Orvieto’s show-stopping gothic cathedral—one of the most theatrical in all of Italy— stands beacon-like above the rolling Umbrian countryside. Though the town charms with its sky-high medieval center, visiting the cathedral is by far the best thing to do in Orvieto. After you’ve taken in this architectural wonder, wander the winding lanes of the Old Town, then head underground to see historic wells, and a warren of tunnels and chambers dug into the volcanic rock over millennia.
Orvieto’s cathedral and Old Town are lively from spring through fall when shops and restaurants brim with people enjoying the balmy Mediterranean climate. The city has two major religious celebrations, the Festa della Palombella and Corpus Domini, which fall between May and June, and involve costumed processions, period entertainment, and religious celebrations. Off-season visitors can catch live performances during Umbria Jazz Winter, hosted in historic venues across the Old Town.
The whole of Orvieto’s historic center sits on the top of a volcanic plug and is compact enough to explore on foot—though come prepared to scale a few steep lanes. The Old Town is connected to the train station below via buses and a funicular train, which both run regularly year-round. The scenic 3-mile (5-kilometer) Anello della Rupe (Cliff Ring) skirts the clifftop—it takes around 1.5 hours to complete and offers bird’s-eye views over the valley.
Orvieto Underground, one of Orvieto’s most unique attractions, is hidden beneath its cobblestone streets. This network of wells, tunnels, chambers, and dovecotes was dug out of the soft tufo stone by hand over thousands of years. It was used to guarantee the city water and refuge in times of siege, and was both an olive oil mill and wine cellar during medieval times. Explore the highlights of this massive warren under the city on an Orvieto Underground tour.
