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Assisi

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Hilltop Saints, Frescoes and Peaceful Views

Assisi is a small town in central Italy known for its quiet streets and rich history. It sits on rolling hills surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The city is famous as the birthplace of Saint Francis, whose legacy shapes much of Assisi’s character through beautiful churches and museums. Local cafes serve traditional Italian food with fresh herbs from nearby farms. Visitors explore ancient walls and enjoy panoramic views without crowds typical in larger cities. This makes Assisi appealing for those seeking culture and calm together.

City in Italy
Climate zone: Mediterranean

Mediterranean: Mid-latitude climates with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typical of coastal regions around the Mediterranean Basin.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
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Safety: 8.5
General Safety:9
Health & medical:8
Accessibility:6
Tap water:9
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Tourist English: 3/5
English is spoken in most hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions, especially by younger staff. In small shops and with older locals, Italian is more common, but basic English is usually enough for visitors.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Assisi Summary

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Important for religious history and medieval streets. Visit St. Francis Basilica, walk stone alleys and enjoy scenic Umbrian countryside views.
Place score
8.7
Best at:
Religious sites
10
Pilgrimage
10
Cosy towns
9
Historic sites
9
Traditional culture
9
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 7
Families
🧓 7
Seniors
🛡️ 8
Travel Beginners
👩 8
Solo
Italy – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type F:
Diagram of a Type F power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Euro (EUR)
£1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Italy, particularly in cities. While larger establishments and chains are fully cashless, smaller shops may still prefer cash.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is customary in Italy, especially in restaurants where 10-15% is typical. Tipping for taxi drivers is usually rounded up or 5-10%. Small tips for hotel staff are also appreciated.
Public drinking: Public drinking is allowed in Italy, especially in public squares and during festivals. In some regions, it is illegal to drink alcohol in certain areas like public transport or near schools.
Public smoking: Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are available outside.
Ferragosto
(August)
Many businesses close, and Italians take holidays. It’s very busy in tourist areas.
Christmas
(December)
Christmas markets and festivities are popular, expect higher prices and crowded attractions.
La Befana
(January)
Celebrated on January 6, the Epiphany is a public holiday with festive events, and some businesses close.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Uber, Free Now, ItTaxi
Other: Italy's tourist infrastructure is well-developed, but some rural or historical areas may require extra planning for accessibility.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Assisi, Italy
🌤️
Jan
🌤️
Feb
🌤️
Mar
☀️
Apr
☀️
May
☀️
Jun
🔥
Jul
🔥
Aug
☀️
Sep
☀️
Oct
🌤️
Nov
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Dec
High season: April - June, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season: March, July - Aug.
Crowdedness: 6 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Feast of St. Francis October 3 to 4: pilgrim crowds fill Assisi, hotels booked out far ahead
Calendimaggio medieval spring festival, first Thursday after 1 May for three days, with costumed processions and competitions between town districts
Easter week: heavy pilgrim traffic, Good Friday procession draws large crowds

Why travel to Assisi?

Assisi is a must for anyone who loves history, art or spiritual places. As the birthplace of St. Francis, it’s packed with churches and basilicas adorned with frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue, including the awe-inspiring Basilica di San Francesco. Beyond the religious sites, you’ll find flower-lined alleys, sweeping views over the Umbrian plains and a pace of life that invites you to slow down. The town’s medieval streets, Roman ruins and fortress (Rocca Maggiore) make it a delight to explore on foot and the nearby hermitage of Eremo delle Carceri is a peaceful retreat in the woods. But be prepared: Assisi is built on a hill, so expect lots of walking up and down steep, cobbled streets – sturdy shoes are a must. Summer can be hot and crowded, while winter is chilly and damp. It’s a safe town, but like any tourist destination, watch for pickpockets, especially near the train and bus stations. Some churches have dress codes (shoulders and knees covered) and many attractions close early outside peak season.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
  • 2 San Damiano
  • 3 Rocca Maggiore
  • 4 Eremo delle Carceri
  • 5 Basilica di Santa Chiara
  • 6 Basilica Papale di Santa Maria degli Angeli in Porziuncola
  • 7 Piazza del Comune
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Church of San Damiano
  • 2 Santa Maria degli Angeli
  • 3 Santa Maria sopra Minerva
  • 4 Piazza del Comune
  • 5 Caffè Duomo di Assisi
  • 6 Via San Francesco
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Monte Subasio
  • 2
  • 3 Selva Eremo delle Carceri
🎈Events
  • Calendimaggio (May medieval festival)
  • Feast of St. Francis (October 4)
  • Christmas markets and nativity scenes
  • Holy Week processions
  • Assisi Music Festival
  • Flower Festival (Infiorate, June)
  • Saint Clare’s Day (August 11)
  • Easter celebrations
  • Classical concerts in the basilicas
  • Local food and wine fairs

Knowledge before you go

  • Start uphill at Rocca Maggiore; stroll down through town.
  • Book Basilica of St. Francis time slots early; peak hours get crowded year-round.
  • Wear grippy shoes; steep stone lanes and stairways are constant in the historic center.
  • Take a quiet break at Eremo delle Carceri on Monte Subasio – peaceful trails, views and fewer tours.

How to travel to Assisi

Assisi is about 2.5 hours by train from Rome or Florence, with a change at Foligno. The train station is in Santa Maria degli Angeli, 3 km from the old town – take a local bus or taxi up the hill. Perugia Airport is the closest (about 20 km away), with flights from major Italian and European cities. Buses and regional trains connect Assisi to other Umbrian towns.

Access summary

  • From Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi Airport (PEG): Shuttle or taxi, about 20–40 minutes.
  • From Rome: Train via Foligno or direct bus, typically 2.5–3.5 hours.
  • From Florence: Train with a change (usually Terontola/Foligno), around 2–3 hours.

Where to stay in Assisi

Assisi offers everything from boutique hotels and historic guesthouses in the old town to countryside agriturismos and budget hostels. For atmosphere, stay in the medieval center; for peace and parking, try Santa Maria degli Angeli or a rural B&B. Book ahead for festivals and spring/autumn weekends.

How to get around Assisi

Assisi is best explored on foot – the old town is compact but hilly, with steep, cobbled streets. Local buses connect the train station (in the valley) with the historic center and Santa Maria degli Angeli. Taxis are available, but parking is limited in the upper town – use public lots outside the center and walk in. For the hermitage and countryside, consider a taxi or guided tour.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-16 %
Daily expenses in the region are around 16% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Foligno, Italy - 15 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£77
£153
£381
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£41
£83
£188
🍝 Food per day
£29
£62
£164
🚕 Transportation per day
£6
£8
£30
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£26
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£15
🍟 Fast food combo
£10
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£10
☕ Cappuccino
£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£3
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£1.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£18
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.50
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£8.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£65
🤧 Cold medication
£9
💇 Basic haircut
£12

Safety information overview

General safety
9
Assisi is very safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply: keep valuables secure in busy areas and near the train/bus stations. Watch for uneven, slippery cobblestones and sun exposure in summer.
Health & Medical
8
Medical care is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies in town. Tap water is safe to drink. No special vaccinations are needed, but travel insurance is always a good idea. Bring any needed medication, as pharmacies may close early.
Accessi­bility
6
Most main attractions, hotels and public transport are accessible, but steep hills and cobblestone streets can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Public transport is generally accessible — check ahead for specific needs.
Tap water
9
Tap water in Assisi is safe and widely available. Public fountains exist in squares and parks, but carrying a refillable bottle is handy, especially in summer or during walks.

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