The Frugal Student: Top 3 Day Trip Destinations Near Perugia
The summer is flying by and locals are flocking to the nearest beaches. But which are the best day trip destinations for your next visit to Perugia? This blog kicks off our summer blog features for The Frugal Student – a series of blogs by our interns that will help students navigate study abroad on a budget.
Spoleto
Just an hour train ride from Perugia you’ll find Spoleto, a beautiful town complete with a functioning Roman Aqueduct/bridge, intact Roman theatres, cathedrals, local markets with artisan products, and an abundance of historical museums showcasing the rich culture and heritage. The most prominent event is the ‘Festival dei 2Mondi’ (Festival of 2Worlds) founded by the Italo-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti in 1958. Attendees can browse through exhibitions involving art, dance, music, theatre, and more.
Spoleto’s alluring nature and historical importance has made it the protagonist of numerous films and will undoubtedly leave an impression on every visitor.
From Perugia by train: 1 hour and 15-minute
Festival dei 2Mondi Link: SPOLETO Festival dei 2Mondi
Le Cascate delle Marmore (Marmore Waterfalls)
A refreshing start to your summer or fall semester in Italy; offering a range of activities including hiking, rafting, and river walking, this man-made waterfall is the perfect way to take a break from student life.
Originally created by the Romans (271 BCE) to redirect the influx of water to other rivers, and later modified by Aristotile Fioravanti (1422) and others, this three-tiered waterfall still impacts water influx to this day. This journey through Italian architectural ingenuity has inspired countless artists and continues to do so. The surrounding area provides a range of ‘mercatini’ (markets) selling paintings, frames, and more local art to enjoy. Just don’t forget to check the opening times before you go so that you know you’ll get to experience the full majesty of the thundering falls.
From Perugia: take a 1 to 1-hour and 30-minute train to Terni then hop on a 20-minute bus from Terni to the Cascate
Tickets: Entry fees to visit the falls may apply
Link: Cascate delle Marmore Website
Castiglione del Lago
Its beauty, its grace, its Castiglione del Lago.
One of our top-favorite destinations (especially for our Archeology Field School participants), due to the unmatchable historical wealth and breathtaking architecture.
Castiglione del Lago overlooks the vast Lago Trasimeno (Trasimeno Lake). Home of the Fortress and Ducal Palace, this stunning village offers insight into the medieval era. A relaxing location offering an in-depth cultural experience that can be followed by a trip to the local beaches, islands, camping areas or infamous restaurants. Known for its open spaces, welcoming townspeople, Coloriamo i Cieli Festival (Kite Festival), and variety of fauna and fish, Castiglione del Lago is the ideal place for a picnic with friends.
From Perugia by train: 1 to 1.5 hours
General Information: Lago Trasimeno Website
Exemplar Museum link: Palazzo della Corgna
For more low-cost day trip ideas, please refer to our mini travel guides (next to the library) once you get to Perugia or click here for general travel tips.
About the Author:
Sara is interning with the Umbra Institute through ISI Abroad as part of her gap year experience. A bilingual native of England and Italy, she’s traveled the globe seeking to learn diverse cultural and historical perspectives. She’ll be your guide this summer as you plan for your study experience in Perugia.