Your property in Umbria
There’s plenty of choice and attractive pricing on offer with property in Umbria, a true Italian hidden gem.
Buyers seeking a project will be captivated by the area, which has an abundance of partly or fully restored traditional stone farmhouses, large period villas, apartments in small fortified villages called borgos, or ruined buildings that require total restoration.
Locations such as Cortona, the Niccone Valley, Città di Castello, Orvieto and Todi provide traditional Italian living in a region famous for its excellent local produce, a compelling alternative to well-known towns in neighbouring Tuscany.
Inside Umbria
Tradition runs deep in Umbria thanks to it being the only Italian region that has no coastline or a border with another country.
While it might lack the reputation of other regions like Tuscany, it hosts spectacular medieval hilltop towns complete with stunning architecture and breathtaking views.
There’s a rich and vibrant culture in the region’s capital, Perugia, as well as smaller towns that perfect dishes inspired by locally grown produce, including tartufi nero, or black truffles.
Landscape
Known as Italy’s green heart, Umbria boasts simply amazing countryside, including in the hills north of Perugia, that are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
Perugia itself is a hilltop town, while the wider region is split between hills and mountains, and flat fertile land in the valley of the river Tiber.
To the west, Lago Tresimeno, Italy’s fourth largest lake, offers true escapism, especially on the wild Isola Polvese, a haven for historians and nature-spotters.
Education
For families relocating to Umbria, the region is well-served by international schools, with several in Perugia, including the International Montessori Centre, and others in nearby locations such as Orvieto and Corciano.
In terms of universities, the region’s proximity to cities including Rome and Florence provides those living in Umbria with excellent institutions within commutable distance.
Activities and Entertainment
Pristine towns such as Assisi, Orvieto and Todi are among those with fantastic architecture visible in their numerous cathedrals, churches and piazzas, while Perugia offers captivating historic sites, such as Ipogeo dei Volumni, part of a 2nd Century BC Etruscan burial site, and enchanting gardens, such as Orto Medievale.
Umbria is ultimately about exploring though, and its wide-open spaces are perfect for hiking and cycling, while its wealth of caves, like those in Orvieto and in the Monte Cucco regional park, providing outdoor enthusiasts with a truly different experience.
The area is perfect for active families too, with canyoning in the Forra della Villa gorge in the Valnerina, rafting in the Nera River and even snowshoe hiking in the Monti Sibilllini. Elsewhere, the islands on Lago Trasimeno – including Isola Maggiore and Isola Polvese – make for unforgettable day trips.
Art and Culture
The Umbrian capital, Perugia, has an exceptional array of galleries and museums for a small city, with the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria showcasing some 3,000 works of art across 40 rooms, while smaller towns such as Gubbio, Spello and Spoleto also have fascinating attractions.
Music is a huge part of Umbrian culture, with the 10-day Umbria Jazz festival in Perugia, and Spoleto’s world-famous Festival dei Due Mondi encompassing opera, theatre, ballet and art over a 17-day celebration.
And food is central to this small region, with weekly farmers’ markets and ‘sagras’, or food-based festivals, constantly popping up throughout the year. Perugia is famous for its chocolate, with shops such as Augusta Perusia Cioccolato e Gelateria, providing those with a sweet tooth an exciting array of treats.
Food and Drink
Fresh and local produce typifies Umbria, with Pecorino cheese, extra virgin Maraiolo olive oil, truffles, lentils and cured meats being specialities of the area.
Favourite dishes often feature local pasta stringozzi, wood-oven roasted pork, grilled meats including bistecca di Chianina (T-bone steak), and the flat bread torta al testo, often filled with cured meats or braised greens. While Umbrians love their meat, soups and bean dishes remain extremely popular.
The region is a small but mighty wine producer, with a focus on white wine. Its Orvieto DOC, a certification that controls the production area, method and quality, produces dry, semi-sweet and sweet wines. Yet its two DOCG designations, the top Italian wine rating, are for red wines; Montefalco, which uses native Sagrantino grapes, and Torgiano Rosso Riserva, which uses Sangiovese grapes.
Accessibility
Umbria is easily accessed via Perugia’s San Francesco d’Assisi International Airport, which serves numerous domestic and international destinations. Alternative options are Rome and Florence, both just over two hours drive away.
Perugia is also well-served by the country’s high-speed train network, with frequent services to cities including Rome, Milan, Pisa and Florence.
By road, Perugia is close to one of the main highways in the country, the E45, which stretches from Gela in Sicily all the way through Italy.