Perugia

Sightseeing Walking Tours

Learn the history of Perugia Old Town on a walking tour for small groups. A local guide will show you through the events that took place in Perugia and that have shaped the city, from the Etruscans to the Romans, until the Papal dominations and the Middle Ages.  Dive into the historic square, Piazza IV Novembre, and admire the masterpiece of engineering and Gothic sculpture that is the Fontana Maggiore. Lose yourself in the splendid landscapes that the city offers and capture photos of the rolling hills and snowy peaks from Mount Subasio to Assisi.  Cross the main street while your guide unveils curiosities and anecdotes about the city, its characters, and some architectural elements that may go unnoticed. See the Etruscan Arch, built in the 3rd Century BC. Then go underground in the Rocca Paolina, a symbol of the power of the Pope in Perugia. Walk around the old fortress and see the exhibitions on display there.

Walk along the city walls dating from the Etruscan Age, get lost in the symbols carved by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano's into the Fontana Maggiore and find yourself fascinated by the many layers of the Rocca Paolina - Perugia's undergrounds. Perugia is a city full of charm and history. Every ancient gate, alley, piazza, palazzo and church will capture your imagination, and every museum and gallery will impress you with a sense of history, culture and art. Perugia is not just a stuffy old showcase of the ancient, it also has a young, vibrant and energetic feel. As the site of many festivals and concerts, the most important of which are the annual fall Chocolate festival and the summer Umbria Jazz festival, the city has a chic and urban atmosphere unmatched by other Italian cities.

On this 2.5-hour private tour you'll walk through the picturesque city of Perugia with a dedicated guide, experiencing steep medieval streets, breathtaking views and many delicious specialties that will be waiting for you. During the tour you'll explore Piazza IV Novembre, the real heart of the city, where you will be amazed by the famous Fontana Maggiore. As you'll see, this square is cloaked by the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and the imposing Palazzo dei Priori, where the National Gallery of Umbria has been located since 1878. From Piazza IV Novembre starts Corso Vannucci, the center of Perugian social life, with its shops and coffee places. Stroll along Corso Vannucci until you reach Rocca Paolina, a real fortress that was built by Pope Paolo III after the sack of Rome. Make the most of this historically rich, educational and interesting tour to discover an authentic typical Italian medieval city in the beautiful region of Umbria.

The historic journey begins in Piazza IV Novembre, in the city center, where you will pass the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. The tour then continues through various medieval streets to the Renaissance fortress of Rocca Paolina, which displayed the power of Pope Paul III. Since then, the ancient Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval heritage has been destroyed or preserved in underground galleries that are accessible to the public. Continue to the Maggiore fountain, which was built in 1278. Read the Latin inscriptions of the fountain and learn the history of the craftsmen and their role in creating this monumental medieval fountain. The fountain displays multiple iconographies, such as 50 bas-reliefs and 24 statues. Next, stop in the Palazzo dei Priori, which was the seat of the city government in the Middle Ages and is now the municipal seat of Perugia. Explore the Gothic building and pass the griffin and lion at its entrance.

Perugia is a city full of charms and history. Every ancient gate, alley, piazza, palazzo and church will capture your imagination; and every museum and gallery will impress you with a sense of history, culture and art. Perugia is not just a stuffy old showcase of the ancient, it also has a young, vibrant and energetic feel. Perugia is the site of many festivals and concerts, the most important of which are the annual fall Chocolate festival and the summer Umbria Jazz festival, lending the city to a chic and urbane atmosphere unmatched by other Italian cities. Meeting point will be at Piazza Italia, from there you will go first exploring the different strata of Rocca Paolina – the so called 'Perugia underground.' Once back to the city center, there will be a stop at a famous old-fashioned but traditional coffee shop for an espresso or a cappuccino topped with hand-whipped cream. The tour will focus on the main fountain – Fontana Maggiore – together with the other buildings standing in the square.