Exploring Umbria: where to stay in Assisi

The best place to stay in Assisi

So many people ask me where they should stay in Umbria. “Is Assisi a good option or is it too touristic?” is the most common question I get asked. My answer? Assisi is definitely not too touristic, trust me! To tell you the truth, I find Assisi a breath of fresh air. Sure, there are lots of pilgrims coming to see the Basilica of Saint Francis, but Assisi has that authentic Umbrian town vibe, and everything – from the shops to the restaurants – is pretty local. You’ll stumble upon a few tourist traps or two, if you’re not too careful, but that happens pretty much anywhere in the globe. I’m here to help you make your Umbrian experience an unforgettable one, and if you ask me, the first thing that matters when planning my trip somewhere is the accommodation. Am I right?

Now, please oh please don’t be one of those people who comes to Umbria searching for an ultra modern hotel room, with the same tiles and colors you’d find in a hotel in NYC. One of the best things about traveling is immersing yourself in different cultures, styles and homes. And coming to Umbria means staying in homes, B&B or hotels with wood-beamed ceilings, terracotta flooring and beautiful views. Whether you’ve chosen Assisi as your Umbrian base because it’s a charm, or because of its proximity to beautiful Umbrian towns, all I can say is that you’ve made the perfect decision.

Staying in Assisi’s Centro Storico: Casa Vacanze Vista Bella

So back to the original question: where to stay in Assisi? First of all, the centro storico, or historic center, is without a doubt the place you should stay in. Not only you’ll be able to say goodbye to your car and parking nightmares, you’ll be footsteps away from anything. And if strolling around town, taking in the sweeping views and reaching restaurants and attractions within a few minutes sounds like perfection, my home could definitely be the place for your perfect Umbrian trip. I have a family home in Assisi and now we’ve turned it into a holiday home. It’s a three-storey house with a beautiful terrace overlooking the Umbrian countryside and the bell-tower of the Basilica of Santa Chiara. It’s in the centro storico, on Via Borgo Aretino, just 100m from Santa Chiara and 300m from Piazza del Comune.

My favorite part is the terrace on the last floor where you can sip a glass of local red wine while admiring the sunset. It’s truly a vision. Super romantic for dinners with your loved one, of fun dinners wit your friends. The house is truly beautiful, it was redecorated by my mom, who’s an interior designer. The rooms definitely have that Umbrian charm I was talking about, and wood-beamed ceilings can be found on the last floor. It’s the perfect house for 4 friends or two couples.