Last reviewed: · Prices in Euro (€) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Umbria
Umbria (Italian: Umbria) is one of Italy's 20 administrative regions, with its regional capital at Perugia and 92 official municipalities (comuni). Key sights and travel highlights across the region include Assisi Basilica of St. Francis (UNESCO), Perugia medieval acropolis & Piazza IV Novembre, Orvieto Duomo & underground tufa caves, Spoleto, Gubbio, Montefalco & Lake Trasimeno.
How to get to Umbria
Served primarily by Trenitalia Regionale Veloce and InterCity trains from Rome (to Orvieto, Terni, Spoleto, Foligno, Assisi, and Perugia) and from Florence (via Terontola-Cortona), plus one daily morning/evening Frecciarossa link at Perugia/Assisi and Perugia's Minimetrò. Use our Frecciarossa & Italo Fare Calculator and Trenitalia Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets in Euro (€).
What Locals Actually Eat in Umbria
Across the cities, hill towns, and villages of Umbria, neighborhood trattorie, wood-fired forni (bakeries), and seasonal town sagre serve traditional regional cooking:
1. Primo — Handmade Pasta, Risotto & Polenta
Hand-rolled strangozzi (or ciriole) pasta tossed with shaved black Norcia truffles, garlic, and olive oil, or hearty lentil soup made with tiny thin-skinned highland lentils (€10–€15). In central Italy around Perugia (Perugia), seasonal menus balance hill-town olive oil, hand-rolled pasta, foraged mushrooms, and hearth-grilled meats.
2. Secondo & Trattoria Staples
Wood-spit-roasted pigeon or pork (porchetta seasoned with wild fennel flower), grilled lamb and black-truffle sausages from expert pork butchers (norcini), and freshwater perch around Lake Trasimeno (€12–€18).
3. Local Cheeses, Cured Meats, Breads & Wine
Black winter and summer truffles, cured wild boar salami and prosciutto from mountain butcheries, golden extra-virgin olive oil from steep terraced groves, flat torta al testo griddled bread, and bold Sagrantino di Montefalco or Orvieto Classico wines.
4. How & When Locals Eat Here
Locals grab a warm wedge of torta al testo stuffed with sautéed greens and sausage (€5–€6) for lunch, and spend October and November weekends at hill-town truffle, olive-oil, and chestnut fairs. In Perugia (pop. 50,000), neighborhood bars, bakeries (forni), and trattorie across Perugia follow traditional regional dining hours—ask locally for the weekly market morning and patron-saint festival date.
Best time to visit Umbria
Best time to visit Umbria: Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov.
Featured Cities & Towns in Umbria (12)
Start with the largest cities and major tourist towns in Umbria, or scroll down to the complete A–Z directory of all 92 municipalities:
| City / Town | Status | Population | Province | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perugia | Comune (Municipality) | 165,956 | Provincia di Perugia | Guide & food → |
| Terni | Comune (Municipality) | 110,749 | Provincia di Terni | Guide & food → |
| Foligno | Comune (Municipality) | 57,059 | Provincia di Perugia | Guide & food → |
| Città di Castello | Comune (Municipality) | 39,439 | Provincia di Perugia | Guide & food → |
| Spoleto | Comune (Municipality) | 37,855 | Provincia di Perugia | Guide & food → |
| Gubbio | Comune (Municipality) | 31,547 | Provincia di Perugia | Guide & food → |
| Assisi | Comune (Municipality) | 28,314 | Provincia di Perugia | Guide & food → |
| Bastia Umbra | Comune (Municipality) | 21,781 | Provincia di Perugia | Guide & food → |
| Corciano | Comune (Municipality) | 21,391 | Provincia di Perugia | Guide & food → |
| Orvieto | Comune (Municipality) | 20,148 | Provincia di Terni | Guide & food → |
| Narni | Comune (Municipality) | 19,055 | Provincia di Terni | Guide & food → |
| Marsciano | Comune (Municipality) | 18,574 | Provincia di Perugia | Guide & food → |
All 92 Official Comuni in Umbria (A–Z)
Every single municipality (comune) in Umbria has its own travel and local food guide. Click any town below: