Ninety miles North of Rome, tucked away in the rolling hills of Umbria, The Green Heart of Italy, is one of Umbria’s most famous sites: Assisi.
With the breathtaking cathedral of St. Francis looming over the city atop a hill, Assisi has earned its title as Umbria’s most significant UNESCO Heritage Site. And, it’s not simply home to many UNESCO Heritage sites–the entire town is a UNESCO Heritage Site!
Revered worldwide as the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi is visited yearly by an estimated five million people, making it one of the most visited destinations in Italy. This is primarily due to its religious significance in the Catholic Church.
But beyond its religious significance, Assisi is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the world. Visitors from all walks of life, regardless of religious affiliations, will be in awe of the city’s beauty and postcard-worthy charm.
If you plan to visit the beautiful city of Assisi, you’ll need somebody on the inside to tell you all the best places to eat, stay, and enjoy an authentic taste of Umbria. As long-time locals of Ascoli Piceno, just two hours away in the Marche region, we’ve crafted this Local’s guide to Assisi to to share our insider tips so that you can plam your perfect visit to the City of Peace!
When Should You Visit Assisi?
We’re confident there’s never a bad time to visit Italy – with one caveat, the best time for you to visit depends on the experiences that are most important to you.
When visiting Italy, especially Assisi, it’s essential to consider the times of the year when the pilgrimage crowds peak, which is typically in the Summer.
While the summer can be an excellent time for true cultural and religious immersion in the city, the mid-summer months, like June, July, and August, can be incredibly hot, with temperatures climbing to the 90s Fahrenheit (high 30’s to 40 degrees celsius).
On the other side of the seasonal spectrum, the winters are relatively mild, with temperatures rarely below freezing. Of course, the Christmas season is woven into the cultural fabric of Assisi and is a big draw for tourism in and of itself.
Nativity scenes pop up all around town, including the grand nativity scene in front of the Basilica of St. Francis. Christmas Markets with delicious Italian Christmas delicacies and handmade gifts are open for you to explore all month long across Italy. Don’t want the crowds, but still want the full Italian Christmas experience? Just an hour’s drive away in Gubbio, Umbria, is the World’s Largest Christmas Tree! A magical city to tack onto your itinerary when visiting Assisi any time of year, which is why we host Italy Uncorked based out of Gubbio, the Most Beautiful Medieval City in all of Italy.
Besides the Christmas season, Assisi is the center of many religious celebrations throughout the year that draw large crowds:
- Late April-Early May: Calendimaggio Spring Festival
- August 2: Feast of Pardon at the Santa Maria degli Angeli
- Late August: Palio of Sant Rufinus
- Late September/Early October: March for Peace from Perugia to Assisi
- October 4th: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
You may want to avoid these times if you don’t want to get caught in large crowds.
And don’t forget about Easter! In Italy, Easter isn’t just celebrated on Sunday; it’s a week-long celebration with many religious processionals and rituals. While Easter does bring out some of Italy’s best traditional cuisine, it also draws the masses to places like Assisi and, most notably, Rome.
Like much of Italy, the shoulder seasons in April-May and September-October are the perfect happy medium to visit Italy, which is why we host Italy Uncorked during the latter part of the year. Not to mention, during this time of year, the temperatures are mild due to Assisi’s central location, and crowds have died down both during Christmas and during the summer pilgrimage peaks. Plus the fall cuisine in Umbria is unbeatable with the truffles rolling out among numerous seasonal delicacies that are not to be missed on your trip with us!
Getting Around Assisi
The historic city center of Assisi is incredibly walkable and easiest to explore on foot. However, keep in mind that this historic city is located in the hills, meaning steep cobblestone streets—make sure to bring your good walking shoes for your grand tour! And break them in before your trip.
Most of the city center is a ZTR (Zone of Restricted Circulation), meaning you won’t be able to drive right up to the most important sites. However, you can park a car at the Piazza Porta Nuova, which is about a 20-minute walk from the historic center.
Keep in mind that not all of Assisi’s best locations are located in the historic city center, meaning you will want to rent a car to explore the area to the fullest extent.
Additionally, if you don’t want to rent a car, you can base yourself in the capital city of Perugia and take a short train ride into the historic city center of Assisi.
Having done this myself, back in my university days, I found it worked out well because I got to stay in the city center of Perugia and have access to all of the resources of an urban environment while also experiencing the historic charm of Assisi with just a 20-minute train ride. Plus, this option had the added bonus of seeing a beautiful view of the Green Heart of Italy out my train window on each trip!
What to See and Do in Assisi
While simply getting lost and walking the cobblestone streets of the medieval historic center of Assisi is an experience in itself, the city has several must-see, world-famous historical sites that lovers of art, history, and architecture will undoubtedly appreciate.
Basilica di San Francesco
The Cathedral of St. Francis is a significant draw to Assisi for millions of visitors each year, making it, without a doubt, the city’s most recognizable landmark. However, that also makes the Cathedral one of the most crowded locations, regardless of the time of year you visit.
But, once you enter the building and see the breathtaking artwork adorning the ceiling depicting the life of St. Francis, you’ll see what the hype is all about. Walking into a building like this is one of those awe-inspiring moments you’ll never forget.
If you want to take in the cathedral’s beauty without a horde of other tourists beside you, we recommend visiting early in the day—often, the Cathedral opens as early as 6 AM. Entry to the cathedral is free.
Insider Tip: Most cathedrals in Italy require appropriate dress. Both men and women must wear shorts or skirts covering the knees and shirts covering the shoulders. Read our Ultimate Packing Guide for more insider tips on what to wear!
Rocca Maggiore
The Rocca Maggiore is perhaps one of Assisi’s most notable landmarks. When you look up photos of the city, photos of this majestic castle perched atop a hill are the first result.
Built in the 14th century, the castle showcases some of the city’s best panoramic views. From here, you can see all the way to Perugia and into the valleys of Assisi’s historic center. The castle is open to visitors from 10 AM – 5 PM daily, and admission is around eight euros.
Casa Natale di San Francesco
A short walk from the Piazza del Comune, where the Temple of Minerva is located, is the believed site of St. Francis of Assisi’s birth on July 5, 1182.
The Casa Natale di San Francesco tells the story of St. Francis’ birth and life. While it lacks the grandiosity of the Basilica, the home holds deep significance for the beginning of St. Francis’ spiritual journey.
Roman Forum & Archaeological Museum of Assisi
Located beneath the Piazza del Comune, the Roman Forum offers a glimpse into Assisi’s historical significance during Roman times.
It showcases the remains of various Roman structures, such as the Temple of Minerva, a building constructed in the 1st century B.C. with all the characteristics of a typical Roman temple.
The Archaeological Museum, located next to the forum, showcases historical artifacts found during excavations in Assisi. Its collections include Roman inscriptions, statues, pottery, and more that uncover the story of this historic city.
Where to Eat in Assisi
Assisi is most often associated with St. Francis and its religious significance, but once you arrive, you’ll see the city has so much more to offer–including out-of-this-world food & wine!
Umbrian cuisine is some of Italy’s finest and something you won’t want to miss out on during your visit here. But, ditch all the touristy spots serving up plates of spaghetti for authentic restaurants serving traditional, authentic cuisine with top-notch service.
We’ll recommend some of our favorite spots inside and outside the historic center.
Pallotta
Pallota Restaurant is located in front of the Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Comune, the perfect spot for authentic Umbrian cuisine inside the city center. Founded in 1980, this historic restaurant on the medieval streets of Assisi is family-owned and operated and known for its excellent service.
The menu features dishes based on traditional Umbrian cuisine and home recipes, so there’s something for every foodie to appreciate. Our favorite entrees are the stringozzi with mushroom and black olive sauce, Ghiotta-style pigeon, and cacciatore-style rabbit. Pallota also has an excellent selection of local cheese and a decadent dessert menu with all the classic tastes of Umbria.
Malvarina
Located just outside Assisi, this agriturismo restaurant offers a serene countryside experience with stunning views of the Umbrian Hills and serves fresh, farm-to-table dishes based on traditional cuisine.
Dining here is a truly local experience where you’ll feel a part of your very own Famiglia Italiana. With dishes like toasted pork brisket and stuffed cannelloni passed down from family recipe books, you’ll love the food equally as much as the experience.
Want to try some more modern and innovative cuisine in Assisi? Try out these Michelin-star restaurants: Il Frantoio, located in the Palace Hotel and overlooking the city center; La Locanda del Cardinale, inside a stunning white-washed medieval stone house; or Benedikto, located at the Nun Hotel with a beautiful view of the Rocca Maggiore.
Where to Stay in Assisi
As mentioned earlier, options for staying in Assisi are limited, so staying in nearby Perugia and taking a train into the historic city center is a great option for many visitors.
But if you’re going to stay in the city, we recommend these four-star hotels, which offer excellent service, accommodations, and, of course, stunning views of the Umbrian countryside.
Le Silve
Traditional and elegant hotel with 19 rooms just a mile from the village of Armenzano and a few more miles to the city of Assisi. Beautiful scenery of the Umbrian hills, rustic decor, and a huge pool.
Fontebella Palace Hotel
Just a stone’s throw from the Basilica di San Francesco, the Palace Hotel includes an incredible view of the valley of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the city center, as well as a Michelin-star restaurant.
Final Thoughts
Assisi is a city that brings together art lovers, history buffs, and religious pilgrims in one stunning medieval village. With millions of visitors each year, Assisi is one of the locations on many people’s bucket lists, and rightfully so. It’s a great location to extend your time on the Italy Uncorked tour, which is exactly why we created this guide to help you have a better Italy trip!
A visit to Assisi will surely make you want to experience more Umbrian culture, cuisine, and wine–why not cut out all of the planning, stress, and logistics headaches and join us on tour?! Every day on your tour with us you’ll be transported in a private vehicle to exclusive experiences including private dining at award-winning wineries, organic farm experiences, natural and Unesco heritage sites without having to lift a finger.
Instead when you join us on Italy Uncorked you’ll take the guesswork out of your trip to Italy and get to see the side of Italy that even those that visit Italy numerous times never get to experience in their lifetime.
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