Umbria by car — medieval towns, nature and good food

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This trip is planned for 17 Sept – 26 Sept 2027.

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Day 1 · Fri 17/09 3:18 hr

From Munich over the Brenner to South Tyrol

Journey there, first leg

A deliberately short first leg, kept under the 3-hour mark, so the travel day stays relaxed.

Remember the vignette in Austria and the toll on the Brenner and the A22.

Start

Munich

This is where your trip begins. You head south via the Inntal and Brenner motorways.

283 km · 3:15 hr
Stay

Pension Leuchtenburg

A peacefully located winery B&B at Lake Kaltern, ideal as a first stop after the Brenner. From the terrace you look out over vines and water, and in the evening there's South Tyrolean cuisine with the estate's own wine.

90–130 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 2 · Sat 18/09 6:18 hr

On to Umbria — arrival near Assisi

Transfer leg, arrival

This leg comes close to the planned 3 hours of driving time — with one break, the day stays manageable.

You'll settle in near Assisi for two nights, saving you a change of accommodation.

Long leg — plan in some breaks.

Start

Kaltern

After breakfast, you continue on towards Umbria.

540 km · 6:16 hr
Stay

Agriturismo Malvarina

A family-run agriturismo at the foot of Monte Subasio, just a few minutes below Assisi. A good base for the next few days, with home-style Umbrian cooking and walking trails right on the doorstep.

85–120 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 3 · Sun 19/09 24 min

Assisi — basilica and medieval lanes

Castles & history

Best to park in one of the designated car parks on the edge of town (such as Parcheggio Giovanni Paolo II) and walk up from there.

A relaxed day in town with no driving stress, a good way to settle into Umbria.

1
Sight

Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi

The spiritual heart of Assisi, famous for the frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue in the Upper and Lower Church. Entry is free, modest dress is expected, and dogs must stay outside.

0 €
Website
1 km · 20 min
2
Sight

Rocca Maggiore

The medieval fortress above the town offers wide views over the Spoleto valley. The climb up is especially rewarding in the late afternoon light.

6 € / person
Website
Another night: Agriturismo Malvarina
Day 4 · Mon 20/09 48 min

Spello and Bevagna — flowers and stone towns

Medieval towns

It's only around 20 minutes from Assisi to Spello — your morning stays relaxed.

Spello and Bevagna are compact and easy to explore on foot.

3
Town

Spello

One of Umbria's most beautiful towns, built entirely of pink limestone and famous for its flower-decked lanes. You can wander through narrow streets, discover Roman gates and admire the frescoes by Pinturicchio in Santa Maria Maggiore.

0 €
Website
12 km · 8 min
4
Town

Bevagna

A quiet medieval town with a harmonious Piazza Silvestri and old craft workshops. Less visited than the well-known towns, ideal for a peaceful lunch beneath the arcades.

0 €
Website
34 km · 40 min
Stay

B&B Palazzo Leti

Historic noble palace with a garden and views over the valley, centrally located in Spoleto's upper town. A good starting point for the waterfalls near Terni the next day.

100–150 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 5 · Tue 21/09 1:18 hr

Cascata delle Marmore — walking at the waterfall

Nature & walking

The paths at the waterfall are steep and damp in places — bring sturdy footwear.

Dogs are allowed on the paths, on a lead.

36 km · 40 min
5
Nature

Cascata delle Marmore

One of the highest man-made waterfalls in Europe, created by the Romans themselves. Well-maintained walking trails bring you close to the thundering cascades; the water flow is released at set times — check in advance.

10–12 € / person child-friendly
Website
Another night: B&B Palazzo Leti
Day 6 · Wed 22/09 54 min

Piano Grande di Castelluccio — plateau and open space

Nature & walking

The mountain roads are narrow and winding — don't underestimate the driving time, though the leg stays under the 3-hour mark.

At altitude, September mornings can be chilly, so pack a jacket.

63 km · 37 min
6
Nature

Piano Grande di Castelluccio

A vast plateau in the Monti Sibillini National Park, filled with blooms in early summer and dressed in quiet earthy tones come September. Simple trails let you walk across the plain, with the mountain village of Castelluccio perched above it all.

0 € child-friendly
Website
20 km · 15 min
Stay

Palazzo Seneca

An elegant yet cosy house in Norcia, the town of truffles and cured meats. An ideal base for the Sibillini and a great dinner featuring local produce.

120–170 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 7 · Thu 23/09 2:36 hr

Gubbio — medieval hill town

Castles & history

The drive comes to around 2.5 hours — plan a break along the way.

In Gubbio, the car parks below the old town are a good choice; from there you can walk up or take the escalators.

120 km · 2:30 hr
7
Town

Gubbio

One of Umbria's best-preserved medieval towns, built steeply and severely up the mountainside. The monumental Palazzo dei Consoli above the Piazza Grande and the tight web of lanes give the town its character; a funicular takes you up to the Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo.

0 €
Website
· 5 min
Stay

Relais Ducale

A stylish house right in the old town, set in the former chambers of the Dukes of Montefeltro. A central location, so you can walk to dinner through the lanes in the evening without needing the car.

100–150 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 8 · Fri 24/09 54 min

Perugia — capital of Umbria

Castles & history, Food & markets

Parts of Perugia's centre are pedestrianised — it's best to use one of the car parks on the edge of town with escalators up into the centre, such as Parcheggio Saba Partigiani.

A short driving leg, leaving plenty of time for the city.

41 km · 50 min
8
Town

Perugia

The lively hilltop capital of Umbria, home to the grand Corso Vannucci, the Fontana Maggiore and the Palazzo dei Priori. Beneath the city lies the walkable Rocca Paolina, and the town's famous chocolate tradition beckons everywhere.

0 €
Website

See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)

· 3 min
Stay

Locanda della Posta Boutique Hotel

A house with a long tradition, right on the Corso Vannucci in the heart of the centre. From here you can walk to the restaurants and squares of the old town in the evening.

110–160 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 9 · Sat 25/09 2:30 hr

Orvieto and Lago Trasimeno

Medieval towns, nature

In Orvieto, it's worth using the car park at the valley station, from where a funicular takes you up to the old town.

The legs are kept short so there's still time for the cathedral and the lake.

79 km · 1:15 hr
9
Town

Orvieto

A town perched on a tuff-stone cliff, home to one of Italy's most beautiful cathedrals, its façade shimmering with gold and mosaics. Beneath the town runs a network of Etruscan caves and wells, chief among them the deep Pozzo di San Patrizio.

5 € / person
Website

See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)

71 km · 1:10 hr
10
Town

Castiglione del Lago

A fortified town on the shore of Lago Trasimeno, with views over the water and its islands. The largest lake in central Italy is calm and gently cradled by the hills — perfect for a relaxed late afternoon with a stroll along the lakeside promenade.

0 € child-friendly
Website
6 km · 5 min
Stay

Relais alla Corte del Sole

A converted country estate among olive groves near the lake, peaceful and with a garden. A fitting close to your last night in Umbria, before heading home the next day.

100–150 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 10 · Sun 26/09 9:36 hr

Return journey towards Munich

Journey home

This return leg is well over the planned daily allowance of 3 hours — plan in plenty of breaks, or consider a deliberate overnight stop, for example near Trento or Bolzano.

Set off early to avoid traffic jams at the Brenner and around the major urban areas.

Long leg — plan in some breaks.

Start

Castiglione del Lago

After breakfast, the long journey north begins.

765 km · 9:34 hr
11
Stop

Munich

Return to your starting point. This brings your Umbria road trip to a close.

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This trip is planned for 17 Sept – 26 Sept 2027.

Copy it and move it to your own dates.

Free account, no credit card. Copying, moving and adjusting are included.