Six of the prettiest towns in Umbria you’ll love
My selection of the best towns in Umbria for a pleasant stroll in historic settings and immersing yourself in quintessential Italian atmosphere.
Umbria is home to some of the prettiest towns in Italy.
Located in central Italy, Umbria has been inhabited for centuries and and its hilly landscape is dotted by villages and small center and date back to the Renaissance, the Middle Ages and even more ancient times yet are still very much living and breathing places, town that merge modern living with the charm and the rich cultural texture of historic center.
I love Umbria.
Its famous neighbor, Tuscany, always seems to steal the show but when it comes to towns, but the prettiest villages in Umbria are as delightful as the prettiest villages in Tuscany, they just happen to be lesser known!
Today I want to share the places that I love the most and that I recommend you visit during a stay in this stunning region.
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Gubbio
I open this shortlist of the prettiest towns in Umbria with Gubbio, as this town is my personal favorite in Umbria and one of my favorite towns in Italy in general.
Gubbbio is beautiful, ancient, unique and has a slightly quirky personality that adds to its charm!
Gubbio is an ancient Roman town.
As you arrive, you are welcomed by the beautiful ruins of its amphitheater, which still stands immediately outside the walled medieval center, which develops form the valley floor up along the slope of Mont Ingino.
As you walk in, you are enveloped by a town with beautiful stone buildings and meandering streets that climb up to the top of the town: here, your efforts are rewarded by the large expanse of Gubbio’s main piazza and the even more expansive views of the beautiful countryside below!
Absoltutely stunning!
The quirky personality I mentioned is responsible for two of the most peculiar sights in Gubbio: the ‘crazy fountain’, where you can get a certificate stating you are crazy (the inhabitants of Gubbio are proud to thing of themselves as such) and a huge wine barrel which is so big, it is an attraction in itself!
On more serious note, the town has stunning main piazza, beautiful church, amphitheater and a cable car that brings you to the top of the town for stunning views.
Gubbio is a pretty and walkable town. However, to explore the surrounding area, i recommend a car (parking is easy outside the town).
Recommended stays in the area : La Corte del Lupo (Agriturismo) Niki’s Resort (resort / agriturismo); Borgo Castello Panicaglia (agiturismo/ resort)
You can read here >>> my guide to Gubbio
Assisi
The beautiful town of Assisi is well known for its religious significance and Franciscan history, yet is also a stunning place to visit, even for those with no Christian or Catholic background.
Assisi has been in existence since Roman times and still has vestige of its ancient past.
Here, you can still identify the ancient Roman Forum, admire how the city changed along with ever-changing times and society needs, you can walk along the charming streets of medieval Assisi and of course you can marvel at the jewel in the crown: St Francis’ Basilica and its incredible frescoes by Giotto!
Assisi is beautiful and busy yet despite being very much on the beaten track, for beauty, charm and significance is not to be missed.
Recommended stays: Le Mandrie di San Paolo (agriturismo); All’Antica Mattonata (Agriturismo); Casa Spagnoli (Apartment)
Spello
Spello is a tiny, delightful, picture perfect town many know and love because of a peculiar trait: its impressive flowery balconies!
Spello is an ancient village and mostly medieval in feel.
As you stroll along is narrow streets, you will find yourself peeking into pretty gardens, cloisters, artisan shops and you are guaranteed to be wowed by the many flowers everywhere, that truly make it look like you stepped onto a chocolate-box type movie set!
The presence of the flowers is intentional: every summer the town hosts an actual ‘flowery balcony’ competition and gives awards to most beautifully decorated spaces in the village, to encourage care and enrichment of common areas.
You can read here >>> my guide to Spello
Recommended accommodation: Albergo il Cacciatore (hotel); La Corte del Lupo (Agriturismo); Borgo Castello Panicaglia (agiturismo/ resort)
Orvieto
Orvieto is one of the most beautiful towns in Umbria and has something special: an unparalleled location on top of a massive tufa rock and a duomo so beautiful, it will take your breath away!
Orvieto is very ancient and has attractions that allow you to tap into the very origin of the city.
Yet, the main feel as you walk around its pretty center is that of a medieval town, so if you’ve visited Tuscany’s hilltop towns, you may feel some of the same emotions and find a somewhat similar aesthetic, complete with pretty restaurants and artisan shops.
The jewel here is the Duomo: located at the top of the town, the Duomo of Orvieto is a gothic marvel with stunning facade mosaics that shine in the sun. It is not to be missed.
You can find here >> my guide to Orvieto
Recommended accommodation: Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini (Hotel); Agriturismo Cioccoleta (farm stay)
Perugia
Perugia is the principal city in Umbria and one of the most beautiful towns in central Italy.
The town has ancient origins and has a vibrant university that still nowadays brings to the city the troves of your students (local and foreigners) that make Perugia their home.
The result is a town that blends medieval charm, university dynamism and countryside vibes: Purugia is on a hilltop and in the center of a rural and forest areas of great natural beauty!
Perugia is mostly medieval in feel: as you stroll through narrow cobblestone streets, Palazzo dei Priori and Fontana Maggiore (fountain) are guaranteed to grab your attention, but if you are more food than architecture oriented, you will find your eye also wandering to a very different type of attraction: Perugia’s work famous chocolate confections!
Recommended accommodation: Locanda della Posta Boutique Hotel; Il Castellaro Country House (agriturismo); Le Cappuccinelle Suits and Spa (adults only)
Rasiglia
The little town of Rasiglia is less known than any other in this list yet it deserved a place on this list of the prettiest towns in Umbria because it is not just beautiful but unique Rasiglia develops around a staggering amount of water streams that got her the nickname of “The Venice of Umbria”!
The comparison with Venice only stands to a point, I find Bagno Vignoni or Bagni di Lucca maybe a closer comparison, but the presence of water here really is dominant and the result is a picture perfect, adorable town with very cute corners and a soothing, relaxing atmosphere.
You can read here >>> all about Rasiglia
Stay at: Residence Menotre
I hope you enjoyed my list of the prettiest towns in Umbria and it inspired you to plan a visit!
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Marta Correale
Marta Correale is an Italian mama of two. Born and raised in Rome, Marta has a passion for travel and especially enjoys showing off Italy to her kids, who are growing up to love it as much as she does! A classics graduate from the University of Rome, Marta channeled her passion for culture and travel into the creation of family travel websites that inspire, support and help curious visitors to make the most of a trip to Italy and learn about Italian culture on the way. Marta also manages the thriving online community of parents 'Italy with kids' who turn to her for expert advice and competent Italy travel planning support. She is the author of the travel guides 'Best of Rome with kids' and 'Best of Florence with kids' available on Amazon and of an array of kids printables (scavenger hunts, info booklets etc) available on her Etsy shop 'Mama Loves To Print'
