One Day in Perugia That Took Us from Medieval Streets to Baci Chocolate

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission at no extra cost. Please refer to our full disclosure for details.

Perugia dates back to the Etruscan era and is known for its walled historic center, hilltop views over the Tiber Valley, and one of Italy’s oldest universities. It’s also home to Perugina, the iconic chocolate company behind those beloved Baci chocolates.

While chocolate might be reason enough to visit, there’s more to Perugia than sweets. With just one day, you can easily explore its historic streets, stop for something tasty, and take in the local flavor. This guide covers what to see, how to get there, and a few delicious reasons to linger.

This itinerary is based on our day in Perugia in 2022. While the experience reflects our visit, I’ve updated this post to keep the information helpful for planning your own trip.

Quick Facts About Perugia

• Where is it? Perugia is the capital of Umbria, a central Italian region just east of Tuscany.
• Is it small? No—Perugia is the largest city in Umbria, home to over 160,000 residents.
• What is it known for? Perugia is famous for Perugina chocolate and the iconic Baci chocolates, as well as its Etruscan roots and historic city center.
• Is it worth visiting? Yes. It’s a lively university city with rich history, scenic streets, and plenty to explore in just a day.

How to Spend One Day in Perugia: Top Things to Do

With just one day in Perugia, you can still cover plenty of ground. Most of the city’s highlights are easy to reach on foot, making it ideal for a day trip.

Perugia was livelier than we expected for October, with a buzz that reminded us of Bologna—likely thanks to its large student population. We spent the day walking through the historic center, grabbing a panini, enjoying the views, and eating more chocolate than we care to admit.

If you prefer a little structure, a guided tour is a great way to make the most of your time here.

Tour Ideas:
Perugia Private Walking Tour [book here]
Taste Perugia Food Tour Led by Local [book here]
Perugia 2–Hour Small-Group Walking Tour [book here]

Historic Gates and Arches You’ll See Around Perugia

Perugia’s walled city is dotted with ancient gates and arches that echo its Etruscan and medieval past. Six main gates once guarded the perimeter, but throughout the historic center, you’ll find 22 of these weathered entry points—each with its own story and style.

Walking through them feels like stepping into a different century. Some are grand and commanding, others quiet and tucked away, framing narrow cobblestone streets. If you had more than one day in Perugia, you could spend an afternoon searching them out. With just a day, you’ll likely pass a few naturally, so look around as you wander.

One you can’t miss? The Arco Etrusco—also known as the Augustus Gate. Built in the 3rd century BC, this massive archway is one of the city’s most important landmarks and a stunning example of Etruscan architecture. It’s one of the best-preserved monuments from that time and still feels impressive centuries later.

Exploring the Ancient City Center of Perugia

In Perugia, it feels like every winding alley eventually leads you back to the historic city center—just keep heading uphill.

Once you arrive, you’ll find a lively mix of history, architecture, and local culture. Some of the highlights you’ll want to make time for include:

• Piazza IV Novembre: The heart of Perugia’s historic center, this square brings together centuries of architecture and is a great place to pause and take in the atmosphere.
• Fontana Maggiore: A 13th-century masterpiece built to celebrate the completion of the Roman aqueduct. This two-tiered fountain is covered in intricately carved panels depicting biblical scenes, signs of the zodiac, and moments from everyday medieval life.
• Palazzo dei Priori: One of the oldest public buildings in Italy, this Gothic-style palace was once the seat of Perugia’s civic government. Its stone façade and grand staircase set the tone for the square.
• Cathedral of San Lorenzo: Perugia’s main cathedral sits just across from Palazzo dei Priori. Its unassuming exterior hides a richly detailed interior, and the steps are a popular spot to sit and people-watch.
• Corso Vannucci: The city’s main boulevard runs through the center, lined with shops, boutiques, cafés, and the kind of energy you only find in a university city.

Piazza IV Novembre and the Fontana Maggiore deserve a bit of extra time—especially the fountain. Built in 1278, it’s one of the most intricate we’ve seen, with details that really reward a close look.

Even if the main streets feel a bit touristy, keep exploring. Some of our favorite moments came from the quieter alleys branching off the center.

Just a short walk from Piazza IV Novembre, in Piazza Morlacchi, we stumbled upon a crowd gathered outside a tiny sandwich shop—and that’s always a good sign in Italy.

Locals were lining up at La Bottega, chatting and eating paninis out front. Perfect timing for a late lunch. We followed the crowd and joined the line. The menu was simple, and the sandwiches were made to order, handed over with no frills but full of flavor.

For under 10 euros, we had two paninis and two glasses of water. Quick, cheap, and one of the best grab-and-go lunches we had during our trip. If you’re short on time but still want something good, this is the spot.

Walk the Medieval Aqueduct: Via dell’Acquedotto

From the city center, we made our way to Via dell’Acquedotto, home to a restored medieval aqueduct that now serves as a peaceful pedestrian walkway.

Originally engineered by the Romans and rebuilt during the Middle Ages, the aqueduct isn’t as grand as we imagined—it’s modest in size, but still a cool piece of Perugia’s layered history. The short walk offers a great view of the city, and the path itself is scenic and quiet.

At the far end, you’ll find yourself in a more residential area of Perugia, with local homes and businesses that feel far removed from the tourist-heavy center. It’s a nice contrast and a good way to see another side of the city.

Rocca Paolina: Perugia’s Hidden Underground

If you still have time in your day, head to Rocca Paolina, one of Perugia’s most fascinating landmarks. Built in 1540 as a fortress for Pope Paul III, it was partially destroyed in the 1800s. Then in 1965, excavations uncovered what was left beneath—a network of underground streets, tunnels, and chambers.

Today, you can walk through these preserved passageways, entering through one of four access points around the city. Escalators now run through parts of the fortress, helping locals and visitors move between different city levels—an unexpected but clever modern addition.

Before or after you explore underground, take a moment outside the top entrance near Piazza Italia. From there, you’ll find panoramic views of the Umbrian countryside—worth the short detour for a photo or just a quiet pause.

Visit the Official Perugina Shop

One of the top things to do in Perugia—especially if you love chocolate—is to stop by the official Perugina shop.

While you’ll see Baci chocolates sold all over the city, this is the place to go if you want to browse limited-edition flavors and confections that are hard to find outside of Italy. From classic dark chocolate to hazelnut-studded varieties, there’s something for every kind of sweet tooth.

This is also a great spot to pick up edible souvenirs. We stocked up on a few treats for ourselves and grabbed extra to take home as gifts.

🍫 Good to Know: Perugia hosts the EuroChocolate Festival every spring—an annual celebration of all things chocolate. If you’re planning a trip around that time, it’s a delicious reason to visit.

Optional: Visit Casa del Cioccolato Perugina

If you’re planning ahead, you can fit in a visit to the Perugina Chocolate Factory and Museum, locally known as Casa del Cioccolato Perugina—The House of Chocolate.

It’s located just outside Perugia’s city center, so for convenience, try to schedule a tour either at the beginning or end of your day. We didn’t think to plan for it until later in the day, but it would’ve been a fun and tasty addition to the itinerary.

You’ll need to reserve your visit in advance, especially during peak seasons or if you’re hoping to join a guided tour.

Other Tour Ideas:
Small-Group Tour: Chocolate Factory, Perugia & Spoleto [book here]
Perugia Private Tour with Lunch & Perugina Chocolate House [book here]

Other Things to Do in Perugia (If You Have Extra Time)

If you’re spending more than one day in Perugia or want to swap out a stop from our suggested itinerary, here are a few more options to consider:

• Step inside the Cathedral of San Lorenzo: If you didn’t get a chance earlier, take a moment to visit the interior of Perugia’s cathedral, located right in Piazza IV Novembre.
• Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria: Housed inside Palazzo dei Priori, this museum has an impressive collection of Umbrian art dating back to the Middle Ages.
• National Archaeological Museum of Umbria: Located in the former convent of San Domenico, this museum offers a deeper look at the region’s Etruscan and Roman past.

How to Get to Perugia

🚗 Option 1: Rent a Car
A car rental is ideal if you’re planning to explore more of Umbria—especially the countryside and smaller towns. It gives you the most flexibility, particularly if you’re staying in areas without easy train access. But if you’re coming from a major city with a train station and only visiting Perugia for the day, a rental might not be necessary.

You can compare rates and book at rentalcars.com.

🚆 Option 2: Train or Bus
From most major Italian cities, you can take a Trenitalia or Italo train to Perugia Fontivegge Station. From there, it’s a short ride to the historic center—take a taxi or hop on the MiniMetrò to get up the hill.

Buses are also available depending on where you’re coming from. Be sure to book your tickets in advance and compare both train and bus times.

🚐 Option 3: Hire a Driver or Book a Tour
For convenience and comfort, you can also hire a private driver or book a guided day tour that includes transportation. This is a great option if you prefer not to navigate public transport or want more context during your visit.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL TO ITALY, CHECK OUT THESE RELATED READS:

• Italy Experiences You’ll Want to Have at Least Once
• 10 Reasons I Keep Going Back to Italy
• Why October Might Be an Excellent Time to Visit Italy
• Quotes That Get What It’s Like to Love Italy (and Its Food)