Day Trips from Perugia: Assisi, Spoleto & the Best of Umbria

Perugia is the capital of Umbria and the most centrally positioned major city in the region — from here, every Umbrian town of significance is within 90 minutes. Assisi is 25 minutes east; Spoleto an hour southeast; Gubbio 1.5 hours north. The MiniMetro funicular connects Perugia’s station to the historic centre in 10 minutes.

Assisi (25 km east, approximately 25 minutes by train)

The birthplace of St. Francis and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Christian world. The Basilica di San Francesco (free, lower and upper basilicas both with extraordinary fresco cycles) is the centrepiece — the Lower Basilica has works by Cimabue and Simone Martini; the Upper Basilica has Giotto’s 28-scene cycle of the Life of St. Francis (1296–1304), considered the founding work of Italian Renaissance painting.

The Rocca Maggiore (castle above the town — entry approximately €5 as of 2026) gives panoramic views across the Valle Umbra. The town itself is beautifully preserved — pinkish Subasio stone streets, medieval towers, and churches at every turn. Despite the pilgrimage volumes (millions annually), arriving early morning or late afternoon gives a quieter atmosphere.

Getting there: Trenitalia regional train from Perugia to Assisi (station at Bastia Umbra, 5km from the town) — approximately 25 minutes, approximately €3 as of 2026. Shuttle bus from Bastia Umbra to Assisi Piazza Matteotti takes approximately 15 minutes (approximately €1.30).

Gubbio (40 km north, approximately 1.5 hours by bus)

One of the most medieval-looking cities in Italy — grey stone towers and palaces climbing a steep hillside above the Bottaccione gorge. See the Assisi entry for full detail. The cable car to Monte Ingino (approximately €7 return as of 2026) gives sweeping views of the Umbrian plain. The Palazzo dei Consoli (entry approximately €7) is Gothic civic architecture at its most impressive.

Getting there: APM bus from Perugia to Gubbio — approximately 1.5 hours, approximately €5–6 as of 2026. About 4–6 services per day.

Spoleto (50 km southeast, approximately 55 minutes by train)

The most dramatic medieval city in Umbria. The Ponte delle Torri — a 14th-century aqueduct bridge, 76 metres high on 10 arches spanning a gorge — is one of the engineering masterpieces of medieval Italy. Walk across it for views of the forested gorge below. The Duomo (free) has Filippo Lippi’s Life of the Virgin frescoes and a beautiful Romanesque facade with a rose window. The Teatro Romano (entry approximately €4) is well-preserved and still used for performances.

Spoleto hosts the Festival dei Due Mondi (late June–early July) — a major international performing arts festival that fills the city with theatre, dance, and music.

Getting there: Trenitalia regional train from Perugia to Foligno (approximately 25 minutes), change for Spoleto (approximately 25 minutes more). Total approximately 55 minutes, approximately €6 as of 2026.

Lake Trasimeno (30 km west, approximately 35 minutes by train)

The fourth-largest lake in Italy — a shallow, warm lake surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Castiglione del Lago is the main town on the western shore — a pleasant medieval centre on a promontory jutting into the lake, with a 15th-century castle (entry approximately €5 as of 2026) and excellent local fish (perch, carp, and the local tegamaccio — a spiced freshwater fish stew).

Ferries from Castiglione connect to Isola Maggiore (approximately 20 minutes, approximately €7 return as of 2026) — the only inhabited island on the lake, famous for its lace-making tradition and a beautiful Franciscan church.

Getting there: Trenitalia regional train from Perugia to Castiglione del Lago — approximately 35–45 minutes, approximately €4 as of 2026.

Todi (45 km south, approximately 1 hour by bus)

The most perfectly preserved medieval hill town in Umbria. The Piazza del Popolo is considered one of the finest medieval civic squares in Italy. The Santa Maria della Consolazione Renaissance church (just outside the walls — free) is one of the most accomplished examples of high Renaissance architecture in Italy. See the Assisi entry for full detail.

Getting there: APM bus from Perugia to Todi — approximately 1 hour, approximately €4 as of 2026. Or drive (approximately 45 minutes via the E45).

Orvieto (75 km southwest, approximately 1.5 hours by train)

The Umbrian city on its volcanic plateau, with Italy’s finest Gothic cathedral facade. Signorelli’s Last Judgment frescoes in the Cappella di San Brizio (entry approximately €6) are exceptional. See the Assisi entry for full detail.

Getting there: Trenitalia regional train from Perugia to Orte (change), then to Orvieto — approximately 1.5 hours, approximately €10–12 as of 2026. Alternatively, the Umbria Mobilità bus runs more directly to Orvieto (approximately 1.5 hours, approximately €8).

Practical notes

• The APM bus system (umbriamobilita.it) connects Perugia to Gubbio, Todi, and surrounding towns; tickets purchased at newsstands or the bus station
• Perugia MiniMetro runs between the train station (Stazione FS) and the historic centre in 10 minutes — an efficient and unusual piece of transport infrastructure
• The Rocca Maggiore in Assisi and Castiglione del Lago castle both have limited opening hours in winter — check before planning
• Combining Assisi and Spello in one day (both on the same rail line east of Perugia) is highly efficient. Day tours from Perugia to Assisi, Gubbio, and Lake Trasimeno are available for those who prefer not to navigate the buses independently
• Prices listed are approximate as of 2026

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Back to the full Perugia travel guide for the medieval hilltop, the Galleria Nazionale, and transport connections. For things to see in the city, see things to do in Perugia. For accommodation, see best hotels in Perugia. Assisi is 25 minutes east by bus — a full city guide is available. Orvieto is 1.5 hours south by train — also with a full guide. For the Umbrian circuit, our medieval Italy guide covers the historical context.