What to do and see in Assisi, Umbria: The Best Sights & Landmarks

September 6, 2021 Jasper Kershner

Best known as the birthplace of St. Francis, Italy's patron saint, Assisi lies amid Umbria's rolling hills. Religious pilgrims have come here for centuries to visit the Basilica of San Francesco (where St. Francis is buried) and the Basilica of Santa Chiara (to see the tomb of St. Clare). Visit the Eremo delle Carceri to see caves where medieval hermits withdrew from the world. (You may find such solitude quite appealing—especially if you're here on a daytrip from Rome!)
Restaurants in Assisi

1. San Damiano

Via San Damiano, 85, 06081, Assisi Italy +39 075 812273 http://www.santuariosandamiano.org/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1,244 reviews

San Damiano

The church of San Damiano was restored by St. Frances of Assisi and later served as home for St. Clare.

Reviewed By GreenInsights - Perth, Australia

Quite a pilgrimage walk to get there if following the signs from near St Clare’s Basilica but gorgeous views on the way and steps or ramp to walk on. Once there a self guided tour through the sacred spaces where St Clare and her sisters lived, worked and prayed and where St Francis wrote hie famous Canticle to Creation. It is definitely worth the effort to get there !

2. Eremo delle Carceri

Via Eremo delle Carceri 38 Monte Subasio, 06081, Assisi Italy +39 075 812301 [email protected] http://www.santuarioeremodellecarceri.org/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 2,278 reviews

Eremo delle Carceri

The retreat high in the mountains above Assisi where St. Francis frequently stayed to meditate and pray.

Reviewed By jmaiaf

Quiet, forested retreat. Wander about, watch for short doorways (!), sit, breathe Views are wondrous.

3. Basilica Papale e Sacro Convento di San Francesco d'Assisi

Piazza S. Francesco, 2, 06081, Assisi Italy +39 075 819001 [email protected] http://www.sanfrancescoassisi.org/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 8,825 reviews

Basilica Papale e Sacro Convento di San Francesco d'Assisi

Reviewed By KatrinaMolini - Corciano, Italy

I love the Basilica and Assisi in general. We always bring our guests here and they like it a lot. It’s the best to enter the Basilica from the Lower Square (or Plaza). You have to wear a modest outfit (covered shoulders is a must) and keep silence at all times. There are some covers (one time use) at the entrance. There is no fee to visit the Basilica. After entering the Basilica via Lower Church, visit the Tomb of St. Francis of Assisi and proceed to the Cloister of Sixtus IV and the Upper Church (or Upper Basilica and exit to the Upper Square and from here visit the city of Assisi. We also visited the free treasury museum, which is located on the upper level in the cloister. On the same level there is a gift shop too. It’s quite big and sells a huge variety of items. They also usually have some temporary exhibitions in the cloisters. Very interesting. My favorite part though is in the upper church of basilica- the colorful ceiling and Giotto’s frescoes that tell the story of St. Francis of Assisi. Always a pleasure to admire the artworks like that and the architecture of the complex. You will enjoy even if you are not religious. This landmark in the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

4. Cripta di San Francesco

Piazza Inferiore San Francesco 2, 06081, Assisi Italy http://www.sanfrancescopatronoditalia.it/web-cam-cripta-di-san-francesco-assisi
Excellent
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5.0 based on 119 reviews

Cripta di San Francesco

Reviewed By GreenInsights - Perth, Australia

Several flights of stairs to descend and later ascend before you are in the spiritual centre of Assisi where St Francis is buried along with some of his early friars from the 13th century

5. Basilica Superiore di San Francesco d' Assisi

Piazza San Francesco, Assisi Italy http://www.sanfrancescoassisi.org
Excellent
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5.0 based on 334 reviews

Basilica Superiore di San Francesco d' Assisi

Reviewed By Elgiecg - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Church is rich in history, the scenic View was awesome and very privileged to have visited the Basilica. Saint Francis was born and died in Assisi.

6. Centro Storico di Assisi

Assisi Italy
Excellent
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5.0 based on 135 reviews

Centro Storico di Assisi

Reviewed By BearH928 - Williamsburg, United States

This area at Christmas has a life size Nativity scene. Worth the stop as you visit the basilica. Consider that Francis is credited with starting the custom of setting up Nativity creches in the churches in Italy

7. Basilica di Santa Chiara

Piazza Santa Chiara, 06081, Assisi Italy +39 075 812282 http://www.assisisantachiara.it
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,421 reviews

Basilica di Santa Chiara

Built onto the original Chapel of St. George, this Cathedral is where St. Clare of Assisi was buried in a crypt in 1872.

Reviewed By chatwinesque - Lisbon, Portugal

Behind an unremarkable exterior, the inside of this basilica is surprisingly beautiful - austere, with a few fading beautiful frescoes and the famous "talking" crucifix, an Orthodox-like piece of art worth the visit in itself, and the tomb of Saint Claire in the crypt.

8. Rocca Maggiore

Via della Rocca, 06081, Assisi Italy +39 075 813 8680 http://www.visit-assisi.it/monumenti-e-luoghi-dinteresse-2/musei/museo-della-rocca-maggiore/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,058 reviews

Rocca Maggiore

Dating back to the 12th century, this grand castle fortress dominates the region since it is perched atop a walled hilltop overlooking the city of Assisi and surrounding countryside.

Reviewed By beautifulvoyag - Singapore, Singapore

Short walk through about 170 steps from a small alley and we reached this ancient medieval fort. View was spectacular and you can get a awesome beautiful view of the Assisi town and the Basilica.

9. Piazza del Comune

Piazza del Comune Centro storico, 06081, Assisi Italy
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4.5 based on 852 reviews

Piazza del Comune

This lively and well-preserved square is the heart of Assisi's social, cultural and political life.

Reviewed By BearH928 - Williamsburg, United States

Right across from the church of Maria sopra Minerva there is an excellent stationary store with great selection of note cards and local maps. It is in the shop with the tile sign advertising the local bicycle touring club

10. Museo e Foro Romano

Via Portica, 06081, Assisi Italy +39 075 813 8680 http://www.visit-assisi.it/monumenti-e-luoghi-dinteresse-2/musei/foro-romano-e-museo-archeologico/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 425 reviews

Museo e Foro Romano

This well-preserved Roman temple to Minerva, with its famous classical façade, is now a Christian Church.

Reviewed By 82manuelal - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

This Museum is located in Via Portica and represents the Roman life in this region; the temple of Minerva where is now the Commune, give an exemple, this museo has six columns in the entrance, looks like Panteon in Rome, and demonstrate the Roman aera and the temples of Forum Romanum; Many stones a & sculptures, to admire, merite a visit.

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