A day trip itinerary for Assisi
A day trip from Rome to Assisi
If you’re ever in or around Rome, give yourself the gift of (at least) a day trip to Assisi. This petite medieval city crowns a soft mountainside above the lush Umbria Valley. Winding streets and storybook buildings carved from the local pink limestone overlook a patchwork of green farms and vineyards. In Assisi, the light falls in a perpetual golden hour that makes everything look like a painting. Of course, the primary attraction to Assisi are the tombs of and other pilgrimage sites associated with St Francis, St Clare, and many other saintly early Franciscans. St Carlo Acutis is also buried in the city. When you go to Assisi, you truly get St Francis’ famed love of creation. Assisi offers a special natural beauty that’s captivating and restorative, and certainly worthy of at least one day, if not a few. If Rome is the eternal city, Assisi is the magical one.
Why you should visit Assisi now
This year marks an even more important reason to visit Assisi: Pope Leo XIV declared a special year of jubilee in honor of the 800th anniversary of St Francis' death. Pilgrims to Assisi or other sites dedicated to St Francis can receive the extraordinary grace of plenary indulgence.
What to do and where to pray in Assisi
The Assisi city proper occupies a compact hilltop overlooking breathtaking views of the Umbria Valley. Most sites associated with St Francis and St Clare are inside the city walls with a few outliers. Whether by train or car, you'll approach Assisi from the valley and wind your way up. Once you’re inside the city proper, you can walk from place to place. These are the pilgrimage sites I would prioritize.
This tiny, rustic chapel is where Francis accepted Jesus’ call to embrace poverty and “rebuild the Church." It's located in the valley below the city, a place that in Francis' day was wild and forested. He retreated there from the buzz and tug of society. Around 1211, Francis restored the chapel that had fallen into disrepair. Now the valley has been developed and settled as a regular town; a massive basilica was constructed around the Portiuncula in 1569.
The altar inside the chapel is the one that St Clare clung to, unmovable, when her family tried to drag her away from following Francis.
Note the beautiful frescoes outside and inside the chapel—these depict Francis’ life.
At his death, Francis asked to be returned to the ground outside the Portiuncula where he had first embarked on the great adventure of following Christ.
Basilica of St Mary of the Angels (Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli)
Almost immediately after Francis' death, pilgrims flocked to Assisi. A massive basilica was eventually constructed around his original chapel in order to protect and preserve it. The Portiuncula is now enclosed at the basilica's very heart.
The Chapel of the Transitus marks the spot where Francis died.
You can also visit the rose garden and Nativity creche, which Francis first “invented" as a live reenactment of the stable in Bethlehem.
The basilica houses Assisi’s best gift shop. Avoid the souvenir kiosks lining the plaza outside and the myriad souvenir shops in the city above. Instead, I’d devote decent time to the basilica gift shop, where you can buy innumerable Franciscan items, religious articles, ceramic crafts, and local monastic products like excellent fragrances, oils, body care items, and food products. Many of the fragranced items are made with roses from the basilica garden. Pro tip: They also sell great baseball caps!
The Basilica of St Francis (Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi)
This centerpiece of Assisi contains the tomb of Francis, plus relics like his tunic, sandals, and contemporary copies of his rule. It’s truly incredible to behold the visible evidence of his life.
The interior is decorated with glorious frescoes by Giotto, which were considered “modern” at the time he painted them because he gave his subjects emotional expressions.
There is another good gift shop attached to the basilica, but I prefer the one at the Portiuncula.
This is a papal basilica, so you can satisfy your Jubilee year plenary indulgence here.
The Basilica of St Clare (Basilica di Santa Chiara di Assisi)
houses Clare’s tomb, relics like habits she made for herself and Francis, her hair, and other stirring mementos.
The main space is a little bare, but the original San Damiano cross connected with Francis’ conversion is located in a beautiful side chapel.
The basilica’s striped facade and fountain plaza offer the most stunning views over the valley—a great spot for photos. It’s also unforgettable at sunset.
Other key sites
Chiesa Nuova is a church built over Francis’ birthplace and home. Original walls and rooms of his home integrated into the church architecture.
The altar is built over Francis’ bedroom.
Note the small stairwell where Francis’ father initially locked him up to prevent what he believed was Francis’ mental collapse.
You can also see the remains of the shop where Francis’ family sold cloth.
Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore was the original Assisi cathedral and now the tomb of St Carlo Acutis. This is a wonderful place to introduce young people to a saint who looks just like them.
The Cathedral of St Rufino (Cattedrale di San Rufino) was built in 1140 over the remains of very ancient Christian churches and the relics of a 3rd-century bishop martyr. The font where Francis and Clare were both baptized is here, as is the heart relic of St Carlo Acutis.
If you have extra time and access to a car (tour or taxi), there are more sacred places to visit:
Chiesa di San Damiano is the church where Francis experienced his mystical encounter with the voice of Christ. It became the first monastery used by St Clare and her new order.
The Hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri) is a network of small cells built into the rocky hillside that formed one of the first Franciscan monasteries. Other buildings were added over the centuries. It’s not within the main city area, so you will need a car or taxi.
What to eat and drink
Eating in Assisi is more about avoiding tourist traps than five-star dining. Avoid places that have no name posted or that feature mostly English signage. A few places to try:
Divine Wine: This is my top pick for delicious sandwiches, olive oil tasting flights, and wine—we even ordered wine and olive oil to ship home!
What to bring and wear
Small tote to carry purchases and water bottle
Any religious articles you would like to have blessed at sacred places (some of the churches even have booths staffed by Franciscan friars for this exact purpose—bring a few euro to donate)
Water bottle
Good shoes for walking the hilly streets
Sunglasses
Wrap or scarf for coverage in sacred places
Items for the train ride (headphones, book, snacks, etc)
What to buy in Assisi
Textiles like scarves, towels, or table linens, one of the local specialties
Limoncello
Olive oil (this is another charming, well-priced shop for olive oil, limoncello, and other foodie gifts)
Fragrance oils (don’t miss the entire room dedicated to amazing locally-crafted body care products in the gift shop attached to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli)
Ceramics
Religious articles, especially Franciscan ones like San Damiano crosses and nativity sets
Olive wood items (this shop is incredible!)
Sandals (what better place to buy Italian leather sandals or Birkenstocks than the home of St Francis?)
How long to spend in Assisi
Given Assisi's soul-nourishing valley vistas, sacred encounters, winding pink limestone lanes, golden light, and medieval secret tunnels, I've always believed that it makes a perfect backdrop for a single-day trip or an extended getaway. It may even be an ideal honeymoon destination! If you arrive from Rome in mid-morning, you can easily see all the primary pilgrimage sites within a few hours and return to Rome for dinner. Or?
Maybe like Francis and Clare, you could stay forever, resting your heart in the beauty, peace, and light that shimmers with Heaven.
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