perugia tourist office

Perugia Tourist Office

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Perugia Tourist Office - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Perugia: Planning Your Trip

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

The medieval towns, bucolic countryside, and rolling vineyards are the biggest draw to visiting Central Italy, although most visitors beeline directly to the beautiful but overcrowded city of Florence . However, less than 100 miles away is another city that's remained under-the-radar and maintained its rustic charm: Perugia.

Perugia is the name of the capital city of the surrounding province with the same name, both of which are inside the larger region called Umbria, nicknamed "the Green Heart of Italy." Compared to the region of Tuscany, Umbria is much less developed, less crowded, and less expensive. Perugia the city is a great place to start, but the real magic is in the villages throughout Perugia the province where you can go foraging for mushrooms, visit ancient ruins, and, of course, drink lots and lots of wine.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit : Perugia doesn't experience extreme summers or winters, but late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times of year to visit. From about May to August, the black truffles that Umbria is famous for begin to pop up all over the countryside for mushroom lovers to forage. If you miss those, you can look for white truffles in the fall . Perugia is a major chocolate producer in Italy and the Eurochocolate Festival in October is a huge draw for travelers with a sweet tooth, as is the Umbria Jazz Festival in July for jazz fans.
• Language : The language spoken in Perugia is Italian. In fact, the University for Foreigners in Perugia is one of the most popular destinations in the country for foreign students to study Italian. Locals in Perugia speak varying levels of English, especially younger Perugians, but you may be hardpressed to find English speakers in the small towns around it.
• Currency : The currency in Perugia, as with the rest of Italy, is the euro. However, most restaurants and hotels accept credit cards.
• Getting Around : It's easy to explore the city of Perugia on foot, but there's also a one-line tram called the Minimetrò that passes through the historical center. For getting up and down the hilly city, there are a series of escalators to make it easier. For visiting other towns around Umbria, buses are available but it's easiest if you have a car.
• Travel Tip : If you want the experience of Tuscan vineyards without paying Tuscany prices and crowds, Perugia has the same great wine options and the same picturesque countryside as its next-door neighbor.

Things to Do

As is true of most Umbrian walled hill towns, one of the best things to do is to simply wander through the narrow streets and along the walls at the edge of town for views of the valley. The most important things that you can't miss in Umbria typically revolve around one of three things: history, nature, or wine.

• Historical artifacts in the city span over a thousand years of history in Perugia, such as the pre-Roman Etruscan well from the third century B.C. The Palazzo dei Priori , where the town councilors used to meet, has some beautiful 13th-century frescoes and wooden furniture and also houses the National Art Gallery of Umbria. In the heart of the city, the Piazza IV Novembre is the main square with the intricate Maggiore Fountain and the Perugia cathedral.
• On warm summer days, do like the locals and head to Lake Trasimeno, about 20 minutes away by car. Once you're there, choose any of the lakeshore towns to stop in or rent a small boat to visit one of the small islands in the middle of the lake. Make sure you have your swimsuit to take a dip and pack along some snacks for a picnic.
• Tuscan wines may be more famous internationally, but Umbria's wine region is just as highly regarded in Italy . You can sip on locally-produced bottles in wine bars—or enoteche —throughout the city of Perugia, but take advantage of where you are by visiting any number of the many vineyards in the nearby countryside. There are a lot to choose from, so start with the Sagrantino Wine Road if you need to get your bearings.
• You can't miss out on seeing the city of Perugia, but the most alluring parts of the region can be found in the small villages scattered around the province of Perugia. The town of Assisi is famous for being the birthplace of St. Francis and his remains are buried in the Assisi Cathedral. The medieval town of Spoleto has a 13th-century aqueduct that crosses a massive ravine and now functions as a scenic footbridge.

What to Eat and Drink

Umbria's most popular ingredient is undoubtedly the truffle, and you can find these delicacies incorporated into all types of meals, whether it's scrambled eggs with truffles for breakfast or pasta soaked in truffle butter or a pizza that has a truffle topping and even some truffle oil for good measure. Proscuitto from Umbria—specifically from the town of Norcia—is considered one of the best cured meats in Italy and is best enjoyed in a testo , an Umbrian bread similar to a focaccia.

Whatever you eat, make sure it's paired with a glass of Umbrian wine. The Orvieto white wine from the town of the same name is one of the most well-known from the region, made from Grechetto and Trebbiano grapes. Two red wines from the province of Perugia that are standouts and protected under Italian law are Torgiano and Montefalco Sagrantino.

Where to Stay

If you stay in the city of Perugia, it's easy to get around and see the entire town regardless of what part you stay in. As the biggest city in the region, Perugia has the most options for hotels and restaurants which can make staying there a bit easier.

However, most travelers would agree that Perugia's charm lies in the rolling hills of the countryside and the medieval villages surrounded by a sea of vineyards. Each one offers something unique and you could almost choose one at random and still be astonished. Assisi and Spoleto are two of the most popular, but other nearby towns worth visiting include Panicale , Todi , and Gubbio .

Getting There

Perugia is almost directly in between Rome and Florence, so it's easy to add on a side excursion from either city. The easiest way is to go by train , which takes between two and two and a half hours from Florence or Rome, respectively. The Perugia train station is about a 25-minute walk from the historical town center, but it's an uphill climb to get there. Thankfully, you can use the escalators built into the city or, even easier, take the Minimetro directly from the train station into the town center.

If you have a vehicle, then the journey to Perugia is two hours from Rome or Florence by car. Driving in the major cities of Italy is not easy, but once you're on the highway and in the countryside, driving is an easy way to get around .

Money Saving Tips

• Train seats go up in price as tickets sell out, so be sure to buy your tickets early and not wait or you may end up paying more.
• For inexpensive gifts to bring back home, pick up some of Perugia's famous chocolate baci , or "kisses" (sound familiar?). The tiny milk chocolate dollops from Hershey don't compare to the baci from Perugia, which are chocolate mixed with hazelnut puree and dipped in more dark chocolate. Your friends at home will eat them up, figuratively and literally.
• The wine options around Perugia are just as good as those in nearby Tuscany—some are even better. But since Umbrian wines don't have the same international prestige as the ones next door, you can often visit vineyards and pick up bottles for a fraction of the price.

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Tourist Information

The TI (Tourist Information Center) is located in Piazza Matteoti. With your back to the fountain and looking down Corso Vannucci, go left and down Via Calderini into Piazza Matteotti – the TI is at number 18. The employees are generally friendly and helpful despite being frazzled from all the foreign students and visitors. The hours are 8:30¬ 13:30 and 15:30-18:30 (Mo-Sa) and 9-13:00 Sunday. The phone is 075.573.6458, but it’s easier to just go. They have public transport schedules, free maps of Umbria, and lots of pamphlets for what to do and see. Remember, the employees’ job is to answer questions, help you decide what to see and do, and generally aid you in spending money -use the tourist office. There are several other sources of what-to-do type information. There’s Viva Perugia, published by the city of Perugia and available at any newsstand or Tabacchi shop for €1. It’s a little more adult in its listings but has lots of good practical information about Perugia (when do the elevators close?) in the back, in English and Italian. Piacere Magazine is a little more chic and less informative but it’ll get you out of the rut of the center -in their pages you can see what Umbrians think about. Find it free in most cafés.

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A local’s guide to Perugia, Italy: five great things to do

The ancient walls, papal fortress and creative quarter of Umbria’s 2,500-year-old capital make a happy haunt for flâneur Gianluigi Bettin

A writer and walking guide living in Perugia for 12 years , Gianluigi Bettin is co-author of the Via di Francesco guidebook ( Terre di Mezzo, €20 ).

Perugia is a great place to enjoy products and specialities from all over Umbria. A recent restaurant discovery was Numero Zero , where the owners are keen on social inclusion and employ young people with mental health problems. Their philosophy is to create a place where “being different is not a cause for embarrassment”.

I went there on a first date, and though that relationship didn’t work out, I’m still in love with the restaurant for its food and super-friendly service. They do a lot of meat, all sourced from small farms – I had gorgeous pigeon with chard and forest fruits – but my vegetarian date enjoyed his courgette escabeche and strangozzi pasta with vegetable ragù.

Inspiration

Help! How can I pick one place from a city with 2,500 years of history? The two miles of Etruscan city walls? The medieval Torre degli Sciri ? I’m a flâneur, a Perugian Baudelaire , and my favourite stroll is in the dimly lit Rocca Paolina , redolent of the plots and power struggles of centuries past. It’s a fortress built in 1543 for Pope Paul III, with a whole district – particularly the house of his arch-enemies the Baglionis – demolished or remodelled. All very Game of Thrones. Today it’s a series of high-ceilinged passageways under the old town – all open to the public, with exhibition spaces and a museum. Continue the time-travel with a tour (€10pp) of the excavations under San Lorenzo cathedral , which take you into Roman Perugia, then back to when this was the Etruscans’ Acropolis, with a sixth-century BC temple.

Saturday magazine

This article comes from Saturday,  the new print magazine from the Guardian  which combines the best features, culture, lifestyle and travel writing in one beautiful package. Available now in the UK and ROI.

Neighbourhood

Porta Sole has become the city’s creative quarter, where there’s always something new to see: performance art, street art, poetry, craft workshops. Start with Mannaggia (nearest translation: “Damn it”) bookshop on Via Cartolari, which specialises in small publishers and does regular evening events, then follow Via della Viola past little shops and restaurants to the Post Modernissimo cinema, actually the oldest in Perugia. It closed in 2000 but reopened in 2014, thanks to crowdfunding by a social enterprise. The cinema has three screens, and a terrace outside for aperitivi.

Green space

Many people connect the Tiber with Rome, but from its source in the Apennines, the river passes below Perugia, and can be reached on a two-hour circular walk along Sentiero delle Lavandaie (washerwomen’s walk, part of the 550km Via di Francesco trail ). Begin at Porta Pesa gate, where the washerwomen used to arrive from the riverside village of Pretola. Once the only route from the city to the river, the path is mentioned in a Perugia city council document from 1299, but was still used by washerwomen until the mid-1960s. Every Sunday they could be seen coming to collect laundry from wealthy families. The footpath, reinstated in 2011, runs alongside a stream, across fields and woodland to Pretola’s watermill, with its medieval tower. Download Perugia InApp for more GPS-marked walking routes.

Punto di Vista bar, on the hill below the town hall, has a stunning view over the Tiber valley, and good cocktails. But the best thing to do of an evening is wander along Corso Vanucci, sit on a bar terrace and people-watch. Dempsey’s , near the cathedral, is a cocktail bar open till 1.30am, with every spirit in the world seemingly on offer, and fantastic margaritas. Up narrow Via del Sole is Bottega del Vino , with live jazz on Wednesdays and a huge choice of Umbrian wines.

Little Italy hostel was converted from an 11th-century church. Dorm beds cost from €17, but it also has family rooms and a double in a former side chapel. Hotel Fortuna is in a 14th-century building off Corso Vanucci, with roof terrace, doubles from €77 and flats from €380 a week.

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Most viewed

• 1.1 Perugia City Museum Card
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By train
• 3 Get around
• 4.1 Museums
• 4.2 Further away
• 5.1 Festivals
• 7.2 Mid-range
• 7.3 Splurge

Perugia is a city in the Italian region of Umbria . It has an important university that attracts many foreign students, is a major center of medieval art, has a stunningly beautiful central area and is home of the Umbria Jazz Festival. The city is also a major producer of chocolates.

Understand [ edit ]

Perugia city museum card [ edit ].

Perugia City Museum Card [dead link] allows access to any 5 museums of the following 10 ones: San Severo Chapel, National Gallery of Umbria, Volumni Hypogeum, National Archaeological Museum of Umbria, Capitolar Museum, Nobile Collegio del Cambio, Nobile Collegio della Mercanzia, Palazzo Baldeschi al Corso, Museum of Palazzo della Penna, Etruscan Well. It also allows reduced admission to Archeologic Area of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Museum of the Academy of fine Arts, Palazzo Sorbello House Museum, Templar Complex of San Bevignate, in addition to discounts at featured restaurants. It's valid for 48 hours and costs €14 for adults and €10 for students (May 2019).

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

A little further away, Pisa and Bologna are served by low cost European airlines.

The Airport in Rome is three hours away and Milan's Malpensa airport about 7 hours away. Buses from Rome Fiumicino Airport depart from the lower level parking area at regular intervals (3 hours, €20). (Many of the buses in the Tourist Bus Parking area are privately hired, and are not available to the general public. Some buses, such as the Sulga, may appear on the upper levels of Terminal C, but do not be concerned; they will arrive at the scheduled time in the lower level parking area. Check timetables online .)

By train [ edit ]

Trains from Rome reach Perugia in 2-3 hours and often require 1 train change, €12.10 if you take Treno Regionale, otherwise it's double. Plenty of direct trains from Florence , 2 hr, €14.65. Getting from Siena by train is troublesome, as it requires 2 train changes and takes 4 hours, €13.

The 43.10399 12.37583 2 train station is in the valley, a few kilometers from the centro storico (historic center) of the city. You can take the Mini Metro railway, a local bus or a taxi from the station.

By bus [ edit ]

Flixbus offers connections with Rome (2:15 hr), Florence (2:10 hr), Siena (1:20 hr).

43.109137 12.361319 3 Fixbus Bus station , Piazzale Umbria Jazz . ( updated Apr 2019 )

43.105702 12.387714 4 Autostazione Piazza Partigiani , Piazza Partigiani . Served by Busitalia . ( updated Apr 2019 )

By car [ edit ]

Perugia is just off the A1 autostrada that runs from Rome to Milan . Approximate travel times are Rome 2.5 hours, Orvieto 1 hour, Milan 6 hours, Florence 1 hour. Perugia is also accessible from other parts of Italy by car via the Autostrada.

Get around [ edit ]

Perugia is a large hill town. Most major attractions are at the top of the hill in the Centro Storico (historic centre). It is almost impossible to access the Centro Storico by car unless you have a confirmed hotel booking. Even outside the very centre you will drive very slowly over the many cobblestoned one-way streets and may very well end up driving around in circles several times as traffic signs are very confusing. Do as little driving as possible, and get around on foot. The main car park for tourists is at Piazza Partigiani. From there you can take a series of escalators (hopefully most of them will be working!) up into the old town. There are lots of interesting things to see on the way up as the route was dug through the Rocca Paolina, a medieval citadel. More details about car parks (in English) can be found on this website .

Buses also go to the top, ticket costs €1.50, when bought in a ticket office, and €2 from a driver. The railway station is, inevitably, some distance from the hilly center, but buses are easily available.

Perugia has MiniMetrò - a small, driverless train that every two minutes or so takes you from a car park (Pian di Massiano) near the football stadium, or from the main train and bus stations to the center of town; a single ticket is €1.50 (May 2019). These trains stop running at around 21:00.

Within the central area getting around on foot is best, although some of the hills can be a bit steep and you will need to be fit.

See [ edit ]

• 43.10825 12.388833 2 Porta Marzia ( Marzia Gate ). This is an Etruscan city gate built in the 3rd century BC and much later incorporated into the city walls. It is close to the remains of the Paolina Fortress. ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 43.112139 12.388833 3 Fontana Maggiore . This large medieval fountain is found between the cathedral and the Palazzo dei Priori. It was made between 1277 and 1278 by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano as part of Perugia's celebrations of its independence. On the twenty-five sides of the basin are sculptures representing prophets and saints, the work of the seasons, signs of the zodiac, Bible scenes and events from Roman history. ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 43.1125 12.388889 4 Perugia Cathedral ( Cattedrale di San Lorenzo ). This has an unusual layout for Italian churches in that the side rather than the front entrance faces the main square. There have been many churches on the site: this one was last worked on around 1490. But finished it was not, as can be clearly seen from the unfinished façade facing the square. This side includes the Loggia di Braccio , an early Renaissance structure. Under it a section of Roman wall and the basement of the old bell tower can be seen. Also found here is the 1264 Pietra della Giustizia ("Justice Stone") with which Perugia announced that it had repaid its public debt, a not inconsiderable feat. Also noteworthy is the external pulpit from which Saint Bernardine of Siena, a virulently anti-homosexual priest, would preach. ( updated Jan 2016 )
• [dead link] Capitular Museum ( Museo del Capitolo della Cattedrale di San Lorenzo ), in the cloister of St. Lorenzo Cathedral . Religious paintings. ( updated May 2019 )
• [dead link] Archeologic Area of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo . Tu-Su 11:00 and 15:30 . €8 . ( updated May 2019 )

• Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria ( National Gallery of Umbria ) ( inside the Palazzo dei Priori ). Tu-Sa 08:30-19:30, closed Mondays, 1st January, 1st May, 25 December . The collection consists of paintings from the 13th to the 19th century, including artists such as Perugino, Nicola e Giovanni Pisano, Beato Angelico, Benozzo Gozzoli, and Pinturicchio. €8 . ( updated Apr 2019 )
• Nobile Collegio del Cambio , Corso Vannucci, 25 ( inside the Palazzo dei Priori ). M-Sa 09:00-12:30; 14:30-17:30 . Displays various works of art. €4.50 . ( updated May 2019 )
• [dead link] Nobile Collegio della Mercanzia ( inside the Palazzo dei Priori ). ( updated May 2019 )
• 43.112601 12.38988 6 Etruscan Well ( Pozzo Etrusco ), Piazza Danti 18 ( To the right, just past the front entrance of the cathedral ). 11:00-13:30, 14:30-17:00, longer in the summer months . Damp and dark but an excellent way of appreciating the skills of 3rd-century BC Etruscan architects. €3 . ( updated May 2019 )

• 43.106667 12.391667 7 San Domenico . is on Corso Cavour, down the hill to the southeast of Corso Vannucci. It is a Gothic church whose three aisles were a model for the design of the later cathedral of San Lorenzo. San Domenico has faced many problems in the past. Soon after its completion, the upper section was found to be unstable and had to be demolished. In 1614 and 1615 other parts collapsed. The rebuilt church was consecrated in 1632. ( updated Jan 2016 )

Museums [ edit ]

• 43.107055 12.391689 10 Museo Archeologico Nazionale dell'Umbria , Piazza Giordano Bruno, 10 . 08:30 – 19:30 . €5 . ( updated Apr 2019 )
• 43.107981 12.389455 11 Civic Museum at Palazzo della Penna . Contemporary art museum. €5 . ( updated May 2019 )
• 43.11286 12.39219 12 [dead link] Chapel of San Severo , Piazza Raffaello ( Next to the Church of San Severo ). Houses the only fresco by Raphael that has remained in Perugia. ( updated May 2019 )
• 43.1107 12.4089 13 [dead link] Complesso templare di San Bevignate , Via Enrico dal Pozzo, 145 ( 2 km east of the city ). Tuesday - Sunday 10:00–13:00, 15:00-18:00 . Ex S. Bevignate church, converted into a museum now. ( updated May 2019 )
• 43.110308 12.388511 14 [dead link] Baldeschi al Corso palace ( Palazzo Baldeschi al Corso ), Corso Vannucci, 66 . ( updated May 2019 )

Further away [ edit ]

• 43.080314 12.335799 15 Casa del Cioccolato Perugina , Viale San Sisto 207/C, San Sisto . Chocolate factory "Perugina" featuring a museum devoted to the history of chocolate manufacturing. Offers museums and factory tours . ( updated May 2019 )
• 43.088626 12.424393 16 [dead link] Hypogeum of the Volumnus family ( Ipogeo Dei Volumni ) ( 5 km from Perugia ). The tomb of the wealthy Volumnus family of Etruscan nobility, dating back to the 3rd century BC. ( updated May 2019 )

Do [ edit ]

• Just walking around. There is probably no city in the world that better rewards the casual explorer in the sheer variety of its streetscapes. You can stroll along a Roman aqueduct that connects two of the city's hills, passing doors on the third stories of homes to peer over the edge at the doors at street level below. You can walk along the Via delle Volta della Pace, which follows the Etruscan city wall, but is now wholly arched over by a Gothic portico. You can stumble along cobbled streets that have the unique combination of slopes interrupted by small steps that only Italians seem to master. The wide, traffic-free Corso Vannucci, named after the painter known as Il Perugino, is what really makes Perugia. You can loll with the students from the International University on the steps of the Cathedral at one end or amble down the Corso from those steps to sit on a bench at the other end and look over Umbria's hills as the sun sets.
• Let's cook in Umbria , Strada Comunale San Marino 25 ( Perugia ), ☏ +39 075 589 9951 , [email protected] . Offers cooking classes, winery tours, gourmet tours, excursions to artisan chocolate and olive oil producers, truffle hunting and very popular cooking vacation programs that include accommodation and excursions to remote villages throughout Umbria and Tuscany.  
• Talk Donca with local people. Dialect in Perugia can be very funny to hear and to try to replicate. To have a better explanation use this site: Wikidonca .
• 43.117438 12.383582 1 Museo-Laboratorio di tessitura a mano Giuditta Brozzetti , Via Tiberio Berardi, 5 . Traditional hand-weaving workshop with 19th-century looms in a 13th-century Franciscan monastery. ( updated May 2019 )

Festivals [ edit ]

• Umbria Jazz . The Umbrian Jazz festival takes place all over Umbria but is centred on Perugia, with a large number of concerts both free and with admission fee. Over the years the Festival has attracted just about every famous jazz player. The Festival takes place for a week and two weekends in the middle of July every year. During this period Perugia has a really beautiful atmosphere, with jazz concerts in the center of the city. ( updated Apr 2018 )
• Music Fest Perugia . Over two weeks in August, MusicFestPerugia produces classical concerts in the historical and sumptuous surroundings of Sala dei Notari, Basilica di San Pietro, the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo and the Caio Melisso. Performed by a combination of world famous professionals, and their most promising students, MusicFestPerugia aims to keep the classical repertoire vibrant and alive.  

Buy [ edit ]

Eat [ edit ].

For most tourists, the center, or downtown, of Perugia will be the most rewarding place to eat either lunch or dinner. The main street 'walk' begins at the Piazza Duomo at the Fontana Maggiore and ends with a dramatic view that showcases the city's churches and the Umbrian countryside. There are many dining options along this street. The last hotel on the right hand side ( 43.1084 12.38741 1 Hotel Brufani ) before reaching the viewpoint offers five-star accommodation and regional dishes, specializing in legumes and fantastic olive oils. At the other end of Corso Vannucci, just to the right of the cathedral, is a charming pizzeria, La Mediterranea.

Budget [ edit ]

All these are in the city centre:

• 43.115378 12.389586 2 Ristorante Dal Mi' Cocco , Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 12 , ☏ +39 075 573 2511 . You definitely have to go there, a traditional Perugian restaurant. A fixed menu for €13 and a bottle of good wine for €5 (Jan 2016). Make sure to make a reservation though. Open from 20:30, so real Italian dinner times. All the food is made fresh, a visit to Perugia is completed by eating here. Also perfect for groups. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.112613 12.390169 3 Mediterranea , Piazza Piccinino, 11 . It is comprised of two rooms, the first with a brick oven and a buffet where an expert pizzaiolo slides freshly topped pizzas onto the stone hearth. This restaurant is always crowded, and only open from 13:00-16:00 and 19:00-23:00. Arrive either right at opening or after the traditional Italian dinner hours if you don't want to wait outside. The prices range from €5 to €10 per pizza (Jan 2016). The pizzas are also available for take-out without a cover charge. Step inside the door and give your order to one of the white-aproned gentlemen who will take your money and deliver you your pizza (wait outside while it's being cooked). ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.107546 12.390041 4 Pizzeria mediterranea trearchi , Via Guglielmo Marconi . Delicious Neapolitan pizza with light dough and quality ingredients. Friendly waitresses and fast service. Great atmosphere. With tables both inside and outside. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 43.107071 12.390937 5 Pizzeria 'O Sole Mio , Corso Cavour, 90 . A huge variety of specialties, not just pizzas. Exceptional arancini, panuozzi, cannoli and homemade brioches. The arancini are not too greasy and stuffed well with different fillings. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 43.112647 12.388841 6 Mr. Norcy , P.za Ignazio Danti, 3 . Rustic panini of quality. Finding courtesy and politeness even in this place that offers simple food is nice. Exquisite cured meats. The mixed platter is superb. The ingredients reflect the flavors of Umbria. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 43.109869 12.388849 7 Il Baldo , Via Baldo, 11 . Rustic and welcoming place. Excellent appetizers and pizza. Great torte al testo. Very kind and cordial staff. The environment is quiet. Fast service. ( updated Jan 2023 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 43.112079 12.392315 8 Osteria Il Gufo , via della Viola 18 . 8pm-1am, closed Sundays, Mondays . A very good osteria with good green salads and decent prices. The homemade Limoncello is a nice touch. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.112861 12.389115 9 Settimo Sigillo , Via Ulisse Rocchi 1 , ☏ +39 075 572 4306 . An excellent trattoria/ristorante with great prices that serves wonderful local cuisine, good wines and deserts, and has very friendly staff. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.106798 12.391043 10 Énonè , Corso Cavour, 61 . Great food and great wines. Here the specialty is Rosti, a gluten-free dish available in different variations. Very nice environment. You feel the courtesy, kindness and professionalism. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 43.110222 12.388496 11 Osteria Pappabona , Corso Pietro Vannucci, Piazza della repubblica, 68 . Excellent food quality and excellent service. Delicious food (cheese, truffles, etc.) and top wine. The decor is beautiful. The staff is wonderfully kind. Characteristic place. ( updated Jan 2023 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• 43.097071 12.319407 12 Ristorante Il Vizio , Via Bruno buozzi, 1 , ☏ +39 075 5171722 , [email protected] . Il Vizio restaurant offers an internation cuisine and high quality ingredients. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 43.112844 12.38891 13 Ristorante Al Tartufo , Via Ulisse Rocchi, 4 . Cozy and elegant place. Fresh fish and very high quality dishes. The menu is vast, there are many choices (especially the wine list). ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 43.110033 12.387291 14 La Taverna , Via delle Streghe, 8 . Excellent cuisine. You can eat outdoors and enjoy an amazing rustic and welcoming atmosphere. Friendly service and a beautiful place. ( updated Jan 2023 )

Drink [ edit ]

• 43.111601 12.389105 1 Merlin Pub , Via del Forno . Good place to drink, good mix of locals and students alike. Good offers on beers, remember if you get a leaflet, make sure the barman sees it, otherwise you will get charged full whack. Look out for Pisco, the owner, who will love to give you a free welcome shot. ( updated Jan 2016 )
• 43.108193 12.388727 2 Punta di Vista , Viale Indipendenza ( Just off the Piazza Italia ). open air bar which is open in the summer. Nice cocktails and (like the name says) a beautiful view. ( updated Jan 2016 )

Sleep [ edit ]

• Castello dell Oscano - Strada della Forcella, 37. The Castello dell'Oscano is situated in the outskirts of Perugia, Locality Cenerente. Other major locations in the vicinity are: Perugia airport (20 km), Assisi (25 km), Gubbio (40 km).
• Borgo Monticelli 14 km from the centre of Perugia, it is a tiny hamlet dated back to 1100 with 18 renovated apartments. Riding centre and golf courses nearby. Parking by the house. For shared use: garden and swimming pool. There are also agritourism hotels just out of town, which are easily accessed by car. There may also be free buses to certain hotels, depending on where you wish to stay.
• 43.09704 12.319064 1 Best Western Hotel Quattrotorri , Via Corcianese, 260 , [email protected] . 4 stars Hotel with modern rooms, restaurant and convention centre.  
• Alla Posta dei Donini . Via Deruta 43 - 06132. An historical residence in San Martino in Campo, near Perugia in the direction of Torgiano . €150-250 for double.  
• Vega Hotel , Strada di Montalcino, 2/a 06134 Ponte Valleceppi , [email protected] . The hotel is built on two floors and offers 37 comfortable rooms with varying characteristics: apart from the single, twin and double rooms, it also offer very large, family-oriented triple and four-bedded rooms.  
• Hotel Tirrenus Perugia , ☏ +39 07538200 , [email protected] . 3 star hotel on the edge of town 3 km from the historical centre. Parking, free internet, quick food, international channels TV, English and French speaking staff. Completely renovated in a quiet location. Convenient if you have a vehicle and want to use Perugia as a base for trips around Umbria.  
• Agriturismo la volpe e l'uva , strada comunale san marino 25 , ☏ +39 0755899951 , [email protected] . Four kilometres from Perugia.The farmhouse is surrounded by 10 hectares of olive groves, vineyards and fruit trees. Six independent apartments have been restored around the ancient stone house, which goes back to 17th century.  
• [dead link] Dimora la Sapienza , Via della Sapienza 11, [email protected] ( Perugia city centre ), ☏ +39 3391211070 . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 10:00 . Dimora la Sapienza is a two rental houses properties complex, in the centre of medieval town. Carefully restored, with fantastic facilities.  
• 43.104776 12.392497 2 Hotel Signa , Via del Grillo 9 ( off Corso Cavour ), ☏ +39 075 5724180 , [email protected] . Quiet and inexpensive 23-room hotel, a 15-minute walk from Corso Vannucci. Avoid staying in the "Annex", particularly in the summer when you will want the window open, as it is on the noisy Corso Cavour. €60-80 for a double .  
• Hotel Brufani Palace , Piazza Italia 12 ( Right in the center of town ), ☏ +39 0755 732541 . Upmarket hotel where all the top jazz musicians stay during the festival. €100-500 for room or suite .  
• 43.10925 12.38777 3 Hotel La Rosetta , Piazza Italia 19 ( right downtown ), ☏ +39 075 5720841 . If you stay during the jazz festival you will run into all the artists. But price-quality ratio a bit disappointing. €120-240 .  
• Villa Nuba Apartments , Via Strada Eugubina, 70 , ☏ +39 075 5725765 , +39 338 6872362 (mobile) , [email protected] . Vacation rentals directly by the owners. Salt water swimming pool, barbecue area, garden, parking and Jacuzzi. 15 minutes walking distance to the centre of Perugia. ( updated Oct 2015 )

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Perugia provides a good base for exploring central and northern Umbria , including Assisi . You can explore Umbria's medieval towns by day and enjoy Perugia's nightlife by night.

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Perugia is cosmopolitan and unforgettable, and is also the largest walled medieval city in Italy. Situated on a hill overlooking the gorgeous expanses of Val d' Umbria , it is a great home base for exploring Umbria and southern Tuscany . The city's vibrant life, cultural offerings, beautiful atmosphere and laid-back feel are very appealing. Enjoy the medieval lanes of arches, stairways and mysterious alleys. Grand churches may look bland on the outside, but house impressive and renowned artwork inside. The bustling University for Foreigners attracts an international crowd and animates the place.

The first inhabitants were the Umbrians, an ancient Italic tribe that was displaced by the Etruscans in the 6th-century BC. It quickly became one of the most important Etruscan cities. Later on, the Romans subdued the local population and grew. Roman Perusia stayed loyal to Rome during the Punic Wars and helped them win the famous Battle of Lake Trasimeno , but after the decline of the Roman Empire, the city was ruled over by a succession of brutal overlords. In the Middle Ages it sided with the Guelphs, vascillated between the Papal States and Tuscan rulers, but despite the instability grew and was enriched with great artistic and architectural treasures. Perugia fell in the hands of Austria and later France, under Napoleon.

Architecture lovers will revel in an array of gorgeous buildings spanning several centuries. Stunning cathedrals, churches and various public buildings will leave you breathless, while art lovers will see why Pietro Vannucci is better known as Perugino; his masterpieces are viewable around the city, along with some by his famous student, who surpassed his master-Raphael.

Don't miss Palazzo dei Priori , built between 1293 and 1297, and expanded times; it is said to be a superb expression of the soul of the city. On the Corso Vannucci side, the Palazzo is adorned by a marvelous portal decorated with the symbols of Perugia and the Guelphs: the griffon and the lion. From that portal you can enter the National Gallery of Umbria, with its acclaimed collection of Umbrian art, including Perugino's paintings, and works by Pinturricchio, Fra Angelico and others.

The city's main drag has always been the Corso, now named for Pietro Vannucci. Along its length you'll find epic palaces and renowned buildings that have participated in the city's history and infamy. The pedestrianized street is the place to enjoy a stroll, look in the shops, enjoy a drink while people watching and gape at the architecture. HEre you'll find the Collegio del Cambio, Collegio della Mercanzia, Palazzo dei Notari, Casa di Baldo degli Ubaldi, Church of S. Isidoro (deconsacrated), Palazzo Donini and more. The city's monumental gateway opened onto this street and the Corso has never lost its importance throughout the ages. Porta Sant'Angelo is the city's most impressive and massive gates. Take a walk onto the Roman Aqueduct along Via Acquedotto, or for a fun silly game, go to Piazza Italia under the portal of the provincial building and try out the Whispering Arches. Stand at diagonal opposite corners of the arches and whisper to each other, you'll hear the other loud and clear!

Perugia's most famous event is its summer Jazz Festival, a full blow-out homage to the music form that brings in headline musicians from around the world. The other famous festival is Euro Chocolate, here in the hometown of Perugina Chocolate, with artisan producers still proudly turning out decadent confections, this festival every autumn highlights all things chocolate. The Sagra of the Tartufo Nero is the foodies delight, held every July in the nearby town of Ripa, dedicated to foods created with the area's prized black truffle, accompanied by music, dancing and games.

See our Travel Guide for an array of churches and sights around Perugia. The city is ideally situated along the border with Tuscany, near Lake Trasimeno, Assisi , Spello and Citta della Pieve in Umbria, but close to Arezzo , Cortona , Montepulciano and Pienza in Tuscany.

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Explore nearby towns

Collestrada

A medieval hamlet on a low hill, it has a long history, and a modern development.

Located along the Tiber River Valley, the dual hamlets of Ramazzano and Le Pulci are combined under the authority of Perugia.

San Giovanni del Pantano

The hamlet of San Giovanni del Pantano has a long, long history, having started out as a Roman outpost in the upper Tiber Valley.

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Top 5 things to do in Perugia, the capital of Italy’s Green Heart

Oct 2, 2022 • 5 min read

Perugia is so famous for its chocolate that it hosts the annual EuroChocolate festival © Flavio Vallenari / Getty Images

Perugia's location along the slope of the prominent and iconic hills that define the Umbrian region has made it strategically important since the Etruscan era and its sizable student population counts an impressive number of foreign students.

Almost exactly halfway between Rome and Florence , Perugia has been a pilgrimage site for music lovers from around the world, who flock to the city every summer for the Umbria Jazz festival . And as the capital of the “green heart of Italy”, Perugia overflows with everything from truffles, olive oil and wine to, of course, chocolate. 

With easy access to train lines, an airport just outside of the city, and driving routes that connect it to every major hub, Perugia is an ideal base camp to explore central Italy. But a word of caution: the city is enchanting to the point of seductive, so you may just want to stay a while!

1. Fall in love with the historic center

If you have a day to spend in the city, do it outdoors: with a relatively mild climate, Perugia is full of spring breezes, summer sunshine, and autumn chills. It has one of the largest ratios of student-to-resident populations in Italy and on any given day you’ll see scores of young people sitting in clusters on the steps of the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo in Piazza IV Novembre . They likely won’t be cramming for exams but you’ll find plenty of old friends carousing and young love blooming. Stick around for a while and watch new couples meet in front of the distinctive Fontana Maggiore for a “passeggiata” along the Corso Vanucci towards the Giardini Carducci , named for the poet who bestowed the title of “Italy’s Green Heart” onto Umbria.

Better yet, take your own stroll along the via dell’Acquedotto, which connects the center with the Porta Sant’Angelo neighborhood through a narrow, impossibly romantic pathway that’s lined with houses and secret gardens. Make sure to reserve a table at Punto di Vista on Viale Indipendenza (right near Giardini Carducci) where the cocktails are the perfect complement to the panoramic views.

2. Shop for ceramics, cashmere and harmony

The nearby town of Deruta is one of the most famous centers for ceramics in the world. Since the middle ages, artisans have practiced maiolica, a type of tin-glazed pottery decorated with elaborate and colorful designs against a white background. If you can’t make the visit to one of the 200 workshops in Deruta, a stroll along Via dei Priori in Perugia’s center offers plenty of choices, from the classical style at Bettini to the more contemporary work of Maria Antonietta Taticchi’s Materia Ceramica and Mogré , where Monica Grelli uses ceramics as a form of art therapy.

If you require a more immersive form of retail therapy visit Solomeo , the “hamlet of cashmere and harmony” that designer Brunello Cucinelli has transformed into quite possibly the most philosophical shopping experience in the world. Cucinelli, who was born and raised in the town, has turned it into a monument to beauty and the art of living well, which mirrors the philosophy of his cashmere empire. If you’ve got the funds for his collection, you can book a private tour of the town, its flagship store, the factory, and the nearby park which features the 22-meter (72ft) Monument to Human Dignity. If not, enjoy the stroll and the views.

3. Fulfill all your chocolate dreams

If you’ve only heard one thing about Perugia, it likely had something to do with chocolate, and for that, you can thank Luisa Spagnoli and Giovanni Buitoni. Together, they created the “bacio”, perhaps one of the most iconic confectionaries and the symbol of the iconic chocolatier, Perugina. If you’re a chocolate lover, you won’t want to miss a visit to the Perugina factory or museum , which organizes tours and classes to learn how to make their signature chocolate and hazelnut bonbons.

For true devotees, plan your trip for the fall and buy a ticket to Eurochocolate , a ten-day festival that takes place all over Perugia and features chocolate art displays, chocolate-inspired street performances, and chocolate sculpting. You’ll find plenty of Perugina on display along with labels from across Italy and the world, all of whom converge within a city so sweet, it inspired a century-long love story.

4. Take a stroll through the National Gallery

Built over two centuries, the Palazzo dei Priori is perhaps the best argument against a standardized work week: the stops and starts that made it such a painstakingly long work have also rendered it one of Perugia’s most evocative structures. It is at once imposing and playful, and its massive scale both towers over and embraces the rest of the medieval center. It is, perhaps, the perfect analogy for a city is both soaring and intimate; a crossroads that somehow retains the memory of every face who has passed through.

One of the city’s most famous faces Pietro Vannucci, also adopted the name of the town, becoming the artist known as Perugino. The Palazzo dei Priori is suitably the home for many of his works, in the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria  that occupies the palace’s upper floors. The collection occupies forty rooms of the Palace and covers seven centuries of Italian art. 

5. Follow the pilgrims to Assisi

Located less than a half hour’s drive from Perugia, Assisi is the birth and resting place of Saint Francis, one of the patron saints of Italy. The town, a Unesco heritage site, is filled with an extraordinary mix of pilgrims and tourists, who often overlap: don’t be surprised to find backpackers walking alongside monks up to the Basilica di San Francesco and the accompanying Sacro Convento, both of which are visible for miles on approach to the town.

Assisi attracts more tourists than almost anywhere in Umbria and there are plenty of restaurants, hotels, and shops to visit. But if you want to get something really special from Assisi look for the ubiquitous Tau Cross, a simple wooden amulet that Saint Francis used as his personal symbol. Pick one up at Tomassetti Arte Sacra in the historic center and get a history lesson from the maestro himself.

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Perugia Tourist Office

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Perugia, Italy: 11 Best Things to do in Umbria’s Capital City 

Perched on top of a hill overlooking the beautiful green region of Umbria lies one of Italy’s lesser-known gems: the historical city of Perugia. This idyllic location makes the perfect travel destination as it’s full of stories, incredible architecture, and a bustling atmosphere. If it weren’t for the lively student population, it would seem as if time stood completely still in its ancient medieval center. Marvel at gothic buildings and defensive walls, sample all the delicious regional delicacies, and discover all the best things to do in magnificent Perugia.

Things to do in Perugia

Perugia is the capital of the Umbria region in Italy; a small area that isn’t dissimilar from beautiful Tuscany and dotted with interesting little towns. With its lovely medieval center and international student population, the cosmopolitan Perugia makes a great destination for a (half) day trip or as a base when exploring the country.

Here are all your hotel options in Perugia.

Due to its central location, Perugia was one of the main cities and prospered greatly during the Etruscan era (900 – 27 BC) in Italy. Its historic center has also changed very little in the last 400 years, filled with cute cobbled alleys, beautiful piazzas, grand churches, and stunning palazzi (mansions). 

While history stands at the center of Perugia, the city also knows how to party. Watch as the cafe terraces fill up with university students in the late summer afternoons. Or, if you’re visiting in July, join the many music-lovers gathering for Umbria Jazz, one of the top jazz festivals in Europe .

Did you know? Perugia is also known as the City of Chocolate! You’ll find the Perugina Chocolate Factory in the city center. If you’re visiting in October, there’s even a world-famous chocolate festival called ‘Euro Chocolate’.

1. Palazzo dei Priori

For centuries, a grand palace has stood right in the center of the city’s Piazza IV Novembre. This ornate Gothic-style building called Palazzo dei Priori was built in the 1300s and was previously the seat of the Municipality of Perugia. Now, it houses the region’s main art gallery and has a couple of historic suites with beautiful frescoed ceilings. 

Its unique windows, ornamental portal, and fortress-like structure make the Palazzo an impressive building to visit. Marvel at the detailed architecture as you join in with the students outside, listening to street music on the stairs in front of the entrance and enjoying a delicious gelato. 

Opening times & Entrance Fee

Inside the Palazzo dei Priori, you’ll find the imposing National Gallery of Umbria. This museum is open all week from 8.30 AM – 7.30 PM (Mondays from 12 PM). Between January and March, it’s closed on Mondays. Entrance to the museum costs 2 – 10 EUR (2,14 – 10,70 USD) depending on where you’re from and is free for minors. 

For an immersive experience, book a walking tour of the old town in Perugia. See availability and tickets here .

2. Perugia Cathedral

On the same main square as the palace, with the large medieval Fontana Maggiore in the middle, you’ll also find the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. This somewhat strange-looking cathedral has the unusual attribute that its front facade doesn’t face the main square. It was originally built in the 15th century, but parts of the cathedral exterior remain unfinished, adding to the building’s uniqueness.

Spend some time wandering around the Roman cathedral, admiring all of its quirks. If you have time, take a look inside at its lavishly decorated interior full of colored paintings and gold details.

3. Etruscan Well

With a rich Etruscan past, all visitors need to do is walk along the ancient walls to gain an insight into the oldest stories of Perugia. From one of seven surviving gates and a stout arch to possibly the most impressive remain: the Etruscan well.

By using a system of stairs, you can descend deep into this old water reservoir. Walk down 37 meters to the bottom of the well and cross the bridge that spans through the middle to fully take in the grandness of this construction carved out of rock. Visiting the well is one of the more unique things to do in Perugia, Italy . 

If you want to learn more about the Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval heritage of the city, you can also book a guided walking tour .

4. Walk along Via dell’Acquedotto di Perugia

As you roam through the city, you’ll undoubtedly come past the via dell’Acquedotto. This ancient path previously served as an aqueduct during the Roman era, providing Perugia’s citizens with fresh water. What’s even more interesting is that it was ingeniously designed to allow water to flow uphill towards the fountain on the main square! 

Nowadays, the aqueduct makes the perfect walkway, stretching about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) through the city. Stroll along the path, taking in the different views of the historic buildings as well as the stunning arches of the aqueduct itself. 

Read: The best things to do in Umbria, Italy

5. Viewpoint Porta Sole

Nothing tops looking out over the colored buildings of an ancient city with mountains as the backdrop. Perugia, Italy, is built on top of a hill, offering these stunning views from numerous places. The best, however, can be found at one of the highest points of the city: Porta Sole. 

The Arco dei Gigli, known as Porta Sole among Perugians, is one of the ancient gates of the Etruscan walls of the city. Getting there can be a little challenging as you need to scale quite a few stairs from the piazza below. However, the workout is definitely worth it! Up top, you’re rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of most of Perugia and beyond. Enjoy the valley views from this ancient gateway before continuing on your journey through Perugia. 

Tip: For the best views, head here in the morning when the golden sun gently touches the roofs of Perugia’s medieval city and the mountains in the back.

6. Visit Assisi

If there’s one town in Umbria that is an absolute gem and a must-visit in Italy, it’s Assisi . Located only a twenty-minute train ride from Perugia, this charming ancient town is an important pilgrimage site and is home to some incredible religious buildings and festivals. It’s most notably known as the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi , one of Italy’s patron saints. His grand cathedral (St Francis Basilica) is the biggest eye-catcher of the town, unusually constructed of two cathedrals built on top of each other. 

Also read: Assisi, Italy: Best Things To Do

The approach to Assisi is incredible as you watch the sun hitting the warm stone of the houses. Transport back in time, getting lost in the little alleyways of the medieval town or relaxing in one of the pretty squares with a drink or gelato in hand.

Alternatively, take a tour of Assisi by tuk-tuk! See tickets and availability here .

Assisi Viewpoint

A bit outside of Assisi , there’s also a beautiful viewpoint offering one of the most fantastic vistas in the region. Watch as the sun goes down, covering the hills, mountains, vineyards, and medieval cities in Umbria in a beautiful orange glow. Here is the location of the viewpoint .

We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Calendimaggio Festival

If you’re visiting Assisi in May, you’ll also have the opportunity to see the Calendimaggio festival. During this event, the locals dress up in costumes from medieval times and take to the winding streets of the town to celebrate the coming of spring. 

7. Join a Winery Tour

Just like Tuscany , Umbria’s rolling hills are covered in vineyards. The countryside around Perugia has some fantastic wines that you can try at one of the beautiful wineries offering excellent tours. Journey out of the city to walk among the cypress trees under the warm Umbrian sun – a dream come true. 

We visited Lungarotti in Torgiano (they also have another winery in Montefalco), which is one of the most impressive wineries we’ve ever seen! You’ll learn all about the process from grape to glass, with amazing explanations from very knowledgeable guides and winemakers. They’re known as the producers of the best red wine in Italy (2016), making the experience and tasting at the end even more memorable.

Book your wine tour here

8. Perugia Underground

Wandering through Perugia’s streets is as if you’ve just stepped into a different time period. From the defensive walls around the city to the aqueduct, all of it is part of Perugia’s well-preserved ancient acropolis. Yet, there’s an area at the very core of the city that takes you on an even more unique journey through the centuries. Underground Perugia lies an entire network of streets that answer archaeologists’ questions about how the city got its current shape. 

From the Etruscan era to the Romans , visiting Perugia Underground shares many of the city’s stories and is one of the best things to do in Perugia. Escape the summer heat for an hour and dig deep into the city’s history. You can access the buried city via Rocca Paolina or use the underground escalator .

9. Relax at Lake Trasimeno

Lake Trasimeno, the biggest lake in central Italy, is Umbria’s version of Lake Como. It lies only a stone’s throw away from the border of Tuscany and makes the perfect location for outdoor lovers. Hike or bike around the lake or relax on one of the beaches amidst the forest in Castiglione del Lago or Tuoro al Trasimeno. You can also choose to do one of the many different watersports on the lake, such as kayaking. 

The lake is just a half-hour drive from the center of Perugia, making it perfect for a day trip. As you approach the water, admire the beautiful backdrop of rolling green hills, sunflower fields, and woodland.

Join this kayak tour on Trasimeno Lake

Isola Maggiore 

Lake Trasimeno also has three islands that have small medieval towns perched on the edges. One of the best things to do in this region is to visit Maggiore Island. Home to only 12 people, one ancient street, a small beach, and a few restaurants make the island one of the most serene places to visit. 

If you walk through the olive groves to the other side, you’ll find an abandoned castle that looks out over the lake. Explore the small and lush green paths that cross the island – a truly idyllic experience! 

Tip: If you want dinner on Isola Maggiore, head to Da Sauro, a delicious fish restaurant. In the summer, you can also stay overnight on the island, as some campsites are open.

10. Saint Angelo Gate

Porta Sant’Angelo is an impressive medieval gate that’s located at the end of the main street of Perugia’s historic center. Built centuries ago, this stout gate is part of the defensive walls that surround the city and entrance to the medieval time capsule that is Perugia. The impressive structure reveals that it was built in three different construction phases, each marked by the use of differently-colored materials. 

Inside the gate, you’ll find the Museum of the City Walls and Doors. Here, you can dive into the city’s rich history and urban development, including the outer ramparts. From up top, you’ll have an incredible view of the city and the beautiful surrounding hills of Umbria .

Must-read:   the best things to do in Siena, Italy

11. Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo

If you pass through the ancient northern gate Sant’Angelo, you’ll be greeted by a circular-shaped Catholic church. This small round structure stands perched on a hill, slightly hidden by the city’s imposing walls. It’s known as the first religious building in Perugia and, in theme with the rest of the city, dates back many centuries ago.

With its circular shape, lantern dome, and beautiful lawn in front, it’s a must-see in Perugia. Soak up the afternoon sun as you make a visit to the church, admiring its exterior. You can also take a look inside, which is characterized by charming brick walls, a circular nave, and sixteen ornate columns. 

The Best Cafes and Restaurants in Perugia

Perugia is full of delicious restaurants and pasticcerias, making sure you will never go hungry. Delve into the region’s flavors by trying local specialties such as strangozzi , a rustic square-shaped pasta traditionally made with just flour and water. Or, try the Perugian favorite Pecorino di Norcia or Italy’s beloved Baci chocolate “kisses”.

Umbria is also Italy’s largest producer of the famed black truffles, meaning that if you haven’t tried this before (or even if you have), this is the place to do it. Some of our favorite restaurants and cafes in Perugia are:

• Café Timbuktu
• POSTO GIUSTO
• Caffe Dal Perugino
• Luce Ristorante
• Piada e Delizie
• Wang (Chinese)
• Tea and Coffee house

Tip: Perugia’s cafe terraces are also a great place to enjoy an aperitif. For one with a great view, head to Punto di Vista .

Where to Stay in Perugia

Though Perugia is an excellent destination to travel to for (half) a day from bigger locations such as Florence or Rome , it’s also an incredible place to stay. As the capital of Umbria, it also makes a great location to base yourself to explore the surrounding region.

Hotels in Perugia 😴

There are lots of lovely hotels at various prices that are never too far away from the highlights of Perugia. If you’re looking to explore more of the landscapes of Umbria, you can also stay in an Agriturismo (farm accommodation). See all your hotel options in Perugia .

How to get to Perugia, Italy

Perugia makes for a great visit, both as a day trip destination or as a stop on your journey to other locations in the country, such as Rome . Depending on where you start your journey, there are a few ways to get to Perugia, Italy .

If Umbria is your main destination, then it’s possible to fly directly to the region’s capital from a few cities in Europe . Note, though, that it has very specific times per day.

From the airport, you can get a taxi to take you to Perugia. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs around 30 EUR (32,20 USD). 

The easiest way to get to Perugia is by train, as it connects to major cities Florence and Rome. From both cities, it takes about 2.5 hours to get to Perugia, which lies almost exactly halfway in between. It’s recommended to book your train tickets in advance as prices tend to be lower.

Book your train to Perugia

Once in Perugia, it’s a 30-minute walk or short bus ride uphill to get to the city center. You can buy bus tickets for about 2 EUR (2,14 USD) from the shops or when boarding the bus. 

Alternatively, you can visit Perugia by car as part of a longer Italy itinerary . Renting a car and driving through Italy is an incredible experience, as you’ll get to see more of the stunning countryside of Umbria and go off the beaten path. 

Getting Around

Once you’re in the walled city, you can explore all the different sites on foot. Walking through the labyrinth of the city’s narrow streets is the best way to discover Perugia and its amazing atmosphere. If you’re traveling by car, you can park in one of the car parks outside the historical center and walk from there.

The Best Time to Visit Perugia

The whole region of Umbria is relatively quiet all year round. However, it does get a bit busier during the summer months when Italians have their holidays.

Perugia remains to be a lesser-known gem, meaning that you can undoubtedly explore the quaint medieval streets with few other tourists. However, we recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons (April/May or September/October) to be able to enjoy more of beautiful Italy . Both these times, it will still be warm, and you’ll have plenty of sunshine to enjoy the stunning landscapes of the region!

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36 hours in perugia, italy.

By ONDINE COHANE SEPT. 14, 2017

One of Italy’s most underrated destinations is filled with remnants of an ancient past, complemented by a host of new bars, cafes and boutiques. Related Article

Despite its proximity to the epicenter of last year’s earthquakes in Italy (Perugia suffered no significant damage) and some bad publicity after the  Amanda Knox  trial, Perugia remains one of the country’s most vibrant and underrated destinations. This is due, in no small part, to the energy of the early 14th-century  University of Perugia , one of the oldest universities in Italy. Perugia may remain in the shadow of many cities in neighboring Tuscany, but new bars, cafes and boutiques flourish in this Umbrian city, which does an excellent job of showcasing its ancient foundations in the historic center. Those foundations encompass Etruscan, medieval, Gothic and 18th-century treasures along wide, sun-kissed roads that lead to pretty, off-the-beaten-track neighborhoods. Perugia may become packed during events like  Umbria Jazz  and  the annual chocolate festival,  but, for the most part, remains untouristy and authentic.

Explore the map and find things to do in Perugia.

1) 4 P.M. Heritage Heirlooms

To call  Giuditta Brozzetti  a textile workshop would be an understatement. Its location, in the high-arched church of San Francesco delle Donne, which dates to the 13th century, is a destination in itself. Brozzetti is a multigenerational labor of love that focuses on handmade reproductions of the city’s famous textile designs (like the griffin, the symbol of Perugia), all produced on 18th- and 19th-century wood looms. The current owner, Marta Cucchia, is deeply informed about how to create these patterns, and knows the difficulties of keeping such skills alive in the modern world (weekend visits by appointment). The  Studio Moretti Caselli  provides the same kind of insight into the production of stained glass, with five generations of glassmakers preserving designs of the past while also creating new patterns. Set up as a museum as well as a shop, the studio beautifully illustrates the country’s thriving artisanal businesses.

2) 5 P.M. Sweet Pursuits

Lick  might be a slightly unfortunate name for a gelato joint but the ice cream here is exemplary, with unusual and delicious flavors like Gorgonzola, honey and walnuts, or fresh strawberry with ginger (cups and cones from two euros, or about $2.40). Across the street from the beautiful church of Sant’Ercolano,  Alphaville  has continued the city’s love for all things chocolate, but with a new angle: Its signature cupcake is chocolate stuffed with homemade raspberry jam. A decadent Italian version of cheesecake (using mascarpone cheese), fresh-squeezed juices and artisanal teas or an Aperol spritz are also on offer, in a cozy space or at an outdoor table.

3) 7 P.M. Happy Hour

Stylish locals and well-heeled visitors congregate at  Mercato Vianova  for aperitivo, when cocktails like a local take on a Bloody Mary, or the currently trendy Moscow Mule, are among the drinks on offer alongside a buffet of cocktail snacks. On warmer night, opt for a streetside sofa for good people-watching. Meanwhile,  T-Trane  is not only a new funky record store for vinyl lovers, but doubles as a bar that’s open until 1 a.m.

4) 9 P.M. Farm-to-Table

Opened by a former wine and food promoter for the region, Jean Paul Sia’s admiration for Umbria’s ingredients is clearly warranted at his new  Trattoria del Borgo . Goat cheese from the renowned Diego Calcabrina, for example, and wines like Albaco Orvieto Classico Superiore exemplify the region’s offerings. Don’t miss the handmade strangozzi with pesto made with Umbrian wild herbs. The spot also has an extensive selection of dishes for those who prefer gluten-free. Dinner for two is about 60 euros with wine.

5) 9 A.M. Coffee Break

A visit to  Sandri dal 1860  (dating to 1860) to view its beautiful Art Deco interiors — long marble bar, whimsical frescoes and gilded mirror — is a must. Originally opened by a Swiss family, the institution was recently taken over by a local family who has continued making the cafe’s excellent espresso and the cakes and pastries that look more like art installations.

6) 10 A.M. Architectural Standouts

Musìca,  in the Torre del Cassero in Porta Sant’Angelo, is a small music museum with original and reproduced instruments and intimate concerts. Walking all the way to the top of the tower is worth the effort, with sweeping views across the city (by appointment). Next door, the church of Sant’Angelo is the city’s oldest and one of the country’s most unusual — built on the ruins of a pagan temple. The altar is at the 5th-century structure’s center, surrounded by 16 columns dating from different periods.

7) 11 A.M. Shopping Treats

It is surprising to find a temple to cool sneakers, skateboards and other sports paraphernalia in the center of a historic town, but university students and those in search of signature Stan Smiths or hard-to-find skateboards will find excellent wares at  Smooth Kicks . The Danish brand  Flying Tiger Copenhagen  has opened nearby with packable presents like poppy lunchboxes and chic-but-cheap sunglasses. Homegrown designers include  Brunello Cucinelli , who has turned a medieval hamlet into a museum and store, and  Luisa Spagnoli , a brand that suggests Italy’s answer to Chanel — both have outposts right outside the city, with discounts on current collections.

8) Noon. Picnic Pursuits

For a parkside feast, pick up local salumi, cheese, seasonal vegetables and wine at  Umbrò . Then set up your picnic at Via delle Prome, close to the city center, with panoramic views.

9) 2 P.M. Waterside Attractions

Lago Trasimeno, the extensive lake that is close to Perugia, is one of Italy’s underrated treasures, with its little islets and waterside towns that have attracted the likes of George Lucas and Colin Firth who have houses here, and the spot where Hannibal famously beat back the Romans in 217 B.C. Boat trips around the lake are possible from Passignano (have a delicious seafood lunch first at  Trattoria Del Pescatore  or a sunset aperitivo at  Bar del Sole , or explore villages like Monte del Lago, an exquisite sleepy spot that was a Puccini favorite; he spent time at the grand villa there.

10) 8 P.M. Raw Pleasure

Perugia is not known for its seafood — it is a landlocked city, after all — but  Crudo , which recently opened, is changing that. The owner is an oyster enthusiast and the mollusks take center stage, as well as the raw fish selections — the salmon is particularly delicious.

11) 10 P.M. Cinema Paradiso

Located on Via della Viola in an artsy neighborhood, the newly renovated  Postmodernissimo  theater still feels authentic, and true to its early-20th-century roots. In addition to screenings, exhibitions and talks by young filmmakers, the Art Deco space is lovely for a post dinner drink. Meanwhile, for live music, D.J. sets, and strong cocktails, make tracks to  Dot .

12) 11 A.M. Get Thee To a Nunnery

One of Perugia’s attractions is its proximity to other Umbrian gems. Assisi, with its famous frescos by Giotto and ongoing spiritual importance, is one of the standouts. A few years ago, the  Nun Assisi  brought a boutique hotel option to the town. Book a spa appointment at the evocative Roman ruins under the 13th-century property, with healing pools at different temperatures and a full menu of treatments for sightseeing-weary muscles. Afterward, relax with a cocktail in the garden, or go for lunch at the restaurant, Eat Out Osteria Gourmet, with its views over town, and innovative dishes like a poached egg with pecorino cream and truffles. Lunch is about 70 euros for two, without wine.

Sina Brufani  (Piazza Italia, 12; sinahotels.com/brufani) has an exceptional setting and views .  While old school in its vibe and furnishings, the rooms are well-priced and come with access to a small basement pool. Doubles from 190 euros.

In the countryside, but close to Perugia (about 25 minutes), the  Borgo dei Conti  (Strada Montepetriolo, 26; borgodeicontiresort.com)  has acres of olive trees, a spa  and  pool. The 55 rooms have all been updated with modern bathrooms and large custom beds, but the estate retains an 18th -century feel, with its terraced gardens and rambling pathways. Doubles from 240 euros in low season.

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Perugia Travel Guide

Walled medieval city in umbria.

Perugia , the largest city in central Italy’s Umbria region, is a lively modern hill town with medieval roots. Ancient walls from the Etruscan, Roman, and medieval periods enclose its historic center. Perugia offers a wealth of things to see and do including historic sights, good food, cultural activities, and shops. It’s home to Baci chocolates, the Umbria Jazz Festival , and the Universita per Stranieri , a good Italian language school.

Plan Your Visit to Perugia

Perugia is in the center of Umbria . See Perugia Weather for when to go.

Perugia can be reached by train, changing at Terontola station on the rail line between Rome and Florence or at Foligno on the rail line between Rome and Ancona on the east coast. Buses run from the station up the hill into the center.

There is also a private rail line with trains to Umbria towns leaving from Stazione Sant’Anna near Piazza Partigiani, the bus terminal. From Piazza Partigiana you can take the escalators inside the Rocca Paolina , Perugia’s first fortress, arriving in Piazza Italia at the top of the hill.

• Locanda della Posta has a prime location on Corso Vannucci, the pedestrian street, near Piazza Italia in the center.
• Sina Brufani is an elegant, historic hotel with indoor swimming pool right on Piazza Italia.
• Hotel Rosalba is a small hotel by the entrance to the Rocca Paolina escalator that goes to Piazza Italia.
• For something different try the Etruscan Chocohotel , below town, where there’s a restaurant with a chocolate menu.
• See more places to stay in Perugia

What to See and Do in Perugia

• For an introduction to the sights, take a Perugia Art and Food Walking Tour
• From Piazza Italia, walk along Corso Vannucci , the main pedestrian shopping street. It connects to Piazza IV Novembre , a lively square that’s the heart of the city. In the square’s center is a beautiful pink and white stone fountain, Fontana Maggiore , with carved panels depicting astrological signs, months of the year, astrological signs, Aesop’s fables, and mythical monsters. Around the square are Cathedral , the Palazzo dei Priori , and medieval buildings with shops and bars.
• Inside the medieval Palazzo dei Priori , where the town councilors used to meet, are 13th century frescoes and ancient wooden furniture. Also in the Palazzo are 3 museums: the National Gallery of Umbria , the Merchants Guild, and the Money Changers Guild. The City Museums Card includes these 3 museums and a few other sites.
• San Lorenzo Cathedral , dating from the 15th century, has a Gothic interior with beautiful frescoes, several important art works, a 14th century pulpit, and a fine piece of gold work called the Madonna’s wedding ring .
• The 15th century Oratorio di San Bernardino , in Piazza San Francesco al Prato , has a colored marble and terracotta facade, a 4th century sarcophagus at the base of the altar and art works on the walls. In the 14th century Chapel of San Severo is a fresco by Raphael , his only art work in Perugia.

• Off the usual tourist itinerary, visit the very interesting Studio Moretti Caselli historic stained glass studio and museum. It’s currently open on Tuesdays and Wednesday from 10:00 to 1:00 or other times by appointment. Another artisan shop to visit is the Giuditta Brozzetti hand weaving studio, one of the few remaining studios that still produce textiles using traditional looms. We visited these places with Rebecca of Brigolante Guest Apartments in Assisi .
• Built by Pope Paul III , the Rocca Paolina has remains of the old streets and houses he destroyed to build the fortress. Escalators through the Rocca take you from the part of the city near the bus terminal to the historic center up the hill. There are also art exhibits held in the building. It’s a fun place to wander around.
• A 3rd century BC Etruscan well , the Etruscan Arch (one of the 7 city gates), and parts of the city wall are remnants of the city’s Etruscan past. Roman remains include parts of the Roman wall and Roman city gates and the 5th century Tempio di Sant’Angelo . Roman and Etruscan finds are housed in the archaeological museum in the former Domenican monastery next to San Domenico Church .

Where to Go Near Perugia

• Assisi , hill town known for Saint Francis Basilica.
• Castiglione del Lago , on Lake Trasimeno , can be reached by train.
• Deruta , a small town known for ceramics.

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Perugia Travel Guide originally appeared on MarthasItaly.com Jan 26, 2018 , updated: Jul 24, 2018 by Martha Bakerjian .

Perugia Tourist & Travel Guide from Italy Heaven

Attractive medieval town, capital of Umbria

About Perugia

Perugia is the capital of Italy’s Umbria region; a substantial town with a number of historical attractions and good transport links. There are direct budget flights to Perugia from the UK, making the town an appealing destination for a weekend break, or a starting-point for a tour of this part of central Italy.

Perugia has two major universities, one of which is for foreigners, and it has become a heavily student town, with over 40,000 students arriving each year. This is too much for some locals, who feel that the departure of residents from the town centre, as they are replaced by student digs, bars and a drinking culture, has impacted on the historic heart of Perugia. This is just the latest step in a long history beginning in Etruscan times, which encompasses sieges, destruction, re-building, papal conclaves, excommunication, the usual warring families and struggles with other city-states, French rule, Austrian rule, absorption into a united Italy and a number of earthquakes. Nowadays, apart from its universities, Perugia is known for its chocolate production, with an annual festival called ‘Eurochocolate’ being held each autumn and even a ‘chocohotel’ (see below). The town’s annual jazz festival, Umbria Jazz, also has a high profile, filling a week or two of summer with concerts and entertainment.

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Perugia tourist sights

Perugia’s hilltop town centre – connected by escalators – is a good place to explore medieval lanes and fine buildings. Corso Vannucci, the town’s principal street, is pedestrianised and leads to the main square, Piazza IV Novembre. A grand thirteenth-century fountain known as the Fontana Maggiore is the square’s centrepiece. The town’s cathedral, the Duomo or Cattedrale di San Lorenzo has a baroque facade and Roman ruins below, but dates mainly from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.The cathedral museum contains some of the finer artworks from the church, including an altarpiece by Luca Signorelli.

As the region’s capital, Perugia is home to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale dell’Umbria , a regional archaeological collection including interesting local Etruscan exhibits, and also to the main Umbrian art gallery, the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria , which includes works by Piero della Francesca and Fra Angelico. The art gallery is housed in what is probably Perugia’s most notable building, the Palazzo dei Priori . This is the old civic palace, the town’s administrative headquarters, sitting proudly right at the heart of town. Attractive and formidable on the outside, the medieval building contains fine frescoes, including some – in the old money exchange, the Collegio del Cambio – by local star artist Perugino.

Other sights in Perugia include a 36-metre deep Etruscan well (Pozzo Etrusco), the Rocca Paolina fortress, a museum of the city walls and gates, a Roman mosaic within the university buildings on Via Pascoli, various appealing churches from different eras and the Botanical Gardens outside the Porta San Costanzo. If you are particularly interested in chocolate, it is possible to learn more about the Perugina company, famed for chocolates called baci – kisses – at their Casa del Cioccolato and Museo Storico (historic museum) at San Sisto, outside town.

Perugia tourist information office is at Piazza Matteotti, 18. The tourist board produces thorough tourist guides to the town in English – which can even be downloaded in advance as a good preparation for your visit (see our links panel). Various combined tickets are possible for the tourist attractions, so it’s worth looking into ways to save money.

Perugia airport, travel and transport

Perugia airport is called the Aeroporto Internazionale dell’Umbria, and also Perugia Sant’Egidio. Ryanair – at the time of writing – operate flights to Perugia from London Stansted. The airport is only eight miles from Perugia, and there is a limited bus service into town, stopping by the railway station and in Piazza Italia. More details are available on the airport website (see our links panel) under the heading trasporti .

Alternative airports for Perugia are much further away – possible gateways include Rome (from Fiumicino Airport there are occasional direct buses), Florence, Ancona and Pisa. Ancona is just under three hours away by train, changing at Foligno. Pisa is a 3 – 4-hour journey with one or two changes. Central Florence is two hours away by train.

Perugia is served by lifts, escalators, a bus network and a novel new driverless system called the Minimetro, which connects the historic centre with the railway station and other parts of town. The local transport company is called APM.

Things to do around Perugia

The closest tourist destinations to Perugia are the lovely pilgrimage town of Assisi – just 20 minutes away by train – and Lake Trasimeno. A circular tour of the Umbria region could take in a range of pretty historic towns: Assisi, Spello, Spoleto, Orvieto, Lake Trasimeno and Gubbio. There are also plenty of smaller towns and villages where travellers can potter and pass a pleasant couple of hours. Deruta is famous for its ceramics and is a good place to view Italian majolica in a museum and to buy in local shops.

Where to stay in Perugia

It would be hard not to be tempted by the Etruscan Chocohotel , a cunning weaving-together of Perugia’s claims to cultural fame. This three-star is outside the town centre, but has the advantages of a swimming pool and car parking. Tourists who prefer to be based in the historic centre could try the popular three-star Hotel Fortuna or the four-star Sangallo Palace near the foot of the escalators leading up to town.

> Hotels, B&Bs and holiday apartments in Perugia

Useful external links

Eurochocolate – chocolate festival

Umbria Jazz

Perugia tourist board

Museo Archeologico Nazionale – National Archaeological Museum

Perugina – chocolate makers

Perugia Airport

APM local transport (see timetables under orari )

Italy car hire

Perugia Minimetro (Guardian article)

Umbria destinations

• Umbria region

15 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Perugia

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Perugia, capital of the region of Umbria, is worth visiting not only for the beauty of its hilltop setting, but also for its fine old buildings. Before it came under Roman rule, ancient Perusia was one of the twelve cities of the Etruscan federation, and considerable sections of the Etruscan walls, which extended for 2,800 meters around the town, have been preserved.

Perugia is known to the art world as the center of the Umbrian school of painting in the 15th and 16th centuries; its leading members, Pietro Vannucci (called Perugino) and Bernardino Betti (called Pinturicchio) both worked here. The young Raphael worked in Perugino's studio until 1504. You'll find works by all three in churches and public buildings, which, because of the art, are the top things to see in Perugia.

Plan your visit with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Perugia.

See also: Where to Stay in Perugia

1. Rocca Paolina

2. galleria nazionale dell'umbria, 3. san lorenzo, 4. fontana maggiore and piazza iv novembre, 5. san pietro, 6. palazzo dei priori and collegio del cambio, 7. sant'arcangelo, 8. arco d'augusto, 9. san domenico, 10. day trip to lago trasimeno, 11. ipogeo dei volumni (etruscan tomb), 12. studio moretti caselli, 13. museo archeologico, 14. oratorio di san bernardino, 15. day trip to deruta, where to stay in perugia for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in perugia, perugia, italy - climate chart.

One of the most unusual places to see in Perugia is buried deep beneath its charming old streets and piazzas. Its story goes back to 1540, when Pope Paul III, a member of the Farnese family, ruled the Italian states.

Perugia, which was ruled by the rival Baglioni family, was the last to fall to papal forces, and Pope Paul took his revenge by ordering a massive fortress built on the Colle Landone, the neighborhood where all the Baglioni palaces and properties lay. More than 100 homes, tower houses, churches, and monasteries, some dating to Etruscan and Roman times, were destroyed and their stones used to build the fortress.

It wasn't until the middle of the 19th century that Perugia was free of papal rule, at which time they destroyed the hated symbol of their subjection. What tourists can see today are the vaulted foundations and passages that were once streets, now deep underground .

This free attraction is easy to reach from the escalators that take you from the Piazzale Partigiani car park or station to Via Baglioni Baglioni (there is no Via Farnese, so the Baglionis got the last laugh). Inside, an excellent art film relating the history of the Rocca and Perugia is well worth seeing.

The National Gallery of Umbria, on the third floor of Palazzo dei Priori , contains paintings by Perugino; Pinturicchio; and other artists of the Umbrian school, including Benedetto Bonfigli and Bartolomeo Caporali; as well as sculptures by di Cambio and di Duccio. It demonstrates the development of painting in Umbria from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, with its greatest strengths lying between the 13th and 18th centuries.

Highlights of the collections are a 1272 crucifix by an unknown Perugian artist; five statues from 1281 by Arnolfo di Cambio; Madonna and Child by Duccio di Boninsegna, painted in 1305; a 1456 Madonna with Saints by Benozzo Gozzoli (1456); a polyptych of Sant'Antonius by Piero della Francesca; and another by Fra Angelico dating from 1437.

In the Cappella dei Priori is a fresco cycle by Benedetto Bonfigli, completed between 1454 and 1480 and picturing Perugia at that time. In the chapel are several works by Perugino, a polyptych of St. Augustine by Pinturicchio, and sculptures by Agostino di Duccio.

Address: Palazzo dei Priori, Corso Vannucci 19, Perugia

The 15th-century Gothic hall-church of San Lorenzo, Perugia's cathedral, has an unfinished façade, despite the fact that its building continued from the laying of its foundation stone in 1345 until 1587. The pink and white exterior stone decoration was only completed on the side wall facing the Fontana Maggiore.

Inside are beautiful 15th-century choir-stalls and a pulpit that was built in the 14th century of older stone fragments. The stucco decorations and false marble painting is an 18th-century addition, and the 16th-century Mannerist doorway was moved here from the nearby Collegio del Seminario.

Look in the Chapel of San Bernardino for Federico Barocci's Deposition, from 1567-69. In the sacristy, which you can reach from the chapel to the right of the high altar, are 16th-century frescoes by Giovanni Antonio Pandolfi di Pesaro. East of the cathedral, the church of San Severo contains a 1505 fresco by Raphael, The Trinity .

Address: Piazza IV Novembre, Perugia

In the center of Perugia's attractive main square, Piazza IV Novembre, the 13th-century Fontana Maggiore is one of the most beautiful fountains of that period, with reliefs by the master Tuscan stone-carvers Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. Its two multi-sided basins are of white and pink stone, and above them, a trio of bronze nymphs support an urn from which water flows.

This piazza has always been the political and social center of the community: it was the forum during Roman times, and the medieval town spread along the five streets that join here. On the west side of the square is the Archbishop's Palace with the Museum of Natural History, and beyond it is the arched vaulting of the Palazzo del Podesta , which burned down in 1534. From the Piazza IV Novembre, the medieval Via delle Volte runs to the Piazza Fortebraccio .

Outside the Porta San Pietro is the church of San Pietro, an early Christian structure rebuilt in the 12th century incorporating 18 of the ancient columns. The beautiful Gothic wooden choir-stalls, completed between 1535 and 1591, are considered among Italy's finest.

The painted and gilded wooden ceiling is from 1556, and the church is further decorated by frescos and paintings by a number of artists, Antonio Vassilacchi, Sassoferrato, Guido Reni, Vasari, Guerricino, and Perugino among them. In the sacristy are inlaid furniture and paintings by Perugino, Parmigianino, and Raphael.

The richly decorated Porta San Pietro dates from the 14th century, and its outer gate from the 15th century. Southwest of the church, the Giardini del Frontone extends all the way to the Porta San Costanzo, with beautiful views.

Address: Via Borgo XX Giugno, Perugia

On the south side of the cathedral is the Palazzo dei Priori, also known as the Palazzo Comunale, a massive building in Italian Gothic style from the late 13th and early 14th centuries. On the side facing the Piazza IV Novembre are a griffin (the emblem of Perugia), a 14th-century bronze lion, and chains, all commemorating Perugia's victory over Siena in 1358.

On the first floor of the palace, which is entered through the beautifully carved main doorway facing Corso Vannucci, is the splendid Sala dei Notari. The hall is covered in late 13th-century frescoes of biblical and allegorical scenes.

An extension was added to the Palazzo dei Priori in the mid-15th century to house the Collegio del Cambio, now a tourist attraction itself. The Bankers Guild was one of the most powerful in the city, and their headquarters and exchange is lavishly decorated. The entrance of carved wood is only the beginning of things to see here.

The walls of the Sala dei Legisti (lawyers room) are by Giampietro Zuccari, and the furniture is of inlaid woods. But it is the Sala dell'Udienza (audience room), which is considered Italy's finest and best preserved 15th-century secular room. The walls and vaulting are decorated with frescoes by Perugino .

Address: Corso Vannucci, Perugia

In the Borgo Sant'Angelo neighborhood, near the ancient northern gate of Porta Sant'Angelo, is the round church of Sant'Arcangelo, built between the fifth to sixth centuries. This paleo-Christian temple incorporates 16 columns with Corinthian capitals, reused from an older pagan temple. The architecture is early Romanesque with some Byzantine influences; the columns separate the central nave from the ambulatory around it.

The church has interesting early Christian symbols, including a pentagram at the entrance; there are also crosses of the style used by the Knights Templar. Twentieth-century restorations revealed windows that had been filled in, as well as the remains of some early frescoes.

Address: Via del Tempio, Perugia

Once one of seven gates that allowed access through the Etruscan walls that encircled Perugia, Arco d'Augusto was built in the second half of the third century BC but takes its name from the Roman emperor who restored it in 40 BC after conquering the city. Because of the walls and Perugia's elevated position, Augustus was successful in taking Perugia only after a seven-month siege.

The inscription "Augusta Perusia" on the gate dates from this period. The two arches of the gate connect two trapezoidal towers. The loggia at the top of one of these was added in the Renaissance, and the fountain below that tower was completed in 1621.

The brick church of San Domenico was begun in 1305, but not long after it was finished, the topmost section was found to be unstable and demolished. In 1614, the pillars in the nave collapsed, and with them the vaulting they supported, so the church was altered during its reconstruction from 1621 to 1634.

Baroque decorative additions that were made at that time have since been removed, and the church retains most of its Gothic appearance, which you can see in the exterior, the choir chapels, and the unusually large window in the apse. If you notice a similarity between the design of this church and the cathedral, it's because this Gothic hall style was the inspiration for the later San Lorenzo .

Important artworks to look for are the Renaissance inlaid wood in the choir; remains of 15th-century frescoes attributed to Benedetto di Bindo; the 15th-century altarpiece by Agostino di Duccio in the Madonna del Voto chapel; and the tomb of Pope Benedict XI, one of the best examples of 14th-century Gothic wall tombs.

Address: Piazza Giordano Bruno, Perugia

West of Perugia, Lake Trasimeno is the largest Italian lake south of the Po valley, with a surface of 128 square kilometers. Fed almost solely by rain-water, its volume varies greatly according to season. Historically, Lake Trasimene is famous as the scene of the second Punic War, when the Carthaginians under Hannibal defeated the Romans in 217 BC.

Above the north side of the lake is the ancient little town of Passignano sul Trasimeno with an old castle; on another promontory above the west side of the lake is Castiglione del Lago , also with a castle.

About four kilometers east of Perugia, near Ponte San Giovanni, the underground Tomb of the Volumni, thought to date from the third century BC, is one of the finest tombs in Etruria. Entered by a staircase leading underground, the large, well-preserved tomb imitates the plan of houses of that period, with nine chambers grouped round a central atrium.

Here, you will find finely carved burial urns and other artifacts, including the travertine urn of Arnth Veltimna Aules. The tomb is part of a larger necropolis used as far back the 5 th or 6 th century BC. It was discovered when a new road was being built between Perugia and Rome.

After admiring the intricate stained-glass in Italian churches, you may be interested to know how it is made. You can delve into this fine art on a tour of the studio and workshop of a fifth-generation of family glass artists.

The Moretti Caselli studio has been creating and restoring stained-glass windows and other glass art since 1860, and you can learn about the entire process on a guided visit with one of the artists. As you learn about the process and science of stained glass, you'll see the kilns, and shelves of pigments, that have been used for centuries to create some of Italy's most beautiful church windows.

This is one of the most engaging and informative tours in Tuscany. You will need a reservation, but the tour is free; you are expected to leave a modest donation.

Address: Via Fatebenefratelli 2, Perugia

Official site: http://www.studiomoretticaselli.it/?lang=en

In the former Dominican monastery that adjoins San Domenico is the Museo Archeologico Nazionale dell'Umbria, with Roman and Etruscan antiquities from the Bronze and Iron Ages, some dating back as far as the 16th century BC.

The rarest piece in the museum is the third- or second-century BC Cippus Peruvianus, the longest known Etruscan inscription. The collection includes funerary urns, Etruscan and Roman bronzes, jewelry, gold work, and works recovered from tombs of the Hellenistic period.

Address: San Domenico, Piazza Giordano Bruno, I-06100 Perugia

The magnificent facade of the Oratorio di San Bernardino, made of colored marble, limestone, and glazed terra-cotta, was created between 1457 and 1461 by Agostino di Duccio, best known as the artist responsible for the Tempio Malatesta in Rimini. His half-round bas relief in the central arch is Perugia's most important Renaissance work.

San Bernardino of Siena, who had preached in Perugia, was canonized in 1450, and the local Franciscan friars built this oratory to honor him. A fourth-century paleo-Christian sarcophagus serves as the base of the high altar, behind which is a door leading to the Oratory of St. Andrew, with a wooden ceiling from 1558 and painted decoration and stucco work from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Address: Piazza San Francesco al Prato, Perugia

About 20 kilometers south of Perugia, Deruta is a center for Umbrian ceramics, and shops selling this brightly painted majolica ware fill the little town center. To see some beautiful old pieces, visit the Museo delle Maioliche on the first floor of the Palazzo Communale .

The little church of the Madonna del Bagno , on the E45, two kilometers south of Deruta, has more than 600 majolica votive plaques. The town itself is attractive and it's worth strolling through its atmospheric stone streets.

We recommend these charming hotels and guesthouses in Perugia, close to the evocative old town:

• The 5-star luxury hotel Sina Brufani radiates old-world charm, and offers guests extras that include a pool and nightly turndown service.
• The mid-range Sangallo Palace Hotel is in a convenient location for sightseeing, with an indoor pool and complimentary breakfast.
• The affordable Hotel Rosalba is only a few steps from the old town, and offers beautiful views.
• Guest rooms at the budget Hotel Sant' Ercolano have small balconies; the location is fantastic.

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Exploring More Tuscan Hill Towns : Some of the top-rated tourist attractions in Tuscany are the medieval and Renaissance towns that crown its hilltops. Visit San Gimignano to see its famed medieval towers or explore the ancient sights in the former Etruscan town of Volterra . In Assisi , you can tour the shrine of St. Francis, who was born here.

Discovering Tuscan Cities : Along with the hill towns, Tuscany is known for three cities whose landmarks are among the top places to visit in Italy . The top-rated tourist attractions in Florence include the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori and the treasures of Renaissance art in the Uffizi Gallery. The highlight of nearby Siena is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta , and everyone knows Pisa and the Leaning Tower.

More on Italy

Visitors' Guide to the sights, art, architecture and history of Perugia

Perugia :: piazza iv novembre.

The Piazza IV Novembre forms the centre of Perugia which speads outwards along the steep alleys leading to the walls of the original Etruscan settlement and the ancient gates of Porta Marzia, Porta Sole, Porta Cornea, Porta Trasimena, Porta della Mandorla and the Arco Etrusco. The piazza is one of the most beautiful squares in Umbria, indeed, in all of Italy, surrounded as it is by fine buildings.

Perugia :: Fontana Maggiore

Piazza IV Novembre and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo

Fontana Maggiore and Sala dei Notari

Perugia :: Cathedral of San Lorenzo

Perugia :: palazzo dei priori and sala dei notari.

Another side of the square is occupied by the Palazzo dei Priori , which was the residence of the principal political authorities of the city during the Middle Ages. Construction was begun in 1298 and the work was completed in 1353. The palace is built of travertine and red and white stone from Bettona, and on the side facing the fountain it has a large stairway and a portal which gives access to the beautiful Sala dei Notari , a rectangular room with a vault supported by huge Romanesque arches and walls covered with frescoes. The façade has two lines of mullioned windows with three lights and a portico.

Sala dei Notari

Bella Toscana - sights and accommodation in Tuscany , Italy

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10 Reasons to Visit Perugia – The Italian Hilltop City of Griffins, Chocolate, and Virgin Mary’s Bridal Ring (With Travel Guide and Maps)

By Author Rossi Thomson

Posted on Last updated: 15th March 2024

Categories Day Trips in Italy , Umbria

Here are ten reasons to visit Perugia – a hilltop city in Central Italy that tempts you with its Etruscan heritage, medieval architecture, and Renaissance masterpieces.

Just off the midpoint between florence and rome, perugia is the capital of the central italian region of umbria and a multilayered gem..

Here you can descend into an Etruscan well, walk along a medieval aqueduct, and then admire frescoes by the great artists Perugino and Raphael. A Renaissance fortress labyrinth is free for you to wander around looking for the exit that will take you across the street to the workshop of a family of stained glass artists.

Historic palazzi with lavish interiors, priceless collections of books, and numerous stories to tell grace the stone-covered streets. And everywhere you look, mythical griffins – half-lion and half-eagle – look right back at you in the shape of statues, ornaments, and bas-reliefs adorning Perugia’s hidden corners and weathered facades.

Any time that you need a break, you can stop and take in the uplifting panoramas of green rolling hills that stretch all the way to the horizon propped by the snow-capped Apennines.

Then, to recharge after all the sightseeing and the emotions that come with it, you can tuck into the delicious yet unpretentious local cuisine. Enjoy a generous slice of Perugia’s torta al testo with one of many mouthwatering fillings, taste some of Italy’s best chocolates, and take your coffee in a cafe that is more than 150 years old.

Yes, Perugia has a lot to surprise and delight you with. Its most unusual sight, however, is the Santo Anello . Revered as Virgin Mary’s bridal ring, it is kept in a golden reliquary in Perugia’s Duomo. Even if you choose not to believe that it’s the real thing, over the centuries it has inspired a series of artistic masterpieces and important local celebrations and events.

So, fresh from my visit to Perugia, today, I want to share with you all the reasons why you should put the Umbrian capital and one of Italy’s most underrated cities on top of your travel wish list. At the end of this blog post, I have also included an essential travel guide to help you plan your trip. Easy to reach from abroad and anywhere in Italy, Perugia needs to be seen.

Here is why!

10 reasons to visit perugia – the italian hilltop city of griffins, chocolate, and virgin mary’s bridal ring.

1. Perugia is a City of Many Layers

I love destinations that have a lot to offer on many different levels – from history and art to good food, quirky artifacts, and a strong local identity. Perugia has all this by the bucketful. It really is a place where you immerse yourself in the experience of getting to know everything it has to offer.

The city has many layers to it – both literally and figuratively speaking. Perugia’s historic centre, for example, stands over what once was an Etruscan acropolis. At its heyday, this ancient hilltop fortification stretched across two hills – Colle Landone and Colle del Sole . At 494 m, the latter is the highest point in Perugia. Today it hosts the sinuous streets and densely packed tall houses of the Porta Sole district of the historic centre.

Walking around, you soon realise that many buildings in Perugia have Etruscan foundations, medieval arches, and Renaissance ornamentation. Each civilisation that made the city its home erected its structures on top of the ruins of the preceding historic period. Nowadays, this wonderful puzzle of architectural styles tells curious stories about the past.

With all its history and art, the city still has a nice and lively vibe to it thanks to the thousands of students who attend its many academic institutions. Among them stands out the University of Perugia. Founded in 1308, this is the seventh-oldest University in Italy.

Perugia also has a rich cultural life and throughout the year stages many large-scale events and festivals. Umbria Jazz, for example, is one of the most important jazz gatherings in the world.

All in all, Perugia has a multifaceted appeal. You can explore its many layers both figuratively and literally, find exciting things to do in line with your own interests, and feel enriched by the experience as a whole.

2. Perugia Has an Exciting Historic Heritage

Perugia is a city in the heart of Italy. Standing at the widest part of the Italian peninsula, it has always been at the crossroads of important events and civilisational meetings. Densely built over the peaks and slopes of a sequence of hills, its millennial history stretches back to the times of the ancient Umbri tribe followed by the Etruscans and then the Romans.

The city was originally known as Perusia – a name with alleged Indo-European roots referencing the reddish colour of the local clay. It flourished under Etruscan rule but was then decimated and rebuilt by the first Roman emperor – Augustus (also known as Octavian) – who called it Perusia Augusta after himself. You can still see this historic name on some of the large gates in the defensive walls which in the past circled the whole city.

Perugia was of great political and religious importance during the Middle Ages. It even served as a papal residence during the 13th century – a period known as the Perugia Papacy. The locals alternated between embracing the pontiffs and violently rebelling against them.

During the Renaissance, Perugia was the cradle of some of the greatest Italian artists. Among them stand out the names of Perugino (the teacher of Raphael), Pinturicchio, and Benedetto Bonfigli.

In the centuries that followed, the city lost the prominent role it had played in the politics and art of medieval and Early Renaissance Italy. Nowadays, its citizens humbly refer to it as simply a provincial capital. Yet, this is what makes Perugia a must-see. With its world-class sights and just off the beaten track, this underrated city offers a satisfying immersion into the past far from the maddening crowds that besiege Italy’s tourist magnets.

3. Perugia Keeps Many Artistic Treasures

The art you can get to see when in Perugia is world-class. Right in the heart of the historic centre of the city stands the National Gallery of Umbria . Its 39 rooms exhibit a truly excellent selection of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque masterpieces by the likes of Duccio di Boninsegna, Piero della Francesca, and Benozzo Gozzoli.

The Gallery also has an exquisite collection of paintings by Perugino. Umbrian by birth, Pietro Vannucci – known as Perugino after the city that nurtured its talent – provides an important link between the Early and the High Italian Renaissance.

Trained by Andrea Verrocchio in Florence alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Filippino Lippi, Perugino was the teacher of Raphael and at one point was considered the best master in Italy. If you are wondering why his name may ring a bell, it could be because he painted some of the frescoes in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.

The National Gallery of Umbria is the best place to immerse yourself in the work of Perugino and his students. Also here you can get close to the work of Benedetto Bonfigli – a splendid but criminally underrated Renaissance artist – and Pinturricchio – another excellent painter of the Umbrian School.

There are many other must-see places in Perugia where you can immerse yourself in art. Pop into the Hall of Notaries, the Collegio del Cambio , and the Collegio della Mercanzia . All three are next door to the National Gallery of Umbria. Expect some splendid frescoes (including a self-portrait by Perugino) and wonderful wooden carvings. Pay a visit to the Capella di San Severo a short walk away to admire the only remaining fresco by Raphael in Perugia.

Marvel at the beautiful collections of fine and decorative arts at the Palazzo Sorbello and Palazzo Baldeschi in town. For something really special, walk from the historic centre to the San Pietro Museum Complex and admire the lavish interiors of its basilica where every available space is covered with frescoes, carvings, statues, and paintings.

The most impressive among them all is the monumental canvas by the Venetian painter Antonio Vassilacchi representing the family tree of the Benedictine order. Look at it from afar and you will notice how the hundreds of figures depicted on the canvas seem to morph into a terrifying devil’s face.

Don’t miss the Etruscan bronzes and sarcophagi – richly carved and some still preserving their original colouring – in the city’s Archaeological Museum.

For the most unique artistic experience in Perugia (and one of the best art-related encounters to have in Italy in general), book a visit to Studio Moretti-Caselli . This stained glass workshop is housed in a medieval frescoed building and is run by the fifth generation of a family of master glass painters.

All in all, Perugia is a treasure trove for the art lover. Here you are bound to come face to face with many masterpieces. Even if you think that art is not your thing, this Italian city will give you many opportunities to change your mind.

4. Perugia Offers Fantastic Sightseeing Experiences

Perugia has many must-see sights. One of the most atmospheric ones is the city’s Etruscan well. It dates back to the 3rd century BC and it’s 37 m deep. You can actually walk inside it as a glass bridge is suspended right above the water level within the stone well. It’s both spooky and fascinating, especially, when you consider the fact that the well was excavated in the rock almost at the highest point of the Colle del Sole – the taller of the two hills on which the Etruscan acropolis used to stand.

A similarly great experience, although out in the open air, is the walk you can take along Perugia’s medieval aqueduct. Four km long, it was built in the 13th century to supply water upwards to the hilltop Fontana Maggiore. This is the medieval fountain with two superimposed basins which graces the city’s main square, Piazza IV Novembre (formerly known as Piazza Grande ). Nowadays, the aqueduct has been turned into a walking path that bisects the dense clusters of houses in the lower part of the historic centre.

Don’t miss the underground tour of Perugia run by the Capitular Museum in town. It needs to be booked in advance but the effort is worth it as it provides an immersive experience across the city’s layers. Descending 15 metres underground, you get to see the evolution in Etruscan masonry skills, the remains of an ancient Roman road and impluvium (the pool where rainwater was collected), as well as the conclave hall with a medieval arched ceiling where five Popes were chosen during the Perugia Papacy in the 13th century.

Don’t miss the Rocca Paolina – a Renaissance fortress that is part of the city’s fabric in a very organic way. You can explore it free of charge. It’s like a labyrinth where you come across temporary art exhibitions as you traverse dark corridors and enter large rooms that randomly open in front of you.

Sightseeing around Perugia is an exciting experience in many different ways. It truly makes you feel like you have been transported centuries back in time. Even a simple walk early in the morning through the maze of narrow streets of the historic centre will easily catapult you to the Middle Ages and will reveal dozens of unexpected gems – from churches and towers to enormous defensive walls – to stop and marvel at.

5. In Perugia, You Can See One of the Most Unusual Christian Relics

Perugia has a unique claim to fame. It is here, in this hilltop city in Central Italy that you can see the bridal ring of the Virgin Mary. The one, they say, used at her wedding to St. Joseph.

Made of chalcedony, this heavy, wide band is kept in a centuries-old strongbox with 14 locks. The keys for them are guarded by Perugia’s historic guilds and associations and the ring is shown to the public only twice per year – on 29th July and 12th September.

The ritual of the ring’s display is known as Calata . It consists of several steps. First is the ceremonial opening of the strongbox – kept in a purpose-built room at a height of eight metres in the Chapel of the Holy Ring in Perugia’s Duomo – the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Once out of the strongbox, the ring is carefully suspended in a gold reliquary which is then placed on a special mechanism shaped to look like a silver cloud.

Under the melodious singing of the members of the Confraternity of the Holy Ring, the silver cloud starts slowly descending thus bringing the gold reliquary and the Virgin’s Bridal Ring down to the chapel’s altar. It’s a beautiful and inspired ceremony.

The ring, they say, dates back to the 1st century AD and has been in Perugia since 1473. The choice to believe in its authenticity is strictly personal. The important for me thing is that the presence of the ring has inspired the creation of some of the city’s most precious works of art. It has also provided the basis for centuries-old local traditions and rituals which add to Perugia’s flavour.

6. In Perugia, You Can Tuck into Delicious Umbrian Dishes

Italy is famous for its food and Umbria has its own delicacies to add to the large Italian table of delicious dishes and meals. From cheap and cheerful torta al testo to refined truffles and saffron, there are many culinary choices here to pick from.

Torta al testo is a typical local flatbread sold stuffed with different fillings. Erba e salsiccia (leafy green vegetables and local sausage) is, they say, the most traditional among them. A nice slice of torta al testo will set you back anything from five to seven euros and will keep you going all day. For the best options in town, head to Piada & Delizia or to Testone .

Pasta is represented by the local variety of stringozzi . These long rectangular strands are perfect to enjoy with shavings of fresh truffles. Cappelletti – delicious small pasta parcels with a variety of fillings – are also typical for Umbria.

In terms of sliced meats, the ones from the small town of Norcia are particularly famous. Among them are capocollo and corallina di Norcia – both prepared with pepper and crushed garlic. Mazzafegati are sausages made with ground meat and pig liver and seasoned with wild fennel. Norcino is the most typical local salami. Also seasoned with fennel, it’s made with coarsely ground pork meat.

Breads, cakes, and desserts are plentiful here, too. Torciglione is the most curiously looking among them all. It’s shaped like an eel (or a snake if you prefer) and it’s made of copious amounts of ground almonds and sugar.

For an introduction to the best food in Perugia, consider joining this food tour . It will take you to the top gourmet spots in the historic centre and you will taste the foods that the locals are proud of – from the very special fagiolina beans to Umbrian truffles.

7. Plus, Chocolate is Everywhere in Perugia

Perugia and chocolate go together like two peas in a pod! Just look at this amazing chocolate sculpture recreating Perugino’s famous painting ‘The Marriage of the Virgin’. I spotted it in the window display of the Pasticceria Sandri in the city’s historic centre. Founded in 1860 and with European royals among its many customers, it makes and sells a wonderful variety of Umbrian and Italian desserts.

Everywhere you look in town, you will see chocolate boutiques selling handmade chocolate truffles and pralines as well as iconic chocolate brands.

Especially famous is Perugina – a chocolate company that was founded in Perugia in 1907. Today it’s owned by a multinational behemoth. Perugina produces the world-famous Baci. These chocolate kisses are topped with a whole hazelnut and wrapped in a silver foil dotted with dark blue stars. For added sophistication, inside the wrapping, there is a small note with a love quote translated into four languages.

I have always loved Baci chocolates. The beautiful brand colours and the love note inside appeal to me on many levels! So, I used my visit to Perugia to sample all the new varieties. The Amore and Passione one – a collaboration with the Italian high fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana – is very attractive as it’s enrobed in dark pink, almost red chocolate.

Every year, Perugia holds EuroChocolate – one of the biggest chocolate festivals in Europe. Lasting just over a week, it attracts close to a million visitors. If you come to the city at any other time of the year, then you can still experience the festival flavours by popping into one of the many EuroChocolate shops around the historic centre.

Alternatively, you may choose to visit the Chocolate Museum and take a class at the Chocolate School. Both are at the Casa del Cioccolato in the factory of Perugina just outside Perugia. For a full chocolate immersion, consider staying in the Chocohotel where everything – from breakfast to interior design – is chocolate-inspired.

8. Perugia Is Picture-Perfect

With its hilltop location, medieval architecture, and rather splendid central square – Piazza IV Novembre – Perugia is very photogenic. Viewpoints at the highest spots of the historic centre open sweeping panoramas across Umbria’s rolling green hills. The snow-capped Apennines provide a stunning backdrop. On a clear-sky day, it feels so nice to stop for an inspired minute and just take all this beauty in.

I had one such lovely moment on the terrace of Palazzo Sorbello in Perugia. Built over the city’s ancient Etruscan well, the palace is beautifully decorated and has a priceless collection of historic books. Yet, one of its major strong points is the views that its terrace affords over the historic centre of Perugia and the surrounding hills from a vertiginous height. Just being up there with the early March sun shining down on me felt so special, definitely the stuff that travel memories are made of.

Perugia is not all about grand panoramas though. This is a city rich in details – historic, artistic, and artisan. They are a delight to discover one by one. It could be the marble panels – each with a different group of figures chiseled on it – that surround the Fontana Maggiore . It could be the incredibly phantasmagorical carved wood figures decorating the choir of the basilica in the San Pietro Museum Complex.

Or it could be the many griffins in different sizes and materials – from metal to stone – that decorate the historic centre from its main facades to its most hidden corners. They say that this ancient symbol of courage and valour dates back to Etruscan times. The citizens of Perugia have truly made it their own and you will come face to face with numerous griffins as you walk around town.

This abundance of details – both decorative and symbolic – makes exploring and photographing Perugia really exciting. You never know what curious little gem you will come across and what unusual stories it will tell about the city and its many layers.

9. Perugia Is Great to Explore on Foot for a Truly Active City Break

Perugia is a city that you explore on foot. This makes it a great destination for a truly active city break.

You can reach the historic centre by public transport but then you need to walk to do things and see places. Uphill and downhill, following narrow streets which often are so steep that have been transformed into seemingly endless series of shallow steps. This effort makes you relate to the city in a very physical and personal way.

As a visitor, you are not sheltered behind the window of a tour bus or picking and choosing what to see and whizzing there by taxi. Instead, you are out there, walking, exploring, and getting to know the secrets of Perugia’s historic centre, its maze of sinuous alleys, and its splendid facades. You walk past tall buildings that flank the streets keeping them in a perennial penumbra. You open heavy doors to reveal the lavish interiors of a historic palace or a guild’s meeting hall behind them.

It’s this physical engagement with Perugia that makes the city so exciting to get to know. At the end of a long day of sightseeing, it definitely feels like you have been on the step machine in the gym for hours on end. I could definitely feel it in my calves for a few days after returning from Perugia.

The best bit, however, is that all this physical exercise helps you work up an appetite to truly indulge in Perugia’s delicacies. What’s another Baci chocolate or two after walking along the medieval aqueduct and then all the way uphill to the splendid Fontana Maggiore ?!

10. Perugia Is Easy to Reach from Abroad and the Largest Italian Cities

One of the best things about Perugia is how easy it is to reach both from abroad and the large Italian cities. This makes it a great destination for a last-minute city break in the green heart of Italy.

With its hilltop location in the central Italian region of Umbria, Perugia is almost halfway between the Italian capital Rome and the Renaissance city of Florence. Travel times by train start from 2 h and 30 mins from Rome and just over two hours from Florence.

Even better! Perugia has its own airport served by two of the largest budget airlines – RyanAir and WizzAir – in Europe. Ticket prices are very reasonable. For comparison, at £36 return (bought two months in advance) my plane ticket to Perugia was cheaper than my weekly return ticket from Kent (where I live) to Oxford (where I take a history of art course at present).

The flights from London Stanstead to Perugia operate year-round and take only about two and a half hours. During the high season, you can also fly there from Barcelona, Bucarest, Charleroi, Krakow, London Heathrow, Rotterdam/The Hague, and several destinations in continental and insular Italy. This means that you can easily fly to Perugia for the weekend just like I did a couple of weeks ago.

The airport is very small and very quick to navigate. You can be on the bus to Perugia as quickly as half an hour after the plane touches down. The journey by bus from the airport to the historic centre lasts only around 30 mins. This makes Perugia one of the most convenient to reach by plane historic cities in Europe.

Essential Travel Guide for Visiting Perugia, Italy

Where in Italy is Perugia?

Perugia is the capital of the Central Italian region of Umbria. Known as Italy’s green heart, Umbria is surrounded by the regions of Tuscany, the Marche , Lazio, and Abruzzo. As such it is the only landlocked Italian region that doesn’t border another country.

Perugia is in the upper half of Umbria and just off the centre of the region. It’s the largest city between Florence and Rome and has about 170,000 inhabitants. The local Universities attract up to 40 thousand students each year.

The above map shows you the exact location of Perugia in Umbria and Italy. You can zoom in and out, use the map to calculate directions to and from Perugia, as well as open the map in a new tab for easier navigation.

Is Perugia Worth Visiting After All?

Yes! For everything that Perugia has to offer, this small city in Central Italy is still very much a hidden gem. It is a great place to explore, especially if you want to focus on history, art, and unique sights. With its hilltop location, the historic centre has a maze-like layout inviting you to walk everywhere to make the most of its secret corners and major landmarks.

All this makes Perugia the perfect destination for an active city break with the delicious local food and famous local chocolates providing the energy to keep exploring.

How Long to Spend in Perugia When in Italy?

If you want to get to know Perugia instead of just skipping through a couple of its main sights, then two full days are perfect to spend here. This is enough time to give you a good introduction to everything that Perugia has to offer. If you want to delve even deeper or attend one of the city’s large annual festivals, then consider adding more days to your stay.

On the surface, Perugia may come across as quite sedate and easy to walk around and be done with it in a half a day or so. This is quite misleading and soon you realise that the more you see here, the more the number of must-see places increases. Plus, the hilly location and the need to walk everywhere in the historic centre, soon get the best out of you, and coffee breaks or little pauses to admire the hilltop panoramas become a welcome respite.

So, pace yourself and take it easy just enjoying the experience, instead of rushing around. Perugia is a city with a millennial history. There is lots to see and do here. Plus, the surrounding area is dotted with many other exciting towns and destinations – from Assisi and Lake Trasimeno in Umbria to Arezzo and Sansepolcro in Tuscany. As such, Perugia is also a great starting point for day trips.

If, however, you have very little time to spare and yet you want to see the best that Perugia has to offer, a good way around it is to book a guided tour of the historic centre. This one comes highly recommended and will take you to the major landmarks in the city.

How to Reach Perugia from Anywhere in Italy and Abroad?

No matter your point of departure, Perugia is easy to reach both from abroad and within Italy by plane, train, and car.

Here is how to do it:

Perugia has a small airport about 12 km away from the city. It’s known as Umbria International Airport San Francesco d’Assisi (formerly Perugia Sant’Egidio Airport). With one runway, the airport serves both domestic and international flights. The number of destinations increases during the high season. A number of routes – for example, to London Stanstead – are maintained year-round.

A shuttle bus connects the airport to Perugia’s historic centre. The ride takes around 30 mins. The bus stops a few times along the way, most importantly at Perugia Fontivegge coach and railway station. If you get off here, you can take the MiniMetro up to the historic centre. Otherwise, you can stay on the bus which also continues to the hilltop historic centre.

The bus schedule corresponds to the times of arrival and departure of the flights to and from Perugia. You can buy tickets from the bus driver. When I visited, he only took cash, and the ticket cost five euros, so make sure that you have some money on you.

Perugia’s main railway station is called Perugia Fontivegge. It’s in the plains below the hilltop historic centre, so you will need to get a bus or the MiniMetro to avoid the long walk to the local sights.

Train travel in Italy is, in general, well organised. Perugia is on the Milan to Rome railway line. Trains connect Perugia to Rome, Florence, and a number of other large and small Italian cities and towns all throughout the day. To check train times and book train tickets in advance, I find the following three websites very useful:  Omio ,  ItaloTreno , and  TrenItalia .

The most important Italian highway – Autostrada A1 (also known as Autostrada del Sole ) – runs past Perugia. It stretches from Naples to Milan and Perugia is just off the mid-point. If this will be your first time driving in Italy, prepare for a more assertive driving style. Ideally, use a GPS app (Google Maps is always very handy) so that you know in advance which exit to get off at.

How to Navigate Perugia?

Perugia’s historic centre has a hilltop location and a medieval layout. Expect lots of stone-covered streets, some of which are sinuous and narrow and others are so steep that look more like a stairway with a long flight of steps running from top to bottom.

As such, the best way to explore the historic centre is on foot. Prepare for lots of walking.

If you are planning to reach Perugia by car and your accommodation is in the historic centre, ask in advance if it provides parking facilities and if it can give you a special pass allowing you to drive to where you are staying. Otherwise, driving in the historic centre comes with many restrictions, and breaking them incurs heavy fines. Many of the streets here also are not accessible to cars. So, it’s important to have an idea in advance where you are going to park and how you are going to get there.

If you are relying on public transport, there is a large network of buses connecting Perugia’s historic centre to the other quarters of the city, the nearby towns and villages, and the local airport. Buses don’t really drive across the historic centre. They skirt it and while they will leave you close to some of the most important sights here, you will still need to walk from the bus stop to the main museums and the Duomo.

Perugia has a very cute type of public transport called the MiniMetro. It looks like a small driverless capsule that glides along a long track, not unlike a theme park ride. The MiniMetro whizzes from the city’s modern suburbs to the city’s bus and railway station Fontivegge and then up to the historic centre. For the novelty factor and convenience, you need to take the MiniMetro at least once when you are in Perugia.

Perugia also has lots of free escalators and lifts that connect the lower parts of the city to the hilltop historic centre. You can use them to get from Piazza Italia down inside the Rocca Paolina , for example. The lift taking you down to Pincetto – the first stop of the MiniMetro in the historic centre – is also quite cool as it doesn’t go straight down but follows a downward curve.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Perugia in Italy?

The best time to visit Perugia is during one of the many festivals and events that take place here throughout the year. This is when you can see the town out in force, eat lots of chocolate, and listen to some great music, among other things.

Otherwise, Perugia is a great destination at any time of the year. For the perfect city break, come here during the shoulder season – April and May and then September and October. In summer, temperatures rise to about 29-30 degrees Celsius and you can combine a visit to Perugia with a swim in Lago di Trasimeno – the fourth-largest Italian lake which is only half an hour away.

In winter, expect some rainy days which will make you seek refuge in Perugia’s outstanding sights and museums. On a cold and windy day, a nice slice of the local delicacy – torta al testo – will keep you feeling warm inside and ready for more sightseeing.

Have a look at these blog posts for more information about the best times to visit Italy:

• Best Time to Visit Italy or the Italian Seasons Explained
• 31 Best Things to Do, Eat, and Enjoy This Summer in Italy

Where to Stay in Perugia in Italy?

You can find all sorts and types of accommodation in the Umbrian capital Perugia to suit any budget. From five-star hotels in frescoed historic palazzi to cosy B&Bs in tall brick buildings with coffered ceilings and vintage furnishings, there is something to suit all requirements. 

For ideas about the types of accommodation available in Perugia in particular and  Italy  in general, have a look at this blog post:

• Where to Stay in Italy – 19 Types of Accommodation to Suit Any Budget  

No matter your budget, if sightseeing is your main reason for visiting Perugia, then make sure that you stay in the historic centre of this hilltop city. Walking will be your main form of transportation here and you will want to make the walk back to your accommodation as short as possible at the end of a busy day.

If you are travelling to Perugia by car, then pick accommodation that also provides parking facilities (ideally free). Driving around the historic centre is complicated with many restrictions and steep fines, especially for visitors. So, you will want to have somewhere safe and convenient to leave your car during your stay.

If you are planning to use public transport to reach the historic centre from the San Francesco d’Assisi Airport or from Perugia’s train station, then you can choose accommodation near one of the stops below. This will save you the effort of lugging your bags and suitcases around.

• MiniMetro – Terminal Pincetto is right in the historic centre. Stazione della Cupa is conveniently located for easy access to the historic centre via free escalators. Stazione Fontivegge of the MiniMetro is right next door to Perugia’s train station.
• Perugia Airlink – the bus connecting the airport to the city of Perugia stops right next to the train station and Stazione Fontivegge of the MiniMetro. It then continues to Piazza Italia – a main square right in the heart of the historic centre.

During my visit to Perugia, I stayed in Albergo Anna – a small, homely hotel that was inexpensive and very conveniently located for all the sights. Above all, it was very easy to reach from Stazione della Cupa and Piazza Italia .

I usually prefer to book all my accommodation through  Booking.com . Click to see all available options for places to stay in and around Perugia , Italy. The following hotels are conveniently located in the city’s historic centre and come highly recommended:

Budget:   Le Stanze di Galileo

Mid-Range: Hotel Fortuna , Hotel Priori Secret Garden

Luxury:   Locanda della Posta Boutique Hotel

In case you are coming to Perugia mainly to experience its chocolate heritage, then you need to stay at Chocohotel where everything – from breakfast to interior design – is chocolate-inspired.

If you need some visual help in terms of precise location and price range, have a look at this map. It gives you a quick idea of the prices and whereabouts of the many hotels and other forms of accommodation you can book for your stay in the Umbrian capital Perugia in Central Italy.

You can zoom in and out in order to search for a place to stay. You can also click on the option that interests you to find out more details or to make a booking directly.

What to Pack for a Visit to Perugia in Italy?

Comfortable shoes are the most important item to pack for your visit to Perugia. This hilltop city will make you walk both uphill and downhill to reach its many sights. So, you will want your feet to feel as comfie as possible on the different types of historic surfaces here – from stone slabs to cobbles.

Many steep streets here are comprised of seemingly endless steps. Some of them may be irregular and worn out, so you need to watch your step. As such, avoid flip-flops and high heels. Opt for shoes that keep you steady, are well-ventilated, and don’t allow your foot to slide inside them. Soles with a good grip make all the difference when you are rushing around Perugia trying to make the most of your time here.

Otherwise, with four well-defined seasons, Perugia is a holiday destination that’s easy to pack for.

In summer, bring sun cream, a hat and/or sunglasses, as there are many open spots in the hilltop historic centre where the sun will shine straight down on you. In winter, layer up. This way you will be cosy when it’s chilly and the winds blow through the narrow historic streets flanked by centuries-old tall buildings.

In spring and autumn make sure that you have a waterproof jacket on you as downpours do happen on some days.

Follow the Italian dress code in so that bare shoulders and knees are traditionally not welcome when visiting museums and churches.

I visited Perugia in early March and got a little bit of all types of weather – from icy drizzle to a glorious sunny sky. At all times the temperature was a few degrees higher than in grey England. It reached a maximum of about 13-14 degrees Celsius which was very nice and definitely jacket-off weather for me.

What Are Some Other Must-See Towns and Destinations near Perugia in Italy?

Perugia is perfectly located for exciting day trips in both Umbria and Tuscany. Convenient trains and well-appointed highways and regional roads link the hilltop Umbrian capital to many local gems – many of which are famous worldwide.

Here is a shortlist of the places you may want to see for yourself when holidaying in Perugia:

Assisi (Umbria) – the birthplace of St. Francis, this small Umbrian town is less than 30 km away from Perugia. It’s famous worldwide for its Franciscan Structures – a collection of basilicas, monasteries, and other religious sights pertaining to the history of the saint and the Order of St. Francis. Since 2000, the Structures are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Assisi, you can also explore several Roman ruins with the Temple of Minerva taking a pride of place among them.

Lake Trasimeno (Umbria) – Italy’s fourth-largest lake is only about 30 km away from Perugia. With shores dotted with picturesque villages and delicious local cuisine based on fresh lake fish, prized fagiolina beans, and olive oil, this is a place to visit to practice water sports, enjoy leisurely walks, and take in the beauty of the Umbrian countryside. The fortified village of Passignano sul Trasimeno is particularly famous for its atmospheric historic centre and the trips by ferry boat to Isola Maggiore – one of the lake’s three islands.

Orvieto (Umbria) – famous for its splendid Duomo, this Umbrian city is just over 75 km away from Perugia. With Etruscan roots and a long list of sights – among them a papal well and a complex underground system of caves and tunnels – this is a great day trip in the green heart of Italy.

Arezzo (Tuscany) – the capital of one of the Tuscan provinces is just under 100 km away from Perugia. Famous as the birthplace of the artist and bona fide first art historian Giorgio Vasari, this is a beautiful place where medieval architecture meets Renaissance masterpieces.

There are many more must-see villages and towns next door to Perugia. Among them are Foligno, Gubbio, Spello, Spoleto, and Todi in Umbria, Cortona and Sansepolcro in Tuscany, as well as Fabriano and even the Frasassi Caves in the Marche . The choice is yours!

Where to Find More Information about Visiting Italy?

I have been blogging about travelling to Italy since 2014 providing detailed and first-hand tried and tested information about the best things to do in this beautiful country. It’s all based on my close to twenty years of visiting Italy solo and with my family. Six of these years, we actually spent living in  Vicenza  in the  north of the country .

If you are after in-depth researched and illustrated with dozens of pertinent photos articles about Italy, have a look at the following categories and blog posts:

• Italy  – a full list of all my blog posts about Italy
• 10 Reasons to Visit Northern Italy
• Veneto ,  Trentino ,  Emilia Romagna  – full lists of all my blog posts about these Italian regions
• Venice ,  Padua ,  Milan ,  Lake Garda ,  Lake Como   – full lists of all my blog posts about these must-see destinations in Italy.

In addition, right at the end of this blog post, you will find a list with links to some of my most popular blog posts about many beautiful and exciting cities, towns, and regions to visit in Italy. So, just scroll down and then click on the ones you are interested in.

Finally, Italy’s  official tourism website  is a great source for the latest news about travel in Italy. Otherwise,  this is one  of the best guidebooks about Italy.

In Conclusion

Perugia is a hidden gem of a city in the green heart of Italy. On the road from Florence to Rome, it’s only too easy to miss it eager to head straight to the biggest Italian tourist magnets. Yet, Perugia has a lot to offer to the discerning traveller – from ancient history and outstanding art to heart-stealing views and lots and lots of chocolate.

If you have been looking for a new destination to explore in Italy – somewhere pretty and exciting where a new discovery awaits around every corner – then put Perugia right at the top of your travel bucket list. The capital of the central Italian region of Umbria is easy to reach from a number of European cities and will surprise you on many levels.

Fresh from my own visit to Perugia a couple of weeks ago, in this blog post today I shared with you the ten best reasons to head there pronto. From exciting sightseeing to important works of art, from artisan workshops to world-class museums, and from convocations of griffins to a unique Christian relic, Perugia has a lot of stories to tell and it really pays to stop, open your heart, and listen.

I hope that this blog post has inspired you to head to Perugia before long and that the essential travel guide it also includes will come in very handy when you are planning your trip to Central Italy.

Enjoy discovering everything that the Umbrian capital has in store for you!

Have a great time in perugia, travel tools, get ready for your trip to perugia in italy.

Get a guidebook from Amazon. Buy plane tickets , train tickets , and bus tickets through Omio. Rent a car from Europcar. Research accommodation on Booking.com. Select local tours and activities on  GetYourGuide ,  Viator , and  Tiqets .

More Helpful Italy Info for You

Best of Italy:  Italian Piazzas ,  Italian Markets ,  Accommodation for Every Budget ,  Best Times to Visit Italy ,  Italy in Summer ,  Italy with Kids Italian Food:  Best Italian Food Gifts ,  Cheap Italian Food ,  Rules of Italian Breakfast ,  Italian Breakfast Foods Italian Coffee:  Italian Coffee Culture ,  Italian Coffee Drinks ,  History of Coffee in Italy Christmas in Italy:   Fun Facts ,  Things to Do ,  Italian Nativity Scenes ,  Panettone ,  Christmas Guide Northern Italy:  Best Cities to Visit ,  Major Airports ,  Reasons to Visit Lake Como:   Best Things to Do ,  How to Get to Lake Como ,  Reasons to Visit in Winter ,  Inspiring Photos ,  Best Airports ,  Nesso Lake Garda Towns and Villages:   Best Towns ,  Desenzano del Garda ,  Lazise , Riva del Garda ,  Malcesine ,  Torri del Benaco ,  Punta di San Vigilio ,  Campo di Brenzone ,  Borghetto and Valeggio sul Mincio Visiting Lake Garda:  Map of Lake Garda ,  Getting Around Lake Garda ,  Lake Garda with Kids ,  8 Best Airports ,  Venice to Lake Garda ,  Verona to Lake Garda ,  Milan to Lake Garda ,  Bologna to Lake Garda Verona:  Things to Do in One Day ,  Verona Opera Festival ,  Day Trips from Verona ,  Romeo and Juliet Itinerary ,  Verona to Venice ,  Verona to Milan Padua:  Things to Do in One Day ,  101 Facts About Padua ,  Reasons to Visit Padua ,  Day Trips from Padua Vicenza:  Things to Do ,  Day Trips from Vicenza ,  Best Museums ,  The Beauty of Vicenza Veneto:  Top Places to Visit ,  Unique Adventures ,  Most Colourful Places ,  Mysterious Places ,  Most Beautiful Lakes ,  Reasons to Visit ,  Main Cities ,  Prettiest Small Towns ,  Most Beautiful Villages Lombardy:   Best Cities and Towns ,  Reasons to Visit ,  Brescia Friuli Venezia Giulia:   Venzone ,  Most Beautiful Villages Emilia Romagna:  Bologna ,  Ravenna ,  Comacchio ,  Most Beautiful Villages Marche:   Reasons to Visit ,  Gradara ,  Frasassi Caves ,  Temple of Valadier

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Barry Parks

Saturday 25th of March 2023

Thank you for this write-up, Rossi. My wife, adult daughter, and I started a tour of Italy in Perugia early March 2022. Our experience could not have been better. Between the richness of the art, architecture, history and food, our hours were filled. We were also fortunate to have cloudless skies and temperatures that warmed from about the freezing point to light jacket weather by the afternoons.

Among the highlights for us were the tour you recommended of the stained glass studios of Studio Moretti-Caselli, exploring the ancient Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo, taking breakfast pastries (wrapped like a Christmas gift) back to the apartment from Pasticceria Sandri, catching a sunset from the Carducci Gardens on the south end of the hilltown, relaxing in our central and wonderful temporary homebase of Nima Boutique House, gliding up and down the connection between the train station and the city center on the fun Mini-Metro, taking a day to visit the nearby Assisi (visible from numerous viewpoints in Perugia), and the simple exploratory walks. Like you, I got out early and found that I had much of the historic city to myself. (I've posted a video of one of those longer explorations, as well as three other Perugia-based videos on the YouTube channel that bears my name).

While I feel like I caught most of the main attractions of the town, I'd be happy to return to immerse myself again in this lovely and fascinating place. Reading your review may fall short of being there, but is a welcome reminder of the enjoyment I experienced there.

Monday 27th of March 2023

Dear Barry,

Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comment. I am so glad you also had a wonderful time in Perugia. It really is an underrated gem. I will have a look at your YouTube channel. Thank you for mentioning it! Best wishes,

Rossi Thomson :)

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Entrance with fee; wheelchair accessible bookshop, toilets, parking lot when open, free of charge, available: audio guides (in Italian and English), information materials, guide in Braille; the operators present can answer questions and give brief deepening free of charge on the history of the museum. Opening Hours - January, February, March, November and December  Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am - 1:00 pm - April to October Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am - 1:00 pm / 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Closed : 25th December and 1st January Entrance: ticket € 5,00 reduced ticket  €2,50 - under 18 - senior over 65 years – University Students with enrolment ID - school groups, groups of minimum 15 people - Touring Club Associates - Army members - people working for the Ministry of Cultural Activities (MIBACT) - People working for Perugia Municipality on showing card or badge - Carta Giovani Holders - other conventions valid Free  - Directors and Official Responsible of Public and Private Museums on showing card or badge - Mangers of the Ministry of Cultural Activities (MIBACT) - Teachers accompanying school Groups - Tourist Guides when working - Disabled people and their accompanying person - Journalists with member card of the Journalist association and letter of appointment signed by the director In the occasion of temporary exhibitions or events the ticket may suffer variations Combined ticket for access to the three museum spaces Cappella di San Severo, Civic Museum of Palazzo della Penna and Templar Complex of San Bevignate Ticket € 9,00 Reduced A € 6,00   - senior over 65 years - Groups of minimum 15 people - Touring Club Associates - Army members - people working for the Ministry of Cultural Activities (MIBACT) on showing card or badge - People working for Perugia Municipality on showing card or badge - Students of the Academy of Fine Arts of Perugia and to the three years courses of Perugia University in Conservazione dei beni Culturali (culture and heritage conservation) and to the specialist course (two year) in Art History - Carta Giovani Holders - other conventions valid Reduced B € 4,00   - from 7 to 14 years old - schools groups Free - from 0 to 6 years - Directors and Official Responsible of Public and Private Museums on showing card or badge - Mangers of the Ministry of Cultural Activities (MIBACT) - Teachers accompanying school Groups - Tourist Guides when working - Disabled people and their accompanying person - Journalists with member card of the Journalist association and letter of appointment signed by the director  In the occasion of temporary exhibitions or events the ticket may suffer variations

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Learn More Pérouges the beautiful medieval city

Home Learn More Pérouges the beautiful medieval city

Pérouges, the pretty medieval city, to the east of Lyon. Architecture straight from the Middle Ages. A preserved village, to be discovered during a free visit, or guided by the tourist office. Ready for the time jump?

Pérouges, exceptional historic village

The medieval city of Pérouges is an inhabited village which welcomes visitors freely all year round. 80 people live within the walls of the city and 1200 live in the town.

Who never dreamed of time travel and in all the galaxies with the wave of a magic wand? What if we told you that here hides a time machine? A fantastic place where the imagination escapes, the mind soars and the eyes widen?

So direction Perugia ! This incredible village is very small, but superbly preserved . A town straight out of the past. One of Most Beautiful Villages of France and ranked 4th in favorite French village 2013.

Pérouges, at a glance

Perouges and all it has to offer , with one click. To answer all your questions ! Accommodation, eating there, visiting Pérouges… prepare your arrival in all serenity.

Sleep in Perouges

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Where to eat in Perouges?

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Delight in Pérouges, a galette story

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Souvenir Shops in Perouges

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Pérouges creators and crafts

Visiting the medieval city of Pérouges to the east of Lyon, the only Most Beautiful Village in France in Ain, is to […]

Visits and games in Pérouges

Visiting Pérouges, the medieval city, the only Most Beautiful Village in France in Ain, is a great idea! For a […]

The medieval festival of Pérouges

Back to the Middle Ages in Pérouges! For a weekend, the city celebrates and rediscovers its mediated atmosphere […]

Printemps de Pérouges, the music festival

When the sunny days arrive, the villages around Pérouges take on a festive atmosphere to the sound of the festival concerts […]

Pérouges, medieval city of the imagination

Close your eyes and immerse yourself in your childhood memories.

Remember… Decked out in makeshift disguise you were an intrepid explorer like Indiana Jones, a fearless adventurer like Lara Croft.

Neither the Shire nor Winterfell… and yet! Pérouges plunges you into another space-time. An era populated by dragons, in the picturesque Gascony of D'Artagnan or in an exciting book by Ken Follet. We wonder who will come out of these small stone-clad houses and lined with bricks. Could it be an alchemist? An elf? A bandit ? A witch ? Everything is possible.

A thousand billion thousand ports, let's quickly board the fantastic city!

Pérouges, living medieval city

Only Most Beautiful Village of France in the department of Ain . A preserved city, full of animations and beauties. A village that worth the detour !

Pérouges are also guided tours organized by the tourist office. Between April and October, you walk the streets in good company. Theatrical visit with the Lady or the Sieur de Pérouges. Historical visit every summer day. Or even intrigues, investigation games and nocturnal visits ...

Pérouges, city of know-how

With its some 10 workshops of creators and craftsmen, the historic village boasts a number of skills. From the most traditional like timeless pottery or ceramics, to the most confidential like art bookbinding or stained glass. A stroll through the workshops…

The village also loves the arts and artists, who exhibit all year round in various cultural venues. Cazin House, House of Contemporary Arts , Galerie St Georges welcome you with pleasure.

The city of specialties

LA culinary specialty of the village: the galette de Pérouges! The one you are sure to taste. At the restaurant, in the old fashioned way, on sale or even as a reward for a treasure hunt...

The Perouges galette, a must

For the record, Marie-Louise Thibaut and her husband take over the Hostellerie du Vieux Pérouges in 1912 , after 80 years of closure. Marie-Louise decides to create a variation of local sugar pies and creates the current recipe: thin brioche dough with lemon zest, butter and sugar which caramelize on it when cooked.

The galette is traditionally accompanied by a ladle of fresh cream. It goes very well with red fruits and sparkling wines such as Montagnieu ou the Cerdon.

Where to find the Perouges galette?

It is a recipe registered by the Thibaut family since 1912. It is sold under the name “galette de Pérouges” exclusively in the medieval city.

Today it is a labeled local specialty « Flavors of the Ain ". To be found in 7 outlets from the village. Follow the good smell of sugar!

Perouges rose

Another specialty that smells good. The village prides itself on having its own variety of Pink ! Created in a way exclusive for the medieval city, of course. She presents a beautiful Scarlet , as a reminder of the colors of the coat of arms! It blooms in late May - early June . Follow the scent of the roses to find her in the city.

Pérouges has everything you need, 40 minutes east of Lyon

In summary, you will understand, Perugia deserves your visits ! Here is a real treasure chest which opens, each time one crosses the door from above.

In Pérouges, everything is round

• Sa cake , which perfumes the streets with a delicious cloud of butter and sugar.
• Sa high street , which goes around .
• Your pebble , shaped by millennia and its Pink scarlet.

In Pérouges, everything is beautiful/good

• The creations of artisan workshops & the galleries of art.
• The moments shared during the celebrations and festivals , all year.
• The good addresses to eat, stay and taste the specialties.

FAQ / Pérouges in brief: all the practical information

How to visit the medieval village of Pérouges?

- With the mini-tour guide on sale At the tourism office or The online store from the Tourist Office (Price of the guide: 0.20€. For postage, provide postage + delivery times) .

– For an offbeat discovery with family or friends, opt for one of the game booklets or investigation games . – Using the free audioguide . Just download the izi.Travel app and type the name of the visit on it: "Pérouges, join the circle".

- In guided tour with the Tourist Office between April and October. – In autonomy, with map of Pérouges To download.

Is the entrance to the medieval village free? Answer: Yes!

The medieval city is above all an inhabited village, accessible totally free and free all year round and at any time (except one day a year for the medieval festival in June). About 80 people reside within the walls of the city while the commune of Pérouges has 1200 inhabitants in total .

Is there a distributor in Pérouges? ?

No, no ATM in the village of Pérouges. The nearest ATMs are in Meximieux (1km), 5 mins by car or 15 mins on foot. However, most establishments in Pérouges accept credit cards.

Where can I find souvenirs from Pérouges?

Many souvenir shops are open year round in the center of the city. The sales area of ​​the tourist office also offers souvenirs and gift ideas . To be found on the tourist office online store also.

Can we stay in the city of Pérouges?

Yes, it exists different accommodations in the center of the city.

– Hotel-Restaurant: Hostellerie du Vieux Pérouges.

- Bed and breakfast: le Grenier à sel, T he Residence, La Casa di Perogia .

In nearby hamlets

Hotel: La Bérangère (1km) from the medieval city.

Gîtes: Rapan (5km) …

Are there restaurants in Perouges? Where can we eat in the city?

traditional restaurants with local cuisine. It exists take-out outlets : savory tarts, Pérouges galettes and sweet pancakes.

The list and the openings can be found on the website of the tourist office: page les Perouges restaurants .

Where to buy Perouges galette?

local specialty, Perouges cake is a revisited sugar pie. It is made exclusively in the medieval city. on the village, 7 outlets allow you to taste it on the spot, or to take away.

The list of points of sale for the galette de Pérouges

Do you have a map of Pérouges?

Of course, here is a version to download:

You will also find city maps on panels at the entrance to the medieval city.

How long to visit the village of Pérouges?

The visit takes about 1h-1h30 at your own pace and the stops made. The village is small but offers artisan shops, restaurants (5 in all), 2 exhibition galleries, the museum of contemporary arts and the Museum of Old Pérouges.

Le Museum of Old Perouges is open only from April to October , wednesday to sunday . Starter : 5€/pers. The entrance also gives access to the watchtower with 360° view on the roofs of the village and at the hortulus, the medieval garden.

Accessibility: visiting the city, is it easy for everyone? Alas no.

The streets of the medieval town of Pérouges are covered with pebbles which make very complicated passage for people:

- In Wheelchair , manual or electric. – On crutches or a cane or moving with difficulty . - With a stroller (prefer the baby carrier for the visit).

- In heels or flip-flops (prefer flat and closed shoes).

NB: for disabled car parks , see the section “Where to park in Pérouges?” »

What to do around the village?

Many walking trails are arranged around the medieval city. From 40min to 2h30 of walk without difficulty. Consult the map of the hiking trails around Perouges.

Aubépin pond is located below the city, 10 min walk (no swimming – reserved for fishing). Educational panels teach you more about the biodiversity of the place. Benches welcome you there for a picnic, reserved with our local producers 😉

Is it possible to visit Pérouges in a group?

Sure ! We invite you to consult our dedicated page .

Car parks: where to park in Pérouges?

It exists two paid car parks required before entering the medieval village.

> Go to Combes car park (300m from the village – 300 spaces) or the family Olivet car park (200 m from the village – 50 spaces)

PRICE : Only 3€ the full day per vehicle!

PAYMENT METHODS : in cash or by bank card.

A modest sum to allow as many people as possible to come and visit. Thus each visitor actively participates in the maintenance of the car parks and public spaces of the medieval city of Pérouges. The town hall, the tourist office and all the communities thank you for it.

DISABLED PARKING : of them free parking spaces are reserved for people with reduced mobility, right next to the village entrance.

A additional space is available in front of the door of the tourist office (100 m before entering the village).

Coming by train to Pérouges

For those who prefer public transport, below is an access map to get to walk to the medieval city since the “Meximieux-Pérouges” station.

It takes approximately 20 minutes walk and plan a small climb at the end to access the village.

D trains depart every hour from the station of Lyon Part Dieu , TER Lyon-Ambérieu. (35 min journey). To consult TER timetables.

Coming by bus to Pérouges

It is possible to come to Perouges by bus from Lyon or Bourg-en-Bresse. With 'Philibert transport': line 132 – Lyon / Bourg-en-Bresse .

On foot, from the “Meximieux – Gendarmerie – Route de Pérouges” stop , follow the road to Pérouges (see the map below). About 15 min walk , bring good shoes for the uphill part. Consult the timetables and the terms.

Coming from Meximieux station to Pérouges

- Dog shuttle bus (except during the medieval festival weekend) - By foot , the climb to the city is approximately 60 -70 minutes for a person of normal physical shape. See map below. - High-performance electric bikes are in self-service at Meximieux station. See rental terms

Bonus: the city seen from 360 °

Pérouges like you've never seen it before! Shooting 360° drone above the medieval city and in the alleys. Pérouges seen from the sky, impressive!

©Calyptone-Aintourism

A video to learn more about the history of Pérouges

The Middle Ages from Pérouges to Bugey

Guided tours from pérouges to bugey.

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