Orvieto, Umbria

Explore the Cities and Towns of Umbria

Licensed & Insured

We are a fully licensed Italian tour operator. All our guides hold official regional accreditation, and our drivers are NCC-certified professional chauffeurs.

Local Knowledge

Our team lives and works in Orvieto. We don't just know the landmarks — we know the hidden alleys, the best tables, and the stories that make this place unforgettable.

Tailored Experiences

Every itinerary is custom-crafted for you. Whether it's a private guided tour at dawn or a wine tasting in a family vineyard, we design experiences that match your pace and interests.

Overview

Orvieto is a beautiful hill-top town in the region of Umbria, located about 1.15 minutes north of Rome. The town is perched on an enormous rock plateau that dominates the Tiber valley below offering incredible view in all directions (depending on which part of the town you are standing).

Precariously balanced on the edge of the cliff, it commands an inspiring views of the local farmhouses, monasteries and vineyards below. After riding the funicular (inclined railway) from the base to the top, it is hard to imagine that hundreds of years ago the only way up was on the back of a donkey or on foot because as you will see when you get here, it is really, really high up over the valley and there is SO very much to see here and while you may not be able to spend a few days here, make sure to make Orvieto a stop to make if you are in the area and for many coming to Italy we advise either picking up or dropping off a car here en-route south or en-route north. However, Orvieto also makes a great town to experience and stay in and enjoy day tips from.

Once at the top, you will marvel at the incredible feats of human determination and religious aspiration that created one of Italy’s finest Romanesque –Gothic cathedrals, Il Duomo. Started in 1263 and completed some 200 years later, its spectacular coloured façade glistens in the sun along with detailed carvings depicting the Old and New Testament.

To really appreciate the splendor of Orvieto’s location, meander further down the western part of town to the church of San Giovenale , where you will be rewarded with expansive views over the surrounding countryside. The church too, offers its own gifts with beautifully detailed and numerous frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries.

But the mystery of Orvieto continues well below the surface of its tufa rock. The cliff on which the city stands is riddled with a labyrinth of artificial tunnels, galleries, cisterns, quarries and cellars. One such antiquity is Saint Patrick’s Well ( Pozzo di san Patrizio) which was built between 1527-1537 to provide the town with a water supply in case of attack. It is famous for it’s double helix (corkscrew) stair case. If you have the stamina, you can walk 60 meters down the well via a 248-step staircase and come back up a separate staircase without retracing your steps.

Another worthwhile, guided visit enables you to fully appreciate this unique underground world by exploring the caves of Orvieto. The microclimate of the caves made it possible for locals to preserve both their food and beverage provisions, including wine. Orvieto Classico is still recognised as one of Italy’s finest white wines.

Orvieto’s locals are also renowned for their art and ceramics, which are as much a part of their heritage as their cathedral. At the beginning of the 6th century, Orvieto’s economic prosperity was largely due to its ceramics and bronze work. Today, Orvieto’s economy is still dependent on tourist demand for it’s pottery. Their hand-painted handicrafts include ceramic plates, bowls, cups even candle stick holders, all made in either traditional or modern designs.

If ceramics are not your thing, then wander through the tiny medieval shops and discover contemporary hand made jewelry, leather work, woodcarvings and the traditional lace of Orvieto. During summer, when the shops stay open late, the streets of Orvieto are often adorned with paintings hanging from walls or sculptures standing next to lampposts. Such artistic colour simply adds to the charm of this wonderful, unique town.

But summer is not the only time to visit. In December and January, Orvieto hosts Umbria Jazz Winter. During the five days, world-renowned musicians showcase their music in palaces, theatres, museums and restaurants.

Orvieto, seemingly perched far above the everyday world, has in fact so much to offer. Whether you are drawn in by the music, the arts, history or gastronomy, Orvieto offers a spectacular retreat.

Gallery

Map

Our Private and Small Group Tours

TUR-01437

Bagnoreggio and Orvieto Shore Excursion

This is a wonderful tour for those looking for an alternative to Rome during their shore excursion from Civitavecchia. In the comfort of a luxury vehicle visit Civita di Bagnoreggion and Orvieto, two of Italy's most ancient Etruscan settlements, and...

Private

7 Hours

STARTING FROM

€200 per person

View Tour Details

Our Multi-Day Holidays Tours

TUR-01666

Rome & Lazio Educational Tour December 1-8, 2023

An educational tour for travel professional looking to learn more about Rome and the surrounding area.

Private

6 Days / 5 Nights

STARTING FROM

€1,300 per person

View Tour Details

TUR-01383

Treasures of the Etruscans: Undiscovered Central Ital: November 15 - 21, 2023

During this educational experience we offer for travel professionals, you will travel from the very heart of the Roman Empire, center of the Catholic faith into the volcanic, wine-producing regions that were once the homelands of the ancient Etruscan...

Private

7 Days / 6 Nights

STARTING FROM

€1,530 per person

View Tour Details

Our Featured Properties

Italy,Umbria,Perugia

Villa

Villa Tezio

8 Beds 8 Baths 16

Air Conditioning +9 more

View Details

Italy,Umbria,Orvieto

Apartment

Apartament Quartiere Antico

2 Beds 2 Baths 4

Family Oriented +8 more

From €185 / night

View Details

Italy,Umbria

Villa

Villa Guardea - A Private Villa Option - Wonderful for Families and Friends in Umbria, Italy

4 Beds 4 Baths 9

Bathroom with Shower +13 more

View Details

Italy,Umbria,Todi

Villa

Torre Crusca

6 Beds 7 Baths 12

Air Conditioning +8 more

View Details

Search Your Tour

Popular Transfer Routes in Orvieto

Most requested private transfer services across the region

Italy Vacation Specialists provides licensed private transfer services throughout Italy, including Orvieto and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, our professional English-speaking drivers offer both Business Class and Luxury Class vehicles for airport transfers, city-to-city rides, and full-day chauffeur services. All vehicles are fully insured, well-maintained, and operated by vetted local drivers who know the roads, traffic patterns, and best routes across the region.

Rome Florence

Private Transfer

Rome Naples

Private Transfer

Rome Venice

Private Transfer

Florence Venice

Private Transfer

Milan Venice

Private Transfer

Naples Amalfi

Private Transfer

Rome Amalfi

Private Transfer

Milan Lake Como

Private Transfer

Florence Siena

Private Transfer

Naples Sorrento

Private Transfer

Don't see your route? We cover all of Italy.

Request a Transfer Quote

Castelluccio di Norcia

The Marmore Waterfalls - Cascata delle Marmore

Amelia Assisi Bevagna Cascia Castelluccio di Norcia Castiglione del Lago Citta Della Pieve Citta di Castello Deruta Foligno Gualdo Tadino Gubbio Montefalco Montegabbione Narni Orvieto Perugia Rasiglia San Gemini Umbria Spello Terni The Marmore Waterfalls - Cascata delle Marmore

Your Name*

Your Email*

Your Phone Number*

Dates for Travel (MM/DD/YYYY)

Number of Adults

Number of Kids under 12 years

Your request *

“I have traveled to Italy 2x with the IVS for my own pleasure trips and 2x for business with IVS. These guys really pay attention and make your trip go like clockwork. Italy is nuts, just saying! There are so many rules and restrictions now, so we did not want to drive ourselves. Having traveled with them many times and done business on several occasions, most definitely USE this company. They know”

[Read More] JoAnne Beaudoin, Retired Nurse

“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destination on our entire trip. We visited Rome where we stayed in the outstanding Hotel Locorno where they know the owner there, like in every place”

[Read More] Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA

“Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we were p”

[Read More] Ron and Deb Crosby

“In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do an outstanding job is an understatement. You can tell while being in Italy that it is one complicated place to run tours in, just by the sh”

[Read More] Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA

“As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they can best see the country and not fall into tourist traps. I have been on 4 trips with the IVS team, firstly when they did my first 2 trips f”

[Read More] Laura Chomiak, Travel Agent

“I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and work ethic which I feel is second-to-none in the travel industry. All of the staff, the guides, the coaches and even the meals we enjoyed we”

[Read More] Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent

“The trip was great; we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details, in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.”

[Read More] Leon and Michele

“I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while on vacation to make sure things were going well. I plan on using them again soon for all my future bookings!”

[Read More] Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons

“I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friends!”

[Read More] Lucretia Brower

“In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS team took a huge burden off of me! I would like to start of by saying "THANK YOU" both for the amazing job you did on our trip. There was n”

[Read More] Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group