It is amazing how this town transfers from a bustling tourist location to a sleepy, quiet place after about 6pm, a few shops are open on Via del Duomo. The restaurants are in full bloom with lots of choices. Staying a few nights are worth the experience. Great place to visit for a couple of days
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
That was our experience as well. True of almost all the popular towns. It allows you to relax in doing nothing, or as the Italians say "Culliamoci nel dolce far niente."
Posted by
75 posts
So glad you posted! My daughter and I are staying there in an Airbnb for 2 nights starting the 25th!
If you have any particular recommendations for restaurants please share :)
Posted by
Chicago
2124 posts
We were in Orvieto this last March on a sleepy, sunny, late-winter Friday, an hour plus train ride from Roma Termini on a daytrip. Just magical. With some Roman friends who had been there many times, we lunched at a tiny kitchen, sitting at one of the two tables in the place next to the sleeping family dog. No menu, we all had cinghiale (wild boar) with homemade spaghetti along with copious amounts of house red wine by the carafe.
Walked off our lunch afterwards, browsing at shops and visiting the magnificent cathedral--which was virtually empty--then stood by the overlook to the valley for longer than really necessary, along with some cats who were lounging nearby, trying to make mental pictures of it all.
Yes, I think hordes of tourists in Orvieto could very well ruin it. Find an off time and savor its splendor.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Absolutely true, Jim. But even at the peak of tourist season, walk away from the main street and it's a different city.
Posted by
Chicago
8233 posts
All man I rang in the New Year 2016 in Orvieto. It was not quiet as you can imagine. They have great music festival going on 25 years
http://www.umbriajazz.com/
Posted by
Washington DC
28453 posts
The Sicilian restaurant Cibus was my favorite spot in Orvieto.
Posted by
OP
Virginia, USA
792 posts
Cibus, Antico Bucchero, La Pergola ...all good choices to dine
Posted by
Dartmouth, NS, Canada
213 posts
We visited Orvieto for 3 days 2 years ago and loved it. If you have time the cave/underground tour is great.
http://www.orvietounderground.it
You wander through large rooms and tunnels carved out of the tufa rock under the main town. Here the citizens made olive oil, stored oil, wine and produce and most amazingly raised there birds - squab/pigeon. The views from the windows over the valley below are amazing. The walk into and through much of the cave area is easy but there is a very narrow wall of stairs to climb up which might be difficult for anyone who has problems with small spaces.
Posted by
Freedonia
16564 posts
Restaurant Charlie. It is a pizza place but it is some of the best pizza I have ever had.
Posted by
Paris
10404 posts
Another vote for Antico Bucchero, and one for La Palomba.
Yum yum!! I agree, Orvieto is a delightful place to stop and rest for a few days.
Posted by
OP
Virginia, USA
792 posts
one thing interesting was I stayed at Hotel Duomo (great place) and they said "no problem, drive right across the Piazza in front of the Duomo, we'll park your car" ..so I did and they did. Never ran into a ZTL
Posted by
McDonough
30 posts
I will be in Orvieto on 10/29 for 4 nights. This is my 3rd visit...it just keeps calling me back. What a delightful town!
Posted by
Arizona
128 posts
We just spent three nights in Orvieto and loved it. Our favorite restaurant was Il Malandrino, in fact it was one of the best meals we had during our four week tour of Italy. They give you complimentary appetizers and Limoncello after dinner. Everything was fresh and seasonal. You will love Orvieto!