Things to do in Orvieto Italy 25


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Without a map

Orvieto is small enough that you can maneuver without a map but it has enough to offer to keep you occupied for a 3 or 4 day visit or longer if you want to take it slow and relax.

Life at Al Settimo Cielo

Visit the Duomo

Orvieto’s Duomo is stunning. Built in the 14th century its facade is nothing short of breath taking. The best time to view it is in the late afternoon when the sun hits the facade making it is so bright you can see it from miles away.
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Once inside, make sure to visit the two small chapels on either side at the front. The chapel of the Corporal is not so flashy but has a great story. The blood soaked cloth is said to have been the result of the miracle of Saint Christina. On the opposite side is the Chapel of the Madonna di San Brizio, so ornate and so much to look at, in the summer months, time in this chapel is limited to 15 minutes.
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Climb the tower

Climbing city towers when traveling is a great way to enjoy some exercice. The Torre del Moro is a wonderful spot to get a bird’s eye view of the town and the Umbrian hills beyond.
Picturesque hill towns

Take a tour of the underground

Until the 3rd century BC, Etruscans lived in Orvieto. They made their homes underground in the tufa rock. You can book a tour through Orvieto Underground and a guide will explain how Etruscans lived. Why they built their homes in the tufa and a lot more interesting information about these ancient people. Like the reason why they dug small square holes in the rock, they raised pigeons for food.

Orvieto: the city card

Walk the paths below

If you get tired of walking on cobblestone and want to hit a bit of a stride try walking the paths below the town. Orvieto is built high up on tufa stone and it’s possible to walk around the town on, mostly paved paths. If you’re lucky, the church in the rock will be open, otherwise you can take a peek at the ancient alter through the window. Also down below is the Etruscan necropolis which is worth a walk through if only for the photo ops.
Discover Orvieto

Participate in passeggiata

Around 6:30pm every night the town’s people get dressed up to leisurely stroll the main streets and piazzas showing off their new babies and new clothes while catching up on the daily news and gossip. A great tradition that enforces community values on a daily basis. Feel comfortable to walk amongst the locals or sit back and observe.

Enjoy aperitivo

Aperitivo is much more than before dinner drinks. For around 6€ you can get a drink and snacks. Depending on the bar you choose this can mean anything from chips and/or peanuts to a full buffet of snacks. We found that we got the best bang for our euro at Cafe il Sant’Andrea in Piazza della Repubblica where the Aperol spritzes are delicious and a buffet is laid out around 6:30pm for anyone who orders a drink. Another great place for aperitivo is Blue Bar, a bit off the main walking areas, the snacks are plenty and the owner is quite friendly and welcoming.

Have you been to Orvieto? What were some of your favourite things to do?

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About Nat and Tim Harris

Together for close to a quarter of a century, A Cook Not Mad‘s Tim and Nat have indulged their passion for life and experience to the fullest, but they feel most alive when traveling, cooking and eating. An award winning chef, Tim has dedicated his life and career to cooking and the pursuit of honest food. As a professional photographer, Nat records their adventures with incredible pictures of everyday life and the extraordinary. They believe that everyone should get to know a culture by learning about the foods they eat and living like locals as much as they can.

25 thoughts on “Things to do in Orvieto Italy

  • leather cord

    Great article. What a wonderful and informative post. You captured nice pics in your travel trip. Thank you so much for sharing it.

  • Victor

    Italy is just full of surprises … thanks for sharing this wonderful town and all it has to offer … might visit it someday soon!

  • Dale

    I have stayed there in a wonderful apartment that I rented through Airbnb. It is a town to relish and enjoy slowly, with great restaurants, shopping that is amazing and a cathedral that is one of the best in Italy. They are know for their pottery, and you will have a hard time to not bring something home. Few to no tourists, very friendly people and such history to explore. Highly recommend it

    • A Cook Not Mad

      Sounds like you enjoyed it as much as we did. Although the first time we were there it wasn’t as busy. This time there were many tourists, not sure why as it was the same time of year. Even so, it was quite enjoyable.

  • Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho

    This looks amazing! I have always wanted to visit, and these photos make me want to go even more badly! Thank you so much for sharing it.

  • Jaipur day tours

    Great, that palce is looking so beautiful and it have so many good things to enjoy. It is full with natural things and so stunning photos you shared.

  • service apartment in malaysia

    Very nice post .. and Thanks to share your knowledge and skill about blogging .. It would be a great help for new travel blog…Thanks

  • African Idiot

    For some of us who’ll never make enough money to go on such leisure tours, blogs like this make us travel the world digitally. I am glad I’ve bookmarked goseewrite.com, I can always take excursions when I have time(not money).

    Kudos!

  • Maria Smith

    I’m really glad you wrote this post. It shows how much influence one popular travel blogger can have and affect people’s decisions to travel. I always say that to really know what a country is like, you have to go yourself. I hope to go to Italy one day and like you, will know to just be aware of the scamming but not write the country off because of it. Great links to other solo female travelers as well! Cheers.

  • Julia

    Very interesting article about this Orvieto. I haven’t heard about this italian town. But i put in on my travel list for the next year. I have seen etruscan necropolis in Cerveteri, Rome. Great part of Italy!

  • Aradhana

    I just discovered your blog and desired to state that I’ve actually loved reading your blog posts. In whatever way I’ll be checking to your supply and I expect you post again soon.

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