Heart of Italy Day Trip: Visit Perugia and Assisi from Florence

This tour is perfect for those of you looking for a unique, meaningful, and truly unforgettable day! Meet your friendly and history-loving tour guide at Piazzale Montelungo Bus Terminal. Piazzale Montelungo is located 5-10 minutes walking distance from Santa Maria Novella train station. Find your seat on the comfortable coach bus, and you will depart shortly! During your journey south towards Assisi, your guide will share some interesting information about this gorgeous, hilltop town. The drive will take about 1.5 hours.

Let’s head to the heart of Italy and discover Umbria, often described—together with Tuscany—as the country’s “green heart”, thanks to its rolling hills, medieval towns, and breathtaking landscapes.
In the morning, you will board a comfortable, air-conditioned coach and begin your journey accompanied by an expert tour leader, who will assist you throughout the entire day and ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience as you explore Perugia and Assisi.

Perugia, the regional capital of Umbria, is a charming hilltop city rich in history, art, and lively traditions. During your free time, you’ll have the opportunity to explore its most iconic landmarks at your own pace, such as Piazza IV Novembre, with its stunning Fontana Maggiore, the impressive Perugia Cathedral, and the fascinating Rocca Paolina, an underground fortress offering a unique glimpse into the city’s past. Stroll through medieval streets, enjoy the local atmosphere, and soak in the authentic Umbrian charm.

Perugia is also internationally famous for its chocolate and is home to Eurochocolate, Europe’s most important chocolate festival. You can choose to enhance your experience with an optional chocolate tasting at the Chocolate Museum, where you’ll discover the history of Perugian chocolate and sample some of its most renowned creations.

Next, you will cross the regional border into Umbria, heading to the mesmerizing town of Assisi. Filled with white buildings and incredible churches, the town also naturally overlooks the green, beautiful valley below. Assisi is known as one of the most sacred places in Italy, as it is the home of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. Before learning more and discovering the city, you will have an hour of free time to indulge in a delicious lunch wherever you would prefer. Assisi is known for its fragrant truffle pastas, hearty vegetable soups, herbed meats, and nut and dried fruit crostini desserts.

Assisi is one of Umbria’s most enchanting towns. Known as the city of Saints Francis and Clare, Assisi rises on a hill once called the “Hill of Hell” (“Colle dell’Inferno”), formerly a burial ground for condemned criminals. The name later changed to “Hill of Paradise” after the foundation stone of the Basilica of Saint Francis was laid.

An expert local guide will lead you through Assisi’s winding medieval streets, unveiling the secrets of this extraordinary town. You will visit the renowned Basilica of Saint Francis, home to remarkably preserved frescoes by Giotto, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, and Cimabue.

After the guided visit, enjoy some free time to shop in local artisan stores or relax in the main square with a coffee. You can also visit on your own the Basilica of Saint Clare, dedicated to Saint Francis’ sister and the tomb of the tomb of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint.

After discovering the most of Assisi, you will head about ten minutes away to the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. It is located about two and a half miles (four kilometers) from the city center. Your guide will lead you into Santa Maria degli Angeli, but it is actually more famous for another much smaller building inside - “Porziuncola.” This very small, stone chapel once housed Saint Francis and his followers, and it is where he started the Franciscan order. Now, you will see the Porziuncola has been decorated in Gothic style frescoes, glorifying the small building. Enjoy some time to appreciate the beauty and importance of “Porziuncola.”

After a day of fascinating sightseeing, beautiful landscapes, and plenty of photos… It will be time to return to Florence. Hop back onto the comfortable coach bus, and the drive will take about 1.5 hours. You will arrive back in the early evening.