Aeolian Islands
Discover the Aeolian Islands with your family: active volcanoes, black-sand beaches, thermal springs, and some of the freshest seafood in Italy.
0 guides · SicilyExplore →
🇮🇹Assisi
Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage hilltop town in Umbria, Italy, packed with medieval history, stunning basilicas, and hearty local food that the whole family will love.
Your family guide
Assisi: a hilltop adventure your family will never forget
“Rose-pink stone streets, a real medieval castle, and stories that have echoed through these hills for 800 years.”
— San & Jo
Perched on the slopes of Monte Subasio, Assisi is one of those places that stops you in your tracks the moment you arrive. The rose-tinted stone streets, the sweeping views over the Umbrian valley, the ancient piazzas still buzzing with life: it all adds up to something genuinely special for families who love history, beauty, and a little adventure.
This is the birthplace of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, and their stories are woven into every corner of the town. But you do not need to be on a pilgrimage to feel the magic here. Kids are captivated by the hilltop fortress, the underground Roman ruins, and the sheer drama of a town that has barely changed in centuries. Assisi is a living, breathing open-air museum, and it is compact enough to explore on foot without wearing anyone out.
Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it earns that title. Whether your family is drawn to art, history, nature, or simply wandering beautiful streets and finding a good plate of pasta, this Umbrian gem delivers on every front.
Umbria, ItalyCentral Italy
UNESCO World Heritage SiteSince 2000
Walkable medieval centreCompact hilltop town
Best things to do
Why we love Assisi for families
Basilica Papale di San Francesco
This double-decker basilica is one of the most impressive buildings in Italy. The upper Gothic church is covered in Giotto's vivid frescoes, while the lower Romanesque church holds the tomb of Saint Francis himself. Note that photography is not allowed inside, which actually encourages kids to really look at what is around them.
Visit early morning to avoid the crowds
1-2 hours
Rocca Maggiore
A proper 14th-century hilltop fortress with towers to climb and panoramic views stretching all the way to Perugia. Kids love exploring the battlements, and the views are genuinely jaw-dropping. Start your walking tour here so the rest of the day is downhill.
Climb the tower for the best 360-degree views
1-1.5 hours
Basilica di Santa Chiara
The striking pink-and-white striped facade of this basilica is one of Assisi's most recognisable sights. Inside, you will find beautiful frescoes and the neo-Gothic crypt where Saint Clare rests. The terrace outside is one of the best spots in town to watch the sunset over the Umbrian plains.
Head here late afternoon for golden hour views
45-60 minutes
Piazza del Comune and the Roman Forum
The main square of Assisi is anchored by the remarkably well-preserved columns of a 1st-century BC Roman Temple of Minerva. Beneath the piazza, you can descend into the ancient Roman Forum: a genuinely exciting underground experience that brings history to life for curious kids.
The underground forum is a hidden highlight most visitors miss
1 hour
Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli
This one is genuinely mind-bending: a vast Renaissance basilica built around Saint Francis's tiny original chapel, the Porziuncola. Standing inside the huge church and looking at the small chapel within it is a moment that sticks with kids. It sits just below Assisi in the valley and is worth the short detour.
A building inside a building: kids find it fascinating
45-60 minutes
Wandering the side streets
Some of the best moments in Assisi happen when you put the map away and just wander. The side alleys away from the main tourist routes reveal hidden viewpoints, quiet courtyards, and the most photogenic corners of the city. Let the kids lead the way and see what you discover.
The streets behind Santa Chiara are especially beautiful
As long as you like
Eremo delle Carceri
A peaceful hermitage tucked into the forested slopes of Monte Subasio above Assisi, where Saint Francis came to pray in solitude. The walk through the woods is lovely, and the hermitage itself feels genuinely ancient and atmospheric. A great half-morning trip for families who want to stretch their legs.
Wear sturdy shoes: the path up can be steep
2-3 hours including the walk
Our verdict
How Assisi scores for families
Kids
A real castle, underground ruins, and dramatic hilltop scenery make Assisi surprisingly engaging for children. The compact layout helps too: no endless walking between sights.
Culture
One of the most culturally rich small towns in Italy. Giotto frescoes, Roman ruins, UNESCO heritage, and Franciscan history: the layers here are extraordinary.
Food
Hearty Umbrian cooking with fresh pasta, truffles, and porchetta. Simple, delicious, and very family-friendly. Even picky eaters tend to find something they love.
Nature
The surrounding Umbrian countryside is beautiful, and Monte Subasio offers good walking. Assisi itself is a hilltop town, so nature is always visible but not the main event.
Budget
Many sights are free or low cost, including the basilicas. Restaurants are reasonably priced by Italian standards. Accommodation can be pricier in peak season.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in Assisi?
3
3 hours
Quick stop
Hit the Basilica di San Francesco and the Piazza del Comune, then grab a torta al testo before moving on.
sweet spot
1
1 day
The sweet spot
A full day gives you time for the main basilicas, the Rocca Maggiore, a wander through the side streets, and a proper sit-down lunch. This is how most families experience Assisi at its best.
2
2 days
Take it slow
Spend a second day visiting Santa Maria degli Angeli, the Eremo delle Carceri, and San Damiano. You will leave feeling like you really know this place.
Fun facts
Things about Assisi your kids will remember
A church inside a church
The Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli was built around Saint Francis's tiny original chapel, the Porziuncola. So there is a small ancient church sitting right in the middle of a huge Renaissance basilica. It is one of the most unusual sights in all of Italy.
You are walking on Roman streets
Beneath the main piazza of Assisi, the ancient Roman Forum is still there, and you can go underground to explore it. The Temple of Minerva in the square above dates back to the 1st century BC and is still remarkably intact.
No cameras allowed
Photography is not permitted inside the Basilica di San Francesco. It is one of the few places in the world where you genuinely have to put your phone away and just look. Most families say it makes the experience feel even more special.
Taste Assisi
What to eat in Assisi with your family
Strangozzi pasta
Must tryTrattoria Pallotta
Thick, eggless pasta typical of Assisi, served with rich sauces like Norcia sausage, black truffle, or mushroom and olive. This is the dish to order if you want to eat like a local. Kids tend to love the hearty, simple flavours.
Torta al testo
Kids love itAvailable at most local bakeries and trattorias
A traditional Umbrian flatbread cooked on a hot griddle and stuffed with sausage, greens, or cheese. Think of it as Assisi's answer to a sandwich, and it is absolutely delicious. Perfect for a quick lunch on the go with kids.
Truffle bruschetta
Local favouriteIl Vicoletto
Toasted bread topped with grated black truffle and local olive oil. It sounds simple but the flavour is extraordinary. A great way to introduce kids to truffle without committing to a full dish.
Porchetta
Daily treatLook for it at market stalls and local delis
Herb-roasted pork with fennel, rosemary, and garlic, crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Served sliced or in a sandwich, it is one of the most satisfying things you can eat in Assisi. Kids who like pork will be very happy.
Rocciata di Assisi
Safe choiceTrattoria Pallotta
A strudel-like local pastry rolled up with nuts, dried fruit, and warm spices. It is tied to the traditions of the area and makes a wonderful afternoon treat. Traditionally paired with Vin Santo wine for the adults.
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