Will be in Orvieto for a couple days and would like to get tickets to the underground. The information I've found is a bit confusing so looking for feedback/info from those in the know.
There is a Orvieto Underground website and a Pozzo della Cava website which look different, but seem to have some overlap of sites in the tour.
Are these 2 totally different places that need to toured separately or are they overlapped somehow with cross-site tickets? Is one better than the other?
Thanks
I have been to the Deriniyu and Kaymakli underground caves in Cappadocia and will be visiting the Etruscan caves in Orvieto, and here’s what I can tell you: Be sure to buy tickets from the website of the officially-recognized organization operating the tours: www.Orvietounderground.it
There are 1,200 caves under Orvieto and there are dozens and dozens of businesses selling tours of the cave they have access to, with a lot of entrepreneurs trying to cash in.
The official tours last one hour, and are set up
in groups by language and meet at Piazza Duomo 23. Adults are €8; students and seniors are €6. There are tours every day of the year and it’s advised that visitors reserve a time slot at least one day in advance of when you’ll be there.
Enjoy!
As I recall, I booked my tour of the Orvieto underground at the T.I., which at that time was right across from the Duomo. I found the tour very interesting. I toured St. Patrick's Well on my own.
Thanks Kenko, this is an absolutely wonderfully told archeological story, (and who knew what a speleologists was), yet another reason to visit Orvieto and stay a few days.....
https://www.orvietounderground.it/index.php/en/orvieto-underground-en/the-discovery
We did the cave tour, and it was really interesting. I'm only aware of the one cave/underground tour if that is what you were asking. I think in the summer time you might want to get tickets a day or so in advance. We were there in the springtime and there was no need to prebook. we just bought tickets day of. at the Ticket booth by the Duomo. I don't remember it being too crowded or a problem. Again depends on time of year as well as day of the week.
I think part of the confusion is that when you search on line, you get 3rd party sites and tours which tend to confuse things. This was the link for the site itself. https://www.orvietounderground.it/index.php/en/ I will admit the website is a bit confusing.
There are several legitimate underground sites and tours in Orvieto. Check this page from the tourist info center for more info on the Orvieto Underground plus links to the other underground attractions (Pozzo di San Patrizio, Pozzo della Cava, Il labirinto di Adriano, and basement of S.Andrea church):
https://www.orvietoviva.com/en/orvieto-underground/
OrvietoViva is responsive to e-mails if you have any questions about which site(s) is best for you.
I was looking into the same thing. I’ll be in Orvieto only for a day trip so trying to pre-organize my time there. Looks like Orvieto Underground is separate from Pozzo della Cava. Orvieto underground has 4 guided tours per day that last an hour each and Pozzo Della Cava is a bit cheaper (€4 entry) and is self guided but with good signage everywhere. That’s my understanding. I don’t think the physical sites overlap, I believe they are in different parts of the city
Hi all - I am going to Orvieto and was looking to pre-buy the tickets for the underground but I don't see anywhere on this site to purchase them. www.Orvietounderground.it Am I missing something? Thanks all.
Looks like Orvieto Underground is separate from Pozzo della Cava.
That is correct. We loved the Pozzo della Cava experience, but it's ultimately pretty small beer. The Orvieto Underground is much more involved. We didn't, however, choose to do it.
Be prepared for some outstanding food and wine in Orvieto. The red and white wines from Decugnano dei Barbi are outstanding, yet very reasonably priced. And don't miss cinghiale, which is wild boar. Quite delicious.
