Looking for a short stay in Italy? I recommend you spend three days in Umbria, a beautiful but often overlooked region in Central Italy.
Umbria is located east of the more famous Tuscany, and as they are so close, they share similar views and landscapes. As said, Umbria is often overlooked by tourists, who prefer to explore more famous destinations such as Tuscany, Rome etc. However, this region has so much to offer and it certainly competes with other Italian regions.
So, if I caught your attention, have a read through this guide on how to spend three days in Umbria.
First day: Assisi
If you are a religious person, you certainly know Assisi. In fact, this town is said to be the hometown of Saint Francis and as such is a popular pilgrimage site.
However, there is so much more to this beautiful medieval village. The main attraction is certainly the Saint Francis Basilica, built on the top of the hill. From here, you will have an amazing view on the beautiful landscape and surroundings. But don’t stop just there: take your time to walk around, to visit all the different basilicas and take in the beauty of its art and culture.
Top things to see in Assisi:
- Basilica di San Francesco (St Francis Basilica)
As said, this is certainly the most famous attraction in Assisi. This basilica is very big and you can either start your tour from the top in the upper square going down or from the bottom in the lower square going up. Either way, you will just be astonished by the beauty of this place, by its artistic and historical features. Don’t forget to pay a visit to St Francis tomb!
Assisi’s cornerstone, Piazza del Comune has so much to offer. Starting from the Northern side, you can admire the Minerva Temple which is flanked by the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Then moving South, Palazzo dei Priori dominates the square. The middle of the square is occupied by a beautiful circular fountain.
- Via San Francesco
If you don’t know where to start your walk into the meanders of this beautiful city, Via San Francesco is the best starting point. This street – which takes the name of (of course) the city’s saint, starts from the Basilica di San Francesco and it is the best scenic route for a stroll into the heart of Assisi. You can admire beautiful modern and past buildings, residences, shops and so much more.
- Eremo delle Carceri
A hermitage complex located on Mount Subasio, 4 km away from Assisi. Saint Francis would often come to this place to pray and contemplate, as many other hermits before him.
Save it for later!
Second day: Perugia
Perugia is the capital of the Umbria region. It sits on a hilltop and beautiful mountains and landscapes surround it.
Perugia is a strongly historical city, dating back to the Etruscan era. In this city, you can find churches, historical structures as well as museums and other attractions.
Top things to see:
- Piazza IV Novembre
This is the city’s main square. Here you will find a multitude of attractions: the Perugia Cathedral, the Fontana Maggiore, the Palazzo dei Priori and much more.
- Perugia Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo)
This Roman Catholic church was built between 1345 and 1490. Fun fact: the external decoration was never finished, and you can still see a trial section on the front.
Inside the cathedral, you will find the sarcophagus of Pope Martin IV and a museum, as well as several other relics.
- Palazzo dei Priori
This beautiful building, constructed in Gothic style, is the perfect example of a public palace in the so-called eta Comunale in Italy (XI century). It is still the seat of part of the town hall.
- Basilica di San Pietro
Not to be confused with the more famous Saint Peter’s Church in Vatican City, this church has been built in the XI century and is located in the southern part of Perugia.
You can admire the architecture of this beautiful site, and also the art collection inside.
- Sciri Tower
This Medieval control tower is one of the tallest buildings in the city. You can climb to the top to enjoy the view of Perugia.
- Perugina Chocolate Factory
Well, it’s not all about historical sites, isn’t it? For the foodies out there, here is a jewel. This factory is one of the most famous chocolate factories in Italy and its main product is the Baci Perugina, which are delicious chocolate pralines containing love quotes (the name literally means ‘kisses Perugina’). The perfect treat for a loved one!
You can take a tour of the factory and of course indulge yourself at the gift shop.
Third day: Lago Trasimeno
To finish your three days in Umbria, why not relax on the shores of the beautiful Lago Trasimeno? This lake is the fourth biggest lake in Italy and various towns surround it. It’s surprisingly shallow: on average, it is only 4 meters deep but it is rich in fish.
The lake contains three islands: Isola Polvese, Isola Maggiore (the only inhabited one) and Isola Minore.
Fun fact: the legend says that the lake has been named after Prince Trasimeno, who fell in love with the nymph Agilla that inhabited the lake. It was an unfortunate love: Agilla seduced Trasimeno who, in return, was so happy that fainted and dramatically drowned.
Many castles surround the lake shores. Most of them are situated in the villages on the shores of the lake, but you can also find some ruins outside villages and cities. Even the two main islands (Isola Polvese and Maggiore) have two castles. The main ones are the one in Castiglione del Lago, the ones on the islands, Zocco Castle and Montali Castle.
If you don’t feel like going sightseeing inside medieval castles, you can just enjoy the lake life from the shores or you can indulge yourself in some typical lake activities – e.g. boat rides, kayak and so on.
That’s it – did you like this guide for three days in Umbria?
As usual, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions and don’t forget to share this article if you liked it!
