Orvieto: Day Trips and Tours from Rome
Perched on a hill, Orvieto is located on a chunk of volcanic stone and overlooks the Umbrian plains. It's one of the most eye-catching in the Province of Terni. A day trip to Orvieto from Rome is your chance to swap the hustle and bustle of big-city life with a laid-back, scenic town. Orvieto is a popular destination for tourists and day-trippers thanks to its proximity to Rome.
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Perched on a hill, Orvieto is located on a chunk of volcanic stone and overlooks the Umbrian plains. It's one of the most eye-catching in the Province of Terni.
A day trip to Orvieto from Rome is your chance to swap the hustle and bustle of big-city life with a laid-back, scenic town. Orvieto is a popular destination for tourists and day-trippers thanks to its proximity to Rome.
Read on for your guide to Orvieto, one of the most serene day trips from Rome.
How to get to Orvieto from Rome?
Orvieto is located in southwestern Umbria, around 120km from Rome. The relatively short journey means that Orvieto is the ideal place for a day trip from the capital of Italy, whether you're driving, taking a bus or train.
The length of Orvieto tours from Rome vary depending on the transportation method. However, it would be best if you planned around 90 minutes on average to reach Orvieto.
From Rome to Orvieto by car
If you fancy taking a drive to Orvieto from Rome, hiring a car might be your best bet. Car rentals are available throughout the city of Rome, with journeys taking around 1h30m depending on traffic. The main highway between Rome and Orvieto is the A1, which is a toll road.
From Rome to Orvieto by bus
Many Rome to Orvieto tours include a coach ride, which allows you to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. Coach rides typically take a couple of hours with stops along the way. Alternatively, you can get a public bus, which takes 1h25m and leaves from Rome Tiburtina bus station.
From Rome to Orvieto by train
Trains are the fastest method for transporting you to Orvieto from Rome. You can hop on a train from Roma Termini, which has direct services. Fast trains arrive in around one hour but are more expensive than the slower service, which takes about 1h20m.
Guided tours to Orvieto from Rome
You won't be short of options when it comes to choosing Orvieto tours from Rome. Many tour operators provide day trips, some of which include other excursions like wine-tasting tours and a visit to the town of Assisi.
What tours can you take to Orvieto from Rome?
Day tours to Orvieto plus Assisi from Rome
Assisi is a picturesque hill town in the Umbria region and comes packaged with many Orvieto tours.
When choosing Orvieto tours from Rome, Assisi isn't the only option for a combo tour. Orvieto is well known for its wine. Subsequently, there are plenty of wine-tasting tours that focus on trying some of the town's best red and whites.
Small-group guided tours to Orvieto from Rome
A small-group tour lets you discover the beauty of Orvieto with others without ever feeling overcrowded. That means you can listen to the guide and have the chance to ask questions, enjoying an element of personalisation in the process.
Private guided tours to Orvieto from Rome
You'll need to pay a little bit extra for private tours, but will benefit from a VIP experience for doing so. Your guide will curate a trip based on your interests while providing expert advice on the best things to see and do in Orvieto.
Di Bagnoregio also happens to be a popular choice as an add on for Orvieto tours. The historic hilltop village dates back to the seventh century and is accessed via a pedestrian bridge. Once in Di Bagnoregio, you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the region.
What is the price of a day trip from Rome to Orvieto?
Guided tours to Orvieto plus Assisi from Rome cost about €150 per person and include a local guide, tickets and roundtrip transportation.
Small group tours to Orvieto from Rome cost €350 per person, as much as a semi-private tour, which usually include other destinations or activities such as a wine tour or a cycling trip.
Private day tours to Orvieto from Rome cost about €400 per person and include guide, private transportation, all fees and taxes, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
What are the highlights of a tour of Orvieto?
A trip to Orvieto from Rome guarantees majestic sights and a relaxed countryside atmosphere. Orvieto is a quintessential Italian countryside town and one of Umbria’s primary attractions.
Expect to see plenty of vines, olive groves and cypress trees in a place that is known for its world-class wine. But even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, there’s still plenty to like about Orvieto.
It's practically traffic-free, which creates a much slower pace of life and allows you to wander around and soak up the medieval settings found in the old town. Brownstone houses and cobbled piazzas offer plenty of charm while you walk about and explore.
The main attraction, however, is a stunning cathedral. It's one of Italy's most impressive Gothic churches and features a facade and frescoes that many believe rival Michelangelo's in the Sistine Chapel.
It's impossible to visit Orvieto without seeing this magnificent cathedral. Admire the stained glass, sculptures and mosaics from a building that was first built in the 1200s. But there's even more to see in Orvieto.
Orvieto Cathedral
One of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy, the Orvieto Cathedral is the standout attraction in the Umbria town. It also features a smaller chapel with stark drawings that depict hell on the ceiling with flying demons, floods of blood and violence.
Caves of Orvieto
There are some 1,200-plus caves under Orvieto, with some of them dating as far back as the Etruscans, a civilisation of ancient Italy. You can tour the caves and learn all about these human-made caves.
Torre del Moro
Torre del Moro is an old clock tower located at one of the highest points of Orvieto. During your tour, you’ll want to head here and witness sweeping views across the Umbrian countryside. Make sure you’ve got your camera at the ready so that you can capture majestical photos from his prominent viewpoint.
Archaeological Museum
Orvieto is steeped in history and was once one of the most important places in Etruscan culture. And the Archaeological Museum is your chance to learn all about that history with artefacts and exhibits that detail the Etruscan history and culture.
Albornoz Fortress
Just on the edge of Orvieto is where you will find Albornoz Fortress, a castle-like fortress built in the middle ages. These days, it’s more of a public garden than a building built for protection. Wander the gardens and enjoy a scenic stroll while taking in even more views of the Umbrian countryside.
St. Patrick’s Well
Descend deep into St. Patrick's Well, which is located at the Pozzo Della Cava. It's 175 feet deep, 45 feet wide and 496 steps. It still impresses modern engineers to this day, despite it being more than 450 years old.
Top tips for visiting Orvieto
- Wear comfortable shoes as you will do plenty of walking during your trip, especially as it’s on a hilltop
- If you’re visiting during the warmer months, make sure that you bring sunscreen and hats to protect yourself from sunburn
- If you’re arriving in Orvieto by train, you can take the local funicular, which goes all the way up to the main town
- You have to cover your knees and shoulder when entering the Orvieto Cathedral
- If you don’t feel like walking, there is a lift that takes you halfway up the Torre del Moro
- Try and visit the many local cafes and restaurants that sell delicious home-cooked Italian cuisine.