Things to do in Perugia

Top Things to Do in Perugia

Things to Do in Perugia


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Top Attractions in Perugia

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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
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What travellers are saying

  • Stephen K
    Wagga Wagga, Australia6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The experience was more than we had expected as so many items all have a cost. Imagine the surprise when we find no one asking for entry fees or such. The video room with 3 projectors running an unbelievable run through history of Perugia was fantastic to see. The enormity of the town which has been built over excelled. If you have to do one thing in Perugia then travel back in time and have a look in here. Make it a must on the list.
    Written 18 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dazoli1
    Brisbane, Australia49 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were fortunate enough to be staying at Casa San Gabriel on New Year’s Eve which is close to the Vineria Chiesa del Carmine and decided to join the locals for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. We were treated to a delicious 7 course degustation exquisitely prepared by the extremely talented vineria chefs. We were so well looked after by Mattea, Roberto and Irene as they explained the vineria wines matched to the food. Although new year celebrations have passed, you can still experience the amazing wine and food experience with their regular events or just call in…I would highly recommend it!
    Written 29 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom9,565 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is the historic centre of Perugia and the best starting place to explore the city. Even if you are on a very tight itinerary, you will want to spend some time here.
    The main sights in the piazza are:
    i) Palazzo Dei Priori - a 14th century fortress-like palazzo with a giant bronze griffin and lion guarding its doors. It houses the National Gallery and although we didn’t have time to do this, it was free to go into the lobby where we could see replicas of the griffin and lion up close.
    ii) Sala Dei Notari (free) - part of the Palazzo dei Priori, with elaborate frescoes featuring coats of arms of wealthy and powerful Perugian families. Disappointingly, we missed out on this. It wasn’t obvious and we didn’t realise it was there until too late.
    iii) Duomo / Cathedral - an unusual cathedral, with a strange facade. The pink and white marble tiling is unfinished and the front entrance faces away from the piazza. From the Piazza IV Novembre, you only see the side. Inside, a curious highlight is the “Santo Anello” (the wedding ring of the Virgin Mary). Free entry.
    iv) Fontana Maggiore - a magnificently ornate marble fountain built in 1278 which takes centre stage in the piazza.
    v) Loggia - A minor sight, this is the arched verandah-like attachment along the side of the cathedral. Look for the ‘Stone of Justice’, an inscription which records the cancellation of the public debt in 1234. Free entry.
    NOTE: Activities are sometimes held in the square. When we were there, an outdoor promotional basketball competition was being held. The temporary courts and trucks detracted from the ancient feel of the piazza but it was fun to watch the night-time games.
    Written 18 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Geraldine M
    7 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    E-biking around the lake was a highlight. It’s about 26 miles but there are some towns along the way for Lunch, cocktails and swimming in one place. Overall, we noticed there is very little swimming in the lake. The water is quite green in areas so perhaps swimming is not the best. As a result, we chose the notes pool instead.
    Written 1 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Carin
    South Holland Province, The Netherlands18 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This Basilica in the middle of beautiful Perugia is really worth a visit. Not overly big but with amazing detail in its decor and paintworks and you can just walk in, no admittance fee to pay.
    Written 21 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jake
    Havertown, PA342 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I'm an art lover. I love Florence. I enjoy wandering into random art museums in small towns in Italy and seeing what they have. And I remember worldwide cities based on how impressive their art museums are.

    The Galleria Nazionale is a national treasure. It is one of the finest art museums in Italy and shouldn't be missed. Especially if you enjoy religious art.
    Written 19 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom9,565 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Perugia was an unexpected highlight of our time in Umbria. We loved it.
    It slips under the tourist radar for some reason I don’t quite understand but absolutely charming hill-top town in Umbria.
    We stayed overnight which was plenty of time to see most of the main sights in a leisurely, un-rushed way.
    All the main sights are within walking distance of each other so you could easily do it as a day trip. However the extra time allowed us to also explore the side streets and ancient corners. Even with a tight itinerary, it is worth allowing some time to simply wander and soak up the atmosphere.
    Our itinerary was as follows:
    DAY 1 : We arrived around midday, checked into the hotel and headed to Piazza IV Novembre. This was an excellent starting point. The cathedral, the 13th century Fontana Maggiore and the fortress-like Palazzo dei Priori are all located here. From here, we did a looped walk from the piazza down to the Etruscan Arch, up to the Porta a Sole fortress lookout and circling back to the main square.
    I had planned to visit the Etruscan Well but it had already closed for the day.
    Instead, we strolled along Corso Vannucci towards Piazza Italia and the Giardino Gardens and finished the afternoon with a drink at Punto Vista, with a fabulous view, overlooking Perugia and the Umbrian countryside. Had lovely dinner at Civico 25.
    DAY 2: Another half day. We did a quick visit to the Etruscan Well (seriously, it will take 15 min max), explored Rocca Paolina, an underground strong-hold built by Pope Paul III in 1540 and walked a short stretch of the modern path that runs along the top of the medieval aqueduct.
    GETTING THERE: We had a car so we parked at the Via Victor Ugo Bistoni carpark (€1.70 cents per day & free on weekends). The escalators up to the city centre (yes, it’s that steep) were just across the road. There are several other carparks on the outskirts of the city but this one was very cheap and was the closest to our hotel.
    Written 26 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom9,565 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This extravagant marble and bronze fountain is the centrepiece of Perugia’s main square, Piazza IV Novembre. This is the best starting place to explore Perugia and even those on a tight itinerary, will spend some time here.
    From a distance, the fountain looks a little like a wedding cake with two ornate tiers sitting on top of a polygonal stair base. Up close, it is full of highly detailed decoration.
    Built between 1278 and 1280, the fountain was designed to celebrate the completion of a new aqueduct. It’s certainly celebrational - there are 50 bas-reliefs and 24 statues.
    A lot of the detail would have been lost on me but for our guide book. A protective metal fence prevents you from getting too close but, using our guide book, we were still able to pick out different scenes and symbols.
    There are three separate parts:
    i) Lower Basin - has 25 scenes. Some show the months of the year and zodiac signs, others show Biblical stories and stories from Roman mythology. We spotted Romulus and Remus suckling the wolf, Adam and Eve being thrown out of Paradise and David and Goliath. We also found several of the months - November had people ploughing and in December they were killing a pig for winter supplies.
    ii) Upper Basin - has 24 statues of saints and Biblical and historical figures. These were harder to identify but King David seemed to be holding a harp whilst somewhat more gruesomely, Salome was holding the head of St John the Baptist.
    iii) Top Level - has 2 copper basins and a bronze cup, topped by a group of 3 bronze nymphs (Faith, Hope, Charity). 
    The fountain looked particularly pretty at night when it was illuminated.
    Written 18 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kai C
    Half Moon Bay, CA1,269 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful early renaissance cathedral. The times were violent yet they made beautiful architecture, suffused with spirit. You can feel it if you take the time.
    Written 16 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paradise523151
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful small space filled with masterpieces - worth the stop. In a very central location close to the other main historical sites.
    Written 20 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Oldjack
    Greater Melbourne, Australia27,929 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Corso Vanucci is the main stret in Perugia and frfom it there are many side streets that mostly head down hill and all re worth exploring. The street has some interesting historical buildings including the cathedral and fountain.
    Written 9 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • bbinder
    Paciano, Italy181 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had heard that there was a weaving business in Perugia that created weavings as they were done hundreds of years ago. It sounded interesting and so we scheduled a tour for my birthday. Marta, the owner and head weaver, gave us a fascinating and comprehensive tour. Her enthusiasm for her work rubbed off on us as she showed us her ancient looms (including some Jacquards) and the work they produced. We were able to see every step of the process, beginning with a drawing and ending up with beautiful hand-woven fabrics. Among her creations she and her two long time apprentices recreate patterns that you can see in Renaissance paintings. Located in a stunning de-consecrated church this weaver's studio is one of the best things to see Umbria. And of course there's always the chance to buy one of their creations.
    Written 14 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.