Why Stay in Umbria
The green heart of Italy — art, spirit & untouched landscapes
Umbria is Italy's only landlocked region south of the Po Valley, and that geographical isolation has been its greatest gift. While neighbouring Tuscany draws millions of visitors to Florence and Siena, Umbria remains quieter, greener, and more affordable — a place where medieval hill towns rise above oak and olive-covered slopes, where Franciscan monasteries stand in forests unchanged since the 13th century, and where the rhythms of rural Italian life survive largely intact. The Romans called this land Umbria felix — happy Umbria — and the nickname endures in Italy as il cuore verde d'Italia, the green heart of Italy, for its dense forests, wide valleys, and the emerald waters of Lake Trasimeno.
The region's artistic heritage is extraordinary for its modest size. Assisi's Basilica di San Francesco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains Giotto's revolutionary fresco cycle depicting the life of Saint Francis — 28 scenes painted between 1297 and 1300 that fundamentally changed Western art by introducing naturalism, emotion, and spatial depth. Perugia's Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria houses masterworks by Perugino (Raphael's teacher), Pinturicchio, and Piero della Francesca. Orvieto's Cathedral, begun in 1290, features Luca Signorelli's Last Judgement frescoes in the Cappella di San Brizio — work so powerful that Michelangelo studied it before painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Spoleto, once a Lombard duchy capital, draws international audiences to the Festival dei Due Mondi each June and July — a performing-arts festival founded in 1958 by composer Gian Carlo Menotti. The town's ancient Ponte delle Torri, a 230-metre aqueduct bridge spanning a forested gorge, is one of central Italy's most dramatic engineering feats. To the east, Norcia — birthplace of Saint Benedict, founder of Western monasticism — is also the undisputed capital of Italian truffle culture, its Via Roma lined with norcini (butchers and delicatessens) selling black truffles, wild boar salami, and Castelluccio lentils. The Piano Grande above Castelluccio, a vast high-altitude plateau at 1,300 metres, erupts into one of Europe's most spectacular wildflower blooms every June, with fields of poppies, cornflowers, and lentil blossoms stretching to the Sibillini Mountains.
Lake Trasimeno, the largest lake in central Italy, lies on the Tuscan border and offers a gentler alternative to the hill towns — swimming, cycling the lakeside path, and visiting the islands of Maggiore and Polvese. The lake was the site of Hannibal's ambush of the Roman army in 217 BC, one of the bloodiest defeats in Roman history. Today, the shores are peaceful, dotted with fishing villages and olive groves. Every IMPT booking in Umbria removes 1 tonne of verified CO₂, at the same price as Booking.com. New members receive €5 free credit and 5% cashback in IMPT tokens on every stay.
Umbria at a glance
Region: Umbria
Country: Italy
Provinces: 2 (Perugia, Terni)
Capital: Perugia
Area: 8,456 km²
Population: 870,000
UNESCO Sites: Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi, Longobards in Italy (Spoleto)
Key towns: Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto, Orvieto, Todi, Norcia, Gubbio, Terni, Torgiano, Montefalco
Famous for: Giotto's frescoes, black truffles, Sagrantino wine, Castelluccio lentils, Umbria Jazz, Festival dei Due Mondi, Cascata delle Marmore, olive oil, Perugina chocolate
Price range: from €65/night (agriturismi) to €400+/night (luxury hotels)
Travel tip: Book through IMPT for the same prices as Booking.com — every booking removes 1 tonne of CO₂. Umbria is best explored by car, though Perugia and Spoleto are on the Rome–Florence railway line. Perugia's San Francesco d'Assisi airport (PEG) has limited flights; Rome Fiumicino (2 hours by car) and Florence (2.5 hours) are the main international gateways. The region is compact — nowhere is more than 90 minutes from Perugia.
Why Umbria over Tuscany?
Umbria offers the same rolling green landscapes, medieval towns, and outstanding food and wine as Tuscany — but with significantly fewer tourists, lower prices, and a more authentic atmosphere. Where Tuscany's most famous towns can feel overrun in summer, Umbria's Spoleto, Todi, and Montefalco remain tranquil. The food is arguably even more interesting: Norcia's black truffles, Castelluccio's prized lentils, Montefalco's powerful Sagrantino wine, and the region's peppery olive oil are all world-class but less hyped. If Tuscany is Italy's greatest hits album, Umbria is the deep cut that rewards the curious traveller.
Things to do
Best attractions & experiences in Umbria
Where to stay
Best areas to book in Umbria
Hotels
8 Eco Hotels in Umbria
5-StarPerugia's grandest hotel since 1884, perched on the hilltop with sweeping views across the Umbrian valley. The indoor swimming pool has a glass floor revealing Etruscan archaeological ruins beneath — one of Italy's most extraordinary hotel features. Elegant rooms blend 19th-century architecture with modern comfort. Steps from Corso Vannucci and the Galleria Nazionale.
4-StarDirectly beside the Basilica di San Francesco, the Subasio has hosted guests including Charlie Chaplin, King Albert of Belgium, and Andrea Bocelli. The terrace restaurant overlooks the Valle Umbra with views stretching to Perugia. Rooms in a converted 13th-century pilgrim hospice. The location is unbeatable — walk out the door and you're at Giotto's frescoes.
CastleA beautifully restored medieval castle set among olive groves and vineyards between Todi and Perugia. The 50 rooms and suites occupy the castle and its outbuildings, with an outdoor pool overlooking the Umbrian hills, a spa, and a restaurant serving locally sourced cuisine. Peaceful, romantic, and perfectly positioned for exploring central Umbria. The kind of place you book for two nights and stay for five.
5-Star SpaA luxury spa resort amid the vineyards of Torgiano, 15 minutes south of Perugia. Multiple infinity pools (indoor and outdoor) overlook endless rows of vines with the Umbrian hills beyond. The 3,000 m² spa offers olive oil treatments, thermal circuits, and wine therapy. Suites have private pools and terraces. Torgiano itself is home to the excellent Lungarotti wine museum. One of central Italy's finest spa retreats.
Historic CentreA 14th-century palazzo in the heart of Todi, steps from the Piazza del Popolo. Rooms combine exposed stone walls and beamed ceilings with modern amenities. The rooftop terrace has sweeping views over the surrounding countryside and the Tiber Valley. The hotel's restaurant serves Umbrian cuisine with truffles, local meats, and Sagrantino wines. An intimate base for exploring one of Italy's most charming small towns.
Relais & ChâteauxA 16th-century palazzo in the centre of Norcia, Palazzo Seneca is Umbria's only Relais & Châteaux property. The restaurant, Vespasia, serves inventive Umbrian cuisine featuring Norcia's famous black truffles, Castelluccio lentils, and wild herbs. The building survived the 2016 earthquake and has been beautifully restored. The spa uses local botanical ingredients. Truffle-hunting excursions can be arranged through the hotel. An extraordinary gastronomic destination.
ViewsA 4-star hotel overlooking Spoleto's Rocca Albornoziana fortress and the wooded valley beyond. The garden terrace is one of the most pleasant breakfast spots in Umbria, with views of the fortress illuminated at night. Walking distance to the Duomo, the Roman Theatre, and the Ponte delle Torri. During the Festival dei Due Mondi (June–July), this is one of Spoleto's most sought-after hotels — book early. Reliable, comfortable, and beautifully positioned.
HistoricPerugia's oldest hotel, operating since 1786, when it served as the city's main post office and coaching inn — hence the name. Goethe, Hans Christian Andersen, and Frederick III of Prussia all stayed here. The location on Corso Vannucci, Perugia's main passeggiata street, is unbeatable. Rooms are simple but characterful, with high ceilings and period furniture. The best-value central hotel in Perugia. An authentic slice of Italian hospitality history.
Walking & Hiking
Best walks & trails in Umbria
One of Umbria's finest long-distance trails, winding through the olive groves of the Valle Umbra between Assisi and Spoleto. The full route takes 3–4 days, but individual sections of 10–15 km make excellent day walks. The trail passes through Spello (Roman gates and Pinturicchio frescoes in Santa Maria Maggiore), Foligno, Trevi (perched dramatically on a hillside), and Campello sul Clitunno. The landscape is quintessential Umbria — silver-green olive trees, stone farmhouses, and distant hill towns. Well-marked with CAI red-and-white blazes. Best walked March–June and September–November.
A gentle loop across the Piano Grande, the vast high-altitude plateau (1,300 m) below the village of Castelluccio in the Sibillini Mountains National Park. In late June, the plateau erupts with one of Europe's most spectacular wildflower displays — la fiorita — as poppies, cornflowers, and lentil blossoms carpet the fields in bands of red, blue, and gold. The walk crosses flat grassland with views to the surrounding peaks, including Monte Vettore (2,476 m), the highest in the Sibillini range. Even outside flower season, the landscape is dramatic and the air crystalline. Bring layers — the altitude means cool temperatures even in summer.
A short but spectacular trail connecting the upper and lower viewing platforms of the Cascata delle Marmore, the 165-metre waterfall created by the Romans in 271 BC — the tallest man-made waterfall in Europe. The path winds through spray-drenched woodland, with several viewpoints offering different perspectives of the three-tier cascade. The lower belvedere (Belvedere Inferiore) delivers the most dramatic view, looking straight up at the full height of the falls. Check the water release schedule before visiting — the falls only flow at set times. Bring waterproof clothing; the spray near the base is intense. Entry €10.
A rewarding circular walk from Assisi to the summit of Monte Subasio (1,290 m), the mountain that dominates the town. The route passes the Eremo delle Carceri, the hermitage where Saint Francis retreated to pray in the forest — a peaceful spot with an ancient holm oak wood. Higher up, the landscape opens into wide alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers in spring and early summer: orchids, gentians, and narcissus. From the summit, views extend across the entire Valle Umbra to the Sibillini Mountains. The descent via Spello offers an alternative route through olive groves. Best walked April–June and September–October.
Nearby regions
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Questions answered
Umbria Eco Hotels — FAQs
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Read more: Best time to visit Umbria · Umbria Food Guide · Things to Do in Umbria