Things to Do in Assisi

A Roman temple from 1st century BC, now incorporated into a Baroque church. Six Corinthian columns remain from the original facade.

🕐 07:30-12:30, 14:30-19:00 (daily)

💡 Quick visit — the interior is small. Look for the original Roman pavement through a glass panel near the altar. Best photo angle is from Piazza del Comune at golden hour.

A Gothic church housing the tomb of Saint Clare, with simple frescoes and a cross said to have spoken to Francis.

🕐 6:30-12:00, 14:00-19:00 daily

💡 Visit during afternoon prayer (around 4pm) for a quiet moment — the crypt is less busy than the main basilica.

A 1st-century BC Roman temple facade on Piazza del Comune, now a Catholic church inside. The original six Corinthian columns and pediment survive. The interior is baroque but modest.

🕐 Daily 07:30–12:30 and 15:00–19:00

💡 Stand across the square to take in the full temple facade – it’s the best preserved in Umbria. Free to enter; mass times mean it may close briefly.

13th-century church in pink-and-white striped stone, built over the tomb of Saint Clare. Inside, you can see the Crucifix that spoke to Saint Francis and a simple crypt.

🕐 Daily 06:30–12:00 and 14:00–18:30

💡 Visit just before noon to hear the bells. The cloister garden is small but peaceful – few people linger there.

Gothic church built in the 13th century, housing the body of Saint Clare and a 13th-century crucifix that spoke to St Francis. The interior is simple but the white and pink stone facade stands out.

🕐 Monday to Saturday 10:00–17:30, Sunday 14:00–17:30

💡 The underground crypt with Clare's remains is free and quiet – a good contrast to the crowds at San Francesco. Check opening times for the portico.

Medieval fortress on top of Mount Subasio with wide views of Assisi and the Umbrian valley. Built in the 14th century, it has ramparts and towers you can climb.

🕐 Daily 08:00–19:00 (summer); 09:00–17:00 (winter)

💡 The fortress grounds are free; the internal museum costs €3. Walk up from Piazza del Comune on Via S. Rufino – it's steep but short.

A UNESCO World Heritage site with two levels of fresco cycles by Giotto and Cimabue, plus the crypt of St Francis. Entry to the church itself is free.

🕐 Lower Basilica: 06:00-18:45; Upper Basilica: 08:30-18:00

💡 Go before 9am to avoid tour groups. The Lower Basilica is quieter and the frescoes are easier to see without crowds.

Unesco-listed basilica complex with two levels of churches and frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. The Lower Basilica is darker and Romanesque; the Upper is bright Gothic. Entry to both is free, but expect queues.

🕐 Lower Basilica: 06:00–18:45; Upper: 08:30–18:45 (last entry 18:00)

💡 Arrive by 8:30am to avoid the tour bus crowds. Photography inside is not allowed, so just look.

UNESCO-listed basilica with two levels of frescoes by Giotto, Cimabue, and Lorenzetti. The lower church holds Saint Francis's tomb.

🕐 Lower Basilica: 6am-6:45pm; Upper Basilica: 8:30am-6:45pm

💡 Go early morning around 8am to avoid crowds. No photography in the upper church during mass.

A UNESCO World Heritage site with frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Entry to the basilica and its crypt is free.

🕐 6:00-19:00 daily

💡 Go early morning (around 6am) to see the basilica without crowds and catch the sunrise light over the lower church.

A 14th-century fortress on a hilltop offering panoramic views of Assisi and the Umbrian valley. The outer grounds are free.

🕐 Always open (exterior); interior: 10:00-18:00 Tue-Sun (small fee)

💡 Walk up the path from Piazza del Comune at sunset — the fortress exterior is free, and the view rivals the paid interior tour.

14th-century fortress on the hill above Assisi. The grounds and outer walls are free to walk around. You can climb to the battlements for panoramic views over the town and valley.

🕐 Grounds open daily 07:00–20:00 (summer); till 17:00 in winter

💡 Go at sunset: the light on the stone and the valley below is stunning. The interior museum costs €5, but the free areas give you the same views.

A dual-level UNESCO World Heritage site with frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Upper basilica is light-filled; lower basilica holds the saint's tomb.

🕐 Lower Basilica: 06:00-18:45; Upper Basilica: 08:30-18:45 (closed Sundays until 13:00)

💡 Go early (8:30 AM) to avoid queues. Photography is banned inside — put your phone away or risk a fine. Crypt is usually quieter after 4 PM.

A UNESCO World Heritage site with two churches and the crypt of St Francis. The upper basilica holds Giotto's fresco cycle of the saint's life; the lower church is candlelit and Romanesque.

🕐 Monday to Sunday 08:30–18:00

💡 Go early (8:30am) to avoid tour groups. The ticket for the Treasury Museum costs €2 but the basilicas themselves are free.

Umbrian regional park covering the mountain behind Assisi. Has marked trails through woods and meadows, with views to Perugia and the Tiber valley.

🕐 Open 24/7; no gates or fees

💡 Best free walk: from Porta Cappuccini follow trail no. 1 to the hermitage Eremo delle Carceri (1 hour each way). Bring water and sturdy shoes.

An open-air archaeological area in Piazza del Comune showing remains of the Roman Forum, including a small amphitheatre and temple columns. Free to view from the square.

🕐 Exterior: always visible; Underground museum: Tue-Sun 10:00-13:30, 14:30-18:00

💡 Stand at the north side of the piazza to see the outlines clearly. Don't bother with the €3 underground museum unless you're keen on Roman stonework.

The main square flanked by the Temple of Minerva (Roman, 1st century BC) and medieval palazzos. Free to walk through.

🕐 Always open

💡 Sit on the steps of the temple at midday when locals gather — you'll hear real conversations, not tourist chatter.

Assisi's main square since Roman times, surrounded by medieval palaces and the Temple of Minerva. It hosts a market on Saturday mornings. Sit on the steps or at a café – the scene is free.

🕐 Open 24/7; market Saturday 08:00–14:00

💡 The public water fountain (the 'fontana') in the corner is safe to drink from and great for filling a bottle. Try a gelato from Gelateria Veneta on the square for about €3.

Central square with the Temple of Minerva (1st century BC), medieval town hall, and a 16th-century fountain. Free to wander and sit at cafés.

🕐 24-hour public square; shops/cafés open 9am-8pm

💡 Visit on market day (Saturday morning) for local cheese, olives, and textiles. The tourist office inside the town hall sells cheap maps.

Assisi's main square, built over the Roman forum. Features the Temple of Minerva (still used as a church), the 14th-century Palazzo dei Priori, and the Torre del Popolo.

🕐 Accessible 24/7; cafés and shops open roughly 07:30–20:00

💡 Sit at a café on the square for a cheap espresso (€1.10) and people-watch. The Roman forum ruins are accessible via a free staircase under the temple.