Assisi and Spello Walking Tour: Frescoes and Hilltowns

Walk through hilltowns and stand inside frescoes painted centuries ago

A full-day private walking tour of Assisi and Spello, two medieval hilltowns in Umbria, with a professional guide in English or Italian and round-trip private transfer between the two towns. The tour covers Roman ruins, the Basilica of St. Francis with Giotto's 13th-century frescoes, the Basilica of St. Clare, and Renaissance paintings by Pinturicchio in Spello. Entrance fees are not included. Lunch is on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Basilica of St. Clare30m
2. Chiesa Nuova20m

Explore Assisi and Spello hilltowns

• Meet and start walking tour in Assisi
• Visit Roman Amphitheatre remains
• See Minerva Temple facade
• Walk through medieval alleys and handicraft shops
• View Basilica of Saint Francis frescoes
• Visit Basilica of Saint Clare
• See Chiesa Nuova Renaissance architecture
• Tour Temple of Minerva and Santa Maria sopra Minerva church
• Walk to Spello hilltown
• Explore flower-decorated streets in Spello
• Enjoy Renaissance art by Pinturicchio in Spello

The experience

The Basilica of St. Francis anchors the morning in Assisi. Before entering, your guide walks you through the old Roman Ruins. The remains of the local amphitheatre and the Temple of Minerva, which has one of the best-preserved facades in Italy. You'll also wander the medieval alleys past local pottery shops, carvings and embroidery stalls, getting the feel of an authentic Umbrian hilltown before reaching the basilica itself. Inside, Giotto's frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries cover the walls. These are among the most important works of the Italian Middle Ages. The guide explains the art and history from outside the basilica on Sundays and major Catholic holidays, when interior tours are suspended, and you then enter independently.

After a lunch break on your own, a private van with driver takes you to Spello, another authentic hilltown famous for flower-decorated streets. Here the focus shifts to Renaissance art: Pinturicchio, a 15th-century painter who also worked in the Vatican, left his mark on the town's churches. You'll also visit the Basilica of St. Clare, dedicated to Saint Clare of Assisi, a follower of Saint Francis and founder of the Order of Poor Ladies. The private transfer means you don't navigate between towns on public transport or arrange your own ride.

The tour runs six hours total. A dress code applies to all places of worship: knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. No shorts or sleeveless tops. Note that from February 15 to April 6, 2026, guided tours inside the Basilica of St. Francis are suspended due to the exposition of St. Francis's remains. Your guide will explain from outside and you'll enter on your own. On October 4th, the basilica is closed entirely.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Italian.
• round-trip private transfer between Assisi and Spello by van with driver.
• access to the Basilica of St. Francis, Basilica of St. Clare, Chiesa Nuova, and sites in Spello.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Umbria con Me

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Assisi or elsewhere in the region without a car: the private transfer to Spello and back settles the logistics, and the guide's explanation of the frescoes and art makes sense of what you're standing in front of.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What are the Giotto frescoes in the Basilica of St. Francis like?

Giotto's frescoes cover the interior walls of the Basilica of St. Francis and date from the 13th and 14th centuries, making them among the most important artworks of the Italian Middle Ages. They are the centerpiece of the basilica's interior decoration.

Do I need to pay entrance fees separately?

Yes, entrance fees to the basilicas and sites are not included in the tour price. The total is approximately 5.50 euros per person.

What happens if I visit on a Sunday or Catholic holiday?

On Sundays, major Catholic holidays, national holidays, and October 3rd and 4th, guided tours inside the Basilica of St. Francis are not permitted. Your guide will provide an explanation from outside the church, and you will then enter independently and in silence. On October 4th specifically, the basilica is closed to visitors entirely.

How do I get between Assisi and Spello?

A private van with driver provides round-trip transfer between the two towns, so you don't need to arrange your own transport or use public buses.

What is the dress code for entering the churches?

Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. You may be refused entry if you don't comply with these requirements.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. You'll have a break in Assisi to eat on your own before the transfer to Spello.