Assisi: Day Trips From Rome

Assisi is one of my favorite places to visit in Italy. It’s a the perfect destination for day trips from Rome.  Everything in Assisi is up! All of the sightseeing locations start at the bottom of the hill and go up from there. 

Assisi has the charm of a small Italian town in beautiful Umbria and a lovely break from the hustle of Rome. If Assisi wasn’t on your list of day trips from Rome it should be. Check out why below!

Getting From Assisi To Rome

Taking a day trips from Rome to Assisi is easy! There is only one train station to choose from, unlike larger cities.  I  recommend using the TRENITALIA train line and there should be machines all around your station.  The train station in Assisi is at the bottom of the hill right outside the actual city.

Once you arrive in Assisi there will be a gift shop inside the train station that you can purchase a bus ticket to take you up the hill. I would get off at its first stop on the hill at the roundabout.  You will see the beginning of the city here and just follow the signs to Basilica di S. Francesco. This is the first attraction on the hill which means everything else you would like to see from here is up, up, up.

Where To Stay In Assisi

If you get in late it can be harder to find transportation up the hill. If you are going to stay the night and start your activities the following day I would arrive before 5 pm to make transportation easier for yourself. I stayed at the Hotel S. Francesco right next to the Basilica. It was the perfect location, great price, and friendly staff.

Sightseeing On Your Day Trip

1. Piazza del Comune
2. Temple of Minerva
3. Palazzo Bonacquisti
4. Bascilica di S. Francesco
5. Basilica di Santa Chiara
6. Rocca Maggiore
7. Santa Maria Maggiore

Follow signs for Piazza del Comune to see the Temple of Minerva, Palazzo Bonacquisti, etc.  These are a few locations on your checklist of Assisi. There are restaurants, shops, and postcard pictures to take at Piazza del Comune.

Basilica di S. Francesco

The Basilica di S. Francesco has so much to explore. There are three floors; underground level, base level, and upper level. In the underground level, you will find relics of St. Francis and a chapel built for him with his remains residing in the stonework behind the altar. The stone and ironwork in the chapel are exceptional. The base level has a main altar and smaller rooms to the side and in the back for art collections and chapels. Some are open to the public and some just to the ordained members that live at the Basilica. On the upper level, you have another main altar and smaller chapels to visit. The artwork on the ceiling illustrates different stories of the Bible.

Sights At The Top

From here you can venture out in several directions. There is the Basilica di Santa Chiara, Rocca Maggiore, Santa Maria Maggiore, etc. The Basilica di Santa Chiara (Basilica of St. Clare) has a beautiful church and gorgeous artwork in the level below. Her remains are kept there and many travel to pilgrimage to this site. Rocca Maggiore is at the very top of the hill and you do have to pay 8 Euros to enter the castle.

Assisi is such a small town but try to explore as much as you can and even take streets off of the main path. There are some amazing views that I stumbled upon and it’s safe to wander around the city.

Best Restaurants In Assisi

La Lanterna, Hosteria Terra Chiama, and Gran Caffe Mazzini  are a few places I dinned at while in Assisi.  La Lanterna had amazing pasta, pizza, vino, and deserts. Hosteria Terra Chiama had a very friendly environment. I ate there by myself and you could tell it was family owned and operated. This restaurant has the BEST vino rosso della casa and very strong! Gran Coffee Mazzini was decorated to the nine! Very elaborate and the quality of gelato was just as amazing as the decor.

I loved Assisi so much I have taken many day trips from Rome to visit. The atmosphere, people, food, and scenery really do make this place feel magical. I hope this helps you in planning your travels! Check out my full guide on navigating and Sightseeing Rome 

I am constantly updating and adding new destinations and travel tips so stay tuned! Don’t forget to FOLLOW MY BLOG so you don’t miss a thing! Ciao!