Orvieto, Italy: 8 Best Things to Do and See

I confess without torture – I am one of those people who love Italian cities, but visiting Rome, Venice, and Florence with a one-year-old makes us sick. Tourist crowds, queues, and prices that will perfectly empty your wallet. No, thank you very much. And so we like to travel to smaller towns, but when we set off for Orvieto in Umbria, we didn’t expect it to be such a total hit. In this guide I will share with you Orvieto, Italy: 8 Best Things to Do and See.

If you’ve never been there, you’re making a mistake, because this small town, perched on a 300-meter-high rocky outcrop like a medieval king on his throne, is an Italian gem without tourist crowds. A city where history breathes from every stone and where you feel like you’re in a movie. I’m actually surprised the crowds aren’t there.

TL;DR

• Orvieto Cathedral with its dazzling mosaic facade is one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in all of Italy; tickets are purchased opposite the cathedral.
• Pozzo di San Patrizio is a fascinating 53-meter-deep well with a double spiral staircase – an ingenious 16th-century engineering feat
• Underground Orvieto will reveal a labyrinth of caves, tunnels, and rooms where inhabitants hid in times of danger
• Orvieto Classico wine is a local specialty you must taste in one of the local wineries.

Accommodation Orvieto: Hotel Tips

One of the most beautiful accommodations in Orvieto can be found on booking.com, specifically Elegante Loft a Orvieto Centro.

Why Visit Orvieto?

Whenever I go to Italy, I remember the movie Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn, which I still enjoy years later. If you’re younger than me or the same age, you might not have seen it. But that’s a mistake.

Rome no longer looks like it does in the movie, but Orvieto is different. No crowds of tourists, just an authentic Italian atmosphere.

The city is located halfway between Rome and Florence, more precisely in the Umbria region, which is often unfairly overshadowed by the more popular Tuscany. Yet, Umbria offers similarly picturesque landscapes, excellent food and wine, but for a fraction of the cost and without the tourist hustle and bustle.

At first glance, Orvieto will impress you with its location. This impregnable hilltop fortress has resisted various invaders for centuries – from the Etruscans to the Romans – and has retained its unique character to this day.

When to Go to Orvieto?

Italy in summer is hell. Literally. Temperatures soaring to 40 °C, you’ll just catch a cold from the air conditioning, and tourists desperately searching for a bit of shade. This is exactly why I avoided the high season and went to Orvieto in early June.

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are ideal times to visit Italy. Temperatures are pleasant – usually between 18 and 25 °C, there are significantly fewer tourists, and the nature around the city is beautifully blooming or beginning to show all the colors of autumn.

It’s quite cold here in winter, but if you want to experience an unconventional Christmas atmosphere, why not.

How to get to Orvieto?

If you’re one of those who hate driving in Italian cities (and honestly, who would love it?), then I have good news. You can easily get to Orvieto by train. From Rome, a high-speed train will take you there in just 50 minutes. From Florence, it’s about an hour and a half.

The train station is located in the lower part of the city called Orvieto Scalo. From there, you can reach the historic center either on foot (if you’re a masochist or a fitness enthusiast), by bus, or by the most fun way – the funicular. This funicular overcomes the elevation difference between the station and the historic center in just 2 minutes and offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.

If you still prefer to drive, be aware that the historic center is largely a pedestrian zone. Parking can be found either at the funicular station or in several paid parking lots along the ring road that encircles the city.

Orvieto, Italy: 8 Best Things to Do and See

Orvieto has a fascinating history dating back to the 9th century BC, when the city was an important center of Etruscan civilization under the name Velzna.. The Etruscans created a developed settlement area on the tuff rock outcrop, including a complex system of underground passages and wells, which allowed them to defend themselves for a long time.

In 264 BC, the Romans conquered the city after a two-year siege and resettled the surviving Etruscans in Bolsena. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city went through a period of invasions and eventually became part of the Papal States.

Orvieto experienced its peak prosperity in the Middle Ages, when it became a thriving city-state controlling vast territories. Its current name, derived from the Latin “Urbs Vetus” (old city), dates from this period.

During this period, the most important buildings were constructed, including the majestic Duomo, commissioned by Pope Urban IV. The city was also a popular refuge for popes, confirmed by the fact that Pope Clement VII fled here in 1527 from the Sack of Rome and had the famous St. Patrick’s Well built.

Orvieto Cathedral – a Jewel of Italian Gothic

The Duomo in Orvieto is, without exaggeration, one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in all of Italy. Its facade, adorned with mosaics, reliefs, and sculptures, will immediately captivate you. The golden mosaics depicting biblical scenes shimmer in the morning sun, and the fascinating details compel you to approach closer and admire the craftsmanship of medieval artists.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1290 at the command of Pope Nicholas IV and took an incredible 300 years to complete. The interior of the cathedral is as impressive as the exterior. Don’t forget to visit the San Brizio Chapel, where you’ll find Luca Signorelli’s breathtaking frescoes depicting the Last Judgment. These frescoes were reportedly an inspiration for Michelangelo when he created his famous Sistine Chapel.

Pozzo Di San Patrizio – St. Patrick’s Well

When Pope Clement VII fled to Orvieto in 1527 from the Sack of Rome , the first thing that occurred to him was: “What if we are besieged here and run out of water?” And so he had one of the most remarkable wells in the world built – Pozzo di San Patrizio.

This well is not just an ordinary hole in the ground. It is a 53-meter-deep architectural marvel with a double spiral staircase that allowed donkeys to descend for water and return up without having to pass each other on the narrow path. A total of 248 steps will lead you into the bowels of the earth, where you can touch pure spring water.

Underground Orvieto

The Etruscan underground is a fascinating labyrinth of caves, tunnels, and rooms carved into the soft tuff rock.

During the hour-long guided tour, you’ll learn that locals have been digging cellars, workshops, storage rooms, and even olive presses in the subsoil for centuries. This underground network reportedly has over 1200 caves, some of which are more than 2500 years old!

Torre Del Moro – Observation Tower

Want to see the most beautiful panorama of Orvieto and the surrounding landscape? Climb the Torre del Moro and you won’t regret it. This 47-meter-high 13th-century tower is located in the very center of the city, at the crossroads of the main streets. Originally part of the Maurizio family’s palace (hence its name), it now serves as an observation tower.

The climb of 250 steps will give your thigh muscles a good workout, but the reward at the top is worth it. The panoramic view of the city with the dominant cathedral, the surrounding vineyards, olive groves, and the distant Apennine mountains is simply breathtaking.

Etruscan Excavations and Museums

Before Orvieto became an Italian city, it was an Etruscan center called Velzna. The Etruscans, a mysterious civilization preceding the Romans, left behind a wealth of artifacts and tombs that can now be admired in several museums.

Necropoli del Crocifisso del Tufo is an Etruscan necropolis with over 100 tombs arranged in a rectangular plan like a small town. A walk among these ancient tombs is like a journey back in time to a bygone era.

If you want to learn more about Etruscan civilization, visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale or the Museo Claudio Faina opposite the cathedral. Both museums boast impressive collections of Etruscan artifacts – from pottery to jewelry to bronze sculptures.

Etruscan gold jewelry that looks so modern it could be worn today. These people had excellent craftsmanship and a sense of aesthetics more than 2500 years ago.

Tasting Local Wines – Orvieto Classico

I’ll tell you a secret – I’m no wine expert. I can’t distinguish the undertones of an oak barrel or hints of blackcurrant. But I do know for sure that Orvieto Classico wine is damn good.

This white wine has been produced in the region since Etruscan times and is known for its fresh, slightly fruity taste with a hint of almonds. It is primarily made from Grechetto and Trebbiano grape varieties and has a fascinating story – some of the best wines mature in tuff caves beneath the city, where constant temperature creates ideal conditions.

In the historic center, you’ll find several wine shops (enoteca) where you can taste local wines. My favorite is Enoteca La Loggia on Via della Costituente, where the friendly owner Paolo will not only offer you a tasting of several wines but also tell fascinating stories about the local winemaking tradition.

And if you have more time, definitely head to one of the surrounding vineyards. Many offer tours with tastings, and you’ll also walk through the beautiful Umbrian countryside. One last tip – bring home a bottle of Muffa Nobile, a rare dessert wine made from grapes affected by noble rot. It’s liquid gold and an ideal gift for someone you love.

Culinary Experiences – from Truffles to Pigeon Specialties

Italian cuisine is famous worldwide, but did you know that each region has its own specialties? Umbria, where Orvieto is located, is often called “the green heart of Italy”, and its cuisine is based on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

One of the local specialties is black truffles, which are abundant here. Try tagliolini al tartufo – fresh homemade pasta topped with grated truffle. Another traditional dish is palomba alla ghiotta – stewed pigeon in a rich sauce, which has been prepared in Orvieto since the Middle Ages.

Trips to the Surroundings – Civita Di Bagnoregio and Lake Bolsena

Orvieto is an excellent starting point for discovering other treasures of central Italy. If you have a car and at least one extra day, definitely don’t miss these two places:

Civita di Bagnoregio, known as “the dying city”, is one of the most photogenic places in Italy. This medieval village is located on top of an eroding hill and is accessible only by a long pedestrian bridge. With fewer than ten permanent residents, the place has a peculiar, almost ghostly atmosphere. It is only about a 30-minute drive from Orvieto.

Lago di Bolsena is the largest volcanic lake in Europe and offers beautiful beaches, historic towns, and fish restaurants. The town of Bolsena on the lake shore has a beautiful historic center and is known for the “Eucharistic Miracle” of the 13th century, which led to the establishment of the feast of Corpus Domini.

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