Picturing a summery, wine-fuelled trip to Italy? Most travelers first envision Tuscany villas and vineyards. With its neat rows of cypress trees and stone-built estates — this popular region encompasses everything luxurious in an Italian escape. Yet, for discerning travelers, there is an alternative: Umbria.
Umbria is a tiny, landlocked region with an apt nickname of “Italy’s green heart.” The district is unbelievably underpopulated. Instead of major cities, Umbria is a jumbled map of medieval towns connected by silent roads that snake natural landmarks like the Apennine Mountains and Lake Trasimeno — one of the country’s largest lakes. Despite sitting just south of Tuscany and all its crowds, Umbria sees a mere fraction of its footfall. Unspoiled and ridiculously basked in natural beauty, this region is a solace in Central Italy.
In such a peaceful setting, proactive itinerary planning is key — you’ll have to consciously shift gears, as Umbria is an alluring destination to unplug and rest. This guide contains the best things to do in Umbria, from whiling away the days with truffle foraging and wine tasting to white water rafting.
1. Marmore Falls
Did you know Umbria is home to the world’s tallest artificial waterfall? The triple-tiered spectacle was a Roman ideation in 271 BC. The ancient architects designed the falls as a solution to the Velino River flooding — thousands of years later, their ingenuity continues to be a success. Little did they know that visiting Marmore Falls would become a sought-after tourist attraction.
For those seeking unusual things to do in Umbria, the historical element of this (otherwise natural-looking) waterfall adds a real sense of novelty. Learn about its history beforehand, and then visit Marmore Falls to appreciate the stunning views. The falls have multiple viewpoints, and in the middle of these, prepare to get completely drenched. The second tier is notoriously difficult to stay dry at; perhaps save this activity for a warm day.
Tickets are available on arrival or in advance and cost €12 for full-paying adults. Try to get there early; the falls create long queues and attract heavy crowds, especially in peak season.
2. Wine Tasting
Sipping samples of Sagrantino goes hand-in-hand with a trip to Umbria. The region specializes in full-bodied Sagrantino reds, which carry strong plum and licorice notes and have unusually high quantities of antioxidants. For those who dabble in whites instead, floral Grechetto grapes are the region’s second-in-command. Wine tasting in Umbria is the most poignant experience that’s hardly ever heard of.
Let’s make this clear: the region’s wine-making history is illustrious. In fact, Umbrian residents have been working vineyards since the 1st century BCE. Interestingly, the region has the exact same climate as Tuscany, with bright summers and rainy winters creating a magical combination for wine production. With all that in mind, the comparable rarity of its bottles is a puzzling concept. The answer simply falls down to a lack of publicity and smaller production scales.
To experience wine tasting in Umbria, it’s best to seek a guided tour. Some remote estates necessitate driving and are otherwise inaccessible unless you’re traveling with a teetotaler. Budget €50+ for guided wine experiences.
3. Truffle Hunting
You’ve probably heard of truffle-hunting. Amidst the heightened demand for farm-to-table dining, a new trend emerged: foraging for cuisine. Truffles are an edible fungus, and while each variety differs in taste, it’s safe to expect musky and earthy flavors. Umbria is a particularly special destination for truffle hunting (Italy is associated as the top producer, with Umbria, Tuscany, and Piedmont as the predominant truffle-growing regions). Travelers can find:
- Black truffles – Tuber melanosporum
- White truffles – Tuber magnatum
- Winter black truffles – Tuber brumale
- Summer truffles – Tuber aestivum
Is it possible to independently track these delicious fungi? Of course. However, it is wiser to embark on a guided foraging experience to ensure that you collect the correct produce. Truffle identification is simple once you establish the essentials. But it’s better to be safe than sorry; besides, this way, you learn along the way. Some experiences, like this €100 breakfast-inclusive foraging tour, even include truffle-hunting dogs — who adorable track down the tastiest catch.
4. Embrace Urban Aesthetics in Perugia
Umbria might consist predominantly of countryside. Yet its capital, Perugia, gently breaks the mold. The city is a jumbled assortment of warm-colored buildings, with a historic city center clustered within medieval defensive walls. The peaches, yellows, and oranges are beautiful backdrops for aesthetic urban photographs. Perugia feels like a bubble of culture; spending a day or two wandering its streets is easily one of the best things to do in Umbria, Italy.
Looking for itinerary inspiration? Head straight to Piazza IV Novembre. This asymmetrical stone square is the heart of Perugia and contains the striking Fontana Maggiore, a medieval fountain.
Piazza IV Novembre is also a perfect access point for the city’s major attractions, with Priori Palace and Cattedrale di San Lorenzo sitting on its perimeters. Ignore the plainness of Palazzo dei Priori’s battlement exterior; inside, the medieval building is adorned with gold-gilded frescoes and home to the National Gallery. The 15th-century cathedral is equally impressive — stop by the museum opposite for religious artifacts and manuscripts.
5. Monte Cucco Regional Park
Picture the undulating hills in manicured Tuscany, then add a sprinkle of “wilderness.” In Umbria, the landscape has a slightly wilder edge — and there’s nowhere better to embrace this than Monte Cucco Regional Park. Limestone crags break the smoother-looking hills of the Apennine Mountains. As a traveler, you’ll share Monte Cucco Regional Park with stray wolves, wild horses, deer, and golden eagles.
The best activities in this park are hiking and (surprisingly) paragliding. Test your endurance on trails like the Monte Cucco Loop and Parco dei Daini. Then, push your nerves to the maximum by launching yourself off one of Monte Cucco’s tallest peaks on a paragliding tour. Nothing quite screams “adrenaline” like soaring through the air, entirely exposed to the elements. Rates for paragliding experiences hover between €100 and €200, but those aerial views are worth every penny.
6. White Water Rafting
Speaking of adrenaline rushes, how about white water rafting? Travelers familiar with Northern Italy might know that Tuscany has a thrill-seeking alter-ego, with its small town of Bagni di Lucca offering knuckle-whitening rafting tours on the Lima and Serchio Rivers. Here’s the thing: Tuscany isn’t alone.
Umbria is blessed — or cursed, depending on how you look at it — with choppy rapids along its beautiful Nera River. The thrill-seeker’s haven slashes its way through the scenic Nerina Valley, creating Category IV rapids as it churns through narrow gorges. Prepare to get soaked, and definitely coincide this experience with a hot day.
Rafting Marmore is this area’s most popular tour operator; stick to simpler routes with a €35 experience or brave the IV stomach churns for €55.
7. Lago Trasimeno
Umbria might be landlocked, but that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of swimming. There’s an unwritten rule amongst travelers: natural bodies of water are better than pools. In an ideal world? You need access to a large and peaceful body of water. It feels inherently more indulgent, and besides, haven’t you heard of the blue mind theory? To solve that problem in Umbria, add Lago Trasimeno to your itinerary.
Lago Trasimeno is Umbria’s answer to a beach; cobbled towns hug the swimmer-friendly coastlines of this humongous lake. Its actual size surpasses 32,000 acres, and it has been designated a regional park — establishing it as a colossal attraction in its own right.
As such a large-scale destination, travelers must decide specifically where to visit. Craving a day of swimming and sunbathing? Head to Castiglione del Lago or Magione for the best selection of beaches; these towns have three each.
8. Road Trip Between Medieval Hill Towns
Umbria is a patchwork of medieval towns and hamlets. And with so much simplistic semi-rural beauty, it’s as if the region was designed with a scenic road trip in mind. Driving from Perugia to Terni is a particularly stunning experience. Consider the following one-way itinerary, which spans approximately 140km and entails a driving time of just over four hours:
- Perugia: Rent a car in Umbria’s capital and stock up on supplies.
- Assisi: Stop briefly at the city of Assisi before sticking to hamlets and towns for the rest of your road trip. Assisi is the beautiful medieval birthplace of Pope St Francis, and its Basilica (a recognized UNESCO and pilgrimage site) is worth visiting.
- Spello: This sandstone hilltop town dates back to the Middle Ages and cradles Roman amphitheater and spa ruins. Walk flower-filled streets and soak up the architecture.
- Rasiglia: This hamlet is nicknamed the “Venice of Umbria” and sits on a scenic network of trickling streams.
- Spoleto: Refresh and refuel with a hearty al fresco lunch in this former-Roman settlement. Don’t forget to admire the views of the valley from the Rocca Fortress.
- Marmore Falls: This route bypasses the dramatic Roman-built Marmore Falls. Why not stop at this aforementioned attraction before reaching Terni?
- Terni: Finish in beautiful Terni, a city on the Umbria-Lazio border.
This route is manageable in one (action-packed) day, especially when travelers are in small groups and can rotate driving responsibilities. Alternatively, book accommodation en route and slow-travel this route over multiple days.
Umbria has a rich array of medieval cities, towns, and hamlets to explore — so why not add more if you have time? Honorable mentions include Gubbio, Todi, and Orvieto.
9. Perfect Your Culinary Skills
Are you familiar with “cucina povera”? This Italian phrase translates to “poor cuisine.” Yet, while the turn-of-expression sounds a little negative, it actually holds a special meaning in modern-day usage. Central Italy, including Umbria, is particularly talented at limiting waste — creating something out of nothing and ensuring everything is valued. Booking a cooking class is the perfect way to incorporate Umbrian attitudes to cuisine into your life back at home.
Umbria is a prized destination for seasonal cuisine. The region rotates around farm-to-table products: think hearty vegetables, foraged finds, and delectable wines and olive oils. Classes can be costly (typically around the €130 mark), but the lessons you’ll learn are priceless. Learn to prepare pasta from scratch, concoct traditional sauces, and utilize foraged walnuts in flavor-forward ravioli. Imagine how impressed dinner guests would be.
10. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Ready to soar through the skies? A hot air balloon ride is a bucket-list-worthy addition to any Umbrian itinerary. Admire medieval townscapes dotting the horizon and serene-looking vineyards from above. Many tour operators coincide the rides with sunrise, adding an extra layer of novelty to the experience.
Hot air balloon rides aren’t cheap: set aside at least €250. As such a once-in-a-lifetime experience, though, it’s a justifiable itinerary expense. Umbria is renowned for its natural beauty; nothing compares to admiring it from an aerial view. Perspective is everything.
For those who were initially debating between Umbria and Tuscany, hopefully, this guide has settled any conflicting niggles. When fortunate enough to have wiggle room in your itinerary, always factor in an Umbrian detour when deciding how long to stay in Tuscany. Who knew a ticket to Umbria would be essential for your Tuscany packing list?