Itineraries for Your Trip to Perugia
3 Days in Perugia for Families
I’ve raised a family just minutes from Perugia, and this handsome capital city has been the backdrop to some of our most memorable adventures. We have wandered the maze of cobblestone backstreets, dined al fresco along the elegant main Corso Vannucci, and headed deep below the city to explore its ancient quarters and wells within the city walls.
But Perugia’s attractions aren’t limited to its old town; this centrally located base is ideal for discovering the entire surrounding region, including hill towns, lakes and parks, and historic castles and fortresses. Follow my suggestions for three days of kid-sized fun in and around Perugia.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the labyrinthine medieval district inside the Rocca Paolina.
Perugia is scorching in summer but cools come nightfall—bring a light jacket or sweater for that evening stroll and gelato.
Get your bearings in Perugia’s old town this morning with a private walking tour tailored to your family’s ages and interests. Take in sights kids love, like the Rocca Paolina fortress, Etruscan well, and traffic-free Corso Vannucci thoroughfare. Stop to admire the view (and the goldfish pond) at the public gardens and run around Fontana Maggiore.
Enjoy a sightseeing break this afternoon with fun at nearby Lake Trasimeno. Claim a spot on the beaches near Castiglione del Lago or Passignano sul Trasimeno to relax, swim, or kayak across its calm surface. You’ll need a car or private transport to reach the lake.
Today, explore Perugia’s most famous neighbor: Assisi. This medieval hill town was the birthplace of St. Francis and its grand basilica impresses. Visit with a guide for a kid-focused tour of the UNESCO-listed church and old town. Let the kids run free in the pedestrian-only maze of quiet alleys and staircases between the busy basilica and the main Piazza del Comune.
Umbria is known as Italy’s green heart due to the rolling expanse of lush hills around Perugia—Discover Umbria’s spectacular natural parks and mountain tops on your final day with a kid-friendly adventure. The thundering Marmore Falls impress visitors; admire this ancient Roman engineering wonder via the trails or with a rafting excursion on the river. Or, try paragliding with a tandem flight from the top of Mount Subasio.
Otherwise, explore the countryside on an e-bike or foot with a guided cycling or hiking tour set to your kids’ ages and skills, and take in some of the prettiest countryside in central Italy.
