10 Best Things to Do and See in Perugia
Exploring Perugia 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 Perugia, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Perugia. 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. Piazza IV Novembre
In the heart of Perugia, Piazza IV Novembre is one of the city’s most iconic squares, lively with its monumental setting and historic atmosphere. Here you’ll find remarkable landmarks, including San Lorenzo Cathedral and the Palazzo dei Priori, as well as the famous monumental fountain that immediately catches the eye. It is a place to pass through, meet up and stroll, where you can admire medieval architecture, enjoy the nearby cafés, and fully experience the vibrant character of Perugia’s historic center.
2. Rocca Paolina
La Rocca Paolina, in Perugia, is a historic fortress now best known for its impressive underground spaces and unique atmosphere. As you explore the site, you will discover vaulted corridors, remains of ancient walls, and passages that reveal the city’s many layers of urban history. The site offers a distinctive visit, both monumental and intimate, in the heart of Perugia. It appeals as much for its defensive architecture as for its transformation into a place for strolling and discovery.
3. Fontana Maggiore
In the heart of Perugia, the Fontana Maggiore is one of the city’s most remarkable landmarks and a must-see stop on a walk through the main square. This elegant medieval fountain is captivating for its tiered basins, finely carved sculptures, and richly detailed stone decorations. Looking closely, visitors discover an artistic ensemble that blends function and beauty, with reliefs depicting everyday life, the seasons, and various symbolic motifs. It is an ideal place to admire Perugia’s historic heritage in a lively and authentic atmosphere.
4. Barton Park
Barton Park is an urban park in Perugia that offers a green break in the heart of the city. Located on Viale Giuseppe Meazza, it stands out for its open spaces, plantings and simple facilities that invite a walk or a moment of rest. Rather than a monumental site, it is a peaceful urban space valued for its relative calm and its place in the city fabric. It offers a more everyday side of Perugia, centered on nature in the city.
5. National Gallery of Umbria
The National Gallery of Umbria, in Perugia, is one of the major art museums in central Italy. Housed in the Palazzo dei Priori, it presents a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and works of art that trace the artistic history of Umbria and the surrounding region. Visitors can mainly discover medieval and Renaissance religious works, with painted panels, altarpieces, and masterpieces by Italian masters. The visit also offers the chance to appreciate the monumental setting of the palace and to better understand the rich cultural heritage of Perugia.
6. Carducci Gardens
The Carducci Gardens in Perugia offer a pleasant break in the heart of the city, with shaded paths, well-kept green spaces and views over the surrounding landscape. This public garden is appreciated for its peaceful atmosphere, ideal for a walk, a moment of relaxation or a family stop. Here you can enjoy a tree-lined setting where benches, lawns and Mediterranean vegetation blend together, in a charming urban environment that invites you to slow down and enjoy the gentle pace of Umbria.
7. Frontone Gardens
The Frontone Gardens, in Perugia, offer a pleasant green space for taking a break just steps from the historic center. Visitors will find large lawns, shady pathways, and views over the city and the surrounding hills, in a peaceful atmosphere much appreciated by walkers. This park, popular with both locals and visitors, is ideal for relaxing, reading, or simply enjoying a quiet stroll. It is a simple, welcoming place, perfect for enjoying a touch of greenery in the city.
8. Perugia Cathedral
Perugia Cathedral, also called the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, dominates the city’s historic center and offers a beautiful glimpse into Umbria’s religious heritage. Inside, visitors discover a vast place of worship with a solemn atmosphere, chapels, sacred artworks, and architectural features that reflect several periods. From the surrounding area, the square also offers a great view of Perugia’s medieval heart and its nearby narrow streets. It is a must-see for understanding the city’s history and identity.
9. Underground Perugia – Archaeological Area
Perugia Underground – Archaeological Area invites visitors to explore the undergrounds of Perugia, in the heart of Italy, through an archaeological route that reveals several layers of the city’s past. Visitors can discover buried remains, ancient walls and overlapping structures, witnesses to the city’s urban evolution over the centuries. The visit offers a better understanding of how the city developed above a network of older constructions, in a unique and understated atmosphere, far from the bustle of the streets of the historic center.
10. Etruscan Well
Etruscan Well is an underground site that reveals another side of Perugia, far from the streets and façades of the old town. Visitors discover a vast stone structure centered on a deep well and impressive, functional architecture defined by its simplicity. The site shows how the city has preserved traces of ancient waterworks beneath its cobblestones. The visit highlights the scale of the interior, the coolness of the space and the contrast between the lively Piazza Ignazio Danti and the silence underground.
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.
