Assisi and Perugia are among the most beautiful destinations in central Italy and, if in Umbria, there is no way you can ever exclude them from your trip.
However, the region is rich in art and architectural mastery and the historical towns scattered all around offer infinite surprises to the lovers of medieval and Renaissance style.
When in Umbria to visit its major city, Perugia, or the Gothic gem and pilgrimage center Assisi, do not miss the opportunity to create a full itinerary through the treasures of the area - this is the right place to find some inspiration!
In this article:
Best Historical Towns of Umbria: Overview
The North and the Trasimeno Lake
Central Umbria and the Perugia Area
Narni and the South
OVERVIEW AND MAP
Umbria is a small region in central Italy that thanks to its proximity to Rome and Tuscany had strategic importance since Roman times and was a passageway for artists and notable figures heading to the main arteries of power in the Peninsula.
This role the region had resulted in the foundation and prosperity of dozens of small and less small towns in medieval and early Modern times, and in the commission of artistic and architectural masterpieces that once stunned diplomats, pilgrims and merchants and today never cease to amaze visitors!
Umbria is all up and down the hills so visiting it may come easiest if done by car, and while driving more than half an hour without encountering at least one beauty on your way is hard, here is a map that presents all stops we are going to check in this post:
You can choose your best itinerary according to preferences, distances and tastes, but here is how I made it:
Yellow (for reference): the two main destinations, Perugia and Assisi
Purple: the North and the Trasimeno Lake Area
Blue: Central Umbria and the Perugia Area
Orange: Narni and the South
The North and the Trasimeno Lake Area
1. GUBBIO
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 52km / 32mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: 2 days
● Foundation: before 700 BCE
● Historical Period: Middle Ages
● Best 3 to see: Piazza Grande, Palazzo dei Consoli, historical city center
● Art to check: Duomo's chapels, paintings in Sant'Agostino Church, frescoes in San Francesco Church
● Food to try: Crescia, Strangozzi, Friccò, Ganascioni, Ciaramicola
● Festivals/Fairs: Festival del Medioevo (Middle Ages Festival), Christmas Fair and Market
The history of Gubbio dates back to thousands of years ago, but medieval times were the centuries when this uphill town really shone. Be prepared (I wasn't) for one of the most incredible views of Middle Ages civic and religious architecture and to spend at least a couple of days exploring the intricate streets of the city center. Also, if you are into medieval art, do not miss the Duomo and the minor churches scattered all around the city (such as Sant'Ubaldo). Gubbio is all ups and downs but reaching the elevated Piazza Grande at sunset will be worth it - from there you can have a view of Umbria. Considering its upper position, on the northern side of Umbria, Gubbio shows the signs of being this close to Tuscany and its architecture is much more similar to this region than in other parts of Umbria (like, for example, Narni) where the influence of the nearby Rome is more evident.
➜ Gubbio is not really enjoyable in less than a day and I would suggest using the town as a base for the exploration of upper Umbria - you cannot leave without seeing the sun going down from Piazza Grande!
2. CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 47km / 29mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: half a day to 1 day
● Foundation: 10th century CE (as a fortified town)
● Historical Period: Early Modern Era (16th/17th century)
● Best 3 to see: Rocca del Leone, Palazzo della Corgna, Lakeside
● Art to check: Pomarancio's frescoes at Palazzo della Corgna
● Food to try: Tegamaccio, lake fish recipes
● Festivals/Fairs: Festa del Tulipano (Tulips Festival)
Originally, Castiglione (literally: fortified castle) del Lago was an Etruscan-turned-Roman center but, as for several other towns in the area, it rose to more power during the Middle Ages and the early Modern Era, when this portion of Italy was of vital importance for both the Papal territories and for the local lords and dukes governing here. Today, Rocca del Leone and Palazzo della Corgna (or Ducal Palace) are the two tangible symbols of the defensive role Castiglione had and two unmissable spots for all fans of late-medieval and Modern architecture. Also, visitors can enjoy a nice stroll along the lakeside, flanking the olive trees, and a lake cruise to explore the area.
➜ Castiglione del Lago is best visited in early or late summer and in spring, when nature is at its peak and the olive trees are blossoming. If Lake Trasimeno is what really interests you, opt for a full day to spend in the area.
3. PANICALE
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 35km / 22mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: likely before Roman Era
● Historical Period: Middle Ages, Renaissance
● Best 2 to see: Historical city center, San Sebastiano Church
● Art to check: Perugino's Martirio di San Sebastiano (1505) and Raffaello's Madonna in Gloria (1502) in San Sebastiano Church
● Food to try: Bruschetta, Torta al Testo, Brustengoli, Ciaramicola
You may have heard of the name Panicale before, perhaps when in Florence - in fact, this little uphill town was the birthplace of one of the earliest and most innovative Renaissance masters, Masolino da Panicale: his style a bridge between the late Middle Ages and modernity, he is best known for the breathtaking frescoes of the Cappella Brancacci in Florence. Unfortunately, not much of Masolino is conserved in Panicale today, and yet the town is home to two masterpieces (by Perugino and Raffaello) that you can admire in the Church of San Sebastiano. Moreover, you can stroll around the nice medieval city center and its cobbled streets, looking for the best view of the Umbrian hills.
➜ Panicale is a minute town and visiting it will take you a few hours. This is the best place to be if you have been to a bigger center already and are looking for a more relaxing option to end your day.
Central Umbria and the Perugia Area
1. NOCERA UMBRA
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 55km / 34mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: ca. 8th century BCE
● Historical Period: Middle Ages
● Best 3 to see: Campanaccio, San Francesco (ex-)Church, Umbrian hills
● Art to check: Nicolò Alunno's and Matteo da Gualdo's paintings in San Francesco (late-medieval/early Modern style)
● Food to try: Biscio, Maccheroni Dolci, Rocciata, Crescia
Nocera Umbra is located on the eastern side of the region, almost flanking the nearby Marche, and it is so renowned for its freshwater as to be sometimes called Città delle Acque (City of the Waters). Its position means a slight change of geographical and natural conditions, and therefore Nocera faces miles of alternating hills and countryside, making it a perfect destination for those interested in both history and nature: San Francesco and the cobweb streets will make up for the former and the bright green of the fields for the latter.
➜ Nocera is a small town that can be visited in a couple of hours, but linger here a bit more if you plan to go trekking in the afternoon, perhaps after enjoying a hearty meal in one of the typical trattorie.
2. BETTONA
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 23km / 14mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: ca. 7th century BCE
● Historical Period: Middle Ages
● Best 3 to see: Etruscan/medieval walls, Museo della Città, Villa del Boccaglione
● Art to check: Perugino's Madonna della Misericordia (ca. 1520) and Sant'Antonio di Padova (1513) at Museo della Città
● Food to try: Zuccherini, Crostini, Torta al Testo
● Festivals/Fairs: Sagra dell'Oca (Goose Festival)
We are getting closer to Perugia and to reach Bettona we need to climb a hill and be ready to enjoy the view of the olive trees and fields from above. Bettona is a nice little medieval town which well-curated and flowery cobbled streets will fascinate you and tasty cuisine will have your heart. And if the town blossomed during the Middle Ages, it has a far more ancient origin as its partially-Etruscan walls are still here to testify - do not leave without checking them! Perugino awaits you in the Pinacoteca (Museo della Città).
➜ Bettona is nice but can be easily visited if day-tripping around Perugia. Prefer the warm days of spring and early summer for the perfect experience.
3. SPELLO
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 32km / 20mi from Perugia, 15,5km / 10mi from Assisi
● Time to spend here: half a day to 1 day
● Foundation: ca. 3rd century BCE
● Historical Period: Roman Era, Middle Ages, Renaissance
● Best 3 to see: Torri di Properzio, Santa Maria Maggiore, Sant'Andrea
● Art to check: Pinturicchio's Madonna in Trono tra Santi (1506-1508) in Sant'Andrea (Battistero Chapel) and Cappella Baglioni in Santa Maria Maggiore
● Food to try: Torta al Testo, Impastolata, Bruschetta all'Olio, Ciaramicola
● Festivals/Fairs: Infiorata di Spello (Flower Festival)
Spello is relatively small like many other centers mentioned here, but has much to offer. Its proximity to Assisi and strategic position made it a point of interest during the late medieval centuries and the Renaissance era, attracting artists such as Pinturicchio, whose artworks are still widely visible in town. But Spello also benefitted from several privileges during Roman times and was gifted with some architectural masterworks that can still be admired today - if in town, don't miss the Torri di Properzio, Villa dei Mosaici and Arco Romano.
➜ Spello can be visited in half a day, although I would suggest keeping one full day for it. It is the starting point for several trekking routes and from here you can make the most of the Umbrian countryside!
4. BEVAGNA
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 36km / 22mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: before 295 BCE
● Historical Period: Middle Ages
● Best 3 to see: Piazza Silvestri, San Michele Church, San Silvestro Church
● Art to check: Binello's Romanesque-style San Silvestro Church
● Food to try: Roccio, Baccalà con le Pacche, Lumache al Tegame, Biscotti di San Nicolò
● Festivals/Fairs: Mercato delle Gaite (Medieval Festival)
Bevagna can easily become your favorite medieval destination - the town is small, but Piazza Silvestri has everything you need: a majestic Romanesque creation - San Silvestro Church -, Palazzo dei Consoli and San Michele Church. Together they form an ensemble that is definitely worth a visit to the town and that represents the quintessential core of the civic and religious life of a medieval city. Explore the surroundings of this incredible square to discover cobbled streets and little shops. The medieval experience then continues with the Mercato delle Gaite, a popular medieval-themed festival, and with the gaite themselves, the ancient neighbourhoods of the town.
➜ Bevagna can be visited in half a day - spend a full morning here and you will be sure not to miss anything! Do not leave without exploring all the streets and go down until you reach the Lavatoio and San Francesco Church.
5. MONTEFALCO
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 55 gm / 34mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: ca. 11th century CE
● Historical Period: Middle Ages, Renaissance
● Best 3 to see: San Francesco, historical city center, Umbrian hills
● Art to check: Benozzo Gozzoli's Life of St. Francis (1452), Perugino's Nativity in San Francesco Church
● Food to try: Gnocchi/Risotto al Sagrantino, Strangozzi, Pizza di Pasqua
● Festivals/Fairs: Festa della Vendemmia (Harvesting Festival)
One thing you will soon learn if traveling through Umbria is that this region loves its food tasty and rich in flavour, and that oil and wine are two of the most popular delicacies of the area. In this sense, Montefalco is a perfect choice if you are into art and good food - the city is not only renowned for the superb works of Benozzo Gozzoli and other artists in San Francesco Church but also for its wine (especially the Sagrantino), which is commonly used as a main ingredient in many local specialities.
➜ Montefalco's artistic treasures can be enjoyed in half a day (including the city center and the small and medium-sized churches all around it), but save an entire day for this town if you wish to pay a visit to one of the nearby wineries and explore the hills surrounding it!
6. TREVI
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 50km / 31mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: before 2nd century BCE
● Historical Period: Middle Ages, Early Modern Era
● Best 3 to see: Piazza Mazzini, Complesso di San Francesco, Villa Fabri
● Art to check: Pinturicchio's Madonna con il Bambino Benedicente and the most ancient (ca. 1500) organ of Umbria in San Francesco, Perugino's Adorazione dei Magi (1521) at Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime
● Food to try: Sedano Nero Ripieno, Baccalà Stufato, Rocciata
An uphill town surrounded by olive trees and fields of green, flowery cobbled streets in the tones of beige and yellow, good food and a medieval atmosphere: by now we know that this is what Umbria looks like - and this is indeed what you are going to see in Trevi!
Pinturicchio and Perugino have left their mark here too, and by visiting the interesting Complesso di San Francesco you will admire an early work of the first, along with several other notable pieces and some well-preserved medieval frescoes and wooden works.
➜ Trevi is another very good option for a day-trip around Perugia, as it can be visited for its art and used as a base for some further exploration of the nature surrounding its hill.
7. CAMPELLO SUL CLITUNNO
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 55km / 34mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: 921 CE
● Historical Period: Middle Ages
● Best 2 to see: Tempietto del Clitunno, Fonti del Clitunno
● Art to check: Early-medieval/Longobard architecture at Tempietto del Clitunno
● Food to try: Attorta, Brustengolo, Crescionda, Local olive oil
● Festivals/Fairs: Festa dei Frantoi (Festival of the Olive Oil Mills)
We are now moving south, away from Perugia and closer to Lazio and to Rome. On our way is Campello sul Clitunno, a tiny town that however hides one of the greatest treasures of the region: the Tempietto del Clitunno. This tempietto (literally: small temple) has been standing here for thousands of years to venerate the gods of the river Clitunno first and as a Christian church later, but it took its present form during the early centuries of the Middle Ages, in the Longobard era. Since the vast majority of works from that period is now gone, the Tempietto is a veritable rarity and holds immense value - try not to miss it! And Campello is much more than its Tempietto: the town stands close to the Clitunno River and the Fonti (Springs) are a perfect spot for some relaxing, nature-immersed moment. Also, Campello is famous for its high-quality olive oil, which can be purchased or tried in the many local shops or tasted in one of the restaurants.
➜ Spend at least half a day in the area to make sure not to overlook the Tempietto, which popularity during Renaissance and extraordinary fate represent a one-of-a-kind experience! If you have some time to spare, go visit the nearby Spoleto (better if you have at least half a day).
8. NORCIA AND CASTELLUCCIO DI NORCIA
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 100km / 62mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: half a day to 1 day (with Castelluccio and its plateaus)
● Foundation: ca. 5th century BCE
● Historical Period: Middle Ages
● Best 3 to see: San Benedetto Basilica, historical city center, plateaus
● Food to try: Lenticchie di Castelluccio, Pasta alla Norcina, Strangozzi al Tartufo
● Festivals/Fairs: Nero Norcia (Truffles fair)
At the borders between central and south Umbria and at a step distance from the Marche region stand Norcia and Castelluccio di Norcia with its plateaus, possibly one of the most breathtaking stops in this itinerary. Norcia's history is incredibly long and rich and the town is even famous for having been the birthplace of St. Benedict, one of the protagonists of Christianity. However, at the same time, Norcia's destiny has always been troubled and, standing in a highly-seismic zone, it was repeatedly destroyed over the centuries and one last earthquake in 2016 has brought down much of its stunning architectural and artistic patrimony. Reconstructions have done a lot and the town is nicely enjoyable again, however, with every seismic episode Norcia loses another piece and today I would suggest visiting it together with its smaller fraction, Castelluccio.
➜ To reach the Plans of Castelluccio is best to have a car, but be ready for an all-turns-and-bends road. Once there, the view is unique and a rarity for Italy. If you go there in early to late spring you will enjoy it at its fullest and catch the blossoming season, but summer is still fine (no flowers but a majestic scenery nevertheless).
Narni and the South
1. TODI
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 47km / 29mi from Perugia, 48km / 30mi from Narni
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: ca. 7th century BCE
● Historical Period: Middle Ages
● Best 3 to see: Piazza del Popolo, Duomo dell'Annunziata, Santa Maria della Consolazione Church
● Art to check: Contemporary artworks at Beverly Pepper Park
● Food to try: Pasticcio di Jacopone, Maccheroni Dolci, Pinoccate
● Festivals/Fairs: Todi Festival (arts and performative arts festival)
The southern we descend, the more the landscape changes: its tones touch the fades of grey and brown, the Tiber (the river that notably crosses Rome) gets closer and the hills look slightly more arid. Nonetheless, the south shares with the rest of Umbria a passion for good food, quality wines and oils and the omnipresent medieval atmosphere - Todi is no exception, so be prepared for the perfect Umbrian experience!
More than that, Todi is also known among Italian students and former students for being the birthplace of Jacopone da Todi (ca. 1230-1306), a Franciscan friar and one of the most significant medieval poets. Today, he is still being studied at school and inspires some of the local specialities (e.g. the Pasticcio di Jacopone).
➜ Todi can be enjoyed in half a day but, to make sure not to miss any of its many faces, take your time to explore the medieval city center, visit the peculiar Duomo with its incomplete façade and stroll in the contemporary art park "Beverly Pepper"!
2. ORVIETO
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 79km / 49mi from Perugia, 65km / 40mi from Narni
● Time to spend here: at least 1 day
● Foundation: pre-Etruscan origins, re-founded in the early centuries CE
● Historical Period: Middle Ages, Renaissance
● Best 4 to see: Duomo, San Giovenale Church, San Domenico Church, historical city center
● Art to check: Luca Signorelli's frescoes in Cappella di San Brizio (1499-1502) in Duomo, Arnolfo di Cambio's Cardinal Guillaume De Braye's Mausoleum (1282) in San Domenico
● Food to try: Lumachelle all'Orvietana, Umbrichelli, Tardomatto, Orvietan (liquor)
● Festivals/Fairs: Festival della Piana del Cavaliere (classical music)
Orvieto is one of the gems of Umbria and its Duomo is enlisted among the national monuments of Italy for the quality of its architecture - the perfect example of Italian-style Gothic - and of the artworks it holds. When in Orvieto, leave at least 2 hours for your visit to the Duomo and the Cappella di San Brizio, it will be 100% worth it. Spend the rest of your time wandering around the beautiful city center and bring yourself as far as possible from the main streets: the view from the golden city walls will be breathtaking. Stop at the various churches you will encounter for some immersion in medieval and Renaissance art. Rest with a good taste of the local hearty cuisine.
➜ Orvieto could be visited in half a day but this is something I would definitely not recommend: as soon as you get there, you will immediately notice that this town is much bigger than most of the others mentioned here and therefore requires more time. Also, the quality of the art and architecture masterpieces here is excellent and surely deserves some attention.
3. SPOLETO
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 65km / 40mi from Perugia, 45km / 28mi from Narni
● Time to spend here: 1 day
● Foundation: 241 BCE (foundation of the Roman colony)
● Historical Period: Roman Era, Middle Ages, Renaissance
● Best 3 to see: Duomo, Rocca Albornoziana, Roman Domus (house)
● Art to check: Filippo Lippi's Storie della Vergine (1466-1469) and Pinturicchio's frescoes of Cappella Eroli (1497) in Duomo, Spoleto 1962's contemporary sculptures scattered around the city
● Food to try: Strangozzi alla Spoletina, Pilotto, Crescionda, Attorta
● Festivals/Fairs: Festival dei Due Mondi (performative arts)
The middle-sized town of Spoleto today has many faces, as a result of the infinite vicissitudes that unfolded on its lands: an important pre-Roman settlement, it played a crucial role in defending Rome against Hannibal (217 BCE), then became the capital of the Duchy of Spoleto during the Longobard domination of Italy. After the fall of the Germanic people, Spoleto still kept much influence due to its proximity to Rome and the Papal territories, as shown by its magnificent Duomo and the precious artworks it contains.
When in Spoleto, you can choose to visit everything you can or focus on a specific historical period: opt for the Teatro Romano, Arco di Druso and Roman Domus if a fan of ancient times, go for the Duomo, Sant'Eufemia Church and the several other religious buildings around the city if into medieval and Modern times, or stroll around the city center in search of contemporary sculptures - they were created site-specifically and installed in 1962 during a massive exhibition and some of them remained, among them Arnaldo Pomodoro's, Beverly Pepper's and Alexander Calder's works.
➜ Unless you plan to skip many of the historical and artistic sites of the city, be prepared to spend one full day in Spoleto. If in the area and with some spare time, go check Campello su Clitunno and Vallo di Nera, both nearby.
4. VALLO DI NERA
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 74km / 46mi from Perugia, 61km / 38mi from Narni
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: before 1177 CE (when is mentioned in documents)
● Historical Period: Middle Ages
● Best 2 to see: Historical city center, Santa Maria Church
● Art to check: Cola di Pietro's La Processione dei Bianchi (1401) and the other frescoes in Santa Maria
● Food to try: Fojata, Gnocchi al Castrato, local truffles
● Festivals/Fairs: Fiori di Cacio (Local cheese festival)
Vallo di Nera is probably the smallest urban center we are mentioning here, but its historical value is one of the highest, thanks to the town having preserved its medieval form almost intact. With less than 400 inhabitants, Vallo di Nera welcomes you with its intricate ancient streets and beautiful Romanesque churches, the most significant being Santa Maria, where you can admire some masterfully-designed frescoes from the late Middle Ages. Take your time to explore this stoney gem and to appreciate the nature exploding all around you: Vallo di Nera, often called a monument-town, is barely visible at a distance due to how much it is immersed in the Umbrian green hills and woods. ➜ Vallo di Nera is only 20 minutes (by car) away from Spoleto and it can be the perfect addition to end or begin a day trip to the other, bigger, city.
5. ACQUASPARTA
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 62km / 38mi from Perugia, 27km / 17mi from Narni
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: ca. 962 CE
● Historical Period: Renaissance
● Best 2 to see: Palazzo Cesi, historical city center
● Food to try: Picchiarelli, Pizza Farcita, Bocconcello
● Festivals/Fairs: Festa del Rinascimento (Renaissance-themed festival)
On the way to Narni, Acquasparta is not your regular Umbrian destination: good food and local specialties, browny and yellowy streets remain, but here, Renaissance has stolen the show to the Middle Ages and most of what you see comes directly from Rinascimento. While you explore the streets of the city center, stop at Palazzo Cesi, the ancient headquarters of the still-existing Accademia dei Lincei, a prestigious institution founded in the 17th century to develop and enhance scientific studies. Here, at Palazzo Cesi, Galileo Galilei resided in 1624, and the mansion is a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture and art, with its elegant structure and well-executed frescoes.
➜ The perfect way to enjoy Acquasparta would be to stop by while on your way to or from Narni and spend at least one full morning or afternoon in town to explore it and have a full grasp of what urbanism looked like and meant for the architects and rulers of Renaissance.
6. AMELIA
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 93km / 58mi from Perugia, 15km / 9mi from Narni
● Time to spend here: half a day
● Foundation: before 1134 BCE
● Historical Period: pre- and Roman Era, Middle Ages
● Best 2 to see: Ancient city walls, historical city center
● Food to try: Palombaccio alla Leccarda, local olive oil
When in Amelia and wandering through its ancient streets you will recognize the usual medieval atmosphere that is so classic for Umbria. However, Amelia did not actually know its peak during the Middle Ages, but flourished much earlier, during the Roman and even the pre-Roman era, as proved by the ultra ancient portions of the city walls (do not miss them!) and the necropolis and other remains scattered all around the town's territories. Amelia is also nature and from here you can take a full, satisfying look at the Umbrian hills and countryside.
➜ Amelia stands so close to Narni that reaching it halfway through the day is easy! If you are planning to include Amelia in your itinerary, make sure to give yourself enough time to visit its ruins, walls, streets and churches though - no less than half a day!
7. NARNI
● Location: Google Maps
● Distances: 93km / 58mi from Perugia
● Time to spend here: 2 days
● Foundation: before 300 BCE
● Historical Period: Roman Era, Middle Ages, Early Modern Era
● Best 4 to see: San Giovenale Cathedral, San Francesco Church, Santa Maria Maggiore Church and Narni Sotterranea, historical city center
● Art to check: Domenico Ghirlandaio's Incoronazione della Vergine (1486) and Benozzo Gozzoli's Annunciazione della Vergine (1499) at Palazzo Eroli, Pierantonio Mezzastris's frescoes (1470) in Cappella Eroli (San Francesco Church).
● Food to try: Manfricoli, Pampepato, Brustengolo
● Festivals/Fairs: Narnia Festival (Local traditions, folklore, culture, arts)
You may have heard of Narni before or, maybe, of a very similar name: Narnia. Indeed, it looks like C. S. Lewis actually took inspiration from the ancient Latin name of Narni, Narnia, for his books. Anyway, today Narni is likely the best and most complete destination in the itinerary through southern Umbria and, if you started your tour from Gubbio, is also the clearest proof of how the urban and natural landscape changes depending on where we are heading - Gubbio looks more Tuscan-ish, Narni shows the sign of its proximity to Rome. And the mark left by Rome on the town is also visible when exploring its underground with Narni Sottorranea, a unique and unmissable experience that will bring you into a few mysterious and fascinating rooms once used by the Inquisition (guided tours are in Italian only, but audioguides in English are available)
Your tour through this uphill center (there is literally an elevator to go from the parking area and up to the main historical streets) continues through the city center and into the Cathedral, which superb construction betrays the lack of space Narni must have always suffered. San Francesco Church, Palazzo Eroli and many other minor churches complete the tour.
➜ Narni is the perfect base for your exploration of southern Umbria and I would definitely suggest planning to stay here for at least 2 nights (3 would be better) - to properly visit the town alone you would need around 2 days, then keep 1 or 2 more to explore its surroundings.