Discover the most beautiful spots in Assisi in 24 hours

World famous thanks to St. Francis of Assisi, this city has some of the most beautiful streets and panoramic views of Umbria in Italy.

Very close to Perugia is the walled city of Assisi (known in English as Assisi). It is built on a slope on the side of a hill and surrounded by extensive green fields, characteristic of Tuscany and Umbria.

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

However, Assisi hides much more than that inside:

Streets full of charm worthy of a leisurely stroll, narrow and winding staircases, flowers everywhere, exquisite cuisine and hundreds of places with history that will make you fall in love.

When to go

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

The probability of precipitation, on the other hand, is 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 can enjoy the city dotted with flowers in flower pots and gardens.

If, like us, you avoid crowds, avoid visiting during religious holidays, such as Easter or on October 3 and 4 (the day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy).

On the first Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday after May 1st, the so called Festa di Calendimaggio. The inhabitants of Assisi welcome spring with this festival of medieval origin in which the upper and lower parts of the city face each other with a display of celebrations, parades and period costumes.

Although it is one of the busiest times of the year, I am sure it is a sight worth seeing.

We were there a week after Palm Sunday, in the spring of 2016. The number of tourists was high, but not excessive, and the weather was pleasant. To get an idea, you can take a look at the photos in this article.

Directions

A good way to get around Italy is by train.

You can reach it from nearby towns or from the capital of Umbria itself, Perugia. However, the station is located in the neighboring town of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

From there, taking bus line C, you will reach your destination in 15-20 minutes. It has a half-hourly frequency from 5.00 to 23.00, approximately, with some exceptions. The ticket costs 1.30€ and can be bought in bars or newsstands.

On the other hand, the most common and comfortable way to travel around Italy is to use your own or a rented car.

If this is your case, keep in mind that Assisi is a walled city and, as such, circulation inside it is limited to residents. Therefore, you will have to leave your car in the parking lot offered by your accommodation or in one of the parking lots that I have marked on the map at the bottom of this page (most of them are paid).

What to see

Walking through the cobblestone streets of Assisi, contemplating its medieval houses and the many religious buildings in your path, is not to be missed.

Entrance to the temples is free, so do not hesitate and discover them inside: they will surprise you.

Enjoy the flowers hanging from the windows, the hidden nooks and crannies, the narrow stairways connecting the streets to each other, the views of the green fields of Umbria from its walls and squares.

Below, I list some of the most emblematic places. But remember, explore it at your own pace, it is full of secrets and delightful curiosities.

Basilica di San Francesco

This construction was placed in the place where the saint wanted to be buried after his death.

It consists of two churches superimposed one on top of the other. Be sure to visit both, as they are exceptionally beautiful in equal measure, thanks to their architecture and the colorful frescoes that adorn their interiors.

Under the lower temple is the crypt where the body of Saint Francis is buried.

Together with the sacred convent that surrounds it, the views of the basilica form a perfect setting for lovers of photography and sunsets.

Basilica di Santa Chiara

This temple stands on what was once the Church of St. George(Giorgio), where St. Francis of Assisi was buried until his body was transferred to the basilica that bears his name.

In its place today are the remains of Saint Clare, a follower of the saint's footsteps. It also contains in its interior the Cross of San Damiano, next to which the saint had his first vision.

The square at the gates of this church offers beautiful panoramic views, do not miss it.

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 having been built with the small Porziuncola Chapel, still preserved, where St. Francis received his call to preach poverty.

Also, next to the building, there is the rose garden where the saint exculpated his sins by throwing himself into the rose bushes. According to legend, these lost their thorns so as not to harm the saint, and still maintain this characteristic today.

Where to eat

Assisi is located in the heart of Umbria and Italy, and, therefore, the food you will find in its restaurants will make you fall in love with it.

Keep in mind that the bread is cooked without salt to accompany their tasty sausages, so don't try to eat it alone.

It is very common to see truffle sauces(tartufo) in this area. However, in my opinion, these are worth it only if they are cooked with fresh truffle and not with tartufo oils. So, if you like this peculiar flavor, I recommend that you ask before ordering your dish to avoid disappointment.

Among the hundreds of options that exist, we dined at the Hosteria Nova Baccanale Café. Hosteria Nova Baccanale Café.

The location of the restaurant in an old Roman building gives it an extra touch of authenticity. The dining room, if I understood correctly the extensive explanations given by the waiter during dinner, is located in what used to be stables.

In addition to the details about the place, they tell you many curiosities about Assisi, which makes the evening a cultural experience.

It has a good quality/price ratio, the food is very good and the local wine list is very extensive. I recommend the savory cakes, typical of the area (I loved the one with vegetables), but not so much the truffle pasta (it was too al dente and not very tasty for my taste, although the truffle was fresh).

Where to stay

The most comfortable option is to spend the night inside the city walls, as this will allow you to walk around the city until late, or early in the morning, without robbing too many hours of sleep.

However, hotels inside the walls are more expensive than nearby, as you can see in Booking. In addition, in few cases parking is included in the price, so you will have to count on that extra expense if you travel by car.

Sleeping in the outskirts of Assisi has, therefore, two obvious advantages: accommodation prices are generally cheaper; and parking is usually included in the price.

At the same time, you can find places from which to enjoy views of the city (something impossible from inside). This is the case of L'Attico B&Bin Santa Maria degli Angeli, which we had to ourselves thanks to booking it using Airbnb.

The spectacle that can be seen from its panoramic terrace is priceless (the photo you see below was taken from it).

It even offers free parking and a varied breakfast. It is located in a quiet area, close to a bus stop and without much noise at night.

In the lounge you will find dozens of plans and suggestions to enjoy your visit. If you are traveling with a car and a limited budget, do not hesitate.

Useful Links

• Accommodation L'Attico B&B.
• Get 5% off your IATI travel insurance.

On route in Umbria and Tuscany? Then I'm sure this will interest you:

• A week's tour of Umbria.
• Orvieto and the dying city: hypnotic beauties.
• Perugia, the romantic capital of Umbria.
• Medieval times, gastronomy and cycling on Lake Trasimeno.
• Trekking in Castelluccio di Norcia.
• A stroll through Florence.
• Tour of Tuscany: Siena and Val d'Orcia.
• The roofless abbey of San Galgano.
• The natural park of Maremma: the unspoiled beaches of Tuscany.

And if you want to see more of Italy's essentials:

• A weekend in Rome.
• Venice in low season.
• Driving along Lake Como.
• Bologna, the city of arcades.
• The wonders of the Amalfi Coast.

I hope I have convinced you that Assisi is worth visiting and, by the way, falling in love with Assisi. If you are driving around the area, be sure to visit the rest of Umbria, I assure you that you will not be disappointed.

And remember, if you need more details about this destination, leave me a comment below. I'll be happy to help you in any way I can.

Map