One day enough in Orvieto?

I really enjoyed Orvieto and think you could keep yourself busy for two days (for one thing, you could spend hours just wandering the picturesque streets), but there are many wonderful places in Italy, and one day would allow you to see a lot. These are the things I remember:

Cathedral (don't skip the pay-to-enter chapel)
Cathedral museum
Etruscan museum
Archaeological museum (might skip if you're doing the big one in Naples)
Walking tour (check with tourist office)

As of 2015 there was a branch of the T.O. near the funicular you take to the upper town. I think it was on the lower level near the train station. You can pick up a map there, ask about tours, and see whether you think the city card would pay off for you (I'm guessing not on such a short stay). It includes a round-trip on the funicular and a lot of local activities.

I stayed at the Hotel Corso, a moderately priced place that is nonetheless at least one cut above my usual. I'm sure there are fancier places in town. It's closer to the top of the funicular than most (perhaps all) of the other hotels, which makes it a bit of a walk (albeit an attractive one) to the core of the historic district. I had a too-heave suitcase and was greatful not to have to walk all the way (somewhat uphill) to the area around the Duomo. Near the Corso there's a gelato stand about a block back toward the funicular, and there's a small fruit/vegetable stand directly across the street.

I didn't take breakfast at the hotel; there is an extra charge. But I did peek into the breakfast room and thought the spread looked decent. I was there in early June, and there was a plate of melon. Definitely not just coffee and a few bread products.

Orvieto has a lot of good restaurants. My favorite was Cibus, which is Sicilian and focuses on seafood. It's worth spending some time online looking for recommendations, because I assume there are also a few places to be avoided.

I was in Orvieto for 2 weeks taking Italian classes, so museum closing schedules were not critical to me. Since you'll only have one day there, it would be prudent to check hours of operation for the fall.

Another vote for Cibus!

If you have one night, you can see the main sights. I like Hotel Virgilio, on the main Piazza. Another great restaurant is at the end of the piazza on the same side of the street as Hotel Virgilio, beautiful views of the valley.

Looking at train departures to maximimize your time should you choose a single night stay. An early departure from Venice would give you 24 hours in Orvieto.

FR 9407
Dep 07:25 VENEZIA S. LUCIA (Italy)
Arr 08:50 BOLOGNA CENTRALE (Italy)
IC 583
Dep 09:18 BOLOGNA CENTRALE (Italy)
Arr 12:08 ORVIETO (Italy)

IC 583
Dep 12:10 ORVIETO (Italy)
Arr 15:29 NAPOLI CENTRALE (Italy)

We loved Orvieto when we stayed there for 2 nights as part of the itinerary of a Rick Steves Village Italy tour, so much so that when we return to Italy this year with a group of friends, we are squeezing in a brief return visit. We'll be there about the same amount of time as what you've envisioned . . .arriving around 11 a.m. and staying until early the next day. Can't wait to have our friends experience what we did when we previously visited beautiful Orvieto! We're staying at the same hotel we used on our tour, the Grand Hotel Italia. It was very nice. You should look into the public tour called Orvieto Walk. The tour is given in English. It departs every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. from the meeting point in the Piazza Duomo, in front of the office where you can buy your ticket. It is about 1.5 hours, 2.3 km of walking, and costs 12 Euro per person. You'll see the main sights, palaces, squares and attractions of Orvieto, including the old medieval quarter with the San Giovenale church. The assistant guide on our Rick Steves tour is from Orvieto and I emailed him to ask about the Orvieto Walk tour. He said they're run by great professional local guides, the groups never get too large, and the tour is very charming. On your own, definitely visit the Cathedral, including the Chapel of San Brizio, featuring Luca Signorelli's frescoes of the Day of Judgment and Life After Death. It's fun to climb 248 steps down to the bottom of St. Patrick's Well, renting a headset for a few Euro so that you can hear the whole story of the building of this well as you descend. Go up to the top of the city's bell tower for amazing views of the whole city--elevator to the 2nd floor, then 170 steps. . If you're there on a Saturday, that's open market day throughout the town . . .great fun. We had a wonderful meal at a restaurant that was then called Ristorante Le Duca. I found it now under the name Duca di Orvieto. Wonderful food and service. Enjoy!

We spent about 6 hours in Orvieto while on our RS Best of Italy tour. I could have spent more time, but I think a day and evening will be ok.

We were there early last month on a daytrip from Rome. It was a late winter sunny Friday, and the town was almost tourist-free and glorious. The cathedral, outside and in, is fabulous.

We spent our anniversary in Orvieto last year. Stayed at the Hotel Duomo close to the Duomo itself. Good hotel at a great location and a great buffet breakfast.
Orvieto cathedral is superb as is the walk around town and the ramparts. We did the Rupe walk around the base of Orvieto on a misty morning, a superb experience.
Have a great trip
Also the town looks great all lit up at night and all the day trippers have left, leaving you to enjoy the beautiful town in peace.

I recommend two nights (one full day). It is really a very pleasant town. I was there in between Rome and Sienna about six months ago, before ending in Florence. I liked the underground tour a lot, and walking down into the well was fun too. The cathedral was fantastic, I preferred it to the one in Sienna. The side chapels with wonderful frescoes were amazing. Can't believe it took a fourth visit to Italy (five with cruise stops) to make it to this great town.

I was in Orvieto several years ago. We only had the chance to stay about half a day, but we easily could have made a whole day of the experience. I fell in love with the town! In fact, we're already looking at the RS tour that goes there.

Anyway, you'll love it. We went into a wonderful toy shop (I can't remember the name of it) where the owner spoke no English, and my 50 or so words of Italian weren't helping a lot. But it was one of those times where it didn't matter. He showed us around the store, and the items didn't require much explanation.

And at the very end, he pulled out a Rick Steves guidebook from behind the counter and opened it to a bookmarked page that described his very shop! So perhaps it's still listed in one of the guidebooks. Either way, it was one of those times when interest and eagerness transcended the language barrier, and it's still a very fond memory.

Thanks to Vickie for mentioning San Giovenale church. I watched the fresco restoration progress for a couple of years (with kind permission of the superintendent), the project is finished now.

Thanks so much for the wonderful tips and recommendations! We're sold! We'll be making arrangements to stay in Orvieto for sure now and hopefully make a great 24 hours of it. Thanks, djp_syd for the helpful train schedule. Those times work great with our itinerary. I cant wait!

I read all the above posts and can't believe no one recommended seeing "Civita" Civitavecchia...a Rick Steves suggestion while in Oviedo. There is a bus pickup in town for a about 1 1/2 hr. ride to the most remarkable hilltown in Italy. The views are amazing!!
We did love Oviedo but use a day for it and a day to Civita. You won't regret it.

I did a one night in Orvieto and felt it was worthwhile. Amazing views and church and the funicular is a unique experience.

I think Linda means Civita di Bagnoregio, not Civitavecchia, which is Rome's port.

For eye-level views of the mosaics on the Duomo facade, go to the upper floors of the museum across the street.

Thanks Acraven! You're so right! Writing without any literature in front of me and "listened" to what popped up on computer.
Juan, check out the Civita Acraven stated and you'll see what I'm talking about....so amazing!