Location: Perugia
Top Things to do in Perugia
Countries
What to do and see in Perugia, Umbria: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
This picturesque Umbrian city has a history that spans many eras. The city wall and arch are Etruscan; the sixth-century Sant'Angelo church was built atop a Roman temple; the town's cathedral is both Gothic and Renaissance. If you have a sweet tooth, visit the famous Perugina chocolate factory; if you have a full set of sweet teeth, visit during the Eurochocolate festival, held in October, when the entire town reportedly smells of chocolate.
Restaurants in Perugia
1. Museo-Laboratorio di Tessitura a Mano Giuditta Brozzetti
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 344 reviews
Monday to Friday: 9:00 -13:00. Afternoons, Saturday and Sunday also available by appointment. The exclusive workshop is located in the fascinating, deconsecrated Romanesque church of San Francesco delle Donne.
2. Abbazia Montelabate
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
3. Piazza IV Novembre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,046 reviews
This is the artistic center of Perugia that features beautiful reliefs carved in the 13 century, a stunning gothic cathedral and the superb Italian medieval palace, the Palazzo Priori, which houses the National Art Gallery of Umbria.
Reviewed By CleverCat
Piazza IV Novembre is not to be missed during a visit to historic Perugia. The piazza is flanked by historical buildings like the city's Duomo and the Palazzo Priori which go back centuries. The beautiful Fontana Maggiore sits in the middle of the square. It is such a pretty fountain with so much detail - be sure to check it out. People love to sit on the steps of the Duomo and chat and people watch. This is a great location to meet friends and soak in the city, especially at night when everything is lit up.
4. Basilica di San Pietro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 414 reviews
Founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in 1463, this grand Gothic cathedral is a worthwhile stop when visiting Perugia.
Reviewed By 58philipp - Herentals, Belgium
Very rich decoration - for sure worth a visit with some explanation. History meets religion. Especially the ceiling is well-done> Impressive historic large painting.
5. Arco Etrusco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 279 reviews
Reviewed By antoniofU1702OZ - Perugia, Italy
A massive ancient arch leading up to the very center of the city, a beautiful sight and a must-see when you are in Perugia. The Etruscans and Romans knew what they were doing.
6. Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
Reviewed By 82manuelal - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Nice architecture of the 14 century, thid Duomo San Lorenzo merit a visit; inside nice paintings like in most Duomos in Italy.
7. National Archaeological Museum of Umbria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 219 reviews
Reviewed By Brun066 - Florence, Italy
It's uncertain whether Perugia was among the twelve major cities being part of the Etruscan confederation of Central Italy. It's possible that this uncertainty persists because the development of Perugia as true Etruscan city (since the end of the 4th century BC) is later than that of the other confederate cities, being it originally a settlement by the Umbrian people. On the other hand the architectural testimonies of the Etruscan walls and gates are the most impressive ever, so Etruscan Perugia is undoubtedly a historical phenomenon worthy of the utmost attention. This importance of the Etruscan city is also visible from the Archaeological Museum, which has therefore earned the title of "National Archaeological Museum of Umbria", despite the fact that in Umbria region there are many important archaeological remains and finds. The Museum also receives prestige from being housed in the imposing former San Domenico convent, and from being characterized by the large cloister that is at its center. Here the Museum has been housed since 1948: the collections are displayed on the two floors of the building surrounding the cloister. A large number of cinerary urns are on display, embellished with sculptures that the local aristocracy commissioned to artists of often great value, and who were inspired by Greek myths. The myths are illustrated by captions in Italian and English, which allow the visitor to recall the fascinating stories of these ancient civilizations. In my opinion, at least three halls cannot be overlooked, they are the following. The room that houses the splendid bronze plates and figurines (including many plaques once covering some parade or war carts) found in 1812 in San Mariano (a hamlet of Corciano municipality), 13 Km from Perugia. The works, dating back to the 6th century BC, had already been partly plundered by local farmers, so many dozens of them are today in Munich; but in the Museum still the majority of the pieces (180) remains. Then the underground environment in which the urban tomb of the "Cai Cutu" family, discovered in 1983, never violated, and used since the 3rd until the 1st century BC, was reconstructed on a 1:1 scale. It shows fifty carved urns, placed in their original position. Finally, the room dedicated to a tomb plundered much more recently (2003) and recovered in 2013: the tomb (equally internal to present-day Perugia, used in the second and first centuries BC) belonging to the "Cacni" family. The twenty-two urns coming from the tomb are richly decorated, featuring sculptures of high artistic level. There are also other objects found in the tomb: weapons, armor, ceramics, etc. In essence, even if there were only these noteworthy halls (and certainly not so), they would do this a museum not to be missed.
8. Fontana Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 812 reviews
Reviewed By robertsU2695AA
designed in the 1200's this fountain sits in the center of the old town. the detailed sculptures which make up the perimeter of the fountain are fascinating to look at, as each set represents a month of the year, as well as various aspects of life and culture as it was in those times. Definitely worth the time to see.
9. Minimetro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,770 reviews
Reviewed By giacomina17 - Brisbane, Australia
The historic centre of Perugia is a long way from the train station and it is impossible to walk there because it is up a windy road which is very busy. The Minimetro is excellent. It runs every two minutes and drops you right in the centre of the historic part of town. If you are visiting Perugia, use it for efficiency and speed. There is enough up and down places in Perugia so save your legs!
10. City Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 963 reviews
Reviewed By backpacker31 - Boynton Beach, United States
Perugia’s ancient walled hilltop city is a delight to explore. It’s relatively compact although there are some steep up/down sections that may prove challenging. There are churches, museums, old palaces, a Roman aqueduct (part of which can be walked), beautiful buildings dating back many hundreds of years, an Estrucan well, an international university, a fabulous subterranean city, restaurants, cafes and much more. Simply wandering the narrow cobbled lanes are the best way to explore and enjoy the ancient atmosphere. Behind some of the buildings located on Piazza Matteotti are public terraces that offer sweeping views of the Umbrian countryside. The best part...no crowds! Just locals and students going about their daily routines. An authentic slice of life in Umbria.
