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

Things to do in Perugia

1. Palazzo dei Priori

Perugia has an incredible historic center that has changed very little over the last 400 years. One of the main historical sights is Palazzo dei Priori, a grand palace at the center of Piazza IV Novembre. We visited the National Gallery of Umbria inside and the historic suites with beautiful frescoed ceilings. 

After, we joined all the students in the piazza, listening to street music on the stairs in front of the entrance and enjoying a delicious gelato. 

Entrance to the museum costs 10 EUR (11,70 USD) and is free for minors. It’s best to check the opening times here before your visit.

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. We did think this cathedral was a bit strange-looking, but that’s what makes it unique; its front facade doesn’t face the main square, and parts of its exterior remain unfinished.

It’s not a must-do, but if you have time, take a look inside at its lavishly decorated interior full of colored paintings and gold details.

3. Etruscan Well

The Etruscan Well seriously impressed us, and was definitely one of the most unique things we did in Perugia.

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Following a system of stairs, we descended 37 meters deep into this old water reservoir. At the bottom, cross the bridge that spans the middle; this is the best angle to fully see this grand construction carved from rock.

4. Walk along Via dell’Acquedotto di Perugia

As we explored the city, we came across the via dell’Acquedotto, an ancient path that was once a Roman aqueduct. What’s even more interesting is that it was ingeniously designed to allow water to flow uphill towards the central fountain! 

Nowadays, the aqueduct makes the perfect walkway, stretching about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) through the city. We didn’t do the whole walk, but this was easily our favorite part of the city! It’s the perfect spot for views of the colorful houses and the aqueduct’s stunning arches. 

5. Viewpoint Porta Sole

Perugia is built on top of a hill, which meant we found stunning views around every corner. Our favorite was located 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 was a little challenging as we needed to climb quite a few stairs from the piazza below. But it’s definitely worth it for the panoramic views at the top!

6. Join a Winery Tour

Just like Tuscany, Umbria’s rolling hills are covered in vineyards, but it’s far less crowded! We tried some delicious wines in Perugia, and there are loads of great tours on offer that take you out into the countryside.

We visited Lungarotti in Torgiano (they also have another winery in Montefalco), which is one of the most impressive wineries we’ve ever seen! On our tour, we learned all about the process from grape to glass, with amazing explanations from very knowledgeable guides and winemakers. They’re also known as the producers of Italy’s best red wine (2016).

7. Perugia Underground

There’s an area at the very core of the city that takes you on an even more unique journey through the centuries. There is an entire network of underground streets to explore!

We loved how cool it was down here (perfect for escaping the summer heat), so it’s the perfect spot to come for an hour and dig deep into the city’s history. We accessed the buried city via Rocca Paolina, but there’s also the option to use the underground escalator.

Tip: Close by to Rocca Paolina, you’ll find our favorite spot for an aperitif: Punto di Vista. It’s got great views too!

8. Saint Angelo Gate

Porta Sant’Angelo is an impressive medieval gate, built from different-colored materials, located at the end of the main street in Perugia’s historic center. Built centuries ago, this stout gate is part of the defensive walls surrounding the city and serves as the main entrance.

Inside the gate, there’s the Museum of the City Walls and Doors. We also climbed to the top for incredible views of the city and the beautiful surrounding hills of Umbria.

9. Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo

As we passed through the northern gate Sant’Angelo, we came across a circular-shaped Catholic church. This small round structure is perched on the hill, a bit hidden by the city’s walls. It’s thought to be the first religious building in Perugia!

10. Visit Assisi

We rented a car, so we set aside a day to explore the beautiful town of Assisi. It took us about 30 minutes to drive, but it’s also only a twenty-minute train ride away. The ancient town is an important pilgrimage site and is best known for its cathedral (St. Francis Basilica), uniquely constructed as two cathedrals built atop one another. 

Also read: Assisi, Italy: Best Things To Do

The approach to Assisi was particularly memorable, as we watched the sun hitting the warm stone of the houses. We visited in May, so we also got to see the Calendimaggio Festival, when locals dress in medieval-era costumes.

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

Assisi Viewpoint

A bit outside Assisi, we found a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the hills, mountains, vineyards, and medieval cities. We got lucky, and there were even wild horses up here. 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.

11. Relax at Lake Trasimeno

Lake Trasimeno is Umbria’s version of Lake Como. Hike or bike around the perimeter, kayak on the lake, or relax on one of the beaches amidst the forest in Castiglione del Lago or Tuoro al Trasimeno. It took us about 30 minutes to drive from Perugia to the lake, so it was an ideal day trip.

Join this kayak tour on Trasimeno Lake

Isola Maggiore 

Lake Trasimeno also has three islands with small medieval towns perched on their shores. We visited Maggiore Island by boat, home to only 12 people, one ancient street, a small beach, and a few restaurants.

We had a bit of time to explore, so we walked through the olive groves to the other side of the island, where we found this abandoned castle that looks out over the lake. There are loads more green paths like this that cross the island.

Tip: If you want dinner on Isola Maggiore, we recommend Da Sauro, a delicious fish restaurant. We didn’t stay overnight, but in the summer this is possible, as some campsites are open.

The Best Cafes and Restaurants in Perugia

Perugia is full of delicious restaurants and pasticcerias, so we certainly never went hungry. ;) We loved local specialties like strangozzi, a rustic square-shaped pasta traditionally made with just flour and water, Pecorino di Norcia, and the Baci chocolate “kisses”. Some of our favorite spots are:

Where to Stay in Perugia

Though Perugia is an excellent destination to visit for a (half) day from larger cities such as Florence or Rome, it’s also an incredible place to stay. We stayed for a few nights and used it as a base to do day trips around the region. During our visit, we stayed at Hotel Morlacchi, which was well-located, simple, and cozy.

Our favorite hotels in Perugia 😴

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Borgobrufa Spa and Resort

Perugia

Sina Brufani

Perugia

Hotel Morlacchi

Perugia

See available hotels in Perugia

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Check available hostels

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.

By Plane

Umbria was our main destination, so we flew directly to the region’s capital from Rotterdam (but there’s many connections throughout Europe).

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). Alternatively, hire a car from the airport like we did.

By Train

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. We find that ticket prices tend to be lower if you book in advance.

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. 

By Car

Alternatively, you can visit Perugia by car as part of a longer Italy itinerary. Renting a car and driving through Italy is the best way to explore all of Umbria’s sutnning countryside. 

Once in Perugia, park in one of the car parks outside Perugia’s historical center and walk from there. We parked at this location.

The Best Time to Visit Perugia

We visited Perugia in May, which was perfect! It was warm and sunny, and there were far less crowds than the summer months. In general, though, Perugia will be quieter than other places in Italy (even in the summer) as it’s still relatively unknown.

Tip: In July, the city hots Umbria Jazz, one of the top jazz festivals in Europe. In October,  there’s also a world-famous chocolate festival called ‘Euro Chocolate’.