Top Things to Do in Orvieto: Admire an Historic Town

Orvieto rises on a volcanic plateau with views that stop you in your tracks before you even step inside its medieval walls. Gothic towers, cobbled alleys, and a jaw-dropping cathedral set the stage for a town packed with history and flavor. There are endless things to do in Orvieto, from wandering Etruscan tunnels to tasting local specialties in lively piazzas. Surrounding the city, some of the best wineries in Umbria invite you to sip Orvieto Classico right where it’s made. A day in Orvieto blends culture, food, and wine into an experience that feels timeless and unforgettable.

Best things to do in Orvieto

Marvel at the Duomo di Orvieto

The Duomo di Orvieto stuns from the first glance, its façade glittering with mosaics and carved detail that light up Piazza del Duomo. Inside, the Chapel of San Brizio steals the show, Luca Signorelli’s frescoes bursting with color and drama, powerful enough to inspire Michelangelo himself. It’s Orvieto’s showstopper, and standing in front of it feels like witnessing art, faith, and history collide in one epic masterpiece.

Explore the Pozzo di San Patrizio

The Pozzo di San Patrizio is a 16th-century masterpiece that proves Orvieto doesn’t do ordinary. Sixty-two meters deep with a double-helix staircase, it was designed so mules could haul water up and down without ever crossing paths. Walking inside feels like stepping into an optical illusion carved from stone, and it’s easily one of the most unforgettable things to do in Orvieto.

Wander through the underground

Beneath Orvieto lies a hidden world of tunnels and caves carved straight into volcanic rock. The Etruscans started it, later generations expanded it, and today you can walk through passages lined with olive oil presses, wells, and traces of everyday life. Taking the Orvieto Underground tour feels like peeling back the town’s layers and stepping straight into history that still echoes below the streets.

Visit the Torre del Moro

Climbing the Torre del Moro rewards you with a 360-degree sweep over red rooftops, cathedral spires, olive groves, and the Umbrian countryside. The views are pure postcard material, and snapping photos from the top easily ranks among the essential things to do in Orvieto.

Stroll through Piazza della Repubblica

Piazza della Repubblica hums with everyday life, framed by cafés, boutiques, and restaurants that spill onto the square. Sit down for handmade pasta, sample local cheeses, and pair it with a crisp glass of Orvieto Classico. Moments like this are what make Orvieto so hard to leave.

Visit the Pozzo della Cava

In Orvieto’s medieval quarter, the Pozzo della Cava drops more than 36 meters into the earth, revealing a tunnel system first dug by the Etruscans. Along the way you’ll spot ancient pottery, a restored kiln, and artifacts that trace daily life through the centuries. It feels less like a museum and more like stumbling onto one of Orvieto’s secrets.

Walk to the Fortress of Albornoz

Near Piazza Cahen, the ruins of the Albornoz Fortress open onto a leafy square and a shaded terrace with sweeping views across the Umbrian countryside. A stop here is high on the list of things to do in Orvieto, perfect for a picnic, a quiet break under the trees, or simply taking in the panorama below.

Wander the Streets

Orvieto’s streets are made for wandering. One turn leads to shelves of hand-painted ceramics, the next to bottles of golden olive oil or glassware shaped in tiny family workshops. Every stroll feels like a discovery, and slowing down here turns even a simple walk into one of the town’s most rewarding experiences.

Best things to do around Orvieto

Sip altitude & terroir on the slopes of Orvieto

Azienda Agricola Palazzone sits above Orvieto on gently rolling hills, think vineyards shimmering in afternoon light and rustic oak and chestnut trees that frame the landscape like living sculptures. Here, tastings happen in sun-warmed terraces and cool cellars, where you’ll try wines that carry the soul of this magical tufa terrain. Take one of the grotta-oriented tours and explore ancient caves used by past generations, it’s wine, history, and nature wrapped into one relaxed experience.

Wander at Civita di Bagnoregio

About 15 miles of Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio rises above the valley like something out of a dream. Reached only by a narrow footbridge, this tiny village of stone houses and winding alleys feels frozen in time. Its Etruscan roots tie it closely to Orvieto, while the crumbling volcanic rock beneath adds an air of fragility that makes every visit feel rare and precious. Travelers who visit Civita di Bagnoregio Italy are rewarded with sweeping views of the Tiber Valley and some of the most atmospheric streets in central Italy.

Explore Castello di Corbara’s lakeside terroir

Perched above the shores of Lago di Corbara, Castello di Corbara offers more than just views, it delivers wines shaped by lake air, wind, and sun. The vineyard practices here blend tradition and innovation, with tastings served on terraces overlooking rippling water and dramatic skies. Choose their 3-wine tasting to try fresh whites and expressive reds, and walk the grounds to spot olive trees and centuries-old groves.

Head to Todi

About 23 miles southeast of Orvieto, Todi crowns its hill with layers of Romanesque churches, Etruscan walls, and streets that twist into quiet piazzas. The views sweep endlessly over the valley, and the atmosphere feels both refined and unhurried. To visit Todi Italy is to step into a town where history and calm blend seamlessly, making it one of the most rewarding escapes in Umbria.

Find organic flavor & rustic charm among the hillsides

Torre Bisenzio sits in Allerona, Umbria, where olive groves, vineyards, and ancient farmland stretch across the horizon. Once a dilapidated estate, it’s now a thriving organic farm that produces wine, olive oil, saffron, and fresh vegetables. Wine tastings on sunny terraces feel warm and welcoming, and the food comes straight from the land, bruschetta, cured meats, and cheeses, all served under open skies with views that slow your pace.

Good to know before visiting Orvieto