Reasons to visit Perugia: A photo tour of the capital city of Umbria in Central Italy

Perugia is the capital, and largest hilltop town in the Italian region of Umbria. A university city dating back to the Etruscan period, the collection of piazzas, archways, cobbled streets and steep stairways in the historical centre create a level of charm that is typically Italian. We stayed in Perugia for two nights as part of a wider trip exploring Umbria and found the city charming and relaxed. So here’s a look at my reasons to visit Perugia, by taking you on a photo tour around the capital city of Umbria.

Hosting a variety of festivals throughout the year, including the Umbria Jazz Festival in July and the Eurochocolate Festival in October, there’s always a great time to visit Perugia. We chose a centrally located hotel on a side street near the Piazza della Republica, which was a great location and only a short walk to the main pedestrianised street – Corsio Pietro Vannucci. From here, we could walk everywhere we wanted to within the city centre, taking in the best views and admiring the spectacular architecture of the city. Checking in to the HOTEL FORTUNA and taking in the views from the top floor balcony gave us a glimpse of what to expect from this ancient city.

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The best sights to see when you visit Perugia

Having spent five days exploring Umbria by car prior to arriving in Perugia, we didn’t have a strict plan of action when we arrived in the city. Our main goal was to explore the meandering streets, taking in the best views along the way.

Admire the architecture of Piazza IV Novembre

The main focal point of the town is the Piazza IV Novembre, a lovely piazza with a fountain surrounded by stunning historic buildings. A social space, people gather on the steps of the gothic Perugia Cathedral listening to street musicians play. The Fontana Maggiore cascades in the centre of the square, and opposite, the fortress like Palazzo dei Priori attracts tourists as a museum, art gallery and concert space.  A number of restaurants are dotted around the Piazza, providing the opportunity for some al-fresco dining.

Exploring the city centre streets

A number of streets lead from the Piazza IV Novembre, leading downhill. Venturing along Via Guglielmo Calderi and then on to Via Galeazzo Alessi, the narrow curving street captured the essence of the city for me. Tall buildings, six storeys or more on both sides, shuttered windows to keep out the summer heat. A contrast of buildings that were gleaming in their pristine paintwork, while others showing signs of wear and tear over the decades, untouched.

The ancient Etruscan Arch – the northern gateway to Perugia

Heading north out of the city centre provides the opportunity to see one of the two remaining  Etruscan gateways into Perugia. Originally constructed in the year 3BC the Etruscan Arch, or Augustus Gate, was restored in 40BC and the inscription of August Perusia added above the arch – which was the name of the city at the time. The Etruscan Arch can be seen from Piazza Grimana.

Walk up (or down) the Via Dell’Acquedotto when you visit Perugia

One of the most scenic spots, and one not to be missed when you visit Perugia is the Via dell’Acquedotto. Originally constructed in the thirteenth century, the aqueduct ran approximately 5km from Mount Pacciano to Fontana Maggiore providing water to the city. The section just north of the city centre is now a scenic pedestrian footpath that provides fabulous views.

Roam the narrow alleyways around Piazza IV Novembre

To the south west of Piazza IV Novembre, the city becomes a warren of dark and narrow alleyways that are fascinating to explore. The maze of steep streets are a fabulous place to wander, and provide some great views of the architecture of the city. Steps leads downhill, through a series of archways and tunnels and there are some fantastic restaurants and bars tucked away in the area. We stumbled across ELFO PUB down one of these narrow streets – a lively bar with a great vibe. LA TAVERNA, a fabulous restaurant set underground in a series of rooms with vaulted brick ceilings was a great dining experience.

 

Relax in Piazza Italia

Heading south along Corso Pietro Vannucci leads to another pretty square that should be enjoyed when you visit Perugia. In contrast to many other piazzas in Perugia, Piazza Italia, although small, is a lovely green space with lawns, trees and fountains. Flanked by stunning palatial buildings including the stunning Prefettura di Perugia government building, with stunning arched colonnades.

Enjoy panoramic views of the Basilica di San Domenico

The Giardini Carducci to the opposite side of the Prefettura di Perugia building is a beautiful garden space with balcony views across the countryside surrounding Perugia. The gardens are a beautiful space to wander, and the surrounding streets provide fabulous views of some notable buildings including the Basilica di San Domenico. One of the largest churches in Umbria, the original gothic building was built in two phases between 1300 and 1458. Having been party ruined over the years, the building was restored in the 1600’s. It’s an imposing building that stands out amongst the surrounding landscape.

Discover an underground fortress when you visit Perugia

When you visit Perugia, the architecture above ground is not the only thing that should be experiences. Directly under the streets of the city centre, lies the Rocca Paolina – an underground fortress built between 1540 and 1543. Located below the Piazza Italia area, this network of underground tunnels and streets can be accessed via the escalator system from the Piazza, or via a doorway from Via Marzia. The network of underground corridors and tunnels are atmospheric and fascinating to wander around, with some areas used as exhibition and museum spaces.

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TRAVEL TIPS FOR WHEN YOU VISIT PERUGIA

Umbria can be easily reached by car from Tuscany or any other surrounding regions. For visitors travelling from the UK, Ryanair provide direct flights from London Stansted to San Francesco D’Assisi Airport near Perugia, which is located centrally within the region.

Car Hire is available at the airport with a number of hire companies including Hertz and Europcar.

For public transport users, there are two bus lines than run between the airport and the city centre. The E007 and E422 lines take around 30 minutes to arrive from the airport into the city, however it’s best to check bus times as they only run a few times a day. A singe journey by bus costs in the region of €2.50. There is also a shuttle bus that coincides with flight arrivals and departures operated by ACAP-SULGA with prices at €8.00 for a single and €14.00 return for adults.

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