Before you go

Your trip to Assis.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Assis – Úmbria Destination Úmbria about 25 km from Perúgia

How to get there

Aeroporto di Roma-Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci (FCO) Fiumicino · 205 km
Aeroporto Internazionale dell'Umbria - Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi (PEG) Perugia · 13 km
Assisi Santa Maria degli Angeli · 5 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. Arrival is usually via Rome–Fiumicino (FCO). From Rome, the train takes about 2–2.5 hours, direct or with a change in Foligno; from Perúgia, about 20 minutes. The station is in Santa Maria degli Angeli, and a local bus goes up to the historic centre.

How many days

A full day covers the two basilicas, the Piazza del Comune and the Rocca Maggiore. With two days you can walk to San Damiano, climb to the Eremo delle Carceri and see the town early and at night, without the tour groups.

When to go

April to June and September to October usually have pleasant weather. On October 4, Saint Francis' feast day, and at Easter the town receives many pilgrims. In May the Calendimaggio usually takes place, a medieval festival between the neighborhoods. Winter is cold, but the sanctuaries remain open.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. Assis has a train station in the lower part, with a bus up to the centre, and the historic centre is a ZTL, closed to outside cars. Those arriving by car leave the vehicle in car parks outside the walls, such as Porta Nuova and Piazza Matteotti. A car or taxi is only helpful for the Eremo delle Carceri.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Assis

Morning
Basilica di San Francesco
Arrive early at the Basilica di San Francesco. Begin with the lower church and the crypt containing the saint's tomb, then go up to the upper church, with scenes from the life of Francis.
Afternoon
Piazza del Comune and Santa Chiara
Walk up Via San Francesco to Piazza del Comune and the Tempio di Minerva. Have lunch around 12:30–14:30 and continue along Corso Mazzini to the Basilica di Santa Chiara.
Late afternoon
San Rufino and Rocca Maggiore
Pass by the Cattedrale di San Rufino and go up to the Rocca Maggiore to see the Umbrian valley in the evening light.
Evening
Dinner in the center
Have dinner from about 19:30–20:00 in the streets around Piazza del Comune, enjoying truffle dishes and Umbrian pastas, and see the illuminated basilica from the viewpoint at Piazza San Francesco.

2 days in Assis

Day 1

Morning
Basilica di San Francesco
Unhurried visit to the lower and upper churches of the Basilica di San Francesco and to the crypt with the saint's tomb.
Afternoon
Historic center
Piazza del Comune with the Tempio di Minerva, the Basilica di Santa Chiara and the Cattedrale di San Rufino, featuring the baptismal font of Francis and Clare.
Late afternoon
Rocca Maggiore
Climb to the Rocca Maggiore and walk the ramparts with views over the town and the valley.
Evening
Assisi at night
Walk the streets once the day groups are gone and have dinner in the historic center.

Day 2

Morning
Eremo delle Carceri
Take a taxi to the Eremo delle Carceri on Monte Subasio and walk the woodland trails. Return on foot downhill or by taxi.
Afternoon
San Damiano
After lunch, leave through Porta Nuova and descend through the olive groves to the Santuario di San Damiano.
Late afternoon
Santa Maria degli Angeli
Take the bus down to the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli to see the Porziuncola, the Cappella del Transito and the Roseto.
Evening
Farewell
Dine in Santa Maria degli Angeli, near the station, or return up to the center for the last night.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from the train station to Assisi's center?

By city bus, which departs from in front of the station in Santa Maria degli Angeli and climbs to the historic center in about 15 minutes. A taxi is also quick.

Can you visit Assisi on a day trip?

Yes — from Perugia, about 20 minutes by train, or from Rome as a long day trip. Staying overnight in town lets you see the basilicas with fewer people.

Are there dress rules for the churches in Assisi?

Yes. In the basilicas and sanctuaries, shoulders and knees should be covered, and silence is requested in places of prayer.

When does Assisi receive the most pilgrims?

On October 4th, the feast of St. Francis, at Easter, and in summer. On those dates, book accommodation in advance.

Does the town have many hills?

Yes. Assisi sits on the slope of Monte Subasio, with uphill streets and stairs. Wear comfortable shoes.

Back to Assis