10 activities to discover Umbria in autumn - 10 activities to discover Umbria in autumn

September and October are the quintessential months of the grape harvest! Amid golden hills and the sweet scent of ripe grapes the vineyards, like those of Montefalco’s Sagrantino or Gamay del Trasimeno, offer the chance to take part in the harvest. Cap it off with a picnic among the vines and a taste of freshly pressed must.

Accompanied by experts, an autumn walk can become the perfect opportunity to forage late-growind wild plants like chicory and dandelion, as well as precious herbs used to flavour traditional Umbrian dishes, such as calamint and wild fennel.

It’s the season for “slow” museums: small gems that preserve traditions, perfect for autumn. Don’t miss Wine Museum in Torgiano, where you can learn about the art viticulture, and Museum of Olive Tree and Olive Oil in Trevi, which explores the culture of green gold and its ancient roots. Unfiltered experiences to savour.

A burst of red, gold and rust sweeps from Mount Subasio to the Sibillini Mountains, passing through Monteluco di Spoleto and brushing the slopes of Monte Cucco: each trail challenges your camera lens to keep up. The path unfolds through a tunnel of colours , with damp earth underfoot and leaves crunching at every step. Every turn offers a breathtaking shot.

Chestnuts are one of the season’s most beloved fruits, perfectly paired with new wine. In Umbria, chestnut groves such as those around Spoleto host genetically unique varieties like the “Castagna Grande di Pompagnano” and “Marrone della Vallocchia,” while near Foligno stands the 400 year old Vallupo chestnut tree.

October in Trevi celebrates the town's signature vegetable: black celery. Its prize stalks grow over a metre long, and are completely stringless. The stars of the Mostra Mercato del Sedano Nero, it is a cherished ingredient featured in many delicious dishes like stuffed celery.

Lake Trasimeno, a top destination for birdwatchers, becomes a lively stopover for autumn migrations: swallows, martins, hawks and storks head for warmer regions, while coots, mallards, great crested grebes and tufted ducks arrive from the north to winter along its shores.

Autumn in Perugia is scented with cocoa thanks to Eurochocolate, a must attend festival for chocoholics. Chocolate sculptures, show cooking, tastings and delicaces from around the world turn this event into a multisensory experience in the medieval heart of the city.

 

Between October and November, Umbria celebrates one of its most eagerly awaited moments: the olive harvest. Many farms open their doors to families, offering a full experience of green gold production - from grove to mill, ending with a warm bruschetta topped with freshly pressed oil.

In October, the delicate purple saffron flowers bloom, ready to be harvested for their red filaments, yielding the prized spice that gives a unique colour and aroma to any dish. Renowned saffron fairs held in towns with a strong cultivation history like Zafferiamo in Città della Pieve and Mostra Mercato dello Zafferano di Cascia in Cascia, offer the perfect chance to discover all the secrets of Umbrian saffron.

For over a century, autumn evenings in Perugia have come alive with “Baracconi,” the city’s historic funfair where everyone become a child again, surrounded by lights, candy floss and the sound of rides!