Orvieto (Italy) - Hotels, Best Places To Visit, Things To Do

Orvieto is an ancient city with roots that go back to the Etruscan era. It is nestled perfectly on a rock cliff of the Tufo volcanic stone.

The hill town has two parts: the old hilltop settlement and the newer one below. It boasts stunning historical structures and scenic natural landscapes. The architectural splendors wrap around each corner of the region and they captivate your eyes.

Orvieto also produces some of the finest wines in Italy.

The town has a rich artistic and cultural heritage that you can discover by wandering through its historic lanes and streets.

Cypress trees, vineyards, and olive groves cover the rolling slopes of the surrounding hills. They create wild and beautiful scenery that attracts tons of visitors and travelers from all around the globe.

In this article, you will get to know about the following points about Orvieto,

How to reach
Things to do
Places to visit
Places to stay

Let’s see each of these points in detail.

Location and how to reach Orvieto

Orvieto is situated in the southwestern part of Umbria, a Central Italian region. It belongs to the Terni province. This city is located about 100 kilometers north of Rome, the capital city of Italy.

You can choose from five airports near Orvieto to fly to: Perugia Airport (52.4 kilometers), Rome Airport (103.4 kilometers), Rome Ciampino Airport (110 kilometers), Florence Airport (141 kilometers), and Pisa Airport (176.5 kilometers).

You can also take a train from Rome or Florence to Orvieto, as the city is connected by the Roma Termini line. Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Rome that runs once a day to Orvieto. Or, if you prefer, you can rent a car or book a cab to Orvieto.

The driving time from Rome is about an hour, and from Florence, it is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Orvieto is well connected to other major cities nearby, so you should not have any trouble getting there.

GOOGLE MAP LOCATION

Things to do in Orvieto

1. Taste the flavors of Umbria and Orvieto

This part of the country is famous for its rich and varied food and wine culture. Umbria is widely known for its cereals and pulses and the dishes prepared from them. You can also enjoy saffron, cheese, and truffles here.

Honey, olive oil, chocolate, and Porchetta are a must-try here. You will find a range of flavors to suit your palate here.

Try the Orvieto cured meats, the Caciotta and Pecorino cheeses, the Salsiccia sausage, and more. They are all authentic to this region.

The aroma and taste of these delicious foods will make you drool.

2. Go around the streets

The paved streets in this hilltop town showcase different architectural styles from various periods. They are miraculous to look at.

You can also indulge in the local culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the friendly and hospitable people here. You might even make some new friends along the way.

Don’t miss the stunning view from the top of the hill. Walk to the top and cherish the marvelous sight. You can see the whole Umbrian plain with its cypress trees from there.

3. Visit the Madonna del Latte

Nestled between Orvieto and Bolsena Lake, this ancient winery produces some of the finest wines in Italy. Explore the idyllic site standing amidst the grapevines.

The barren cellar is carved out of volcanic rock and may have been an Etruscan tomb. The wine ages perfectly in the French Oak barrels inside the cool and dry cave.

The atmosphere here is amazing and the moments that you will create here will be unforgettable.

4. Learn the history at the Museo Emilio Greco Orvieto and Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Orvieto

These museums display historic art and sculptures. The Palazzo Soliano, in Cathedral Square, hosts the Modern art museum. It exhibits the collection donated by Emilio Greco to the town. You can also find the big altarpieces made of bronze, by Greco.

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale exhibits the Etruscan finds beautifully and here you will get to learn more about the era. There are five rooms full of artifacts, pottery, stone carvings, metal works, and many other recent excavations from the Etruscan era and other periods.

5. Ride the Funicular di Orvieto

The Orvieto Funicular is a railway that links Piazza Cahen with the heart of the city. The line travels through a tunnel in the wall that surrounds the city center.

It is fun to ride in it and go up to the old town on the hilltop. The views that come into sight while in the Funicolare are very captivating. It is affordable, convenient, and fascinating. The best part is they depart on time and will drop you off in no time. You can catch the Funicolare every 10 minutes.

Places to visit in Orvieto

Orvieto has many places that you can explore during your trip. Some of them include,

1. Pozzo di San Patrizio

This is a 61 meters deep well of San Patrizio that sits beyond the Fortezza. It was constructed in 1527 for supplying water.

Two spiral staircases go around the shaft and you can descend the steps that go to its bottom. It’s intriguing and exciting to face a part of history like this.

2. Torre del Moro

Built towards the end of the 13th century, this 40-meter elevated quadrangular tower gives a 360 panoramic view of the center of the old city. You can go to the top with the help of an elevator and then from halfway staircases are there to take you further up.

The clock that you see there was installed later in the year 1876. Altogether, it is an ideal site to admire the sight from.

3. Duomo di Orvieto

This cathedral is a major attraction in Orvieto, with its unique and quirky façade. The church showcases extraordinary Italian Gothic architecture, both inside and outside.

The art and sculptures are intricate and admirable. It was founded in 1290 to honor the Miracle of Bolsena. There is much more to be seen on this site.

4. Orieto Undeground and pozzo della Cava

If you want to discover the ancient secrets of this place, you can take an underground tour and explore the tunnels, caves, and passages that date back to two thousand years ago and beyond.

You will see Etruscan tombs, cave rooms, silos, and many other fascinating things. The experience and the atmosphere here are truly amazing and unlike anything else.

5. Etruscan Building and Necropolis

Near the Posso di San Patrizio, you can admire the ruins of Tempio Etrusco. On the north side of the town, you can explore the Etruscan necropolis, Tombe Etrusche del Crocifisso del Tufo. The Museums of Palazzo Fain and Palazzo Soliano display the artifacts and items that were found here.

This is a place of exotic beauty and ancient history.

6. Il Labirinto di Adriano

During a bakery renovation in the 1970s, caves, passages, and silos were discovered underground. They contained items and traces of the Etruscan era in the carved tufa.

You can now visit and explore the hidden tanks, tunnels, and chambers that are interlinked.

7. Foetezza dell’Albornoz

In the mid of the 1300s, the fortress was constructed on the site where there was an Etruscan temple. Spanish Cardinal Albornos had ordered the building of the structure to capitalize on the then-military victories in the area.

You will be able to look at the part of the fortress along with the main tower in recent times. There is also a beautiful serene park with a stunning view of the green valley below.

Places to stay in Orvieto

All kind of hotels is there to stay at ranging from luxury to mid, to budget-friendly ones. Some of them include Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini, Atmosfera d’Arte, etc.

There are also resorts like Altarocca Wine Resort where you can have a lovely stay.

These are some points you must know about Orvieto. The hill town has too much to offer in terms of places, rolling rich nature, local culture, food, drinks, warm humble people, and of course the history of different periods.

Hit the road and travel to this enchanting town, go around and bring back souvenirs with you.

Some more articles you can check out:

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links provided in the article are affiliate links. This means when you buy or book anything using those links, you help support this website at no extra cost.

The images used in the article are for representation purposes only.

Orvieto (Italy) – Hotels, Best Places To Visit, Things To Do