Free walking tours in Orvieto and what to see

Must-sees

Orvieto rises on a great crag of volcanic tuff in south-western Umbria, among vineyards. The first thing you see is its cathedral, with a Gothic façade covered in golden mosaics and reliefs. Inside, the San Brizio Chapel holds Luca Signorelli's frescoes of the Last Judgement, and opposite, the Claudio Faina Museum displays Etruscan pieces. You reach the square along medieval streets passing the Torre del Moro and the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo.

The rock hides another city. St Patrick's Well, commissioned by a pope in the 16th century, is descended by two spiral staircases that never meet. Beneath the houses there are hundreds of caves and tunnels dug into the rock, which you explore on the underground Orvieto tour. At the foot of the crag lies the Etruscan necropolis of the Crocifisso del Tufo, with tombs lined up like streets.

Free tours and guided visits

Orvieto has no fixed free walking tours. What you can book is a cathedral ticket with an audio guide and a sightseeing bus covering the main sights, handy if you don't want to climb up and down the hills. The underground Orvieto visit is guided. Day trips from Rome or Florence also combine Orvieto with other towns.

How long to spend

In a day you can see the main sights: the cathedral in the morning, St Patrick's Well and underground Orvieto after lunch, and a stroll around the centre at sunset. With two days you can add the Etruscan necropolis, the museums and a meal with local wine. If you have a car, Civita di Bagnoregio and Lake Bolsena are close by.

Where to stay

It is best to stay in the historic centre, up on the rock, where there are small hotels and apartments in old houses. At night, once the groups have left, the town is quiet. Orvieto Scalo, by the station, has practical hotels and is linked to the centre by a funicular. In the countryside there are agriturismi among the vineyards.