Italy has many hill towns, but If you find yourself in Perugia, or for that matter, anywhere in Umbria, be sure to save a day for Spello. A 30-minute, $5 train ride from Perugia, it's a quaint and beautiful hillside town oozing with charm. From the train station once you arrive, it's a 15-minute walk to find yourself in town. So grab your camera, put on your walking shoes and be prepared to fall in love with this fairytale village!
On our first trip to Siena as we were leaving the Hotel Santa Caterina (see our post Three Days in Siena, the Gem of Tuscany) to head to Perugia, the wonderful concierge suggested that while we were in Perugia we should visit Spello. What a treasure! Take your time walking up the Via Cavour, the main street lined with shops and restaurants.
Visit the church of Santa Maria Maggiore on Via Cavour. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, the interior is ornate and beautiful. Scroll through the photos below to enjoy its splendor.
We ate lunch at Gusto Bistro on the Via Cavour both times we visited Spello. It's such a lovely place to take a break and to eat al fresco while walking through the town. I had my very first panzanella at Gusto - yum!
Wind your way east of Via Cavour for beautiful views of the Umbrian countryside.
A few more photos to tempt you...
Did you know that the region of Umbria is the only region in Italy completely surrounded by Italian land? All the other 19 regions are bordered either by the sea or by other European countries.
➜ Top Tips
If you're short on time, a couple hours is enough to get a taste of Spello, but if you can, plan for at least a half a day.
The walk into town from the train station is easy, but it's uphill and might be difficult for people with mobility issues.
Wear good walking shoes and bring a good camera for this incredibly picturesque village and the stunning countryside!