Dancers in period costumes perform during the “Gareggiare dei Convivi” event of the Giostra della Quintana in Foligno, in front of an audience seated at tables.

10 Things to Do in Umbria in Summer

Summer in Umbria is the perfect time to combine historic villages, nature, and outdoor activities. The region offers refreshing hill and mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, festivals, and small historic centres that are especially pleasant to visit during the warmer months.

View of the Marmore Waterfalls with multiple cascades flowing among vegetation and rocks.
Visit the Marmore Waterfalls

The Marmore Waterfalls are one of Umbria’s most striking summer experiences, especially for those seeking nature and outdoor activities. Here, you can go rafting, canyoning, hydrospeed, kayaking, or simply enjoy scenic walks along the park’s trails. In the evening, it is also worth visiting when the waterfalls are illuminated, creating an even more evocative setting.

View of Isola Maggiore on Lake Trasimeno under a cloudy sky.
Take a trip to Lake Trasimeno

Lake Trasimeno is one of the most relaxing destinations for a summer day, offering boat excursions (Isola Maggiore can be explored on foot), lakeside walks, and stops in the villages along the shore. The area is perfect for those looking for a slower pace, surrounded by open landscapes and small waterfront towns. It is also an excellent choice for families and for those who wish to combine nature with gastronomy. The real highlight, however, comes at sunset, when the lake turns pink and the villages gradually light up one by one.

View of the flowering of Castelluccio di Norcia with a field of colorful flowers and the Sibillini Mountains in the background under a blue sky with clouds.
Discover Castelluccio and the Sibillini Mountains

In summer, the Castelluccio di Norcia plateau offers one of the most iconic landscapes in central Italy. The famous flowering season is its most celebrated event, but even outside that period, the area remains ideal for trekking, photography, and scenic excursions in the heart of the Sibillini Mountains. It is a perfect destination for those who want to enjoy mountain air without straying too far from Umbria’s cultural heritage.

Group of people on an inflatable raft during a rafting excursion along the Nera River, surrounded by vegetation.
Go rafting in the Valnerina

The Valnerina is one of the best areas for water sports and outdoor summer experiences. The Nera River is a true haven for water activities: rafting, hydrospeed, and canyoning through gorges and forests, guided by local experts who know every rapid. After the adventure, it is worth stopping in Scheggino or Vallo di Nera to enjoy a dish of lentils, local cheeses, and summer truffle.

View from the stage of an Umbria Jazz concert in Perugia, with musicians playing percussion instruments in front of the audience, illuminated by colourful lights, with the Palazzo dei Priori in the background.
Visit Perugia in summer

By day, explore the museums: the National Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, the abbey of San Pietro, and the Sorbello Collection. In the evening, the medieval streets come alive with aperitifs along the city walls and Umbria Jazz (in July), which transforms every square into a stage.

View from above of Piazza Duomo in Spoleto during the Festival dei Due Mondi, with the audience seated in front of the stage set up before the cathedral.
Summer festivals in the villages: music, reenactments, and flavours

Umbria’s summer is marked by unique events, from major international festivals to the most authentic village celebrations. Concerts, historical reenactments, lakeside performances, traditional flavours and unique atmospheres bring squares, alleys and landscapes to life. Let yourself be surprised by a summer full of events: the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Umbria che Spacca in Perugia, the GiostradellaQuintana in Foligno, the Mercato delle Gaite in Bevagna, as well as Fiordicacio in Vallo di Nera, the Festa delleAcque in Piediluco, Trasimeno Music Festival and Palio dei Quartieri in Nocera Umbra. These are perfect opportunities to experience the region’s most authentic side, combining tradition, music, and local flavours.

View of Nocera Umbra perched on a hill, with the village and its medieval towers surrounded by a hilly landscape.
Lesser-known (but unmissable) villages for those looking to avoid the crowds

Beyond the most famous destinations, summer in Umbria invites visitors to explore villages such as Nocera Umbra, Torgiano, Gualdo Cattaneo, Deruta, Monte del Lago, and Cesi. These small towns are ideal for those seeking authenticity, well-preserved landscapes, and a quieter tourism experience. Often, just a few hours are enough for a fulfilling visit, especially when combined with a tasting or a walk along the ancient walls.

View from above of Monte Subasio’s mortari (rock hollows) illuminated by the warm light of the sunset.
Go trekking in Umbria’s parks

For those who love walking, summer is perfect for exploring the trails in the region’s main parks, from the Sibillini Mountains to Mount Subasio, Mount Cucco, and Mount Peglia. These routes combine nature, scenic views, and a direct connection with the land, with options ranging from short walks to more demanding hikes. Umbria’s mountains offer a compelling alternative to traditional summer tourism.

Paper cones filled with fried lake fish and Umbrian street food bites, arranged on a green tablecloth.
Enjoy a food and wine experience

Umbria in summer is also a top destination for food and wine, with local products, cured meats, cheeses and traditional cuisine. Many wineries and olive oil mills offer experiences that combine tastings with guided visits, making the journey even more authentic. You can enjoy special moments such as sunset aperitifs, dinners among the vines and convivial experiences immersed in nature. Umbria is not only a place to discover, but also to savour.

View of the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi illuminated by the light of the sunset.
Assisi at sunset: spirituality, art, and views (and why not Spoleto)

Assisi in summer is truly magical after 6 pm: when the crowds leave, the Rocca Maggiore and the Basilica of Saint Francis are bathed in golden light. The Path of Peace, from Santa Maria degli Angeli to the historic centre of Assisi, offers breathtaking views. If you only have one day, combine it with a visit to Spoleto (just 30 minutes by car): the Ponte delle Torri, the Rocca Albornoziana, and the Cathedral provide the perfect artistic complement. End the evening with strangozzi alla spoletina, truffle stracciata, and a slice of crescionda.