Staying in Assisi or Orvieto overnight

Lucca is extremely quiet, and I get bored too easy. It's a great place to decompress if you've been traveling too far and fast.
I'd prefer to spend the time in Orvieto--one of my favorite hill towns. Assisi is not far from there, and would be a good day trip. Civita's another great day trip just southwest of Orvieto.

I did a day-trip to Assisi and spent 2 weeks in Orvieto last year. I'd recommend them both but am not sure which I'd prefer as an overnight. I would consider what days of the week would be involved, for one thing. I have impression that Orvieto gets considerably more day-trippers on weekends than on weekdays, so a weekend day-trip is something I'd try to avoid when scheduling a visit. It's so close to Rome that it must be a popular getaway. I don't know whether the same is true of Assisi. The foot traffic in Assisi is probably a little more concentrated in a small area than is the case in Orvieto.

Obviously, check for local holidays to be sure you aren't going to hit one inadvertently, unless it's something you are interested in experiencing. Also verify that sightseeing targets will be open on the day you would plan to visit and will not close for extended siestas. I find utilizing those long mid-day gaps one of the toughest things about day-trips. If you're interested in a local walking tour (there is one in Orvieto, but perhaps not daily), be sure it falls within the period you'd be in the city on a day-trip.

A third factor would be the travel time to each city from the planned base. If there's a significant difference, I'd lean toward making the shorter trip the day-trip. Remember that for Orvieto, traveling by train means adding time for the funicular up to the city.

Assisi over Orvieto every time! When the tourists leave in the afternoon the city has a calmness and relaxed atmosphere that is rejuvenating. At night you can touch the stars, the main churches and the Rocco are lit up giving a glow to the city that is unbeatable. Sit on the Piazza Commune and have a cool drink then walk to the Basilica San Francesco and back. The views of the city and the valley are spectacular. If you are in Assisi between July 5 and the 18th there are concerts almost every afternoon and evening - sorry, a commercial for Assisi Performing Arts, an international music festival now celebrating our 16 season. Sill, love Orvieto but can't go too long without my Assisi-fix!

I loved Assisi and will be there in August again..its a magical beautiful place.

I like Orvieto very much but if you feel like seeing Beauty in calmness, Assisi is wonderful.
Other places worth seeing in Umbria is Perugia and Gubbio.

Toss up between Assisi and Orvieto. Assisi is a bit bigger, and if you like to visit churches, this is the town. From Assisi, there are some nice day hikes...os if you are active, and would enjoy that, you might google to see what you can find.

Orvieto has beautiful views of the country side from the walls. A nice park to visit, and see St Pat's well. You can do the underground tour as well....and I love Orvieto for their ceramics shops.

We've spent a few nights in both towns, and liked them both. A night in either allows you really a full day, and with both towns, the crowds (buses) leave about 2 or so, so you can enjoy the town with the over-nighters and locals.

My preference is Orvieto for the charm of it...(we were just there overnight in May - again!)

Lucca is too small for an over night, IMO. We visited Lucca from the CT, and did it in a day trip of just a few hours...that was enough for us. We could have stayed and rented some bikes to ride the wall, but we just wanted to check the town off our list. We did walk through a lot of the streets, visit the unique piazza, climbed to the top of the one tower (with the tree growing out of it on the top!) and walked along the canals...it's a really pretty town.