If you are planning a holiday in Umbria with children you are in the right place. It is a region that offers a lot, rolling hills, nature, medieval cities that contain some of the most beautiful artistic and cultural heritages in the world.
Umbria with children
There are countless things to do and see in Umbria, so I will give you suggestions for a 4-day itinerary between Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio and Spello.
Perugia
To organize a tour in Umbria with children, we suggest you sleep in Perugia and move within the day. Perugia, the regional capital, is a city on a human scale, which can be visited in 1-2 days. Its historic center is beautiful and can be easily explored on foot or with a stroller. If you have children from three years old, I suggest you take the MiniMetrò, small wagons of up to 20 people that connect the western outskirts of the city with the historic center. Children will like it a lot.
The center of Perugia offers a visit to the Rocca Paolina, a 16th century fortress, and the splendid Palazzo dei Priori. For a delicious break, have a hot chocolate in one of the bars on Corso Vannucci. In Perugia there is one of the most important squares in Italy, the Piazza Grande, dominated in the center by the Fontana Maggiore.
Don’t forget a visit to the Perugina Chocolate House, the Mirabassi Puppet Museum and Città della domenica, a park with games and animals.
Gubbio
Gubbio is a truly splendid medieval city, full of history and tradition. Did you know that the Italian TV series Don Matteo was filmed here? I suggest that you park for a fee in Piazza dei Quaranta or, a little further away, near the Roman Theater, where you will also find a nice playground for children.
A nice way to see Gubbio with children is the Gubbio Express. The train that will take you on a 40-minute city tour with its audio guide, touching all the main points of interest.
Spello
Spello, the city of flowers, cannot be missed during a tour in Umbria with children. If you have the chance, visit Spello at the beginning of June when there is the “Infiorata”. This is an event held on the occasion of Corpus Domini, in which the streets are literally covered with carpets of flowers. I recommend that you stroll through the streets of this small village – one of the most beautiful villages in Italy – and admire the wonderful views with unique flowers and scents. You can walk safely with the stroller. If children want to play in Spello, you will find gardens with games inside the City Park.
Assisi
Unmissable stop on a tour in Umbria with children is the city of Assisi. A small town famous for being the birthplace of San Francesco. In Assisi there are many climbs and enough stairs, I suggest you use the baby carrier for small children.
To reach Assisi you can park just outside and take the “mattonata”, a path made up of a brick sidewalk, alternatively you can take the bus that leaves from the beautiful church of Santa Maria Maggiore.
The Basilica of Santa Chiara where the relics of the saint are kept and the Crucifix of San Damiano who spoke to San Francesco.
Near the church there is also a small playground, and a panoramic terrace from which you can enjoy a beautiful view across the valley.
A must-see is the beautiful Basilica of San Francesco with frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue.
Afterwards you can visit the Bosco di San Francesco (except in January and February when it is closed).
