10 Best Things to Do and See in Assisi
Exploring Assisi on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Assisi, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Assisi. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most iconic places in Assisi, in Umbria, and a major spiritual landmark in Italy. This vast religious complex attracts visitors for its sober architecture, spaces for reflection, and deeply peaceful atmosphere. It is especially known for its famous frescoes, chapels, crypts, and halls decorated with works of art that tell the story of the life and legacy of Saint Francis. The visit also offers beautiful views over the town and the surrounding hills, in a setting filled with silence and beauty.
2. Basilica of Saint Clare of Assisi
The Basilica of Saint Clare of Assisi is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, prized for its peaceful atmosphere and understated architecture. A visit reveals a Gothic church with simple lines, quiet spaces for contemplation, and religious works that reflect Assisi’s spiritual tradition. The site is as appealing for its importance in the local heritage as it is for its views over the city and the surrounding countryside. It is an essential stop for understanding Assisi’s historical and spiritual identity.
3. Saint Damien of Assisi Chapel
The Chapel of Saint Damian in Assisi is a peaceful and emblematic place, located outside the historic center in a simple setting steeped in spirituality. Visitors discover a small stone church linked to Assisi’s religious history and the contemplative atmosphere typical of the region. The whole site appeals with its understated architecture, green surroundings, and the sense of serenity it inspires. It is a popular stop for better understanding Assisi’s spiritual heritage and enjoying a quiet moment away from the tourist bustle.
4. Eremo delle Carceri
The Hermitage of the Carceri, located on the wooded slopes of Mount Subasio, near Assisi, is a place of peace and contemplation in the heart of the Umbrian countryside. Here, visitors discover an ancient hermitage surrounded by trails, oak forests, and a tranquil landscape that invites walking and meditation. The site includes simple prayer spaces and several small stone buildings, offering a spiritual atmosphere deeply tied to Franciscan history. It is a popular stop for its natural setting and quiet ambiance.
5. Assisi Cathedral
The Cathedral of Assisi, located in the heart of this Umbrian city, is a remarkable religious building that draws visitors with its understated architecture and reflective atmosphere. Stepping inside, you discover an iconic place of worship, with interior spaces conducive to silence, contemplation, and the appreciation of artistic and liturgical details. Its façade and overall architectural ensemble are part of Assisi’s historic landscape, a city known for its spiritual and medieval heritage. It is an essential stop for understanding the city’s religious and cultural identity.
6. Rocca Maggiore
Dominating Assisi from its hilltop, Rocca Maggiore is an imposing medieval fortress that offers a striking glimpse into the city’s defensive past. As you walk along its ramparts, courtyards, and stone passages, you discover a site steeped in history, where military architecture blends with panoramic views over Assisi and the Umbrian countryside. It is a place loved for its austere atmosphere, dramatic viewpoints, and the way it helps visitors understand the strategic importance of this citadel through the centuries.
7. Piazza del Comune
In the heart of Assisi, Piazza del Comune is the main square, where you can experience the liveliest atmosphere in the historic center. Lined with stone buildings, cafés, and shops, it offers a fine glimpse of the city’s medieval charm. Here you can spot several iconic landmarks, including the Temple of Minerva, as well as civic buildings and historic palaces that reflect Assisi’s past. It is also a pleasant place to stroll, watch local life unfold, and admire the typical architecture of the surrounding narrow streets.
8. Mount Subasio
Mount Subasio, which overlooks Assisi in Umbria, offers a landscape of gentle hills, open woodlands and wide meadows ideal for hiking. This massif is appreciated for its scenic trails, viewpoints over the valley and the peaceful atmosphere that surrounds it. Visitors will discover unspoiled nature, flora typical of the Apennines and a perfect setting for admiring the region’s landscape. It is a popular destination for walking, cycling and enjoying the great outdoors, just a few kilometers from the town of Assisi.
9. Bosco di San Francesco
The Bosco di San Francesco, in Assisi, is a peaceful natural area where you can discover a rich mosaic of woodland, walking paths and Umbrian rural landscapes. This place invites visitors to stroll through untouched nature, with viewpoints over the surrounding hills and an atmosphere that encourages calm and contemplation. Visitors appreciate the variety of vegetation, the hiking trails and the close connection between natural and spiritual heritage that defines Assisi. It is an ideal stop to get away from the bustle of the city.
10. Santa Maria sopra Minerva Church
Santa Maria sopra Minerva Church, located in Assisi’s historic center, offers a remarkable stop in the heart of the city. Behind its understated façade, visitors discover an ancient place of worship with a peaceful charm, in contrast to the lively streets nearby. Inside, the atmosphere invites reflection, with simple architecture and spaces well suited to appreciating the local religious heritage. This church also offers a chance to experience the spiritual and artistic richness of Assisi, an emblematic city of Umbria, while enjoying a quieter visit than at the most popular sites.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
