Where to stay in Umbria

Wondering where to stay in Umbria? Well here is our guide to help you decide

In the centre of Italy sits Umbria, one of the few landlocked regions, with Tuscany to the north, Le Marche to the east and Lazio to the west. Often referred to as the "il Cuore verde dell' Italia" ("Italy's green heart:). Heart is an excellent choice of words to describe the region, the 4th smallest region of the Apennine Peninsular with landscapes that exert the most lasting charm; rolling hills, ancient villages, valleys, lakes and woodland make it gentle and serene.

Dotted with splendid medieval hill towns and offering the chance to escape the crowds in Tuscany, the region presents a great alternative for those wanting to visit their own little piece of Italy. Umbria has certainly emerged from the shadows of its most famous neighbour and has some great attractions and is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. To the east, the rolling hills escalate into a more rugged terrain and the dramatic scenery of the Valnerina and the mountain landscapes of the newly appointed National Park Status of the Sibilini Mountains.

The resorts

What you find in Umbria, is a wealth of impressive towns, many with unrivalled views of the surrounding area and their own little piece of history, culture and architecture. To the north of the region you have the Apennine Mountains that border Le Marche with the city of Gubbio at their base. They stretch down to the south of the region to the Monte Sibilini where you can enjoy winter sports and a handful of ski resorts. To the west is situated the city of Orvieto and Lake Trasimeno and finally in Umbria's heart are its most well known of cities Perugia, the regions capital and stunning Assisi.

1. Assisi is beautiful with an array of cobbled streets, impressive piazzas, geranium filled window boxes, wonderful architecture and great views. Its heart is dominated by the world-famous Basilica di San Francesco and in peak season pilgrims will flock from near and far to pray and pay homage to the famous Saint. However, don't let this put you off, the crowds still fail to spoil this beautiful and tranquil spot. The old town of Assisi is best to be explore on foot, particularly in the evening when daytime crowds have disappeared back to their hotels or villas, leaving one to amble through the cobbled streets and immerse yourself in its eerily tranquil persona, in which we find very rare to find in any other hill town in Italy.

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2. Spoletto a delightful town, particularly at night where you can marvel at the many monuments that light up the night sky as you wander around its gravity defying streets in its heart. Surrounded by thick walls and a breath-taking gorge, which attracts its own set of visitors, it is perhaps Umbria's most charming of towns. Widely recognised for its summer festival of "Two Worlds" which is visited by science and music lovers alike who can immerse themselves in an array of concerts from opera, drama, visual arts and science.

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3. Perugia the regions capital, is a star attraction; a stylish and bustling hill city with a strong cultural tradition and some splendid monuments. A renowned University town, particular for overseas students, gives the city a cosmopolitan vibe. In the summer during the Umbrian Jazz festival, Perugia takes centre stage with a range of events but aside from that, Perugia is probably most famous around the world for its Chocolate in particular, Baco "Kiss" and its impressive long-standing Baci Perugina chocolate factory, an excellent day out for the family with children. The Carducci Gardens are not to be missed, built on the remnants of the Paolina Fortress with breath taking views over the valley and the Subasio Mountains.

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4. Gubbio is one of the most striking hill towns with medieval architecture and surrounded by rugged and wooded landscapes. Many have classed this town as the 'Siena of Umbria'. This gorgeous mountain locked town could be classed a one if Italy's most resolutely medieval centres with its centuries old palazzos and treeless streets dabbled with its most famous offering of its many ceramic shops that pay homage to this local trade. The town feels more like a huge museum rather than a town, well worth a visit to wander around the historical medieval streets.

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5. Todi is a sophisticated little place with its impressive Piazza del Popolo and medieval public buildings set on top of a craggy hill. This trendy town is a draw for the coolest of foreigners as it has an air of prosperity which is definitely reflected in its grand central square. Consistently voted "one of the world's most liveable towns" by the University of Kentucky and therefore attracts the jet setting Americans purchasing holiday homes.

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6. Orvieto, a remarkable town of layers built upon a volcanic plateau, with an extraordinary cathedral which it is probably most famous for, which is truly magical, but not to be missed is the extraordinary array of underground chambers within its volcanic base. The town looks down from the perch purveying the vineyard spotted countryside and farmlands with a spectacular elegance from its cliff edge. Being located between Rome and Florence ensures it is a great base for exploring both regions whilst also having the countryside on your door step.

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7. Lake Trasimeno has a subtle and sleepy charm and is a great location for swimming, fishing, water sports and horse riding. Italy's 4th largest lake takes an hour to drive around its 35-mile circumference and is surrounded by gentle hills covered with olives and vineyards. There are a number of interesting resorts around the lake. Passignano is a lively and modern resort with shops, fish restaurants and bars. The enticing Castiglione del Lago on the West shore is dominated by a 14th century fortress and has some pleasant beaches. Tuoro and San Feliciano to the south are pleasant as is Panicale which is picture postcard.

Other towns well worth a visit in this green and pleasant land are Spello, which is often referred to as Assisi's little sister, Bevagna, a sleek and welcoming little gem of a town and the almost unknown Trevi. The dominating hill town of Montefalco, which is often referred to as "the balcony of Umbria" is definitely worth a trip.

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Why visit Umbria?

Umbria does have it all: wonderful countryside, excellent hill towns, lively Perugia for shopping and nightlife, Lake Trasimeno for swimming and water sports, mountains for walking, excellent culture, unrivalled food and drink and strong traditions. The rich combination of countryside, magnificent medieval towns and not forgetting the lake and mountains, give Umbria its own identity and it won't take long for this green heart of a region to steal your own. Combining this with the draw it offers as a quieter alternative to its busy neighbouring regions makes it the perfect tranquil spot for some genuine relaxation. Due to its popularity as a holiday destination, Umbria does have a great selection of properties to rent and ranging from the typical Umbrian farmhouses to apartments in Borgos, villas, townhouses, village apartments and houses.

To summarise, whether it's a holiday steeped in medieval tradition and touring the regions many towns, churches and fortresses, an adventure filled vacation of trekking mountain paths, paragliding, horseback riding and cycling or a foodie's excursion hunting for truffles and sampling the local salamis - Umbria is definitely for you. However, if you simply need a relaxing holiday by the pool, we offer a splendid selection of Villas in Umbria where you can soak up the rustic Italian landscape of rolling hills that will take your breath away.