Assisi & Perugia Day Trip from Florence with St. Francis Basilica
Description
Escape the hustle of Florence and journey to Umbria’s most breathtaking gems: the medieval capital of Perugia and the mystical town of Assisi, nestled at the foot of Mount Subasio. This excursion offers a deep dive into art, pristine nature and historic towns. Step back in time as you roam Perugia’s glorious, winding streets. Enjoy free time to admire the grand Duomo, discover its ancient landmarks and soak in the lively atmosphere of its historic center. Next, travel to Assisi and experience the peaceful atmosphere of the City of Saints. A local, professional guide will lead you on a guided tour through history, straight into the majestic St. Francis Basilica to marvel at Giotto’s legendary, world-famous frescoes. During your free time, you can explore the town at your own pace, visit the beautiful Basilica of Saint Clare, and pay your respects at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint. It is the perfect blend of guided history and independent exploration.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This tour is perfect for those of you looking for a unique, meaningful, and truly unforgettable day! Meet your friendly and history-loving tour guide at Piazzale Montelungo Bus Terminal. Piazzale Montelungo is located 5-10 minutes walking distance from Santa Maria Novella train station. Find your seat on the comfortable coach bus, and you will depart shortly! During your journey south towards Assisi, your guide will share some interesting information about this gorgeous, hilltop town. The drive will take about 1.5 hours.
Let’s head to the heart of Italy and discover Umbria, often described—together with Tuscany—as the country’s “green heart”, thanks to its rolling hills, medieval towns, and breathtaking landscapes. In the morning, you will board a comfortable, air-conditioned coach and begin your journey accompanied by an expert tour leader, who will assist you throughout the entire day and ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience as you explore Perugia and Assisi.
Perugia, the regional capital of Umbria, is a charming hilltop city rich in history, art, and lively traditions. During your free time, you’ll have the opportunity to explore its most iconic landmarks at your own pace, such as Piazza IV Novembre, with its stunning Fontana Maggiore, the impressive Perugia Cathedral, and the fascinating Rocca Paolina, an underground fortress offering a unique glimpse into the city’s past. Stroll through medieval streets, enjoy the local atmosphere, and soak in the authentic Umbrian charm.
Perugia is also internationally famous for its chocolate and is home to Eurochocolate, Europe’s most important chocolate festival. You can choose to enhance your experience with an optional chocolate tasting at an Eurochocolate Shop, where you’ll discover the history of Perugian chocolate and sample some of its most renowned creations.
Next, you will cross the regional border into Umbria, heading to the mesmerizing town of Assisi. Filled with white buildings and incredible churches, the town also naturally overlooks the green, beautiful valley below. Assisi is known as one of the most sacred places in Italy, as it is the home of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. Before learning more and discovering the city, you will have an hour of free time to indulge in a delicious lunch wherever you would prefer. Assisi is known for its fragrant truffle pastas, hearty vegetable soups, herbed meats, and nut and dried fruit crostini desserts.
Assisi is one of Umbria’s most enchanting towns. Known as the city of Saints Francis and Clare, Assisi rises on a hill once called the “Hill of Hell” (“Colle dell’Inferno”), formerly a burial ground for condemned criminals. The name later changed to “Hill of Paradise” after the foundation stone of the Basilica of Saint Francis was laid.
An expert local guide will lead you through Assisi’s winding medieval streets, unveiling the secrets of this extraordinary town. You will visit the renowned Basilica of Saint Francis, home to remarkably preserved frescoes by Giotto, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, and Cimabue.
After the guided visit, enjoy some free time to shop in local artisan stores or relax in the main square with a coffee. You can also visit on your own the Basilica of Saint Clare, dedicated to Saint Francis’ sister and the tomb of the tomb of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint.
After discovering the most of Assisi, you will head about ten minutes away to the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. It is located about two and a half miles (four kilometers) from the city center. Your guide will lead you into Santa Maria degli Angeli, but it is actually more famous for another much smaller building inside - “Porziuncola.” This very small, stone chapel once housed Saint Francis and his followers, and it is where he started the Franciscan order. Now, you will see the Porziuncola has been decorated in Gothic style frescoes, glorifying the small building. Enjoy some time to appreciate the beauty and importance of “Porziuncola.”
After a day of fascinating sightseeing, beautiful landscapes, and plenty of photos… It will be time to return to Florence. Hop back onto the comfortable coach bus, and the drive will take about 1.5 hours. You will arrive back in the early evening.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Entrance into churches requires a strict dress code. We cannot be held responsible for entry denied due to improper dress. Please make sure your shoulders and knees are covered
- English and Spanish are always guaranteed. In order to confirm the excursion in Italian, Portuguese or French a minimum of 4 pax is required
- Please note that the given order of the visits may change
Reviews(312)
Our day trip to Assisi and Perugia was beautiful, and our tour guide, Lucia, made the experience even more memorable. She was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and organized. Throughout the day, she gave clear directions, shared fascinating information about each destination, and made everyone feel welcome. She truly went above and beyond, and I am so grateful for the wonderful experience she provided. Unfortunately, my experience with the bus driver, Maussimo, was very disappointing (GIOTTO BUS). During our first restroom stop, I was sitting on the bus waiting for my family. I was sitting sideways with my legs crossed and my feet slightly lifted—they were not touching the seat. The driver came onto the bus, rushed toward me, struck the seat with his hand, and began yelling at me, saying that he was the one who cleaned the bus and that I needed to keep my feet down. I immediately apologized and said, "Oh, sorry," but he responded by saying, "No sorry," while continuing to raise his voice before walking away. I completely understand and respect wanting passengers to help keep the bus clean. If my position gave the impression that I might dirty the seat, a polite request would have been more than enough. There was no reason to be spoken to in such a disrespectful and intimidating manner. Despite this unfortunate interaction, Lucia's professionalism, warmth, and passion for her work made the tour worthwhile. She deserves recognition for the exceptional job she does, and I sincerely thank her for making the day so enjoyable.
Lucia was very pleasant and informative. Despite the 100 degree weather she was excellent. Mosimo the bus driver was awesome too.
Lucia was an excellent guide. The kids had a great time.
Excellent!!!!! The tour was very well guided. The guides Lucía and Vladimir were very attentive and kind. Thank you very much!!!!!
Excellent! Comfortable trip, with safe direction, friendly guide and knowing the route! Super Indico
Camille was an excellent guide. Very attentive and explained the details. The trip was very comfortable. Indicate.
Good ride, good van and cool guide!
We had a wonderful experience on this tour, thanks to our guide, John Marco, and our driver, Miguel. John Marco was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to make sure my father was comfortable throughout the day. My dad has difficulty walking, and John Marco was always patient, walked at a comfortable pace, and offered helpful advice about where to go and what to see. His thoughtfulness and genuine care made the experience so much more enjoyable for our family. Miguel was fantastic as well. The bus was spotless and very comfortable, and he was extremely friendly throughout the trip. He even shared a few jokes along the way, which added a fun and personal touch to the experience. The entire tour was very well organized, with the perfect amount of time at each stop to enjoy and explore many beautiful places without feeling rushed. We truly appreciated the professionalism, kindness, and attention to detail from both John Marco and Miguel. They helped make this a memorable and enjoyable experience, and we would highly recommend this tour!
The guide is very warm and sweet, but he lacks a little fluency in speaking English.
Our guides Leon and the driver Nicola were excellent. They were kind and respectful at all times. Leon, the very well-prepared guide, made the experience magnificent. Thank you
