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Narrow streets lined by ocher-colored buildings, charming piazze centered around medieval fountains, and some of the best-preserved ancient Roman monuments still surviving to this day—there are many reasons to go to Rome.
At the same time, there are many why you shouldn’t:
Between the intense crowding––sorry, folks, waking up at 5 to get to Fontana di Trevi before the tourist hordes get there is no longer early enough––and the overall costs, from the pricey accommodation to the mounting entry fees, Rome isn’t the laid-back escapade you might be hoping for.
If you’re heading to Rome this fall, there’s an extensive list of culturally rich destinations you could add to the itinerary, so once you tire yourself of the long waiting lines and the $7 gelato, you can get some respite and the idyllic vibes you seek.
One of the best options for escaping the gong show that is Rome is Assisi, a smaller city some 2 hours away with the train that’s capturing the hearts of visitors lately:
A Hidden Gem In The Center Of Italy
Located in the heart of Umbria, in the hilly central region of Italy, Assisi is a charming historic town most first-time visitors to Italy––and even returning guests––often fail to notice has been resting on its hilltop for quite some centuries now.
Unless, of course, you’re fervently religious: you see, Assisi is best known for its association with St. Francis, the patron saint of Italy and a native of Umbria, so the only crowds you’ll be seeing here are pilgrims lining up to access the Basilica of San Francesco.
Other than its religious importance and high concentration of churches, Assisi is remembered for its well-preserved medieval core, which’s remained virtually unchanged since the High Middle Ages: it’s no wonder it’s been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list.
Lucky for budget-conscious travelers, a majority of Assisi’s manmade wonders are open to the public cost-free, unlike Rome’s expensive museums and tourist attractions: according to a report by John Lewis Finance, it is the best European destination with free attractions.
It has the highest number of top-rated free monuments per capita, with 21 to be exact, distributed around a small settlement of under 28,000 people:
One Of The Most Beautiful Basilicas In All Of Europe
One of them is the Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi, a massive two-level church built following the canonization of Assisi’s most famous native in 1228, richly decorated with frescos related to St Francis’ life and housing his stone sarcophagus.
As we mentioned, it’s busy year-round with pilgrims, so if you’re coming all the way to Assisi to avoid the crowds, you should know there’s no shortage of medieval shrines playing host to beautiful paintings and ornate altarpieces to discover.
One of our favorites not only in Assisi but all of Italy is St Rufinus, built in the Romanesque style with three monumental rose windows, especially for the Roman-era cistern inside and don’t forget to check out the Basilica of Santa Chiara, either:
With construction beginning in 1257, it’s one of the best-preserved historic churches in the historic city, flanked by huge Gothic buttresses and clad in colorful frescos, but centuries-old churches, however stunning, are not Assisi’s only noteworthy sites.
Imposing Medieval Castles And Roman Ruins
In case you haven’t noticed already from the pictures, Assisi is dominated by two imposing castles, the largest of which is called Rocca Maggiore (literally translated as ‘Big Rock’), while the smaller one is a ruined Roman-era fort with only three towers standing.
Assisi doesn’t have a Roman Colosseum, but if you love Roman History, you’ll be thrilled to know there’s a partially-preserved amphitheater dating back to the 1st century AD, flanked by stone houses that were added from the 11th century onward.
Sitting at a canyon overlooking Assisi, the tiny monastery of Eremo delle Carceri is a hidden gem culture enthusiasts shouldn’t miss: it is where St. Francis commonly sought solace, and based on local tradition, it is where he preached to… birds, apparently?
Last but not least, a stroll around Assisi’s cobbled maze of an Old Town will take you to the mystical Temple of Minerva, previously dedicated to an Ancient Roman goddess or demigod, and now the site of an ornate Baroque church.
Affordable Stays And Food
Besides being a cultural getaway of the first order, Assisi is incredibly affordable by Italian standards: from accommodation down to food in local restaurants, you’re unlikely to break the bank spending two or three nights in town.
A 3-night stay in a private apartment in privately managed Borgo San Pietro Assisi will set you back by $137, while double rooms at the recluse Camere Carloni guesthouse, nestled amid the verdant hills of Umbria, start from $156.
The cheapest hotel in town this season is Porziuncola, costing $171 to book for 3 nights, and the cheapest 4-star listing is Hotel Fontebella, housed in a historic complex in the heart of the Old Town, from $481 for a 3-night sojourn.
Food is also remarkably inexpensive in Assisi, that’s yet to be ruined by overtourism like other Italian tourism hotspots: pasta costs an average $11-22, Margherita pizzas can be found for as cheap as $9, and a glass of wine is $5.
If you’re looking for an all-around excellent Italian spot, La Bella Trattoria degli Angeli should be on your Assisi bucket list, especially for their truffled pasta and Umbrian wine, served in beautiful ceramic vases like the olden days.
For the best restaurant with a view overlooking the Old Town and the hills beyond, head to Le Terrazze di Propezio, and make sure you try their signature anti-pasta gnocchi––this place can get very busy at sunset hours, so making an advance reservation to secure better seats is needed.
Finally, for homemade Italian and a more casual atmosphere, Nonna Ninna ticks all the boxes for what makes an impeccable family-run trattoria, from the warm, smiling staff to the native ingredients to the delectable Montefalco wine.
Oh, if you’re staying for dessert, don’t forget to order their mango cheesecake––trust us, it’s one of Assisi’s greatest culinary triumphs!
New Tourist Train Traveling From Rome To Assisi
Umbria is an overlooked region in center of Italy most Americans are yet to discover, even though its ancient towns rival those of Tuscany in beauty, and its lake-dotted, mountain-traversed hinterland is just as scenic as Lombardy’s.
Fortunately for tourists, a new express rail service is soon launching from Rome to Assisi, making the region even more accessible: from October 5 to December 1, you can board Espresso Assisi from Roma Termini on Saturdays and Sundays.
The total travel distance is 2h32, and tickets cost as cheap as 22 euros, or $24.34, based on the current exchange rate.
Planning on exploring other off-path destinations in Italy beyond Assisi?
You’ll be thrilled to learn there’s a second train, this time an overnight one, traveling from the capital to the charming Alba, in the northerly Piemonte region:
The Espresso Langhe Monferrato will remain operational throughout this fall, and more information can be found on the official website.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
