Rome to Assisi: How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip & The Best Assisi Tourist Attractions

If you are planning a Rome to Assisi day trip, you are in for one of the most meaningful and scenic experiences in Italy. Assisi is a peaceful hill town filled with history, stunning architecture, and deep spiritual significance, making it an unforgettable destination.

When I went through my confirmation as a child, I chose St. Francis because of our shared love of animals. Visiting Assisi, the home of St. Francis, had always been on my bucket list. On my recent trip to Italy, I finally figured out how to make a Rome to Assisi day trip happen, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my travels.

How to Get from Rome to Assisi

There are several ways to travel from Rome to Assisi, including train, rental car, or guided tour. I chose a guided tour through Viator, which made the logistics incredibly easy.

The tour lasted about 12 hours and included a stop in Orvieto before continuing on to Assisi. I was picked up right in front of my Airbnb early in the morning, which made the start of the day seamless. After check-in, we boarded a comfortable small bus with about 10 people, making it feel more personal than a large group tour.

If you prefer more flexibility, taking the train from Rome to Assisi is also a great option, though it does require a transfer and a bit more planning.

A Stop in Orvieto

On our Rome to Assisi journey, we first stopped in Orvieto, a medieval hill town in Umbria. To reach the town, we rode a funicular, which the kids would especially love.

We had about an hour to explore, which was just enough time to see the cathedral and wander through the charming streets lined with shops and cafes. If you have extra time, the underground tunnels and St. Patrick’s Well are worth exploring.

If you have more time in Orvieto, I would suggest exploring the rich underground world. You can walk 496 steps down inside of St. Patrick’s well which to this day is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance engineering.

During the Sack of Rome in 1527, Pope Clement VII took refuge in Orvieto. The well was constructed so they had a water supply in case of a siege.

Thanks to the double-helix design, a person traveling down one staircase will never bump into a person coming up in the opposite direction.

After a quick cappuccino, we were back on the road. We drove for another hour before reaching a restaurant for lunch. As many of the other reviews also commented on, it was the least memorable meal I had in Italy.

Arriving in Assisi

After lunch, we continued on to Assisi. Like many medieval towns, it sits high on a hill, offering incredible views of the surrounding countryside.

We climbed a steep staircase to enter the city and began exploring the places connected to St. Francis. Walking through Assisi feels like stepping back in time, with stone streets, historic churches, and quiet corners around every turn.

The Best Assisi Tourist Attractions

1. The Basilica of Saint Clare- (Basilica di Santa Chiara)

St. Clare was a follower of St. Francis and the founder of the Order of Poor Ladies. The Romanesque-style basilica was built in her honor in the 13th century and houses her remains in the crypt. It is also home to the Byzantine crucifix that St. Francis was praying before when he reportedly heard the voice of Christ.

While the interior of the Basilica of St. Clare is simple and almost austere, it was the place where I felt the strongest connection to St. Francis. I had expected to feel that in the grand Basilica of St. Francis, but interestingly, he never set foot inside it. The basilica was built by the Pope in his honor. Though it is large and ornate, we couldn’t help but joke that St. Francis would have hated it, given his commitment to live a life of poverty.

2. Oratory of San Francesco Piccolino

This small religious building in the center of Assisi is believed to be the birthplace of St. Francis, where Donna Pica gave birth to him.

3. Chiesa Nuova

This “New Church” was built in 1615 on the site of St. Francis’s childhood home. It is also believed to be where his father once confined him in a small cell before his mother helped him escape.

4. Duomo di San Rufino

This is where St. Francis, St. Clare, and many of their early followers were baptized.

5. Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

The former Temple of Minerva is now the Catholic church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. This 2,000-year-old structure faces the Piazza del Comune and the Palazzo dei Priori.

6. Basilica of St. Francis

This hillside Gothic church is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in Italy. Pope Gregory IX laid the first stone on July 17, 1228, and the basilica was completed in 1253.

The complex includes two churches, known as the Upper Church and the Lower Church, along with a crypt where the remains of St. Francis are buried. In 1997, an earthquake caused significant damage to the structure and tragically killed four people. Restoration work took two years, though many of the original frescoes were lost.

7. Rocca Maggiore

This medieval fort, built in the 12th century, sits high above Assisi. While I didn’t make it to the top, it is an impressive sight from below.

8. Santa Maria della Angeli

This large church at the base of the hill is where St. Francis founded the Franciscan order and later died on October 3, 1226. Although this tour did not include a stop here, it is an important site in the life of St. Francis and worth visiting if you have the time.

9. Assisi at Night

The city is especially beautiful at night. If your schedule allows, I highly recommend staying overnight so you can slow down and truly take it all in.

Dress Code & Photography

A dress code is required to enter places of worship in Assisi. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not permitted, and both men and women must have their shoulders and knees covered. Photography is also not allowed inside churches, even without flash.

Is Assisi worth visiting?

Assisi was one of the most beautiful places I visited in Italy. The entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it truly feels like every corner is worth exploring. If time allows, spend more than a day here so you can fully take it all in. The alleyways are perfect for wandering. Just look at this winding staircase called Vicolo di Sant’Andrea.

Taking a Rome to Assisi day trip is absolutely worth it if you are short on time but still want to experience one of Italy’s most special towns. Between the history, the scenery, and the connection to St. Francis, it is a place that leaves a lasting impression.

My only complaint with the Viator tour is that it felt very fast-paced. Even though the day was 12 hours long, we covered a lot of ground. If I were to do it again, I would likely choose a tour that focuses only on Assisi so I could explore at a more relaxed pace.

If your schedule allows, slow down and stay overnight. Assisi is not just a place to check off a list, it is a place to truly experience.

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