Introduction

This town sitting on hilly landscape has managed to keep most of its architectural past and has mingled beautifully a wide variety of contemporary activities. Many celebrations, music performances and art gatherings take place in Perugia. There are even some restaurants and hotel constructed even before the year 999. The Umbri peopled the area, however it was not them who founded this settlement but the Etruscans. The town was in its heyday in the 6th century BC and was later on taken by the Romans in the 4th century and renamed Perusia. In the medieval times Perugia experienced the struggles between the Baglionis and the Odis. In the 6th century it became part of the papal states and stayed so for 300 years.
Art has played a key role in the development of Perugia. Bernardino Pinturicchio and Il Perugino lived here in the 15th century. At present the University of Perugia, the University for Foreigners and other universities are in charge of making this cultural tradition to go on.
Corso Vanucci in honour of Il Perugino is the main street of old Perugia. It starts in the fortress Rocca Paolina, goes through Piazza Italia and goes on as far as the centre of Perugia in the Piazza IV Novembre with its Fontana Maggiore and Perugia’s cathedral. A kilometre around this piazza are most of the most remarkable sightseeing to do. From this piazza city buses leave, whereas intercity buses terminate at Piazza Partigiani. From then on to reach Piazza Italia situated up the hill there are elevators and staircases which become hard if you are holding your luggage.

Where to Eat and Drink

As Perugia is a tourist and university city, there are many restaurants to choose from. As spring approaches restaurants with outdoor areas open.

Il Cedro offers take away food in generous portions and at inexpensive prices. Shawermas and kebabs are excellent there.

Tuttotesto fills with students and professors savouring its sweet crepes, salads and Umbrian sandwiches.

Ristorante il Bacio is an a la carte restaurant and pizza parlour which in spring opens its outdoor café .

Pizzeria Mediterranea is a pizza parlour with a list of varieties with many different toppings. You can add the superb buffalo milk mozzarella on any pizza you like.

Ristorante dal Mi’Cocco does not have a menu a la carte for each day’s menu is fixed.

Il Segreto di Pulcinella serves Neapolitan pizza, salads and pasta.

Ristorante Nana is an unassuming family run restaurant . A few tables, a menu listing a few dishes and inexpensive wine list make a perfect place to dine out.

Enone is a wine bar-cum-restaurant-cum-club serving sushi and other original dishes sometimes accompanied by live concerts.

Il Cufo on Via della Viola serves dishes prepared with local seasonal products.

Ristorante Sole on Via della Rupe is where you should try its pasta or the duck carpaccio with trufles and granular cheese by the stunning view you have from the restaurant.

Wine Bartolo Hosteria on Via Bartolo is a tale-like little space with few tables whose walls are blanketed with bottles of wine. The best dish to savour is the Chianina beef with Sangiovese or the carpaccio with lemon over radicchio.

Corso Vanucci abounds in restaurants which every spring inaugurate their cafes on the pavement.

Sandri has been running for 300 years. It has gained fame for its chocolate cakes, candied fruit, espresso and pastries. Everything you take away is elegantly covered in red paper and adorned with a fine ribbon.

Caffe Morlacchi serves tea and hot chocolate in the daytime and at night cocktails are the star.

Caffè di Perugia on Via Mazzini lists typical pasta, meat dishes and deservedly expensive excellent desserts served in the outdoor area or inside dining room.

Bar Centrale on Piazza IV Novembre also features tables on the pavement to enjoy the passeggiata while you relish many of its Umbrian sandwiches.

(Super)Markets and groceries

Coop, which is on Piazza Matteotti, offers staples, fruit and vegetables and fresh pasta and cheese at the counter.

The Covered Market is downstairs the Coop. It offers fresh produce, bread, cheese and meat.

The Coop on Piazza Vittorio Veneto is an enormous supermarket affording its car park.
Bangladeshi Alimentary sells all the most necessarygroceries.

Lunabar has a charming original atmosphere which combines frescoed walls, grey and onyx bar and ultra futurist toilets. There is a smoking room and an excellent aperitif list.

Cinastik is a fashionable bar with sexy music and extraordinary drinks.

Bottega del Vino is a wine bar enveloped in live jazz sound and shimmering light of candles. Its walls are covered in bottles. Wine experts working as wine stewards will guide you in tasting and purchasing.

La Terraza on Piazza Matteotti combines a perfect view of sunsets in the hilly landscape and good aperitifs that are served in the terrace.

How to Get to /away

BY BUS: leaving from Piazza Partigiani (you reach it by the elevators from Piazza Italia). To/from Florence (length: 2 ½ , services: 1 a day). Umbrian northern roads are serviced by APM Perugia and the southern routes by SSIT or ATC Terni. To Deruta( length: 5 minutes, services: 9 a day), to Torgiano (length: 5 minutes, services: 9 a day), to Assisi (length: 50 minutes, services: 9 a day), to Todi (length:1.10 hours, services:7 a day), to Gubbio(length: 1.10 hours, services: 10 a day), to Gualdo Tadino (length:1.20 hours, services: 5 a day), Lake Trasimeno (length: from 50 minutes- 1.10 hours, services: 6-10 a day). ATC Terni runs to Narni or Amelia. There is a booklet called Viva Perugia which provides details of trains, buses and timetables. It can be obtained in the tourist office, hotels and some restaurants.
From Rome’s airport there is a direct bus to Perugia (length: about 3 ¾ hours, services: 4 on weekdays, two on Sundays).
City buses leave from the railway station to Piazza Italia. Tickets must be validated on board or be purchased on board, at the green kiosks at the railway station or at tobacconists anywhere in Perugia. There is a pass of 10 tickets for better organization.

BY CAR: from Rome driving along the A1, take the Orte exit. The way to terni is signposted. As you reach Terni, drive along the SS3bis and then the E45 to Perugia. If you are coming from the north, go along the A1, take the Valdichiana exit and then turn into the SS75 to Perugia.
At the airport you can rent a car in Europcar or at the railway station in any of the car rentals: Avis, Hertz or Maggiore.
You can rent a scooter and experience Perugia as Perugians do every day. Perugia’s centre is reserved for cars, residents or commercial purposes. There are six paid car parks. On Piazza Cupa you will find free car park. The elevators operate from the car parks to the centre but they do not work in the small hours. There is an unlimited parking ticket pass bought at the ticket office of each car park.

BY PLANE: the airport is 13 km from Perugia. Among the offers are three daily flights to Milan, or three flights a week to London. To go to the airport you can call a taxi or take a bus that is organized together with the flights’ arrivals and departures.
Piazza Italia is the departure point for buses going to the airport which set off 1 hour 10 minutes earlier than the arrival time.

BY TAXI: during the summer they operate all day long; however the rest of the year they stop during the small hours.

BY TRAIN: the main railway station is some kilometres outside the city. There are buses connecting the station and Perugia. Besides the ticket office there are automated machines operated by credit cards or cash to purchase tickets. Other railway stations are on the outskirts.
For most journeys you will have to change at Foligno or Terontola. To Rome (length:2 ¼ to 3 hours), to Florence (length: 2 hours), to Arezzo (length:1.10 hours, services: every two hours), to Gubbio (length: 1 ½ hours, services: 7 a day), to Spello (length:30 minutes, services: every hour), to Orvieto (length: 1 ¼ hours, services: every other hour).
For many interesting Umbrian spots the Ferrovia Central Umbra is a must which also runs to Rome. It is important to highlight that tickets have to be validated on board. To Fratta Todino (length: 40 minutes, services: 18 a day), to Todi (length: 50 minutes, services: 18 a day), to Terni (length: 1 ½ hours, services: 17 a day), to Umbertide (length: 45 minutes, services: 19 a day), to Città de Castello (length: 1.10 hours, services: 16 a day).