Orvieto, Umbria

Overview

Discover Orvieto: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

Orvieto is a beautiful hill-top town in the region of , located about 1 hours 15 minutes north of . 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 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.

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Our own photographs

Orvieto Through Our Eyes

Photographed during our own travels and research, these images follow the journey through Orvieto, from the first view of the landscape to the small details that give the place its character.

Streets of Orvieto, Umbria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orvieto_Cathedral

The Beautiful Hill-Top Town of Orvieto, Umbria Region - Italy

Landscape at Orvieto, Umbria

Map

Get your bearings before you go

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Whole journeys, planned end to end

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

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

Private & Small Group Tours in Orvieto

Days out with people who know the way

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

Hotels

Rooms we would happily sleep in again

Italy,Umbria,Orvieto

Hotel

Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini Orvieto, Umbria

★ ★ ★ ★

The Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini is lovingly restored ancient palace that was the home of Pope Enea Sil...

Business Centre +8 more

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Italy,Umbria,Orvieto

Hotel

Locanda Pallazone

★ ★ ★ ★

The Locanda Palazzone is a beautiful contradiction in terms. It is considered to be one of the oldes...

Pool +1 more

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Apartments

A local address to call your own

Italy,Umbria,Orvieto

Apartment

Apartament Quartiere Antico

2 Beds 2 Baths 4

Family Oriented +8 more

From €185 / night

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Photo Gallery

Castelluccio di Norcia

San Gemini Umbria

Spello

Terni

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

Our Featured Properties

Stays we picked one by one

Apartament Quartiere Antico featured rental property in Orvieto

Italy,Umbria,Orvieto

Apartment

Apartament Quartiere Antico

2 Beds 2 Baths 4

Family Oriented +8 more

From €185 / night

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Italy,Umbria,Perugia

Villa

Villa Tezio

8 Beds 8 Baths 16

Air Conditioning +9 more

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Torre Crusca featured rental property in Orvieto

Italy,Umbria,Todi

Villa

Torre Crusca

6 Beds 7 Baths 12

Air Conditioning +8 more

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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

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Getting here

The Road to Orvieto

Most of our guests arrive by private car, with a driver who knows these roads and where it is worth stopping along the way. These are the journeys we arrange most often.

Perugia Umbria Montepulciano Tuscany Assisi Umbria Cortona Tuscany Civitavecchia Lazio, Cruise Port Rome Lazio, Fiumicino Airport

View over Cortona Italy, Etruscan Town of Cortona

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