Thinking of 3 nights in Perugia as part of our 12 night Italy vacation. Better to stay in the hill town hotel or hotel below. We are traveling by train and plan from there to day trip to Assisi and possibly Spello or Spoleto (which is better for a day?). We've been to Perugia 2 other times, once with a tour (2 hours) and once during the chocolate festival so really couldn't experience much. If we decide to make Perugia a base what should we see other than the duomo, etc. Any suggestions? Frances
Posted by
Chicago
8242 posts
If you stay in the lower town there is not much to see and you would need to take the funicular to get to the old town where all the sites are. While the old town is very nice there I find that there is not much special else to see or do in Perugia not unless you are there for the annual July Umbria Jazz fest like I was which is great time. But the lodging would be cheaper and the train station is in the lower town. allowing you to take day trips to other towns in Umbria; and Assisi or Orvieto would great ones.
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
We've stayed at the Hotel Fortuna several times and we were happy with the property. It is located in the upper part of town 50 meters from the two connected main piazzas. The rooms were very clean and comfortable, the breakfast was substantial, and the staff was first rate.
The upper town has more activities and restaurants. When we were there in 2014 an antique car cruise was held in the main piazza in front of the cathedral. At night restaurants set up table in the middle of the piazzas.
We visited Assisi my bus and it was very easy to accomplish. Some of the other towns you mentioned are reached by train or bus.
Once you arrive at the station in Perugia the upper town is easily reachable by taxi and you can find them located in front of the station.
Buon viaggio,
Posted by
Perugia, Italy
211 posts
Take a leaf from Rick. While Perugia does have a lot of historical sites and museums, this emphasis on things "to see" is besides the point. Perugia is a great city to be in. Stay at the Fortuna or the Brufani if you want to spend more. Walk around. It's a walking place. Window shop. Walk up and down the Corso Vannucci. Go down to the via Appia and check out the views from the old aqueduct. Walk up Corso Garibaldi and at the top is the beautiful and peaceful Tempietto di Sant'Angelo. Check out the modern art at the Penna museum. Reserve a table at L'Officina and have a great meal. If you're lucky, you'll have conversations with the Perugini--they like to try out their English. Hanging out in Perugia is all about the simple pleasures of Italian life in a human-scale place.
Posted by
US
605 posts
We recently stayed at Hotel Fortuna and would recommend it. But my suggestion would be to ask for a room off the street as it was noisy at times. The hotel is very well located, closed to Piazza Italia from which the buses leave and a short walk to the minimetro station. There is also a nearby park that offers great views of the Umbrian countryside.