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Assisi
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Assisi, Italy, pairs Saint Francis’s basilica and medieval streets with Umbrian landscapes, sacred art, pilgrim traditions and hill-town views.

A Hill Town of Spiritual and Artistic Importance

Assisi rises on the lower slopes of Monte Subasio in Umbria, its pale stone buildings overlooking olive groves and the broad central Italian landscape. The town is closely associated with Saint Francis, whose life and teachings continue to shape its religious identity, architecture and annual calendar. Pilgrims and art lovers are drawn chiefly to the Basilica of Saint Francis, while the medieval centre rewards slower exploration through steep lanes, small piazzas and historic churches.
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Medieval Assisi

Within the old town, the Basilica of Saint Clare, the Roman Temple of Minerva and the Rocca Maggiore reveal different layers of Assisi's past. Piazza del Comune forms the civic heart, with the ancient temple incorporated into a lively medieval setting of cafés and stone façades. The Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva and the Cathedral of San Rufino add further depth to the town's religious and architectural character, while the winding Via San Francesco links major sights with workshops, galleries and businesses serving visitors.

Landscape and Living Traditions

Assisi's setting is inseparable from its appeal. Paths lead towards the slopes of Monte Subasio, and the cultivation of olives remains part of the surrounding rural economy. Below the hill, Santa Maria degli Angeli contains the Porziuncola, the small chapel central to the Franciscan story. Assisi can feel contemplative in the early morning and busy around its principal basilicas later in the day, yet its identity extends beyond pilgrimage through Umbrian food, craft traditions, sacred music and a landscape shaped by centuries of farming.

When is the best time to visit Assisi?

Best: May–June, September · 24–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1164
February1258
March1655
April2075
May (best)2490
June (best)2868
July3143
August3157
September (best)2867
October2294
November16101
December1284

Getting to and around Assisi

How to get there

The main rail gateway is Assisi station at Santa Maria degli Angeli, on the plain below the historic town, with train connections including services towards Perugia and other Italian cities, usually requiring a change for longer journeys. Regional trains from Rome and Florence commonly involve changes, so schedules should be checked before travelling. The nearest commercial airport is Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi Airport at Sant'Egidio, roughly 12 kilometres from Assisi, while Rome's airports provide a wider range of international connections but require a longer onward journey. Long-distance buses and regional coaches also serve the Umbrian area, and the town is accessible by road from the E45 and surrounding regional routes.

Transportation

Assisi's historic centre is best explored on foot, although the steep hillside, uneven paving and steps make supportive footwear important. Local buses connect Santa Maria degli Angeli and the railway station with the upper town, with stops near principal access points; taxis are useful for luggage or visitors who prefer to avoid the climb. Cars are generally inconvenient within the medieval centre, where traffic restrictions and limited parking apply, and visitors should follow local signs rather than attempting to drive through narrow historic streets. Santa Maria degli Angeli is relatively flat and easy to walk around, while the upper town and routes towards the Rocca Maggiore require more effort.

Best attractions in Assisi

Assisi's principal attractions unfold through a compact but hilly historic centre. The Basilica of Saint Francis is the essential cultural visit, with its two churches and internationally important frescoes, while the Basilica of Saint Clare offers a more intimate setting connected with the town's other great Franciscan figure. Piazza del Comune gathers the Roman Temple of Minerva, the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and medieval civic buildings around one of Umbria's most atmospheric urban spaces. The Cathedral of San Rufino reveals a richly worked Romanesque façade, and the Rocca Maggiore crowns the town with broad views over the plain. Below the hill, the vast Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli encloses the Porziuncola chapel. Art, pilgrimage, archaeology and landscape meet on paths towards Monte Subasio, where olive groves and open Umbrian views provide a change of pace from the busy basilicas.

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Best landmarks in Assisi

The Basilica of Saint Francis is Assisi's defining landmark, its Lower and Upper Churches forming a monumental pilgrimage complex decorated with celebrated medieval frescoes. The Basilica of Saint Clare, built in the thirteenth century with local pink and white stone, marks the burial place of the founder of the Poor Clares and overlooks the Umbrian plain. In Piazza del Comune, the Roman Temple of Minerva preserves an unusually complete ancient façade, later incorporated into the Christian and civic life of the town. The Cathedral of San Rufino is distinguished by its Romanesque portal and rose window, while the Rocca Maggiore represents Assisi's medieval military power above the settlement. Below the hill, the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli encloses the much smaller Porziuncola, creating a striking contrast between monumental architecture and the intimate chapel associated with Saint Francis.

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Best restaurants in Assisi

Assisi's food reflects the agricultural traditions of Umbria, with earthy flavours, olive oil, legumes, truffles, mushrooms, game and seasonal vegetables appearing in local cooking. Menus commonly include dishes based on strangozzi pasta, a thick hand-rolled Umbrian noodle, as well as torta al testo, a flatbread often filled with greens, cheese or cured meats. Restaurants and family-run trattorie around Via San Francesco, Piazza del Comune and the quieter lanes of the historic centre serve regional recipes alongside simple pilgrim-friendly meals, while cafés and pastry shops provide coffee and sweets throughout the day. Santa Maria degli Angeli adds further everyday dining away from the steep upper town. Local shops are useful for Umbrian olive oil, lentils, cheeses and cured meats, with menus changing according to the season rather than following a single Assisi speciality.

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Best bars in Assisi

Assisi's evenings are generally restrained rather than club-focused. After the main sightseeing hours, wine bars, cafés and small restaurants around Piazza del Comune and the central lanes offer places for an aperitivo or a quiet glass of Umbrian wine, while Via San Francesco remains active with visitors returning from the basilicas. Nightlife is shaped more by religious culture, dining and conversation than by large clubs, and the historic centre becomes notably calm later in the evening. Concerts of sacred and classical music, seasonal festivals and events connected with Assisi's churches can provide a more distinctive evening programme when scheduled. Santa Maria degli Angeli has a more ordinary local atmosphere and additional cafés, but visitors should not expect a concentrated late-night entertainment district or extensive club scene.

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Best nightclubs in Assisi

Assisi's evenings are generally restrained rather than club-focused. After the main sightseeing hours, wine bars, cafés and small restaurants around Piazza del Comune and the central lanes offer places for an aperitivo or a quiet glass of Umbrian wine, while Via San Francesco remains active with visitors returning from the basilicas. Nightlife is shaped more by religious culture, dining and conversation than by large clubs, and the historic centre becomes notably calm later in the evening. Concerts of sacred and classical music, seasonal festivals and events connected with Assisi's churches can provide a more distinctive evening programme when scheduled. Santa Maria degli Angeli has a more ordinary local atmosphere and additional cafés, but visitors should not expect a concentrated late-night entertainment district or extensive club scene.

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Best shops in Assisi

Shopping in Assisi centres on small independent businesses rather than large retail districts. The lanes around Via San Francesco and Piazza del Comune contain shops selling religious art, books, ceramics, leather goods, jewellery and locally made souvenirs, alongside galleries and craft workshops. Visitors can also find Umbrian olive oil, wines, dried legumes, truffles, cheeses and cured meats, products that connect the town's retail culture with the surrounding countryside. Traditional embroidery and textile work are associated with the wider Umbrian craft tradition, while ceramics and devotional objects vary considerably in quality and style, making provenance worth asking about. Santa Maria degli Angeli offers more everyday shops and food retailers than the upper town. The central market activity is modest compared with the permanent commercial streets, so shopping here is primarily a matter of browsing specialist stores and regional-produce merchants.

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Assisi essentials

Currency and Payment
Italy uses the euro, with the international currency code EUR. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, many restaurants, shops and larger visitor businesses, though smaller cafés, market stalls and independent establishments may still prefer cash or have minimum-card requirements. Cash machines are available in Assisi and Santa Maria degli Angeli; international visitors should check whether their bank applies withdrawal or foreign-exchange fees. Carrying a modest amount of euros is practical for small purchases, local transport and places where payment technology is unavailable. Italy uses decimal commas in prices, so €12,50 means twelve euros and fifty cents.
Safety
Assisi is generally visited without unusual safety concerns, but ordinary precautions remain sensible in crowded areas around the basilicas, on buses and near railway connections. Keep wallets and phones secure, particularly when groups gather around major religious sites, and avoid leaving luggage visible in parked vehicles. The stone streets can become slippery in wet weather, while steep passages and steps call for care after dark or for visitors with limited mobility. Respect barriers and restricted areas in churches and archaeological sites. During religious festivals and busy pilgrimage periods, allow extra time for movement and keep personal belongings close in dense pedestrian areas.
Emergency Situations
In an emergency anywhere in Italy, dial 112 for the European emergency service, which can coordinate police, fire and medical assistance. Give the operator the exact street, landmark or accommodation address, as the historic centre contains narrow lanes and similarly named passages. For urgent medical care, follow instructions from the emergency operator or ask accommodation staff, a pharmacist or local authorities for the appropriate service; do not rely on ordinary pharmacy opening times for emergencies. International visitors should carry identification and travel-insurance details, and those taking prescription medicines should keep them in their original packaging with a record of the generic names.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress respectfully when entering the Basilica of Saint Francis, the Basilica of Saint Clare, the cathedral and other religious buildings, covering shoulders and avoiding very short clothing. Keep voices low, follow photography rules and never touch artworks, tombs or devotional objects. In cafés and restaurants, check whether service or a cover charge is already shown on the bill; tipping is discretionary rather than a fixed obligation. Avoid blocking narrow lanes or church entrances, and do not enter restricted areas during services or ceremonies. Treat the town as a living religious community, not only as a sightseeing backdrop, particularly during pilgrim gatherings and local festivals.
Local Tips
The main basilicas are concentrated in the upper town, but the Roman Temple of Minerva and Piazza del Comune provide a useful orientation point before exploring nearby lanes. Santa Maria degli Angeli below Assisi has a different, more open character and is worth treating as a separate stop rather than merely a transport interchange. For quieter views, walk towards the Rocca Maggiore or along selected paths on Monte Subasio, checking terrain and weather first. Umbrian olive oil, seasonal produce and regional wines appear in local shops and restaurants, while the Franciscan sites are best approached with enough time for silence, services and security procedures.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloCiao[chow]
GoodbyeArrivederci[ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee]
YesSì[see]
NoNo[noh]
Please/You're welcomePer favore[pehr fah-VOH-reh]
Thank youGrazie[GRAH-tsyeh]
Excuse me/SorryMi scusi[mee SKOO-zee]
How are you?Come stai?[KOH-meh stai]
Fine. And you?Bene. E tu?[BEH-neh. Ay too]
Do you speak English?Parli inglese?[PAHR-lee een-GLAY-zeh]
I don't understandNon capisco[nohn kah-PEES-koh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseVorrei vedere il menu, per favore[vohr-RAY veh-DEH-reh eel MEH-noo, pehr fah-VOH-reh]
I don't eat meatNon mangio carne[nohn MAHN-joh KAR-neh]
Cheers!Salute![sah-LOO-teh]
I would like to pay, pleaseVorrei pagare, per favore[vohr-RAY pah-GAH-reh, pehr fah-VOH-reh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Aiuto![ah-YOO-toh]
Go away!Vai via![vy VEE-ah]
Call the Police!Chiama la polizia![KYAH-mah lah poh-LEE-tsyah]
Call a doctor!Chiama un dottore![KYAH-mah oon doh-TOH-reh]
I'm lostMi sono perso[mee SOH-noh PEHR-soh]
I'm illSto male[stoh MAH-leh]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Vorrei comprare...[vohr-RAY kohm-PRah-reh]
I'm just lookingSto solo guardando[stoh SOH-loh gwar-DAHN-doh]
How much is it?Quanto costa?[KWAHN-toh KOH-stah]
That's too expensiveÈ troppo caro[eh TROH-poh KAH-roh]
Can you lower the price?Puoi abbassare il prezzo?[PWoh-ee ahb-bah-SAH-reh eel PREH-tsoh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Che ora è?[keh OH-rah eh]
It's one o'clockÈ l'una[eh LOO-nah]
Half past (10)Sono le dieci e mezza[SOH-noh leh dyeh-chee eh MEH-tzah]
MorningMattina[maht-TEE-nah]
AfternoonPomeriggio[poh-meh-REE-joh]
EveningSera[SEH-rah]
YesterdayIeri[YEH-ree]
TodayOggi[OH-jee]
TomorrowDomani[doh-MAH-nee]
1Uno[OO-noh]
2Due[DOO-eh]
3Tre[TREH]
4Quattro[KWAH-troh]
5Cinque[CHEEN-kweh]
6Sei[say]
7Sette[SEH-teh]
8Otto[OH-toh]
9Nove[NOH-veh]
10Dieci[DYEH-chee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Dov'è...?[doh-VEH]
What's the address?Qual è l'indirizzo?[kwahl eh leen-DEER-eet-zoh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Puoi mostrarmi (sulla mappa)?[PWoh-ee mohs-TRAHR-mee SOOL-lah MAHP-pah]
When's the next (bus)?Quando è il prossimo (autobus)?[KWAHN-doh eh eel PROHS-sih-moh ow-TOH-boos]
A ticket (to ....)Un biglietto (per ....)[oon bee-LYET-toh pehr]

History of Assisi

Umbrian and Roman Foundations

Assisi developed in territory associated with the ancient Umbrians before coming under Roman influence. The Roman settlement, known as Asisium, occupied the same strategic hillside and benefited from its position between the Apennines and the Umbrian plain. Surviving remains include the Temple of Minerva, whose Corinthian façade now faces Piazza del Comune, together with fragments of Roman urban structures incorporated into later buildings. Roman roads and administrative connections helped establish the settlement as a regional centre, while the hill's defensible position continued to influence its growth. The relationship between ancient stonework and the medieval town remains especially visible around the civic square, where Roman architectural elements have been preserved within a later urban landscape.

The Medieval Commune Takes Shape

After the decline of Roman authority, Assisi passed through the political and religious transformations that affected central Italy. The town became a Christian centre and later developed as a medieval commune, with civic institutions, fortified walls and churches defining its expanding urban identity. Rivalry between Assisi and nearby Perugia contributed to a period of conflict, while local noble families and communal authorities competed for influence. The Rocca Maggiore was strengthened as a symbol of military power above the settlement, and the town's churches and public buildings acquired the forms associated with medieval Umbrian architecture. These layers remain legible in the streets between the cathedral, Piazza del Comune and the upper fortifications.

Saint Francis and the Franciscan Movement

Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, known as Saint Francis of Assisi, was born in Assisi in 1181 or 1182. After renouncing his former life, he founded the Order of Friars Minor, whose emphasis on poverty, preaching and service spread rapidly across Europe. Francis died in 1226 and was canonised in 1228, after which Assisi became a major centre of pilgrimage. The Basilica of Saint Francis was begun soon afterwards, combining the Lower and Upper Churches with an extraordinary cycle of frescoes associated with artists including Giotto and Cimabue. The Franciscan movement permanently altered Assisi's religious importance and encouraged the development of a monumental pilgrimage landscape.

Clare, the Poor Clares and Santa Maria degli Angeli

Saint Clare, born into a noble Assisi family, followed Francis's example and founded the Order of Poor Ladies, later known as the Poor Clares. The Basilica of Saint Clare, begun after her death in 1253, became the principal centre of her veneration and preserves her tomb. Another important Franciscan site lies below the hill at Santa Maria degli Angeli, where the Porziuncola chapel is enclosed within the later basilica. Francis restored and used the small chapel, which became closely connected with the formation of his community and the final years of his life. Together, these sites made Assisi a landscape of connected Franciscan memory rather than a town centred on a single shrine.

From Papal Territory to Modern Italy

Assisi remained within the political orbit of the Papal States for centuries, although local institutions and religious communities continued to shape everyday life. The town's economy drew on agriculture, olive cultivation, craft production and pilgrimage, while its medieval fabric survived successive political changes. In the nineteenth century, Assisi became part of the Kingdom of Italy during national unification. Modern transport links made the hill town more accessible, and its religious and artistic heritage increasingly attracted international visitors. The basilicas, churches and civic buildings were preserved as monuments, even as Assisi retained the functions of a living Umbrian community rather than becoming solely an archaeological site.

Heritage, Pilgrimage and Reconstruction

The twentieth century brought both global recognition and serious challenges. Assisi's Franciscan heritage gave the town an international role in religious dialogue, particularly through meetings associated with Pope John Paul II in 1986 and later years. On 26 September 1997, earthquakes struck Umbria and damaged buildings across Assisi, including the Basilica of Saint Francis; the collapse of part of the Upper Church caused loss of important frescoes. A major restoration campaign followed, and the basilica reopened after extensive work. In 2000, the Basilica of Saint Francis and other Franciscan sites in Assisi were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognising their artistic and cultural importance.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Assisi, Italy

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Explore Assisi with Evendo, the comprehensive, free app-based travel guide. Easily discover and book attractions, landmarks, tours, and more in Assisi, Italy.

  • History of Assisi and travel essentials
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