Discover the most beautiful spots in Assisi in 24 hours

World-famous thanks to Saint Francis of Assisi, this town boasts some of the most beautiful streets and panoramic views of Umbria in all of Italy.

Very close to Perugia, you'll find the walled town of Assisi. It is built on a slope against the hillside and surrounded by the sprawling green fields typical of Tuscany and Umbria.

It is the birthplace of the famous Saint Francis of Assisi (San Francesco in Italian) and, therefore, a pilgrimage site for many religious travelers and believers.

However, Assisi holds much more inside:

Charming streets that are well worth exploring at a leisurely pace, narrow and winding stone steps, flowers everywhere, exquisite food, and hundreds of historic spots that will make you fall in love.

When to go

Just like in the rest of Italy, temperatures in Assisi are very high during July and August, while December and January are the coldest months.

Rainfall probability, on the other hand, is fairly similar throughout the year, with October and November being the rainiest months.

My recommendation is to visit in spring, as the weather is more pleasant and you'll get to enjoy the town dotted with flowers in window boxes and gardens.

If, like us, you want to avoid the crowds, steer clear of religious holidays, such as Easter week or October 3 and 4 (the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy).

The first Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday after May 1, the Festa di Calendimaggio takes place. The locals of Assisi welcome spring with this medieval festival where the upper and lower parts of the town compete against each other in a showcase of celebrations, parades, and period costumes.

Although it's one of the busiest times for visitors, I'm sure it's a spectacle well worth seeing.

We were there a week after Palm Sunday, in the spring of 2016. There were plenty of tourists, but not an overwhelming amount, and the weather was lovely. To get an idea, you can take a look at the photos in this article.

How to get there

A great way to travel around Italy is by train.

You can get there from nearby towns or from Umbria's capital itself, Perugia. However, the train station is located in the neighboring town of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

From there, hopping on bus line C will get you to your destination in 15-20 minutes. It runs every half hour from roughly 5:00 to 23:00, with a few exceptions. The ticket costs €1.30 and can be bought in bars or newsstands.

On the other hand, the most common and convenient option if you're doing a road trip through Italy is to use your own or a rental car.

If that's your plan, keep in mind that Assisi is a walled town and, as such, driving inside is restricted to residents. So, you'll need to leave your car in the parking area offered by your accommodation or in one of the car parks I've marked on the map at the bottom of this page (most of which are paid).

What to see

Walking through the cobblestone streets of Assisi, taking in its medieval houses and the many religious buildings along the way, is an absolute treat.

Admission to the churches is free, so go right ahead and explore them inside: they'll blow you away.

Enjoy the flowers hanging from windows, the hidden nooks, the narrow stairways linking the streets together, and the views over the green fields of Umbria from its walls and squares.

Here are some of the most iconic spots. But remember, explore at your own pace—it is full of delightful secrets and curiosities.

Basilica di San Francesco

This structure was built on the very spot where the saint wished to be buried after his death.

It consists of two churches stacked one on top of the other. Don't miss visiting both, as they are equally stunning thanks to their architecture and the colorful frescoes decorating their interiors.

Beneath the lower church lies the crypt where the body of Saint Francis is buried.

Together with the sacred convent that surrounds it, the views of the basilica make for a picture-perfect setting for photography lovers and sunset chasers.

Basilica di Santa Chiara

This church stands on what used to be the Church of Saint George (Giorgio), where Saint Francis of Assisi was originally buried until his body was moved to the basilica named after him.

Today, it houses the remains of Saint Clare, a follower of the saint. It also holds the Crucifix of San Damiano, before which the saint had his first vision.

The square right outside this church offers gorgeous panoramic views, so make sure not to miss them.

Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli

As its name suggests, this church is located in the neighboring town of Assisi, Santa Maria degli Angeli.

It is famous for being built around the small chapel of Porziuncola, which is still preserved inside, where Saint Francis received his calling to preach a life of poverty.

Next to the building, you'll also find the rose garden where the saint atoned for his sins by throwing himself into the rose bushes. Legend has it that the roses lost their thorns so they wouldn't hurt the saint, and they still remain thornless to this day.

Where to Eat

Assisi sits right in the heart of Umbria and Italy, so you are going to fall in love with the food in its restaurants.

Keep in mind that bread is baked without salt to complement the flavorful cured meats, so don't try eating it plain.

It's very common to see truffle sauces (tartufo) around this area. However, in my opinion, they are only worth it if they are cooked with fresh truffle and not with tartufo oils. So, if you like this unique flavor, I recommend asking before ordering your dish to avoid any disappointments.

Among the hundreds of options out there, we had dinner at Hosteria Nova Baccanale Café.

The restaurant's setting in an ancient building of Roman origin adds an extra touch of authenticity. If I understood the waiter's extensive explanations during dinner correctly, the dining room is located in what used to be horse stables.

Along with details about the venue, they share plenty of fun facts about Assisi, turning the evening into a wonderful cultural experience.

It offers great value for money, the food is delicious, and the local wine list is extensive. I recommend the savory pies, typical of the area (I loved the vegetable one), though I wasn't as keen on the truffle pasta (it was a bit too al dente and bland for my taste, even though the truffle was fresh).

Where to sleep

The most convenient option is staying inside the town walls, as this allows you to wander around late at night or early in the morning without cutting too much into your sleep.

However, hotels inside the walls are pricier than those nearby, as you can see on Booking. On top of that, parking is rarely included in the rate, so you'll want to factor in that extra expense if you're traveling by car.

Staying on the outskirts of Assisi therefore comes with two obvious advantages: accommodation prices are generally cheaper; and parking is usually included in the price.

At the same time, you can find spots where you can enjoy views over the city (something impossible from inside it). This is the case with L’Attico B&B, in Santa Maria degli Angeli, which we had all to ourselves thanks to booking it through Airbnb.

The scenery you can take in from its panoramic terrace is priceless (the photo you see below was taken from it).

It even offers free parking and a wide variety of breakfast options. It's located in a quiet area, close to a bus stop and without much night-time noise.

In the living room, you'll find dozens of maps and tips to make the most of your visit. If you're traveling by car on a budget, don't think twice.

Useful links

• Accommodation L’Attico B&B.
• 5% discount on your IATI travel insurance.

Road tripping through Umbria and Tuscany? Then I'm sure you'll love this:

• A one-week road trip through Umbria.
• Orvieto and the dying city: hypnotic beauties.
• Perugia, the romantic capital of Umbria.
• Medieval charm, great food, and cycling around Lake Trasimeno.
• Trekking in Castelluccio di Norcia.
• A stroll through Florence.
• Tuscany road trip: Siena and Val d'Orcia.
• The roofless abbey of San Galgano.
• Maremma Natural Park: Tuscany's pristine beaches.

And if you want to check out more Italy essentials:

• A weekend in Rome.
• Venice in the low season.
• Lake Como road trip.
• Bologna, the city of porticoes.
• The wonders of the Amalfi Coast.

I hope I've convinced you that visiting and, while you're at it, falling in love with Assisi is totally worth it. If you're on a road trip around the area, don't miss the rest of Umbria—I promise you won't be disappointed.

And remember, if you need more details about this destination, just leave me a comment down below. I'll be more than happy to help you with anything I can!

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