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Orvieto Guided Tours

Do you want to know the best of Orvieto, its history, or its flavors? On this page there are proposals for private guided tours. For a pleasant general orientation of the city or thematic guided tour with different subjects: history, art, nature, food…. Our tour with professional expert local tour guide is the best way to know and discover Orvieto and its territory. Much more than a simple tour but an authentic experience!

Why Choose our Tours ?

Tourist services expert since 2005 Tours managed and organized by Teseotur incoming travel agency and its experienced local team with excellent knowledge of the area Only expert and licensed atuhorized tour guides and tour managers Selected and professional suppliers Excellent customer appreciation ( read here some customer reviews ) or visit our profile on Tripadvisor Flexible cancellation policy Payments accepted: Credit card, PayPal, Bank wire transfer

Private Guided Tours of Orvieto and territory 

HOW TO BOOK:

1 Send your request filling the form in the selected tour page > 2 Wait for the staff Confirmation >  3 Confirm and Book it > 4 Enjoy the Tour!

Private guided tours are always available by reservation only , both for individuals and groups (groups are considered of 10+ people). Different types of featured tours are available and you can also request for a fully customized itinerary. Our private Orvieto guided tours run from a minimum of 2 hours to a maximum of 6 hours. Private tours are available in italian, english, spanish and french languages. Look at s ome of our private guided tours in Orvieto and choose your ideal tour of Orvieto:

Private Guided Tours from 1 to 2 hours

Private Guided Tours from 3 to 4 hours

Private Guided Tours from 5 to 6 hours

Tour Agency Contacts and useful Information

– Only official authorized tour guides – Umbria region authorization n. 10097 (8/11/2006) – General Insurance coverage policy n. 508/14/00513288 by GENERALI ITALIA S.p.A. – Insurance products of ALLIANZ GLOBAL ASSISTANCE as regards cancellation policies and insurance certificates. – National warranty fund: FONDO VACANZE FELICI – Personal data provided to Teseotur are processed only for commercial purposes according with the European GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

General Cancellation Policy

Cancellation 30 or more days before the day of the tour: no penalty applied (except for € 40 of booking fee) Cancellations from 29 to 14 days before the day of the tour: penalty equal to 30% of the total price. Cancellations from 13 to 02 days before the day of the tour: penalty to be paid equal to 50% of the total price. Cancellations from 01 days or No Show: penalty to be paid equal to 100% of the total price.

Cancellations due to objective and documentable serious health problems (included Covid), the total amount will be converted into a “special voucher” of equal value that customer can spend at the Teseotur agency within 1 year from the date of issue.

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THE 10 BEST Orvieto Tours & Excursions

Orvieto tours.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Assisi and Orvieto Day Trip from Rome

2. Bagnoregio & Orvieto Day Trip with Tuscany Wine Tasting & Lunch

3. Small Group E-bike Experience from Orvieto to Civita with Lunch

4. Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio Tour from Rome

5. Heart of Umbria: explore the mystic towns of Orvieto and Assisi

6. Unique EnoBike experience with tasting in 2 excellent wineries

7. Winery tour and wine, cheese & charcuterie tasting

8. E-bike tour in Orvieto in small group: history, culture with lunch or dinner

9. Orvieto Private Tour for Kids and Families with Special Guide

10. Winery tour and wine & cheese tasting

11. Orvieto by Evening: Small Group e-Bike tour with Dinner

12. Assisi and Orvieto from Rome: Enjoy a Full Day Small Group Tour

13. Pozzo della Cava Admission Ticket

14. Private day trip to Orvieto and Umbria Region from Rome

15. Orvieto Cathedral and Underground Caves Tour

16. Wine Tasting and Winery tour

17. Aperitif in the famous underground caves of Orvieto

18. Tour to Civita di Bagnoregio and Orvieto, a Full Day from Rome

19. Aperitif in front of the Duomo and Orvieto Underground Caves tour

20. PRIVATE Civita di Bagnoregio and Orvieto Wine Tasting -Ebike tour

21. Private Tour of Orvieto including Duomo (Cathedral)

22. Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio: Private Full Day Trip from Rome

23. Civita di Bagnoregio and Orvieto - Private Day trip from Rome

24. Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio from Rome Private Day Tour

25. Civita di Bagnoregio, Orvieto, Montepulciano Wine Tasting Private Tour from Rome

26. Orvieto, the Cathedral with golden mosaics and the medieval city – Private Tour

27. Luxury Eno and Oil experience, by e-bike and more...

28. Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio Full Day Trip from Rome

29. 6-Day Venice, Garda & Northern Italy Small-Group Tour from Rome

30. Private Day Trip from Rome to Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio

What travelers are saying.

• Assisi and Orvieto Day Trip from Rome
• Heart of Umbria: explore the mystic towns of Orvieto and Assisi
• From Rome: Assisi and Orvieto Day Tour, Small Group
• Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio Tour from Rome
• 3 Regions in 1 Day from Rome with Tuscany Wine Tasting and Lunch
• OrvietoBikeTour
• Umbria in Tour
• Raphael Tours in Orvieto
• Pink Umbrella Tours Corporate Events and Team Building in Orvieto
• Cantina Poggio Cavallo

Orvieto Travel Guide

What to see and where to stay in Orvieto, Italy

Orvieto is one of the most dramatically-situated hill towns in Italy, perched on a plateau atop huge tufa cliffs. Orvieto has a beautiful duomo (cathedral) and its monuments and museums cover millenniums of history starting with the Etruscans.

Many travelers visit Orvieto as a day trip from Rome, but this enchanting hill town offers plenty of diversion for a few days or more. It's a great stopping-off point between Rome and Florence, and highly recommended for its restaurants offering traditional Umbrian cuisine and local wines, shops selling made-in-Orvieto artisan goods, and its authentic, charming ambiance.

Orvieto Highlights

• Medieval Duomo with a stunning mosaic facade
• Underground passages
• Views from the Torre del Moro
• Saint Patrick's Well
• Etruscan sites
• Shopping for ceramics and handicrafts

Top Tourist Sights and Attractions in Orvieto

• The Medieval  Duomo , or cathedral, is one of the most impressive examples of medieval architecture in Italy. Building started in 1290 but it took almost four centuries to finish it. The cathedral's stunning facade is embellished with mosaics that glimmer in the sunlight. The Gothic style interior holds frescoes by Fra Angelico and Signorelli and beautiful wooden choir stalls.
• Underground caves and passageways dug into the tufa beneath the city have been in use since Etruscan times. During the Middle Ages, the network of passages grew larger and was used for water cisterns, cold storage and pigeon breeding. Daily tours of the Orvieto Underground  can be booked at the tourist office across from the Duomo. Self-guided tours of the private PozzodellaCava are also recommended.  
• Torre del Moro , 47 meters tall, is the highest point in the city. From the top of the tower, there are incredible views over the Umbrian valley and hills.
• Saint Patrick's Well , built in the early 16th century, is an architectural marvel. Its double spiral staircases run along the sides of the well, 62 meters deep, without meeting. Each has 248 steps and is just wide enough for pack animals to descend and then carry water back up.
• Etruscan sites  are mainly outside the historic center and include remnants of the Etruscan wall around the town, tombs and a necropolis. Two excellent archaeological museums on Piazza del Duomo hold fascinating artifacts from excavations within and nearby the city.
• Albornoz Fortress  is a Spanish castle at one end of the upper town where an Etruscan temple once stood. The original fortress was torn down and this one dates from the mid-fifteenth century.
• Lovely Via del Duomo  is lined with shops selling local Orvieto-style ceramics, as well as wine, olive oil, meats and cheeses from the vicinity. A stroll down Corso Cavour, Orvieto's main drag, reveals casual trattorias and wine bars, clothing and accessory stores, and a colorful slice of Italian life.

Orvieto Location

Orvieto is in the southwest of central Italy's Umbria region . It's about 60 miles north of Rome, just off the A1 toll road between Rome and Florence. Orvieto can be visited as a Rome day trip or on a guided day trip from Rome that includes transportation and a visit to Assisi.

Where to Stay and Eat in Orvieto

• Orvieto has several quality hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals in all different price ranges. Recommended options include Hotel Virgilio, Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini.
• For regional cuisine, head to Trattoria del Moro, La Palomba or Grotte del Funaro, located underground in a former rope-maker's workshop.

Orvieto Transportation

Orvieto, on the Florence - Rome line, is easily reached by train. Its train station is in the lower town, connected to the upper town by a funicular. There are large covered parking areas on Via Roma and at  Campo della Fiera just outside the upper town. Elevators and escalators help transport visitors to the historic center, which is closed to non-resident traffic. A mini-bus runs through the town and stops at the major tourist sights.

Tourist Information

The tourist information office is on Piazza del Duomo , the large square in front of the cathedral. They sell the Carta Unica that includes major sites and museums as well as the bus and funicular. The card can also be bought at the railway station parking lot.

Shopping in Orvieto

Orvieto is a main center ​for majolica pottery and many shops in town sell the pottery. Other handicrafts are lace making, wrought iron work, and wood crafts. Wine, especially white, is made in the vineyards of the hills and you can taste or buy it in town.

Around Orvieto

Orvieto makes a good base for exploring southern Umbria (see Best Umbria Hill Towns ) and the neighboring region of Northern Lazio with Etruscan sites, gardens, and interesting small towns. Rome can even be visited as a day trip from Orvieto, just over an hour by train.

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Out on a limb from the rest of Umbria , Orvieto is perfectly placed between Rome and Florence to serve as a historical picnic for tour operators. Visitors flood into the town, drawn by the Duomo, one of the greatest Gothic buildings in Italy. However, once its facade and Signorelli’s frescoes have been admired, the town’s not quite as exciting as guides and word of mouth make out. This is partly to do with the gloominess of the dark volcanic rock from which Orvieto is built, and, more poetically, because it harbours something of the characteristic brooding atmosphere of Etruscan towns (it was one of the twelve-strong federation of Etruscan cities). Two thousand years on, it’s not difficult to detect a more laid back atmosphere in the cities east of the Tiber – founded by the Umbrians, a sunnier and easier-going people. All the same Orvieto is likeable, the setting superb, the Duomo unmissable, and the rest of the town good for a couple of hours’ visit. And you could always indulge in its renowned white wine if you’re stuck with time on your hands. Over New Year there's also the Umbria Jazz Winter festival : five days of marching bands and jazz performances.

The Duomo of Orvieto

It is the first impressions of Orvieto from afar that tend to linger; its position is almost as remarkable and famous as its cathedral. The town, rising 300m sheer from the valley floor, sits on a tabletop plug of volcanic lava, one of four such remnants in the vicinity. It starts to look fairly average again from the dismal town around the train station, but hit the twisting 3km road up to the old centre and you begin to get a sense of its drama and one-off weirdness. Orvieto’s old centre is compact and walkable: all of the main sights are within a twenty-minute stroll of the Duomo.

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Burckhardt described Orvieto’s Duomo as “the greatest and richest polychrome monument in the world”, while Pope Leo XIII called it “the Golden Lily of Italian cathedrals”, adding that on the Day of Judgement it would float up to heaven carried by its own beauty. According to a tradition fostered by the Church, it was built to celebrate the so-called Miracle of Bolsena of 1263. It was miraculous that the Duomo was built at all. Medieval Orvieto was so violent that at times the population thought about giving up on it altogether. Dante wrote that its family feuds were worse than those between Verona’s Montagues and Capulets. The building was also dogged by a committee approach to design – even the plans took thirty years to draw up. Yet though construction dragged on for three centuries and exhausted 33 architects, 152 sculptors, 68 painters and 90 mosaicists, the final product is a surprisingly unified example of the transitional Romanesque-Gothic style. Credit for guiding the work at its most important stage goes to the Sienese architect Lorenzo Maitani (c.1270–1330), with the initial plans probably drawn up by Arnolfo di Cambio, architect of Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio.

The facade is the star turn, owing its undeniable impact to a decorative richness just the right side of overkill. It’s a riot of columns, spires, bas-reliefs, sculptures, dazzling and almost overpowering use of colour, colossally emphasized doorways and hundreds of capricious details just about held together by four enormous fluted columns. Stunning from the dwarfed piazza, particularly at sunset or under floodlights, it’s not all superficial gloss. The four pillars at the base, one of the highlights of fourteenth-century Italian sculpture, are well worth a close look. The work of Maitani and his pupils, they describe episodes from the Old and New Testaments in staggering detail: lashings of plague, famine, martyrdoms, grotesque mutilation, mad and emaciated figures, the Flagellation, the Massacre of the Innocents, strange visitations, Cain slaying Abel (particularly juicy), and only the occasional touch of light relief. In its day it was there to point an accusing finger at Orvieto’s moral slackers, as the none-too-cheerful final panel makes clear, with the damned packed off to fire, brimstone and eternal misery.

Luca Signorelli and the Cappella di San Brizio

The inside is a disappointment at least at first glance, as if the facade either took all the enthusiasm or all the money and the church was tacked on merely to prop everything else up. Adorned with alternating stripes of coloured marble similar to those found in the cathedrals of Siena, Florence and Pisa, it’s mainly distinguished by Luca Signorelli’s fresco cycle, The Last Judgement (1499–1504), in the Cappella di San Brizio at the end of the south nave. Some claim it surpasses even Michelangelo’s similar cycle in the Sistine Chapel, painted forty years later and obviously heavily influenced by Signorelli’s earlier treatment.

Several painters, including Perugino and Fra’ Angelico (who completed two ceiling panels), tackled the chapel before Signorelli – a free-thinking and singular artist from nearby Cortona – was commissioned to finish it off. All but the lower walls are crowded with the movement of passionate and beautifully observed muscular figures, creating an effect that’s realistic and almost grotesquely fantastic at the same time. There are plenty of bizarre details to hold the narrative interest. A mass of monstrous lechery and naked writhing flesh fills the Inferno panel, including that of the painter’s unfaithful mistress, immortalized in hell for all to see. In another an unfortunate is having his ear bitten off by a green-buttocked demon. Signorelli, suitably clad in black, has painted himself with Fra’ Angelico in the lower left corner of The Sermon of the Antichrist, both calmly looking on as someone is garrotted at their feet.

The Cappella del Corporale

The twin Cappella del Corporale contains the sacred corporale itself, locked away in a massive, jewel-encrusted casket (designed as a deliberate copy of the facade), along with some appealing frescoes by local fourteenth-century painter Ugolino di Prete, describing events connected with the Miracle of Bolsena. The entire apse is covered in more frescoes by Ugolino, many of which were partly restored by Pinturicchio, who was eventually kicked off the job for “consuming too much gold, too much azure and too much wine”. Also worth a mention are an easily missed Madonna and Child by Gentile da Fabriano and a beautifully delicate fifteenth-century font, both near the main doors.

Top image: Orvieto, Umbria Italy © Jasper Suijten/Shutterstock

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Clifftop dwellings, painted majolica ceramics and the Golden Lily of Cathedrals

Orvieto travel guide.

Your first glimpse of Orvieto is not something you forget. This tight-packed city is raised high above the Tiber Valley on a sheer turret of volcanic rock . The old centre’s walls and houses seem to sprout from living tufa stone that props the whole place up.

Once you’ve ridden the funicular to the top — more fun than driving up to visit Orvieto — you’ll find a maze of medieval streets and a cathedral that’s among the great sights of central Italy .

In the Beginning…: Orvieto History

When you see Orvieto’s strategic perch, you can understand why this little patch of land has been inhabited for a very long time. The “high and strange town” — as it was summarised by a 14 th -century Florentine poet — was a centre of power and worship for the  Etruscans  from around six centuries BC, when it was known as “ Velzna ” . The cult of Etruria’s supreme deity, Voltumna, was probably based in Orvieto.

Orvieto, Italy - Panoramic view of Orvieto old town and Umbria region with Piazza Duomo square and Duomo di Orvieto cathedral

The Romans destroyed it in 264 BC and sent the population to live by Lake Bolsena (now in the neighbouring region of Lazio), but it grew rapidly again as a religious and civic centre in medieval times. Squabbling local noble families almost destroyed it (again) during the Guelph–Ghibelline conflict of the 1300s, until it was annexed by the pope in the 1350s. Like most of Umbria, it remained part of the Papal States until the 1860s.

Its most famous reappearance in the pages of history is during the Siege of Rome in 1527. Pope Clement VII — a member of Florence’s Medici dynasty — fled his capital and holed up in Orvieto.

What to See in Orvieto

Inside and out, the “ Golden Lily of Cathedrals ” , built from 1290, is one of Italy’s unforgettable art treasures. Its designers threw every colour in the palette at its mosaic façade , though this front’s artistic highlight is Lorenzo Maitani’s understated “Last Judgement” carved into plain stone on the lower-right side.  

Inside, the Cappella di San Brizio is frescoed with Luca Signorelli’s equally brutal vision of the end of days. His work was so influential that Michelangelo studied it on his way down to Rome to paint the Sistine Chapel .

The best view over Orvieto is from the top of the 1313 Torre del Moro . The centre’s canyon-like layout, with its four quartieri (Corsica, Olmo, Stella and Serancia), is framed by the winelands beyond the city.

To see Orvieto’s cleverest piece of engineering, you need to head below ground. The Pozzo di San Patrizio   (St. Patrick’s Well) was built on the orders of Pope Clement VII, when he was besieged here in the late 1520s. Its twin 248-step staircases are designed as a double helix (like DNA). The idea was that donkeys could be sent down in succession to bring water to the surface and would never get stuck in a donkey traffic jam .

The Pozzo di San Patrizio (St. Patrick’s Well)

You can walk all the way to the bottom, 62m down; Clement never did: he was dead by the time architect Sangallo finished it in 1537.

The well isn’t the only subterranean sight when you visit Orvieto. The old town sits on a plug of rock that over the centuries has been put to ingenious uses, as a cold store, a pigeon coop, wine cellars, air-raid shelter and many more. To explore this secret world, and understand what’s been going on there for the past 3,000 years, you can join a walking tour run by  Orvieto Underground .  

The  Museo Claudio Faina  has one of central Italy’s best Etruscan collections: relics left by the civilization that ruled central Italy in the centuries before Rome. Front-facing upstairs windows provide a photographer’s best angle on Orvieto’s extraordinary cathedral façade.

Food & Drink in Orvieto

Orvieto produces one of Umbria’s best wines. Vines cloak the hills to the north-west and south-east of the city. Orvieto wine is typically delicate, straw-coloured and white. These wines were favoured by the upper classes of Imperial Rome; generals, senators and emperors would import barrels to be brought down the River Tiber to the capital. These days an Orvieto Classico  DOC   mark signifies wines from the oldest growing zone. Many Orvieto wine cantinas are open to visitors, and offer tours and tastings. For advice on hours and seasonal openings, check www.stradadeivinietruscoromana.com .

Designers threw every colour in the palette at the cathedral’s mosaic façade

Shopping: What to Buy in Orvieto

Like many other towns in Umbria , Orvieto is a centre for brightly painted majolica-style ceramics . There’s plenty of temptation along busy central streets like Corso Cavour and Via del Duomo.

If you have a deeper interest in Orvieto’s ceramics tradition, the Museo Maioliche has a historical collection housed in a former furnace. Ten rooms are stuffed with medieval and Renaissance pieces, dating to a time when Orvieto was as important as Deruta and Faenza (the root of faïence ) in the ceramics world.

Traditional ceramics in Orvieto, Umbria, Italy

Michelangeli ’s stylized wood-cuts have decorated everything from park benches to the interior of Orvieto’s historic  Café Montanucci  (also on the Corso). The family-run carpentry business is part of the fabric of Orvieto, and has been running for seven generations and counting.

Their  bottega  shop is on Via Michelangeli. Souvenir-sized pieces include marionettes, animal woodcuts, frames and  elaborate wood sculptures .

For Umbrian wine tasting in the centre, local produce to take home, or a traditional aperitivo (truffles, cured meat and cheese), stop in at Bottega Vera .

Festivals: Corpus Christi in Orvieto

Corpus Domini  is celebrated with parades and medieval pageantry, in a procession which begins and ends at Orvieto’s cathedral. This Catholic festival — known elsewhere as  Corpus Christi  — has historical (perhaps mythical) roots in Orvieto.

Here, it commemorates the 1263  Miracle of Bolsena , when consecrated bread supposedly bled onto the altar cloth (or “corporal”) in a nearby village church. This “Corporal of Bolsena” is kept inside the cathedral, and is the most important element in the Corpus Domini parade.

Alas, more likely roots for Corpus Christi are found in Liège, Belgium, where  Pope Urban IV   — who established the feast day by Papal bull — had been Archdeacon.

Corpus Domini moves as Easter moves; it’s the Thursday following Trinity Sunday, which is 8 weeks after Easter.  The festival usually falls between late May and mid-June .

Around Christmas and New Year, Orvieto hosts the winter edition of the world-famous Umbria Jazz  festival .

Three Excursions from Orvieto

• Rome : the city of emperors and popes, and artists like Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Bernini, is stuffed with sights, museums and great restaurants — and only 80 minutes from Orvieto by high-speed train
• Narni:  below the streets of this quiet town is an extraordinary underground world once used as a prison and torture chamber by the Catholic Inquisition; a guided tour with  Narni Sotteranea  visits the eerie passageways

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An Italian Mama's Guide to Italy

One day in Orvieto: how to visit this stunning hilltop town in Umbria, Italy

One day in Orvieto. All you need to know to plan a visit to Orvieto, Italy, a stunning hilltop town in Umbria with breathtaking duomo and views .

Orvieto is a beautiful town perched on top of a steep tufa hill in Umbria, a green and gorgeous region in central Italy.

It is a small town in a stunning natural position however, it has more to offer its visitors than beautiful views and atmospheric streets: as well as that, Orvieto also has a very beautiful duomo and an incredible underground city worth visiting!

Orvieto is a popular day trip from Rome and you can see most of Orvieto in one day. However, some planning is needed as, as you will see, there are quite a few things to see and do there.

This is all you need to know to plan your trip to this Umbrian gem: our day guide to Orvieto!

Why visit Orvieto

There are many reasons to visit Orvieto.

The first is its position . Orvieto has a peculiar position, perched on top of a tufa hill in Umbria, central Italy.

The hill is visible from the motorway and, when you first see it, chances are you will second guess what you are seeing: is it possible it is houses you see up there and even a church? Indeed, it is!

Orvieto develops on the flat top of the hill and you reach it climbing up a steep road, either by car or by cable car.

From both below and at the top, the views are stunning: from Orvieto, you dominate the countryside around you have green countryside as far as the eyes can see!

The second reason to visit Orvieto is its duomo.

Despite the small size of the town, you find here a stunning gothic duomo that is one of the most beautiful churches in Italy, one you simply cannot miss for size and peculiarity of artworks inside and out.

The thirst reason to visit Orvieto is another big attraction that never fails to impress visitors and that, for many, even stays as the highlight of the trip: the huge St Patrick’s Well (Pozzo di San Patrizio), a huge well that you can climb down into and an underground city that dates back to Etruscan times!

Last but not least, Orvieto has lovely medieval streets with pretty shops perfect to buy authentic Italian souvenirs and ceramics artifacts, a famous craft from the town.

How to get to Orvieto and where to park

Orvieto is in the region of Umbria and it is easily reached by car or train from Rome.

If driving from Rome to Orvieto, most of the road is motorway and then you have a short drive to the top of the hill (this is an easy drive, albeit one with several bends, go slow).

Along the road you will find very many signs for parking however, we found that the best place to park in Orvieto, if you arrive early enough, was the pay and display parking in front of the arrival station of the cable car and St Patrick’s Well.

From here, you have St Patrick’s Well just in front and you can easily walk to the duomo in about 15 minutes.

If you are going to Orvieto by train, you then climb to the top of the hill by the handy cable car, this leaves you beside the well and then walk to the city center and the duomo, only a short walk away.

One day in Orvieto: itinerary

Orvieto is a small town and you don’t need a super detailed itinerary to visit. However, if you only have one day in Orvieto some planning is recommended.

These are the main things to see in Orvieto, in the order we found best.

Pozzo di San Patrizio/St Patrick’s Well

Pozzo di San Patrizio or St Patrick’s well is one of the most famous and important attractions in Orvieto and one of the most popular.

It is located at the edge of Orvieto’s city center, just beside the arrival station of the cable car, it is a good place to start your visit to Orvieto, if you are coming from out of town especially.

The well dates from the XV century and was built by Antonio da Sangallo and Giovanni Battista da Cortona by order of Pope Clemens VII. The well was intended as a fortress and hiding place in case of siege and is a marvel to see.

It is 62 meters deep, 13.5 meters large and has 2 helicoidal staircases that never meet, with 248 each!

72 window let some light in, creating an out-of-this-world, surreal atmosphere.

You can buy tickets for the well in the ticket office just before its entrance. Do expect to wait in line in pretty much all seasons.

Good to know: a cafe with facilities is just beside the well, good for a take out drink or snack.

Orvieto’s charming streets and shops

As you leave the well and the large square in front of it, you pass a nice shaded street and then enter the old part of Orvieto, which is a delight of small streets and pretty shops.

The streets all converge towards the duomo and you can walk up to Piazza del Duomo in about 10-15 minutes however, it is worth taking your time and exploring the little side streets and peek in the internal courtyards.

If you are looking for souvenirs, these are the streets to get them.

Good things to buy here are ceramics, food and textiles and kitchen gear. Some of the shops are also showrooms and you can walk in and see the artisans at work.

The skill of the ceramic painters is incredible, I highly recommend you take your time to see them at work and buy even just a little something to remind you of this special place!

Torre del Moro

As you get closer to the duomo, the streets become busier and you will find more high street shops (perfect for more conventional shopping and essentials) and at a busy junction, you will find Torre del Moro (Moro Tower).

The Moro tower, is a historical tower easy to recognize thanks to its red brick body and a large black and white clock face near the top.

It is in a very busy spot (there is a popular gelato place in front that attracts huge crowds!) and it is cool to climb if you are not afraid of heights as the views from the top are amazing!.

You usually do not have to book in advance however, you may have to wait in line to go up.

Orvieto’s Duomo

Orvieto for me is all about its duomo, a Gothic church so beautiful and big, the only word to describe it is ‘ breathtaking’.

The duomo is a gothic marvel.

The facade is covered in elaborate carvings and colorful mosaics that shine in the sunlight and a pointy pediment and towers give the whole building the vertical movement that is so typical of gothic architecture.

Still on the outside, it is worth seeing the side of the church, which has a stripey pattern somewhat reminiscent of that of the Duomo in Siena , then I recommend you make time to visit the inside.

Inside the church, you will notice the same stripes pattern of the outside and you are likely to find yourself stopped in your tracks by the sheer size and marvel of the naves and columns all around you.

Once you take in this incredible first impression, I recommend you make time to find important frescoes and chapels: some not to be missed are the frescoes by Signorelli and the Reliquiario del Corporale.

The duomo is a wonderful example of gothic architecture in Italy and I recommend you visit even if churches are not high on your agenda: this one is just too beautiful to miss.

Orvieto Underground

If you want to see something truly different, then you may want to visit Orvieto Underground, like the name suggests: an underground city!

Underground Orvieto was discovered by chance.

In the 1970, a large hole opened up in the city center as a result of a landslide that brought great damage to the area.

Worried about the potential repercussions of such a whole on the stability of a hilltop town, a team of speleologists went in and they discovered over 1000 grottos, passages and chamber, telling the story of Orvieto from Etruscan times onward!

The discovery was huge and confirmed what had been mentioned in ancient texts about the city, claiming that Orvieto was ‘all shallow underground’

You can find more info and contact to pre-book tickets here  

Piazza del Popolo and Palazzo del capitano del Popolo

After discovering Orvieto Underground chances are you want to regain a bit of fresh air and a good place to do so is Piazza del Popolo.

The piazza is dominated by Palazzo del Capitano del popolo, a historical palace that used to be the residency of ‘Captain of the people’, an important public figure in Orvieto, and it is now one of the most beautiful and important palazzi in Orvieto, worth seeing.

Rocca Albornoz

After you have seeing all this, and if you factor in some time for lunch, chances are your day in Orvieto is coming to an end however, there is one more thing you should see: Rocca Albornoz.

The Rocca dates back to the XIV century and it is lovely to visit especially because of its public gardens and the beautiful views you catch from here, the perfect last stop for your Orvieto itinerary!

One day in Orvieto with kids

Orvieto is a lovely destination for families with kids and enjoying a day in town with children is a breeze.

The town is a hilly, so pushing a stroller can get a little tiring, but it is mostly car-free and kids will enjoy running around in its small streets, spotting cats.

Orvieto has also lovely artisan shops where kids can see how things are made (the ceramic shops are wonderful!) and there are plenty of gelato and food shops for snacks.

The biggest attractions in Orvieto, such as the cable car, duomo, well and Orvieto underground are all suitable for kids of primary school age.

For a family day out, Orvieto is one of our favorite places to visit in Umbria with kids !

What to pack for your day in Orvieto

To make the most of your day in Orvieto, I recommend you come prepared with:

• Good walking shoes or sandals
• Church appropriate attire to enter the duomo
• Phone or camera to take the million photos you are sure to want to snap
• A crossbody bag as your everyday purse
• A good stroller is visiting with kids
• A reusable water bottle so you don’t have to buy plastic ones
• A tote bag for souvenir shopping

I hope you enjoyed this itinerary for one day in Orvieto and it helped you plan your trip. Safe travel planning!

Marta Correale

Marta Correale is an Italian mama of two. Born and raised in Rome, Marta has a passion for travel and especially enjoys showing off Italy to her kids, who are growing up to love it as much as she does! A classics graduate, teacher of Italian as a second language and family travel blogger, Marta launched Mama Loves Italy as a way to inspire, support and help curious visitors to make the most of a trip to Italy and learn about Italian culture on the way.

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17 Cool Things to Do in Orvieto, Italy (+ Travel Guide)

Etruscan ruins, opulent churches, stunning views: there are lots of incredibly cool things to do in Orvieto, Italy!

We’ve had our eye on this adorable hilltop town for a while: with its long history dating back to the Etruscans and picture-perfect setting on a cliff in Umbria, we were eager to explore its back streets, check out its Duomo (because every Italian town needs a Duomo!), and sample its delicious food.

Beyond that, though, we really had no idea what we would actually do there until we booked some train tickets and started planning our trip.

And to our surprise, it turns out that there are plenty of fun things to do in Orvieto!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Orvieto was one of the most important cities in the region during Etruscan times, and (much) later served as a home for the pope.

With a history like that, it should come as no surprise that the Orvieto of today is an engaging and multi-faceted place to visit.

Heading to this charming piece of Umbria soon?

Here’s what to do in Orvieto, Italy.

Table of Contents

The Best Things to Do in Orvieto, Italy

About the orvieto card, getting to orvieto, italy, getting around orvieto, how long to visit orvieto, italy.

Marvel at the Orvieto Cathedral.

Orvieto’s Cathedral (usually known as the Duomo, as in most cities in Italy) has one of the most beautiful facades we have ever seen!

The carvings and mosaics on the Duomo practically demand that you plop down in the Piazza del Duomo and properly admire it for a few minutes.

Once inside, be sure to check out the Cappella di San Brizio!

While most of the interior of this Duomo is rather stark, this small chapel is absolutely magnificent–and disturbing.

The depictions of hell on the ceiling, complete with flying demons, countless acts of violence, and streams of blood, are some of the creepiest we have come across in Italy (which, frankly, is really saying something).

Check out the underground.

Did you know that there are 1200 caves under Orvieto?

Each one of them is man-made, some dating back as far as the Etruscans, and each has been put to good use.

Be sure to add a tour of the underground to your list of things to do in Orvieto!

It’s amazing to get underneath the city and learn more about the many, many uses the caves have had over the years.

Unlike most things to do in Orvieto, this one does require scheduling (slightly) in advance.

We recommend heading to the tourism office in the Piazza del Duomo when you arrive and signing up for a tour, and then structuring the rest of your time in Orvieto around that.

… And also the Pozo della Cava.

Pozo della Cava is a privately owned cave in Orvieto and is an interesting opportunity to learn more about the city’s history (their detailed, multilingual signage is impressive!).

It’s also a great place to get an up-close-and-personal look at one of Orvieto’s many wells.

Descend into St. Patrick’s Well.

While you can peer into the well at the Pozo della Cava, at St. Patrick’s Well, you can climb all the way down inside!

It’s beautiful and eerie to look up and see the perfectly cylindrical well reaching 175 feet above your head, and definitely an experience worth adding to your list of things to do in Orvieto.

Give a pigeon dish a try.

Seemingly every small village in Italy has its own local dish or food associated with it, and in Orvieto, it’s pigeon.

Pigeons were originally farmed in the caves under Orvieto, though today they’re produced in more modern facilities.

For a truly local meal, order the pigeon (in Italian, “piccione”) for lunch!

Check out Etruscan artifacts at the Museo Claudio Faina.

Claudio Faina was a private collector of Etruscan artifacts, but his collection (and the stunning palazzo it is housed in) are now open to the public.

The museum is located right across from the Duomo, so be sure to duck in for a quick look at Etruscan history in Orvieto!

Head to the Archaeological Museum.

It’s hard to imagine today, given Orvieto’s status as a charming yet tiny Italian town, but Orvieto was one of the most important cities in Etruscan culture.

In addition to the Etruscan archaeological sites in Orvieto, the Archaeological Museum offers a fantastic opportunity to view Etruscan artifacts and to learn more about Etruscan history and their way of life.

The museum will give excellent context to your visit to Orvieto, as well as the region as a whole.

View the ruins of an Etruscan necropolis.

It’s not every small town that can say they’re the home of a 2,500-year-old cemetery, but Orvieto can!

Several distinct graves–complete with inscribed family names–can still be seen at the necropolis.

… And also the ruins of the Temple of Belvedere.

This Etruscan temple was probably built to honor the god Tinia, the Etruscans’ highest god, and the remains of the temple can still be seen to this day.

Certain artifacts that have been found there can also be seen in the Museo Claudio Faina.

Soak in amazing views at the top of the Torre del Moro.

No trip to an Italian hilltop town could be complete without visiting an amazing viewpoint!

Without a doubt, climbing the Torre del Moro is one of the most memorable things to do in Orvieto.

On a clear day, you can see all across Orvieto and beyond into the Umbrian countryside, and the views are absolutely breathtaking (as is the climb, and there is no elevator option).

Stroll through the Albornoz Fortress.

Built in the Middle Ages, this castle-like fortress stands at the very edge of Orvieto.

If you arrive in town via the funicular, it’ll likely be the first thing you see in Orvieto!

Today, the fortress is mostly used as a public garden, complete with an amphitheater for performances and absolutely stunning views of the surrounding Umbrian countryside.

Stop by the Piazza della Repubblica.

Long the center of public life in Orvieto, this small piazza may not be the most picturesque, but it’s an unmissable attraction in Orvieto, Italy.

Home to the town hall to this day and once the center of the city’s religious life (until the Duomo was erected on the edge of town), it’s worth noting the Piazza della Repubblica on your list of things to see in Orvieto.

Step inside the Church of San Giovenale.

Standing proudly on the edge of Orvieto, this charming church boasts a long history.

Built in 1004 on the site of a former Etruscan temple, it has the feel of a weathered building that has seen many things come and go during its life.

The interior is still partially decorated with frescoes, so be sure to stop and take a peek inside!

… And then enjoy the nearby views.

The Church of San Giovenale stands on the edge of town… which means the nearby views are absolutely stunning.

We spent a long time blissfully admiring the countryside from one of the benches situated at this vantage point.

Other than the occasional meandering local with their baby or pup, we had the view all to ourselves!

Taste the Orvieto Classico wine.

In addition to being a town, Orvieto is also the name of the surrounding wine region!

Known primarily for its white Orvieto Classico wine, wine lovers should be sure to order a glass while exploring Orvieto.

If you have enough time, you can even head to a nearby vineyard and add a wine tasting to your list of things to do in Orvieto!

Spend hours exploring the small streets of Orvieto.

One of the best things to do in Orvieto is quite simple: wander the streets.

It’s simply not possible to get too lost here–you’ll always be a short walk away from something familiar–but it’s lots of fun to simply turn down random streets and see what turns up.

Beautiful homes, charming small businesses, quiet corners, and plenty of adorable dogs are just waiting to be found.

We loved every moment of our visit to Orvieto, but if we had to pick just a few favorites, the quiet moments spent wandering streets at random would definitely be among them.

Shop for local souvenirs.

Hoping to nab some delicious cured meats, local olive oil, wine, or truffle-infused products during your trip to Italy?

Be sure to browse the small streets of Orvieto!

Many of the shops here offer memorable local products… that frequently come with a lower price tag than those in larger, popular cities like Rome and Florence.

For 25 Euros, you can purchase the Orvieto Card , which covers 9 of the most popular things to do in Orvieto, Italy.

The Duomo, the underground, St. Patrick’s Well, and the Torre del Moro are all among the Orvieto attractions included.

Round-trip public transportation to the old town from the train station via the funicular is also included with the card.

If you’re going to be doing quite a bit of sightseeing in Orvieto, we recommend picking up the Orvieto Card as soon as you get to town–preferably before you pay for the funicular up!

The cards are sold at all participating attractions, the train station, and the tourism office across the piazza from the Duomo.

If you’re so inclined, the card can also be used for small discounts at certain local restaurants and shops.

Orvieto is easily accessible via train from both Florence (about 2.5 hours travel time each way) and Rome (about 1.5 hours travel time each way) and is an easy day trip from both cities.

You can also drive to Orvieto, which is a great option if you’re hoping to see some smaller sights and attractions along the way.

If you happen to be driving from Rome to Florence as part of an Italy road trip, Orvieto is among the best stops between the two cities!

However, you’ll need to secure parking for your car before ascending into Orvieto’s old town–you can’t drive there without a permit.

If you’d rather skip worrying about transportation, this popular day trip includes a visit to Orvieto, a wine tasting at a vineyard, and a visit to beautiful Assisi!

Book your day trip to Orvieto today!

Orvieto is tiny, and once you ride the funicular and/or escalators up into the old town, you won’t need to do anything other than walk to get around!

When visiting Orvieto, we walked directly from one side to the other in less than half an hour, and we weren’t moving particularly fast.

One day in Orvieto is plenty of time to see all the major and some of the minor sights, and for most travelers, we recommend visiting as a day trip from either Florence or Rome.

We loved having a chance to savor the best things to do in Orvieto, but you can see the best sights relatively quickly!

Unless you only want to relax in a beautiful setting (which is admittedly a wonderful way to spend a trip to Italy), anything beyond a day is overkill for Orvieto.

If you would like to spend more time there, consider also making time to explore Umbria beyond Orvieto, starting with the nearby wineries!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

40 thoughts on “17 Cool Things to Do in Orvieto, Italy (+ Travel Guide)”

Orvieto is so pretty! I have never heard of this place before but it looks so charming. I love little winding streets and that cathedral is BANANAS! Also bananas? That pigeon is eaten! I guess you can’t knock it until you try it! Thanks for the tips!

Haha, right? It’s definitely not what I expected from a town in Italy, but then again, we’ve come to find there’s almost always a surprise in tiny towns like these. 😀

My husband, teenage son and I recently spent 6 days/5 nights in Orvieto. I completely agree with you that it is charming, beautiful and fascinating. The only point I would disagree with is that more than a day is overkill. After 6 days, none of us were ready to leave.

I’m glad you had such a wonderful time! Orvieto is certainly beautiful.

My hubby & I are attending a wedding in Orvieto next year. It’s also our own 20th wedding anniversary therefore we are planning on taking 2-weeks and traveling through Italy in the surrounding areas 🙂 It’s going to be our first time in Italy. Any other tips or suggestions would be amazing Kate! Thank you.

Congratulations on 20 years! That’s a wonderful accomplishment. 🙂

There’s a search bar in the top-right corner of our blog that you can use to find our suggested 2 week Italy itinerary for a first visit–it covers Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence, and Venice, and would be very easy to adapt to a wedding in Orvieto! If you’d rather stick to a close geographic region, Tuscany and Umbria alone could easily fill a trip–Siena, Montepulciano, Cortona, Florence, Assisi, Perugia, San Gimignano, and Volterra are all very close by and worth looking into!

Personally, though, I’d have to suggest broadening it a bit further and visiting at least Rome or Venice for a look at a different region of Italy.

Whatever you choose, I have no doubt it’ll be an amazing trip for you guys!

Kate; One day in Orvieto? ?WRONG!!!, Kate this advice is misdirecting people. I live in Orvieto and can assure you that all tourists who visit Orvieto for one day, leave complaining that one day is not enough. The comment we hear -without exception, is “what a shame that we are staying here for one day only”. My advice to your readers and take it from someone living here for 7 years, is that if you are coming to Orvieto one day is NOT enough, make it 2 nights, arrive early so you get to enjoy a full 3 day visit. Unless your goal is to see everything and appreciate nothing then 1/2 a day will do it. Other than that, you have done a wonderful job at describing the lovely, peaceful atmosphere of Orvieto, matching its interesting sites with the history behind it, and one more thing a typical dish Orvietano is pasta with fresh truffle yum, yum

I think you have to first asses what you like to do, if you like big cities or smaller villages, churches and basilicas, if you like mountains, or scenic vistas over water or outdoor trekking, wine country, foodie towns, etc. You cannot do it all in two weeks and you are better of picking say 3 places beyond Orvieto rather than be overly ambitious. If you are in Orvieto for the wedding than I’m assuming your flying into Rome so you could arrive early and see the Rome highlights, then Orvieto, then train up to Florence (another busy place) OR if you have a car you could drive into Tuscany and see Sienna or Lucca or Pisa, or other San or Multa towns. Santa Margherita / Portofino on the coast are more upscale than Cinque Terrae but if you love hiking choose the latter. To the south of Rome Sorrento, Capri, Positano are spectacular views. Good Luck !

I agree that Orvieto is wonderful, but I completely disagree that a single day is enough time there! I studied in Orvieto for 5 months and I still feel as though there was more to do and see. The theater has great shows, the food festivals (almost weekly in the summer!) bring the rest of Umbria to the Orvietan hilltop, and the religious holidays and historical reenactments truly demonstrate the history of the city beyond even hat all the wonderful museums have to offer.

To each their own, Erin & Katy! I’m glad you love your adopted home, but most of our readers are lucky to have a couple of weeks to try to see large swaths of Italy and our advice is geared toward them.

Orvieto is beautiful, but on a short trip to Italy as opposed to a long-term expat experience like yours, I definitely stand by my advice.

Of course, for travelers looking for a quiet trip based in a small town in Italy, Orvieto sure is a lovely choice, though not my first one. 🙂

Recommendations of hotels or inns with breakfast? Thank you

I’m in Orvieto right now. I think a day is far too short unless.ypu want to be running from place to place and your happy to only to be able to say you’ve been there. After a single day, I don’t think you can say anything else about it. I spent a full hour in the Duomo alone just soaking up the ambience and the amazing art. I think you could comfortably spend 3 or 4 days here and really enjoy what it has to offer rather than rushing through.

Glad you had a great time! The Duomo is lovely, we particularly enjoyed the Cappella di San Brizio.

My daughter & I just took a day trip here from Rome on your suggestion. Thank you for sharing! We had a great time & saw most of what you suggested here. Loved the Moro Tower. We agree one day was enough though & are glad that we got to head back to Rome. We both prefer the city in general & there’s just so much we still want to see there.

So glad we could help! The Torre del Moro was one of our favorites too, love the views from up there. We were lucky enough to climb on a gorgeous fall day which also helped.

I agree, you can never run out of things to do in Rome–it’s probably my favorite city in the world and I doubt I’ll ever tire of exploring its nooks and crannies.

We hired a car and drove around Tuscany then got robbed in Varenna on Lake Como. Thieves stole all our luggage from the boot of the car a Fiat 500. We were only away 2 hours… walking down to the ferries for a ride to Bellagio. We had left it in the car because we had just checked out. Just don’t leave belongings in your hire car. Italy has thieves everywhere!

I’m so sorry that happened to you, Julie! What an awful experience.

I know this doesn’t help now, but for anyone else who happens to read this, I will say it’s considered advisable in Italy (and most places, honestly) to not have any luggage or valuables visible in the car when you leave it.

Of course being robbed isn’t the norm, but that doesn’t make it any less terrible when it does happen!

I hope the rest of your trip was much more pleasant.

If visiting Orvieto for two nights in September, where would be the best location to keep a rental car? Grazie

I’d double-check with your hotel just to make sure you find the best place in relation to where you’re staying, but there’s a large parking lot at the base of Orvieto next to the train station that will likely be best!

Hello – My husband and I are planning to visit in the spring with my mom. How easy is it for her to get around there? Is it one of those places where everything seems uphill? She is not in a wheelchair, but it will not be enjoyable to take longer or strenuous walks.

Once you’re up in the historic center (and there’s a funicular to help you up), Orvieto is fairly flat for an Italian hilltop town! There is undeniably quite a bit of walking involved, though, as it’s really the only practical way to get around in the center.

Thank you! That is what I was hoping for. Some of the other hilltop towns we have visited were very hilly and wouldn’t be a good fit for a visit with my mom.

Beautiful town!! My daughter heading there for 6 week study abroad program, she is very excited!!! Fun things for her to see and they have trips to Florence and Rome!!

That’s so exciting! Orvieto is a beautiful place to study abroad. 🙂

Hello! My husband and I are visiting Italy 4/20/22-5/4/22 and are arriving in Rome, staying for 4 days and we are wondering from your experience, would it be better to head up to Venice after that and work our way to Cinque Terre, Florence and Orvieto then back to Rome or to leave Rome, go to Orvieto, Florence, Cinque Terre, then Venice and take the long train back to Rome for departure the day before we depart. Any other input is welcome. Thank you so much! I am enjoying your blog and information which is so helpful! Shannon

Thanks, Shannon!

Either way can be a wonderful trip. Totally depends on your preferences, there aren’t any pitfalls I see there.

The high-speed train between Rome and Venice makes traveling between the two very doable, but make sure to book in advance (tickets can get pricey and go up in price the closer you get to travel).

Hope you guys have an amazing time–looks like a fabulous itinerary. 🙂

Enjoyed your blog about Orvieto. Planning 3 weeks in Italy this fall and want to see many small towns and avoid heavily touristy places. Any advice on how to divide and conquer the country in 3 weeks? Presently looking at Dolomites, NW (Bergamo, Barolo fav wine, Camogli) then Tuscany/Umbria (Saturnia, Anghiari,Florence, Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio, Ravenna), Rome (Ostia Antica), Amalfi coast(Ravello, Procida, Pompeii, Salerno), then to Puglia/Basilicata (Maratea, Matera, Sant Agata’di Puglia, Otranto, Ostuni, Ginosa. It seems that many of our wish list could be day trips from central locations in each region? Would you recommend renting a car for a trip like this or could we see most of these by train? Any advice most appreciated! Thank you!

Thanks so much, Deb!

That sounds like quite the wish list–many amazing places, but I think you’ll find that you’ll want to trim it down a bit.

Personally, with 3 weeks, I’d pick no more than 3-4 hubs to do day trips from. You could push it to 5, but if you’re day-tripping almost every day, that is going to feel like a lot of moving around and not much savoring. Some places you mention are a bit further apart than you might think (Ravenna is on the eastern side of Emilia-Romagna, for example–technically doable by train from Florence but still a lot of travel).

You’ll probably want to do a mix of rental cars and times without one, depending on what bases you choose. You’ll definitely want one in Puglia, but in the Amalfi Coast area, for example, trains + buses + taxis + ferries will be easier. And, of course, you won’t want a car for any time that you’re based in Rome or Florence.

In Tuscany (and beyond–the day trips you mention cover 4 of Italy’s 20 regions!), I’d recommend picking one base (two if one of them is Florence) and sticking to what’s within easy reach of you there. Tuscany is a fairly large region in its own right and driving between towns, parking, etc. can take up quite a bit of time. Whether you choose north, central, or southern Tuscany, though, you’ll have tons of beautiful towns at your fingertips!

Believe me, I know how hard it is to trim down where to go (we still always leave Italy with more places added to our wish list than taken off), but getting exhausted and burned out on moving isn’t fun either. 🙂

Hi Kate, we have most of our trip planned and but would love your recommendation. we are driving from Rome to Florence and I thought we’d stop in Siena but after reading your blog I’m intrigued by Orvieto. I can only stop 1 place for about 3 hours. which would you pick? Thanks! RK

Ah, that’s a hard call!

They’re both well worth visiting, but in your case, I’d opt for Orvieto.

It’s smaller, so you can see more in a few hours, and it’s also right on your route rather than a detour out of the way.

Hi Kate, Not knowing the daily rental for a Jeep (4 people and luggage) would cost, would you recommend having a car to do daily excursions from Florence? Thank you! Mara

Generally not, no! Having a car and dealing with parking in Florence is doable, but a pain. Add in the fact that you’re talking about a VERY big vehicle by Florence standards, and it’s not typically worth it.

In most cases, I’d recommend either having a car and staying outside of Florence/in the countryside if you want more of a road-trip feel, or staying in Florence and sticking with trains, buses, and organized tours for day trips.

If you have one day trip in particular that you really want to do by car from Florence, you could even consider renting a car just for that day, rather than keeping it overnight or for your whole trip.

Kate, we are driving from Rome to the Tuscan countryside and had Orvieto recommended as a good halfway stop. Do you have a lunch restaurant recommendation and is it too risky for us to stop with luggage in our car? Thanks for all the other suggestions.

Trattoria La Palomba is a great, casual lunch spot! I recommend getting there right when they open to make sure you get a spot.

As far as the luggage goes–nothing in life is zero risk, of course, but personally we feel comfortable stopping with luggage in our car in Italy as long as nothing is visible in the vehicle (this is standard best practice for parking a car in Europe–put away any phone chargers into the glove box, etc.).

Rental cars in Europe that don’t have a traditional trunk (like an SUV) tend to have a cover that pulls over the back of the trunk area, concealing any contents from sight.

Hope you guys have a great time!

I wonder if a cooking class is offered anywhere in Orvieto? We would love to visit this charming city. Nancy

I’m not familiar with any, but most Italian towns with a solid tourism presence do have at least a couple available!

If you don’t find one you like in Orvieto, we loved the one we took outside of Florence. We talk about it in the “experiences outside of Florence” section of this post: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/best-day-trips-from-florence-italy/

Hi Kate! Mind sharing with me where the first and last pictures were taken if they were specific locations? Thanks so much!

The last photo in the post (the one with the narrow building between two streets) was taken where Via della Cava and Via Malabranca meet, on the western edge of town. If you keep following Via della Cava west from there, you’ll reach the Pozzo della Cava. The *very* last photo (the graphic that has the post title on it for Pinterest) was taken from the top of the Torre del Moro.

Sadly I don’t remember the exact location of the first photo, but I know we took it on the western side of town as we wandered around, not too far from the final photo. If I remember correctly, we were headed to the overlook on the edge of town by the Chiesa di San Giovenale, but hadn’t reached it yet.

Hope you have a great time in Orvieto! 🙂

Hi. If I want to visit Orvieto but dont want to buy the 25 Euro card, can one walk to the town or what does the venicular cost? I was planning to spend a night there but as access seems to be a problem this might not be the ideal night stop? Congratulations on a wonderful site with so much info!!👏🏻👏🏻

Hi Michelle,

Funicular tickets are 2.6 Euro round-trip, and you definitely don’t have to buy the card if you don’t want to! Wandering through the town and enjoying the shops, restaurants, views, free-to-access churches, etc, is still wonderful.

If you do want to mix in a paid attraction or two, I recommend prioritizing the Torre del Moro and/or the Duomo.

Thanks so much, and hope you have a great time!

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Set atop a gigantic plug of rock above fields streaked with vines, olive groves and cypress trees, Orvieto is one of Umbria’s star attractions. Its austere medieval centre is a classic of its kind, with weaving lanes, brown stone houses and cobbled piazzas, and its location between Rome and Florence ensures a constant stream of visitors. But what sets the town apart from its medieval neighbours is its breathtaking cathedral. This extraordinary vision, one of Italy's greatest Gothic churches, is stunning inside and out, with a sensational facade and frescoes that are said by some to rival Michelangelo's in the Sistine Chapel.

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Experience the real Orvieto. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Nothing can prepare you for the visual feast that is Orvieto's soul-stirring Gothic cathedral. Dating from 1290, it sports a black-and-white banded…

Orvieto Underground

The coolest place in Orvieto (literally), this series of 440 caves (out of 1200 in the system) has been used for millennia by locals for various purposes …

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo di Orvieto

Housed in a complex of papal palaces, the Palazzi Papali, this museum showcases a fine collection of religious relics from the Duomo and paintings by…

Chiesa di San Giovenale

This tufa-brick church at the western end of town is one of Orvieto's oldest, dating from 1004. A solemn example of Romanesque-Gothic architecture, it…

Chiesa di Sant'Andrea

This 12th-century church, with its curious decagonal bell tower, presides over Piazza della Repubblica, once Orvieto's Roman forum and now a cafe-lined…

Museo Claudio Faina e Civico

Stage your own archaeological dig at this fantastic museum opposite the Duomo. It houses one of Italy's foremost collections of Etruscan finds, comprising…

Museo Archeologico Nazionale

Housed in the medieval Palazzo Papale behind the Duomo, Orvieto's archaeological museum holds plenty of interesting artefacts, some over 2500 years old…

Torre del Moro

This 47m-high tower has loomed over Orvieto's centro since the 13th century, though the clock was only added in 1866. Climb all 250 steps for sweeping 360…

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One Day in Orvieto, Italy: Things to Do + Travel Guide!

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Looking for a charming Umbrian hill town to visit in one day? Consider Orvieto! There are just enough things to do in Orvieto to make for an engaging one day visit, although it’s so captivating you could stay longer.

Easily done as a day trip from Rome, Orvieto has a fabulous duomo to explore, and a stunning location for those jaw-dropping views of the Umbrian countryside.

A medieval hill town, Orvieto is situated high atop a volcanic tuff. It’s a dramatic setting, accentuated by defensive walls around the town, also made from the same rock.

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With a rich history going back to Etruscan times, side streets exhilaratingly free of tourist crowds, lots of charming architecture, and fantastic views of the countryside, Orvieto is definitely worth visiting.

So plan to include it in your itinerary for Italy !

Read on to see how to spend one perfect day in Orvieto.

ONE DAY IN ORVIETO: WHAT TO SEE AND DO!

Orvieto is the quintessential Italian small town experience to round out your trip to Italy.

It’s very accessible from Florence/Siena or Rome, and convenient to explore on a brief visit.

We spent one night here, en route from Siena to Rome. We love the ambience of small Italian towns in the evenings and early mornings.

But Orvieto also makes for one of the best day trips from Rome , if you don’t want to spend a night here.

Orvieto is compact, so you can walk everywhere. In fact, wandering around the streets of the town is one of my most beautiful memories of Orvieto.

If you want an active day, there’s a lot you can see and do, but you can also relax and just revel in the charm of the small town.

#1 Shop for Ceramics

One of the things Orvieto is famous for is ceramics!

Ceramics were made in Orvieto since Etruscan times, but it became a major center of majolica, Italian tin-glazed pottery, during medieval times.

Near the Pozzo della Cava in Orvieto, you can see the remains of a medieval ceramics furnace and factory.

Start your day in Orvieto by strolling around the Piazza del Duomo, browsing the little ceramics shops.

You’ll find ceramics shops all over Orvieto, so if you plan to buy, browse as you walk around town during the day and then decide. I picked out some pretty plates at Ceramiche Giacomini, right on the Piazza del Duomo, to take back home.

Most shops will ship your purchases for you, insured, so you don’t have to worry about packing them yourself.

The variety and beauty of hand-painted ceramics on display is mind boggling. You’ll be captivated by the rich colors and lovely designs, mainly birds, fish, animals, human faces, and flora.

If you plan to visit several sights in Orvieto, consider getting the Orvieto City Card ! The card offers priority entrance to major sights like the Duomo di Orvieto, the Opera del Duomo Museum, St. Patrick’s Well, the Underground, and more. Get the Orvieto City Card today !

#2 Explore the Magnificent Duomo di Orvieto: The Exterior

Exploring the magnificent Duomo di Orvieto, inside and out, should definitely top your list of things to do in your one day in Orvieto.

A mix of styles, including Gothic and Romanesque, the Duomo di Orvieto has to be one of the prettiest cathedrals in Italy!

Construction on the Duomo began in the late 1200s, and it was not completed until the second half of the 1500s. It is the work of multiple builders and artists, but you’ll find the result harmonious and pleasing.

Admire the beautiful facade, with its lovely gold and jewel-colored mosaics and intricate borders. The mosaics on the facade tell the story of the Virgin Mary.

The bas reliefs on the pillars show stories from the Old Testament and the New Testament. Even the door pulls are lovely!

#3 Explore the Duomo di Orvieto: The Interior

You’ll find the interior of the Orvieto Duomo just as riveting.

The striking striped walls and pillars are a great backdrop for the wealth of art you will view here.

However, to view a lot of the stunning sculptures and other furnishings that used to be in the Duomo, you’ll have to visit various museums in Orvieto where they are now being housed.

SAN BRIZIO CHAPEL

Gaze in awe at the frescoes begun by Fra Angelico and eventually completed by Luca Signorelli in the San Brizio Chapel.

Signorelli’s depiction of the Apocalypse and the Last Judgment are considered masterpieces, with stunning interpretation of the nude human form and the use of foreshortening.

Michelangelo is reported to have been inspired by Signorelli for his work on the Sistine Chapel.

If you feel the dark subject matter of Signorelli’s fresco cycle is at odds with the benign sleepy little hill town outside, wait until you discover that the Orvieto of Signorelli’s time was much different!

The town was in the grip of plague, and the inhabitants included two warring clans with members always looking for a fight. So Signorelli’s work was very attuned to the times.

Also don’t miss La Pietà o Deposizione , sculpted by Ippolito Scalza, a local son whose works you will see in many places in Orvieto.

#4 Take a Quick Look at the Torre di Maurizio

Pause at the Torre di Maurizio, where the little bronze figure still strikes the hour with a hammer.

Built in the mid 14th century to time the shifts of the workers at the Cathedral site, it’s reported to be the oldest automated clock mechanism in operation today.

You can only climb to the top on special days, such as during Culture Week.

But if you are interested, stop at the entrance to the tower to see the webcam show the clock mechanism in action.

#5 Walk Via del Duomo to the Torre del Moro 

Next, walk along the Via del Duomo, a charming street with little shops and beautiful doorways, to your next stop, the Torre del Moro. You’ll be stopping every few seconds to take a photo of yet another doorway!

The warm brown buildings look stunning, even on a drizzly day.

When we visited, most of the folks on the street appeared to be locals going about their business rather than tourists, a refreshing sight in Italy.

#6 Climb to the Top of the Torre del Moro 

The clock tower is located at the intersection of the Via del Duomo, Via della Costiuente and the Corso Cavour. The mechanical clock was installed in the 1800s.

Climb the 200+ steps to the top (there’s a lift that can take you part of the way up), for beautiful views of the rooftops of the town.

Even though it was a little misty when we visited, the views were gorgeous. We had the whole deck to ourselves…a first in Italy!

#7 Admire the Views from the Fortezza Albornoz 

The Fortezza Albornoz is located near the funicular station.

You might want to visit before heading into town, especially if time is precious, but if you decide to take the bus directly to the duomo in the morning, the walk here from the Clock Tower is only about 20 minutes.

Walk along the outer wall of the town, for beautiful views of the valley down below as you approach the fortress.

The views of the countryside from the fortress are extraordinary, especially if you are lucky enough to visit on a bright clear day. Only a part of the fortress survives today.

Take the time to stroll the beautiful public gardens. Here you will also find the former home of Luigi Barzini, a famous writer and from Orvieto.

#8 Descend to the Base of the Pozzo di San Patrizio 

Near the fortress, you will find the Pozzo di San Patrizio, one of the best sights in the little town.

Descending to the base of St. Patrick’s Well is a really cool activity for your one day in Orvieto!

The unique Pozzo di Patrizio is a 16th century underground well. It was built at the behest of Pope Clement VII to provide water supply to Orvieto, when he had to flee Rome and the wrath of the Roman Emperor and took refuge in the little hill town.

AN ENGINEERING MARVEL

The well is an engineering marvel, with a circular shaft 175 feet deep.

There are two staircases, one to allow mule-carts to descend to the bottom to access water, and the second to carry water back up the shaft without colliding with traffic going the other way.

It’s not in use any more, but it provided the people of Orvieto with water for many years after it was completed.

It is very cool to climb all the way down to the bottom and then back up again!

#9 Do the Underground Tour of Orvieto

Next, do the underground tour of Orvieto. Under the above-ground city, the people of Orvieto dug a vast labyrinth of cavities and structures over a period of 2,500 years to form an underground city. It’s a guided one-hour tour , and a fascinating walk through time.

You’ll see caves and tunnels from Etruscan times, thousands of years ago. The Etruscan era came to an end in the 2nd century BC, but the underground structures continued to be used in the Middle Ages and as late as the 18th century.

You’ll learn about the need to dig deep for water. You’ll see how these people from bygone years lived, raising pigeons for food and pressing olives for oil.

Buy your tickets for the tour at the Piazza del Duomo when you arrive, to be assured of spots in the time slot you want.

If you would like to also have a guided tour of the Orvieto Cathedral (we found all the information our guide gave us very interesting), then book this combined tour of the cathedral and Orvieto’s underground . The small-group tour lasts about 2 hours. Book this tour now !

#10 Wander around Orvieto

You must wander the streets of Orvieto, to admire the architecture and savor the ambience. When we visited, it was drizzling lightly, and the street lights were on. The wet cobblestoned streets have a lovely sheen in the warm light of the lamps.

Admire the facade of the Palazzo del Popolo (Palace of the People). It used to be the residence of the Captain of the People in the Middle Ages. Today it functions as a conference center and is not open for tourist visits.

The church of Sant’Andrea in the Piazza della Repubblica contains the remains of Etruscan buildings in its basement, which can be viewed by appointment. The facade is simple but stunning. Next to the church is the twelve-sided tower.

The Chiesa di Sant Angelo was also built on the ruins of an ancient temple. The warm facade of brick and stone is beautiful.

End at the Via del Duomo, with the clock face in the clock tower lit for the evening. The wander around Orvieto was one of the most fascinating things we did during our one day in Orvieto. We highly recommend it as an activity for your visit!

Where to Eat in Orvieto

For dinner, reserve a table at Trattoria la Palomba, a well-known and highly-rated Orvieto restaurant.

While it’s known for pigeon, the local specialty, my husband and I had the local umbrichelli pasta with shavings of truffle on top. Our meals were delicious!

If you like wine, try the local Classico, made from a number of white grape varieties.

We stopped by at lunch and made our reservation for the evening. We were fortunate they could accommodate us. You should book in advance to be assured of a seating at the time you want.

After dinner, we were walking to find a taxi back to our hotel, when we came upon a Madonna and Child in a square.

We saw many many versions of Madonna and Child in Italy, many of them ornate and created by celebrated sculptors and painters, but somehow this simple little version in this unpretentious little town touched me deeply.

It had been a wonderful day, and this was a very special ending!

Orvieto is on the Rick Steves 21-day Italy itinerary, so I was somewhat apprehensive about crowds. But my fears were unfounded. On the day we visited, Orvieto was blessedly uncrowded. Our time in the charming little hill town was relaxed, yet very fulfilling.

Our one day in Orvieto was spent just absorbing the charms of the town for the greater part. But if you want a more active experience, there are plenty more cool things to do in Orvieto !

Getting to Orvieto

If you are traveling by train from Siena (or Florence) to Orvieto, you have to change at Chiusi-Chianciano. It takes about 2.15 hours from Siena to Orvieto by fast train that leaves early in the day. You’d want to go from Siena to Orvieto only if you plan to spend the night.

For a day trip to Orvieto, Rome is by far your most convenient base. From Rome, take a direct train to Orveto, with a fast connection getting you there in 50 minutes and a slower, less expensive one in about 65-75 minutes.

Multiple trains run between Rome and Orvieto everyday. Fast and regional trains run from Roma Termini, and regional only from Roma Tiburtina as well.

Visit Trenitalia for train schedules and to book your tickets. If you aren’t booking your tickets in advance (and you don’t need to), note return train times for Rome before you exit the station at Orvieto.

At Orvieto, you’ll be deposited at the train station at the bottom of the hill. Just across from the train station is the funicular that takes you up to the medieval town at the top of the hill.

From the funicular station at the top, catch a bus to the Piazza del Duomo, or walk.

Take the A1 Autostrada from Rome to Orvieto. Follow signs for Orvieto and then for Campo della Fiera, where you can park in the covered parking lot. Then take the elevator or escalator to the medieval town. You may be able to find free parking as well.

BY GUIDED TOUR

You can also choose to take a guided day trip to Orvieto from Rome.

This highly rated tour combines Orvieto and Assisi for a full-day trip to two stunning Umbrian Hill towns. It also includes a stop for a tasting of local wines and Umbrian and Tuscan foods, as well as lunch. Book this tour now !

Or, if you wish to spend the entire day exploring Orvieto (we suggest you do, it’s a beautiful town!), check out this full-day tour from Rome. It’s a private tour, and you’ll travel by air-conditioned vehicle to Orvieto and back to Rome. Book this tour now !

Where to Stay in Orvieto

We stayed at an absolute gem of a place called Misia Resort, which is in a little village called Rocca Ripesena, about four miles from Orvieto. We took taxis back and forth, since we didn’t have a car.

Our room had a stunning view of the Umbrian countryside and the furnishings were rustic chic…really gorgeous. I would recommend you consider this place, particularly if you have a car. Read reviews on TripAdvisor

If you’d rather stay in town for convenience, consider Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini , just a 5-minute walk from the duomo. Rooms combine classically elegant design with modern comforts. Rooms are air-conditioned and free wifi is available. Book a stay here !

Where to Next?

If you are headed south from Rome to Naples or Sorrento, discover the delights of the Amalfi Coast and do a day trip to the stunning Isle of Capri ! If you are headed north, discover the charms of medieval Siena .

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO ITALY

VENICE: How to Spend Two Perfect Days in Venice CINQUE TERRE: Two Days in the Magical Cinque Terre LIGURIA: Why You Should Visit Lerici and Portovenere on the Ligurian Coast UNESCO SITES: 20 Stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy You Must Visit! TUSCANY: Driving the Scenic Val d’Orcia in Tuscany ROME: 26 Things to Do in Rome for First-Timers! FLORENCE: 10 Best Things to Do on Your First Visit to Florence VERONA: Make the Most of One Day in Verona

MORE WONDERFUL DESTINATIONS IN EUROPE

FINLAND: Helsinki in One Day NORWAY: How to Spend One Perfect Day in Bergen SPAIN: Your Ultimate 3-Day Guide to Seville GERMANY: 10 Best Sights In Rostock and Warnamunde

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Dhara's travel interests are eclectic, spanning everything from natural wonders to history, culture, art and architecture. She has visited 22 countries, many more than once, plus almost all 50 states of the USA, and has amassed a hoard of cherished travel moments.

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6 thoughts on “one day in orvieto, italy: things to do + travel guide”.

I love how you’ve described the entire day without sounding boring at all! Orvieto sounds like the undiscovered Italian town that only Italians visit (well, to be fair, there are many such villages but this is just the sort of place one feels extremely lucky to visit). The misty views from the top of the clock tower, the well, the dinner and the art & architecture – it all sounds so wonderful. All credit to you for writing about this experience 🙂 — S

Thanks, Supriya! We had a wonderful time in this little hill town. On my next visit to Italy, I plan to focus on smaller towns entirely…it is a much more immersive and less touristy experience. I am glad we went to the must-see places on our first visit…the iconic places are just fabulous, but now that we’ve done that, I feel more excited to explore the countryside.

Do you know if any of the ceramic shops have websites? We visited Orvieto a few years ago on a trip to Rome. My mom purchased a plate that had the city painted on it, it’s beautiful! But it got broken yesterday and I’d love to find a replacement for it!

Hi Hayley, I have not seen websites for many of the best stores, but you may want to join the Facebook Group Traveling to Italy and ask your question there. The group is large and a wonderful resource for all things related to Italy travel. I hope you find a good replacement, Orvieto’s ceramics are gorgeous.

Looks fabulous! We’re spending a month in Italy next year and your site is going to be great for planning our itinerary.

Thank you so much for the feedback! It will be a fabulous month for sure!

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