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Spello or Spoleto?

Posted by on

Hello,

We are on our first trip to Umbria (been to italy many times, but never to Umbria!).

We are deciding between staying in spello or spoleto. We will be staying 3 nights in this part of umbria.

I've done some google map images of spoleto and it looks pretty run down and dark, but reviewers say it's very nice... we have reserved a very nice B&B/Palazzo (Palazzo Leti Residenza d'Epoca) in spoleto.

Spello is said to be very beautiful, but reviewers say it's small (which we like) and there is nothing going on at night (i don't know if this means the piazzas are empty or the restaurants close early or what. We don't need any lively bars, but we appreciate an apertivo and a nice passagiata). We've reserved La Bastilia and an Agriturismo as well.

We will cancel two of the three bookings we've made depending on where we decide to stay.

We will have a car and will be driving to assisi, montefalco, bevagna, spello, spoleto. We will follow this up with two nights in Orvieto and then 5 nights in tuscany (val d'orcia).

I am desperate for help because I've been scouring tripadvisor, fodors, and Rick Steves and haven't found enough information.

About us:

We like beautiful vistas (natural beauty and medieval and renaissance urban beauty is very important to us), art history, historical sites, and great food. We never buy trinkets from touristic vendors. We will buy some wine, cheese, and olive oil when we find something we like though. We are in our 40s/30s.

Do any of the excellent Rick Steve's travelers have any advice?

Posted by
1175 posts

We stayed in Cortona at one of our favorite places when we visited Assisi, Spello and Spoleto. Cortona is so small, yet is lovely in the evenings….

We loved Spello - the flowers on every door and an engaging store owner who offered us a cup of cappuccino and a lively chat ! The old town is VERY small though.

Spoleto was a bit larger but it did not have the "Kodak shots" around every corner as Spello did. We didn't find it quite as charming.

Posted by
1175 posts

Unfortunately, no.

If you would like a passagiata style town, you just may have to stay in a bit larger town….like Cortona or Assisi ??

Posted by
484 posts

Hello, Having stayed in Spoleto for a week in mid-July 2014 during the Festival dei 2 Mondi, I would advise you to pick Spoleto over Spello since you are interested in a more lively atmosphere. The centre of the "old town" (higher part of town) does have a good number of caffe's to choose from to have an aperitivo and there are a fair number of people about for the evening passeggiata up there in the old town on many streets (if you explore a bit, you'll find them), not far from where you will be staying. Further downhill, there are also quite a few people out at the various caffe's and gelaterie. Keep in mind, however, that I am speaking of July....not sure how lively it is in other months. One tip: on the Sunday morning of the last day of the festival, along with many others, I attended the concert rehearsal free of charge...just walked right in and snagged a front row seat (in the shade)! It was fantastic! Also, for a nice view visit the Rocca Albornoziana just outside the main centre of Spoleto, and not far from your B&B, be sure to walk across the Ponte dei Torri (early morning if you are there in summer). As previous replies have noted, the central area of Spello is very small.

Posted by
11 posts

Thanks Susan!

How was getting in and out of spoleto. I heard there was traffic getting in and out if using it as a base. We are going to be driving around.

Also, has anyone stayed in spello overnight?

Posted by
484 posts

I didn't have a car, so can't help you in terms of reporting on traffic. I found trains & buses were an easy way to see Spello & Assisi as day trips (on separate days) from Spoleto. You might consider public transit for those day trips if you are concerned about car traffic & parking.

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