I’ll never forget standing on that cliff in Tropea, watching the sun set behind an actual church perched on a rock in the turquoise Mediterranean. Everyone talks about the Amalfi Coast, but let me tell you, after spending two weeks eating my way through Italy’s toe, Calabria hit different. The moment I bit into my first spicy Calabrian pepper and watched old men play cards in village squares, I knew this was the real deal.
From the jaw-dropping beaches of Capo Vaticano to the ancient bronze warriors standing guard in Reggio Calabria’s museum, these are the most beautiful places in Calabria that made me fall hard for southern Italy. Get ready for a side of Italy that feels wonderfully stuck in time, where grandmas still make pasta by hand and every view looks like a postcard.
Enchanting Spots to Visit in Umbria
Looking to explore Umbria’s most beautiful places? From the historic charm of Assisi to the stunning landscapes of Lake Trasimeno, Umbria is packed with stunning scenery. Stroll through the picturesque streets of Perugia, marvel at the natural beauty of Cascata delle Marmore, or explore the vibrant culture of Orvieto. Discover the tranquil allure of Spoleto, the breathtaking views from Montefalco, or the serene ambiance of Gubbio. Whether you’re into history, nature, or charming towns, here are 12 of Umbria’s most breathtaking spots!
1. Amelia
- 📍 Location: Umbria region of Italy, perched on a hilltop 85 km north of Rome and 25 km southwest of Terni
- 🏆 Best For: History enthusiasts 🏛️, architecture lovers 🏰, photography buffs 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring the ancient Roman cisterns, wandering medieval streets, visiting the 12th-century cathedral
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June for pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds, September-October for harvest season festivities 🍇
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Relais Il Focolare – A serene countryside retreat with traditional Umbrian stone buildings, lush gardens, and rooms with stunning lake views
Amelia is one of Umbria’s oldest settlements, with Etruscan walls dating back to the 7th century BC. Walking through the imposing Porta Romana gateway feels like stepping directly into ancient history. Massive limestone blocks fit together without mortar after 2,500 years. The underground Roman Cisterns reveal an engineering marvel that once stored over 4 million liters of water.
Above ground, narrow medieval alleys suddenly open to reveal sun-drenched piazzas. I was captivated by the Cathedral of Santa Firmina with its blend of Romanesque foundation and Gothic elements. Don’t miss the Palio dei Colombi festival in August when locals compete in traditional games wearing historical costumes. The illuminated walls at sunset create a magical atmosphere worth staying overnight to experience.
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2. Arrone
- 📍 Location: Valnerina valley in southeastern Umbria, 15 km east of Terni and 8 km north of the Marmore Falls
- 🏆 Best For: Nature lovers 🌿, medieval architecture enthusiasts 🏰, outdoor adventurers 🚵♀️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking the riverside trails, photographing the perfectly preserved medieval center, visiting the 12th-century Church of Santa Maria Assunta
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April-June for wildflowers and lush landscapes, September-October for harvest festivals and perfect hiking weather 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Cuore del Castello – A charming castle hotel offering historical ambiance, luxurious rooms with scenic views, and easy access to local hiking trails and the tranquil Nera River
Arrone surprises visitors with one of Umbria’s most perfectly preserved medieval villages perched above the emerald-green Nera River. This fortress town splits between the upper borgo with ancient defensive walls and the lower section along the river. The stunning Church of San Giovanni Battista showcases remarkable frescoes by the Zuccari brothers. Gothic doorways and flower-filled balconies throughout the village look straight out of a fairy tale.
Panoramic viewpoints offer breathtaking vistas of the lush Valnerina valley below. I’ve never seen such crystal-clear waters as in the nearby Marmore Falls, Europe’s tallest man-made waterfall created by ancient Romans. Kayaking the Nera River provides a perfect adventure, while hiking trails offer endless options. Family-run trattorias serve local specialties like wild boar ragu from recipes passed down for generations.
3. Bevagna
- 📍 Location: Heart of Umbria’s wine country, 30 km southeast of Perugia and 8 km west of Foligno
- 🏆 Best For: Medieval history buffs 🏛️, food and wine enthusiasts 🍷, authenticity seekers 🏘️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Witnessing the Mercato delle Gaite festival, exploring Roman mosaics, sampling local Sagrantino wines
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June for the historical reenactment festival, September-October for wine harvest experiences 🍇
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Palazzo Brunamonti – A charming boutique hotel set in a historic building, offering views of the town’s medieval architecture and walking distance to the main attractions
Bevagna stands out even in Umbria’s landscape of perfect medieval towns for its exceptional authenticity and lack of tourist crowds. Unlike many hilltop settlements, this ancient Roman town sits on the flat valley floor. Its perfectly preserved medieval walls encircle streets that follow the original Roman grid layout.
The magnificent Piazza Silvestri feels like an open-air museum with two Romanesque churches facing each other. Inside San Michele Arcangelo, I marveled at its unusual circular window and stone façade. The most extraordinary experience comes during the Mercato delle Gaite festival in June, when the town transforms into a living medieval village. Locals demonstrate ancient crafts using only traditional tools and techniques. Wine lovers shouldn’t miss sampling Umbria’s powerful Sagrantino wines at local enotecas.
4. Castiglione del Lago
- 📍 Location: Western shore of Lake Trasimeno in western Umbria, 45 km west of Perugia
- 🏆 Best For: Lake enthusiasts 🚣♀️, fortress explorers 🏰, sunset chasers 🌅
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking the complete medieval walls, visiting the Palazzo della Corgna with its Renaissance frescoes, taking a boat to the lake islands
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June for perfect lake temperatures and blooming landscapes, September for harvest festivals and fewer tourists 🍇
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Aganoor – Boutique accommodation with panoramic lake views from its terraces
Castiglione del Lago creates a perfect peninsula fortress jutting into Italy’s fourth-largest lake with 360-degree water views. This strategic position earned it the nickname “the ship,” as it appears to float on Lake Trasimeno’s silvery waters. The impressive Rocca del Leone dominates with its pentagonal layout and five imposing towers. A covered Renaissance passage connects to the Palazzo della Corgna, where stunning frescoes depict heroic and mythological scenes.
The lakeside location provides endless water adventures. I highly recommend renting a kayak or taking a ferry to Isola Maggiore with its traditional fishing village. Culinary explorers should sample the local specialty of pike in porchetta, freshwater fish prepared with lake herbs since Etruscan times. The ancient stones glow golden at sunset, creating a magical atmosphere worth experiencing. Plan at least a full day to explore both the historic center and take a lake excursion.
5. Corciano
- 📍 Location: Gently rolling hills of central Umbria, 10 km west of Perugia and 15 km east of Lake Trasimeno
- 🏆 Best For: Medieval architecture enthusiasts 🏰, art lovers 🎨, peaceful atmosphere seekers 🧘♀️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Discovering Perugino’s masterpiece in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, walking the complete elliptical walls, participating in the August medieval festival
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June for blooming countryside views, August for the Corciano Festival with historical reenactments 🎭
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Posta dei Donini – Elegant historic hotel set in a 17th-century villa surrounded by manicured gardens
Corciano offers one of Italy’s most perfectly preserved medieval villages without the crowds of more famous Umbrian towns. This hilltop gem earned its place among “Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages” for good reason. Its elliptical walls enclose a vertical labyrinth of stone streets spiraling upward to a fortress with sweeping views across olive groves and vineyards.
Art lovers treasure Perugino’s magnificent Assumption of the Virgin altarpiece in the tiny Church of Santa Maria Assunta. When I visited during the Corciano Festival in August, the streets transformed with flag throwers and medieval musicians. The entire village became a living theater with locals demonstrating ancient crafts in period costumes. Don’t miss climbing to the defensive tower for a sunset panorama stretching from Lake Trasimeno to the Apennine Mountains, a view prized since Etruscan times.
6. Gubbio
- 📍 Location: Northeastern Umbria at the foot of Mount Ingino, 40 km northeast of Perugia and 30 km south of Urbino
- 🏆 Best For: Medieval architecture enthusiasts 🏰, festival lovers 🎭, ceramics collectors 🏺
- 📸 Top Experiences: Riding the funivia basket lift to the mountaintop basilica, witnessing the Corsa dei Ceri festival, exploring the massive Palazzo dei Consoli
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May 15th for the legendary Corsa dei Ceri festival, December for the world’s largest Christmas tree display ✨
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Park Hotel ai Cappuccini – Elegant converted monastery with spa facilities and mountain views
Gubbio transforms an entire mountainside into a breathtaking stone amphitheater of medieval palaces, piazzas, and churches. Walking through the massive city gates feels like stepping directly into the 14th century. The extraordinary Piazza Grande creates a vast suspended square that seems to float above the lower city. The colossal Palazzo dei Consoli houses the ancient Eugubine Tablets, bronze inscriptions containing the only substantial example of the ancient Umbrian language.
I’ll never forget riding the unique open-air “basket” funivia to the mountaintop Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo. The spectacular Corsa dei Ceri on May 15th shows three teams racing through vertical streets carrying 400kg wooden structures topped with saints’ statues. For a more peaceful experience, explore the Roman Theater or search for traditional ceramics in workshops where artisans create lustrous bucchero nero pottery using ancient techniques. This remarkable city truly transports visitors to another era.
7. Monte Castello di Vibio
- 📍 Location: Southeastern Umbria, 30 km south of Perugia in the Tiber Valley
- 🏆 Best For: History buffs 🏛️, theater lovers 🎭, panoramic view seekers 🌄
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Teatro della Concordia, exploring medieval streets, enjoying valley views
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring for blooming countryside, fall for harvest season and fewer tourists 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Villa Antico Incanto – A beautifully restored 18-bedroom farmhouse nestled among the rolling hills of Umbria
Perched dramatically atop a hill overlooking the Tiber Valley, Monte Castello di Vibio captivates visitors with its nickname “Paradise Lost.” This perfectly preserved medieval village feels frozen in time with narrow cobblestone streets and ancient stone walls. The town’s crowning glory is the intimate Teatro della Concordia, the smallest Italian-style theater in the world with just 99 seats. Built in 1808, this gem continues to host performances and charms visitors with its perfectly proportioned elegance.
Beyond the theater, wander to the crenulated Tower of Porta di Maggio that once protected the town from invaders. The beautiful Chiesa dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo showcases religious art in a serene setting. Walking the town’s perimeter rewards visitors with breathtaking panoramic views stretching across southern Umbria. The surrounding landscape of vineyards, olive groves, and sunflower fields completes this quintessential Umbrian experience.
8. Norcia
- 📍 Location: Southeastern Umbria at the foot of the Sibylline Mountains, 96 km southeast of Perugia
- 🏆 Best For: Food lovers 🍽️, history enthusiasts 🏛️, nature explorers 🌄
- 📸 Top Experiences: Sampling pork specialties and black truffles, visiting Basilica di San Benedetto, hiking
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for hiking, winter for truffle hunting, summer for festivals 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Palazzo Seneca – Historic luxury hotel with exceptional dining
Your taste buds will thank you for visiting Norcia, a culinary paradise nestled at the base of the Sibylline Mountains. This birthplace of Saint Benedict has given its name to “norcineria,” the Italian word for pork butcher shops, thanks to its legendary meat products. Food lovers flock here for renowned salumi, wild boar prosciutto, black truffles, and famous lentils from nearby Castelluccio. The town hosts the celebrated Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Nero truffle festival each February.
The town’s spiritual heart is Piazza San Benedetto, with its impressive basilica built over the birthplace of the saint. Despite earthquake damage in 2016, Norcia’s resilient spirit shines through in its rebuilt structures and vibrant food culture. Beyond town, experience spectacular wildflower blooms on the plains of Castelluccio in spring or hike the excellent trails in Sibylline National Park. The dramatic mountain scenery provides a stunning backdrop to this gastronomic heaven.
9. Orvieto
- 📍 Location: Western Umbria, 100 km southwest of Perugia, midway between Rome and Florence
- 🏆 Best For: Architecture lovers 🏛️, wine enthusiasts 🍷, underground explorers 🕳️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the spectacular Duomo, exploring underground caves, wine tasting
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds 🌄
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Duomo – Elegant accommodations steps from the cathedral
Rising majestically from a massive volcanic plateau, Orvieto appears like a fairytale city floating above the Umbrian countryside. This extraordinary hilltop citadel combines Etruscan mysteries with medieval grandeur and Renaissance artistry. The town’s crown jewel is its breathtaking Cathedral, with a facade that resembles a gleaming medieval altarpiece adorned with mosaics, stained glass, and intricate sculptures. Inside, the San Brizio Chapel features Luca Signorelli’s spectacular frescoes depicting the Day of Judgment.
Beneath the streets lies a fascinating underground world of Etruscan-era caves and tunnels. Don’t miss St. Patrick’s Well, an engineering marvel featuring a double helix staircase design. Wine lovers should sample the renowned Orvieto Classico white wine, produced from vineyards that have thrived here since ancient times. The compact historical center rewards explorers with picturesque views, charming restaurants, and artisan shops at every turn.
10. Perugia
- 📍 Location: Central Umbria, capital city of the region, 170 km north of Rome
- 🏆 Best For: Art aficionados 🎨, chocolate lovers 🍫, festival seekers 🎭
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring Palazzo dei Priori, attending Umbria Jazz Festival, indulging at Eurochocolate
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: July for Jazz Festival, October for Eurochocolate, spring/fall for mild weather 🍁
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Brufani Palace Hotel – Historic luxury hotel with panoramic countryside views
Standing proudly atop a hill in the Tiber Valley, Perugia pulses with energy as Umbria’s vibrant capital city. This sophisticated university town blends ancient Etruscan roots with a lively contemporary atmosphere. Art lovers flock to the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria within the magnificent Gothic Palazzo dei Priori, showcasing masterpieces by Perugino and other Umbrian masters. The city’s heart is Piazza IV Novembre, centered around the stunning 13th-century Fontana Maggiore.
Perugia comes alive during two major festivals that have put it on the international map. Umbria Jazz in July attracts world-class musicians to venues throughout the city. In October, Eurochocolate celebrates the city’s sweet tradition when the air fills with chocolate aromas. No visit is complete without sampling Baci Perugina, the famous chocolate “kisses” produced here. The compact historic center connects easily via escalators and the innovative Minimetro, making exploration a breeze despite the hillside location.
11. Rasiglia
- 📍 Location: Eastern Umbria, 40 km from Perugia, in the municipality of Foligno
- 🏆 Best For: Photographers 📸, off-the-beaten-path explorers, romantic strollers 💑
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking beside water canals, photographing stone houses with flowing streams, visiting mills
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late spring and early fall for comfortable temperatures and vibrant landscapes 🌼
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Relais Villa Savini – An elegant 18th-century villa surrounded by lush gardens, offering rustic charm with modern amenities
Water dances through every corner of Rasiglia, earning this enchanting medieval village the nickname “Little Venice of Umbria.” Perched at 600 meters above sea level in the verdant Valnerina valley, this fairytale hamlet appears frozen in time. Clear, crystal waters from the Capovena spring cascade through the village, flowing between stone buildings and under charming wooden bridges.
The abundant water historically powered the town’s watermills, wool factories, and dye works, creating perfect harmony between nature and human ingenuity. Visitors can explore converted mills that now serve as museums showcasing the industrial heritage. For a special experience, attend the Penelope a Rasiglia festival in June, dedicated to the ancient art of weaving. The living nativity scenes staged during Christmas transform the waterside setting into a magical biblical landscape. I’ve never seen a more photogenic village in all my travels through central Italy.
12. Spoleto
- 📍 Location: Southeastern Umbria, 65 km southeast of Perugia in the Apennine foothills
- 🏆 Best For: History enthusiasts 🏛️, performing arts lovers 🎭, architecture admirers 🏗️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking across Ponte delle Torri, attending Festival dei Due Mondi, exploring Rocca Albornoziana
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late June to mid-July for the Festival of Two Worlds, spring and fall for mild weather 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Dei Duchi – Elegant hotel in the historic center with views of Roman remains
Climb into the clouds at Spoleto, where a spectacular medieval fortress crowns a hillside backed by the majestic Apennine mountains. This visually stunning town showcases layers of history from ancient Etruscan origins through Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance periods. The town’s most iconic sight is the breathtaking Ponte delle Torri, a 14th-century bridge dramatically spanning a deep gorge at nearly 300 feet high. The engineering marvel offers spectacular views of the surrounding forested valleys.
Spoleto’s magnificent Duomo features a stunning Romanesque façade and houses remarkable frescoes by Filippo Lippi. Every summer, the city comes alive during the renowned Festival dei Due Mondi, a prestigious international performing arts festival. The imposing Rocca Albornoziana fortress offers panoramic views and houses the National Museum of the Duchy. Roman history buffs will appreciate the well-preserved Roman Theater and Arch of Drusus, tangible connections to the town’s ancient past.
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