Orvieto day trip from Rome or Florence
A day trip to Orvieto from Rome or Florence: the funicular up to the town, St Patrick's Well, the Torre del Moro, Orvieto Cathedral, Orvieto Underground and the Museo Claudio Faina, then the Etruscan Necropolis of Crocifisso del Tufo. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Orvieto in 1 day
Day 1
Orvieto Funicular
Short funicular from the railway station up the tuff cliff to Piazza Cahen at the edge of the old town.
St Patrick's Well
Deep 16th-century well with two separate spiral staircases, built for a papal siege, where visitors walk down to the water.
Temple of the Belvedere
The remains of an Etruscan temple on the edge of Orvieto's rock, set among trees near the city walls.
Torre del Moro
Medieval tower in the centre of the old town, climbed by stairs and a lift for views over the rooftops and the cathedral.
Orvieto Cathedral
Gothic cathedral with a gold mosaic facade and the San Brizio Chapel, frescoed by Luca Signorelli with the Last Judgement.
Museo Claudio Faina
Archaeological museum facing the cathedral, with a large collection of Etruscan vases, coins and finds from the area.
Orvieto Underground
Guided tour of caves, wells and pigeon coops dug into the tuff beneath the town since Etruscan times.
Etruscan Necropolis of Crocifisso del Tufo
Etruscan cemetery of stone chamber tombs laid out in streets, below the cliff on the north side of the town.
San Giovenale, Orvieto
A Romanesque church at the tip of the medieval quarter, surrounded by quiet lanes with views across the valley, a good sunset spot.
Watch: Orvieto
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
Regional and some faster trains run from Rome in about 1-1.5 hours and from Florence in about 1.5-2 hours to Orvieto station, below the town. The funicular across the square climbs to the old town in a few minutes, and by car Orvieto is just off the A1 motorway, with parking below the cliff.
Staying in Rome or Florence? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Orvieto
Spring and autumn are the best seasons, mild for walking the hilltop town, while July and August are hot and winter is cold but quiet. The town's Corpus Domini celebrations in late May or June include a historical procession, and Umbria Jazz Winter takes place around New Year.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Orvieto on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Orvieto on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Orvieto on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Orvieto
- Orvieto Underground can only be seen on guided tours, which start near the cathedral square and fill up in busy months; book a slot early in the day.
- Orvieto Cathedral charges an entry ticket, and the San Brizio Chapel with Signorelli's frescoes is the part not to miss.
- St Patrick's Well has two separate spiral staircases of about 250 steps each way; wear good shoes and allow time for the climb back up.
- A combined Carta Unica ticket covers several of the town's sights, including the cathedral and the underground tour.
- Check the return train times before setting out; the funicular links the station to the old town and runs frequently through the day.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Etruscan Necropolis of Crocifisso del Tufo: Adri08, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museo Claudio Faina: Geobia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Orvieto Cathedral: Justinawind, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Orvieto Funicular: Nicholas Gemini, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Orvieto Underground: D.benedetti, Public domain
- San Giovenale, Orvieto: Sailko, CC BY 3.0
- St Patrick's Well: Fantasy, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
