was all empty and quiet, but at least not that crowded. I had some difficulties to imagine that this was once the place where San Francesco was praying in the forest, as nowadays the whole region is quite settled. And somehow I had a bit of a strange feeling that the tiny little wooden...

Tip Photo
Lago Piedluco – hidden gem of a lake

by Trekki

This little lake attracted my attention when I saw it on the map. It looked small and no bigger city nearby. So I wanted to see it on my way from San Pietro in Valle to Valle Umbra. What a good decision! It was a bit tricky to get “uphill” to Marmore, as the road lead through the very tiny and narrow streets of Papigno, off SS 209 (the street through Valnerina) but once I was up at Marmore, the lake is signposted. And when the lake came in view I was amazed of this very much beautiful setting. The area is quite flat here, surrounded by little hills and the big mountains of Monti Reatini in the background to the east. There was such a quiet and serene atmosphere around the whole place, it was as if I was in another world. Maybe it is different in summer, as the little village of Piediluco is prepared for summer guests with many watersport options such as boat rides and kayak and swimming...

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Lago Bolsena, charming and relaxing

by Trekki

Lago Bolsena is only a 30 minutes drive away from Orvieto (southwest). I didn’t spent much time here (which I regret), but while I was looking for accommodation, I thought I could at least drive to the lake and get an idea if I want to come back. And oh yes, I will definitely come back! Already the little road which winds downhill (exit SS 71 from Orvieto) gives a rough idea of how this lake was formed: it once was a volcanic crater which then filled with water. All has a very peaceful atmosphere.I can’t write much at the moment, as I wasn’t here long enough to explore. But I’ve read a bit on their website (see website section below) and I am sure I will come back for a longer stay here. Please make sure to open the website link. I am amazed how extensive and informative this site is. It explains much about the lake and the Etruscan origins (they even write “welcome in our 4th...

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Basilica Di San Francesco

by rubbersoul75

These "churches" are on par with many museums in the depth of art they contain. Actually 2 churches, with the newer upper Basilica being constructed over the existing, which holds St. Francis' body in the Crypt- this means there are actually 3 levels to explore.I won't go into detail on the wealth of art and frescoes in the Basilica; it is really worth picking up some literature reading into it before a vist. The web site below provides a great overview of the art and history. I really like the way The Rick Steves' Italy guide (not always my favorite) describes the self guided tour.The Basilica is a pretty special place; we met a Chinese Franciscan Monk who turned out to be from the same town in China as Teresa's mom.

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Lago Trasimeno, in the footsteps of Hannibal

by Trekki

Who does not remember Hannibal and the famous battle at Lago Trasimeno from school days? I did, because when I went to school, our teachers were that much focussing on Roman and Greek history and later Medieval times that when I left school at age 18 and I didn’t get past Thirty Years War… My memories of Hannibal were even that bad that I heavily protested when my parents wanted to stop here on our way to southern Italy holidays later. And when I was preparing my Umbria trip and saw the lake sitting in the map, a brief “oh no” shoot through my brain. But then I thought, I should overcome these memories and simply visit the lake. Actually I liked the lessons in Greek and Roman history somehow. Well, easy said and easy done – I started on a beautiful sunny day from Bevagna (one of the few I had) and headed southwest. I didn’t want to approach the lake via the motorway from Pergugia but...

Tip Photo
Norcia – the best sausages on the planet

by Trekki

Norcia is a gem! Not only it is a starting point to visit nearby Piano Grande, an almost unreal high plain, but it also holds many architectural treasures of the past and is a mecca for lovers of solid plain and delicious meat products. And it is (was) birthplace of San Benedetto da Nursia and his twin sister Santa Scolastica. So don’t get mislead by my tip title – Norcia is more than home to the best sausages of the planet!The city’s roots date back to 6th century B.C. when it was an important Sabine settlement and called Nursia in the days of the Romans. San Benedetto was born in 480 and founded the Benedict order. During Medieval times (now) Norcia had another period of haydays until it evenztually ended under papal governing. The city is fully enclosed by a city wall and the only entrances are through the several gates. But it is wise to leave the car parking outside (in case you are...

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Bevagna, the most charming Medieval town

by Trekki

The reason why I place Bevagna at the top of my to-do list for Umbria is very simple. First of all this very charming town is sadly overlooked and neglected by many foreign travellers who mostly head for nearby Montefalco. But Bevagna really deserves to be visited for many reasons. First there is this exceptional restaurant (I even don’t dare to call it restaurant as it is more of a culinary temple), Redibis which is located in parts of Bevagna’s old Roman theatre. The theatre is not the only Roman remains in the village but there is also a Roman mosaic floor which once belonged to a thermal bath. And while I was walking through the village I found a building which obviously was built on using what was left of a Roman temple (photo 2).Bevagna is very old, it was already a settlement during the old Umbrians’ days and eventually renamed Mevania by the Romans. The western branch of the...

Tip Photo
San Pietro in Valle – not from this world

by Trekki

Abbazia San Pietro in Valle was on my wishlist ever since I saw a photo on Google Earth. And when I finally arrived there and I was so much amazed that I even wasn’t disappointed that I couldn’t get into the church, because it was closed for restauration. This whole place has such a spiritual atmosphere which makes it easy to understand why it was choosen for a place of worship by Syrian hermits Lazzaro and Giovanni very long time ago. Then, in 8th century, Duke Faraldo II from Spoleto, who was dethroned by his son, had a dream where San Pietro told him to build an abbey in his honour. He also found this little place in Valnerina to be the perfect spot and what we can visit today, Abbazia San Pietro in Valle, was built on the remains of the little hermitage. Faraldo II took monastic vows and lived here until his death in 728. The abbey was set up according to benedictine rules....

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Fun things to do in Umbria

Top 3 Hotels in Umbria

La Terrazza  Assisi

 1 Review and 191 Opinions  Nice quiet hotel. The dinner in the hotel was very nice and so was the breakfast. Very nice, homey... 

 Hotels in Assisi

Palazzo Piccolomini  Orvieto

 2 Reviews and 96 Opinions  This hotel was really neat and very fun to stay in. The staff was very accomodating and the rooms... 

 Hotels in Orvieto

Brufani Palace  Perugia

 1 Review and 189 Opinions  We stayed at hotel "Park", which is four stars hotel on outskirt of the town. Our Umbria Jazz... 

 Hotels in Perugia

532 Hotels in Umbria
 
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Reviews and photos of Umbria attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Umbria sightseeing.

Experience Umbria
Things to Do: Cities in Umbria
  1. Orvieto Things to Do
  2. Assisi Things to Do
  3. Perugia Things to Do
  4. Gubbio Things to Do
  5. Todi Things to Do
  6. Spoleto Things to Do
  7. Bevagna Things to Do
  8. San Leo Things to Do
  9. Passignano sul Trasimeno Things to Do
  10. Norcia Things to Do
  11. Lago Trasimeno Things to Do
  12. Terni Things to Do
  13. Spello Things to Do
  14. Le Marmore Things to Do
  15. Piano Grande Things to Do
  16. Deruta Things to Do
  17. Trevi Things to Do
  18. Colfiorito Things to Do

More Cities in Umbria

 

Questions and Answers

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Q:  We are trying to make reservations for the Rezidenza di via Piccardi in Gubbio in Umbria for late September. We have gone to the... 

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A: On their web site where it says Contatti, click and send them an e-mail unless you want to telephone. If you don't speak Italian, write in English and I'm sure they'll... 

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