Things to Do in Umbria Italy - Travel Guide & Information

This description page of Umbria, Region Of Italy, will guide you in planning your trip to Italy and help you to find useful travel information about the Things to Do in this Italian Region.

Every trip to Italy is an endless journey into culture and beauty. No other country in the world can boast the cultural and artistic treasures of Italy. More than half the's historical and artistic heritage is found in Italy. Evidence can be seen in every village. There are so many art treasures of such quality, spread across the country that Italy can rightly be considered an “open air” art gallery.

Each year is packed with special events, some linked to festivals of the Catholic Church, others to the changing seasons. Every little village in Italy has its own wonderful festivals. Many are associated with the harvest (especially wine) or to local products (polenta, prosciutto). The remainder tends to be historical re-enactments linked to jousting or to costumed cavalcades.

Art and culture, the pleasures of good food and music, traditional crafts and expressions of collective religion, folklore and contemporary art, opera and operetta, concert and theater seasons—in Italy the calendar of festivals and events is practically endless.

Biking and hiking

If cycling is one of your passions, then you’ll find the terrain and scenery in Umbria are simply unmatched. From flats to rolling hills to steep climbs, Umbria has it all. Combine the sightseeing of nature with the sightseeing of quiet medieval towns. As you bike through fabled towns and palaces of centuries past, Umbria promises an unforgettable taste of Italy.

Cultural events of Umbria

Giostra della Quintana, June, Foligno

A custom dating back to the 17th century where knights from ten rival districts of Foligno compete in jousting matches. The event is accompanied by plays performed in 300-year-old Umbrian dialect and a historic cooking competition, as well as other games, a fair, parades, outdoor taverns, and so on. In September the ten teams return to the field for a rematch.

Mercato delle Gaite, June, Bevagna

A neo-medieval fair in which the population of the four districts (gaite) dress authentically, while street stalls sell food and drink.

Festival of San Giovenale, last week April and first week May, Narni

Originating in the Middle Ages, this is pageantry at its brightest, when the streets are festooned with flowers and tavernas are staffed by waiters in costume, serving great platters of pasta and jugs of wine on big trestle tables. Festivities begin on the eve of the race with a torch lit procession in full costume and continue into the next day.

Corsa dell’Anello, second weekend in May

Also known as the Tournament of the Ring, knights from the town’s three terzien (neighborhoods), compete to pierce a ring suspended over the street with their lances.

Food and antique markets in Umbria

Antique and Flea market, second Sunday of the month, Spoleto

The National Truffle Market, November, at the Centro Fieristico Borgosole near Fabro

Major music festivals and concerts held in Umbria 

Festival dei Due Mondi (of Two Worlds), mid-June and mid-July, Spoleto

Italy’s leading arts festival.

Shopping guide of Umbria

Gubbio–ceramic ware

Gubbio’s craftsmen still turn out some of the most beautiful ceramic ware in Italy, carefully hand-painted in colorful, original floral designs; you can find a number of good retail outlets near Via dei Consoli.

Special events in Umbria

Fiera dei Morti, November, Perugia

The oldest surviving fair in central Italy

Festa dell’Olivo e Sagra della Bruschetta, December, Spello

Spello’s celebration of its olive oil production

Corpus Domini, May-June, Spello

The town is decked out with intricately designed flower carpets, an infiorata.

Sports in Umbria

Medieval Sports

Some ancient sports are still popular—and not purely a tourist attraction—and the rivalries between neighborhoods and cities are intense.

Horseback Riding

Umbria’s riding center is at Corciano, near Lake Trasimeno, with day and longer excursion available.

Rowing

Umbria’s Lake Piediluco earns top billing for its international rowing championship.

Golf

There is a golf course near Lake Trasimeno at Ellera.

Cave Exploring

Spelunkers can find caves to explore at Monte Cucco near Gualdo Tadino, the most important caves in Umbria.

Hunting

The Apennines, especially in Umbria, are boar territory, and in autumn the woods are full of hunters. Birds, as well as ducks and pigeons, are the other principal game.

Sailing, Lake Trasimento

Wine tasting around Umbria

The Wine Museum at Torgiano, opened in 1974, is housed in a 17th-century building that was once a no's summer residence. The museum has nineteen rooms and contains pictures and artifacts dating back to the 6th century BC. All the antiquities reflect upon the process of making wine.

The Torgiano wine festival takes place during the middle of November and is an international event, appropriately “B'Assaggio dei Vini.”

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