Assisi full-day tour: St. Francis Basilica and Porziuncola

Walk the spiritual heart of Assisi with a guide who knows its stories

A 6-hour guided tour of Assisi with a local English-speaking guide covers the Basilica of St. Francis, Basilica of St. Clare, Chiesa Nuova, the Porziuncola chapel and the hermitage of the Carceri where St. Francis prayed. The morning is on foot through the town. The afternoon includes air-conditioned minivan transport to sites outside the center. Guided entry to the basilicas is suspended February 15 to April 6, 2026, during which your guide explains from outside and you enter independently.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Chiesa Nuova30m
2. Basilica of St. Clare30m
3. Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels1h

Explore Assisi's religious landmarks

• Visit Basilica of St. Francis exterior
• Enter Basilica of St. Francis independently
• See Temple of Minerva and Santa Maria sopra Minerva
• Visit Chiesa Nuova
• Tour Basilica of St. Clare
• Explore the Hermitage of the Carceri
• Visit San Damiano church and monastery
• Visit Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

The experience

The tour starts in Assisi's upper town and moves through the places tied to St. Francis and St. Clare on foot. Your guide walks you through the Basilica of St. Francis, the mother church of the Franciscan order, where the ribbed vaults are decorated with golden stars on blue backgrounds and Renaissance paintings. You'll also visit the Basilica of St. Clare, which holds the remains of the saint who founded the Order of Poor Ladies, and Chiesa Nuova, built in 1615 on the site believed to be St. Francis's home. The Temple of Minerva, a 1st-century Roman building now housing a church, sits in the main piazza and anchors the morning's walk through the town center.

In the afternoon, the minivan takes you outside Assisi to two quieter sites. The hermitage of the Carceri, 4 kilometers from town, is a white building in a mountain-surrounded lane where St. Francis and his followers meditated. The word "eremo" means hermitage in Italian. You'll also visit San Damiano, a 12th-century monastery and the first home of St. Clare's community. The Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, one of the seven largest Christian churches, houses the Porziuncola, the primitive chapel where St. Francis received his calling: a stark contrast to the basilica's grand scale built to hold the pilgrims who come to see it.

A dress code is required: knees and shoulders must be covered for everyone, and no shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. 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 explain from outside, and you'll enter on your own. On October 4th alone, the basilica closes entirely to visitors.

What’s included

• Professional local guide speaking English for the full day.
• air-conditioned minivan transport in the afternoon to sites outside Assisi's center.
• entry to the Basilica of St. Francis, Basilica of St. Clare, Chiesa Nuova, the hermitage of the Carceri and San Damiano.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

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

Paid on site€ 3

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Umbria con Me

Is this one for you?The morning walks at a steady pace through Assisi's town center, so wear comfortable shoes and be ready to climb some steep streets in the upper town. The afternoon's minivan transport means you're not on your feet the entire time, making this manageable for most fitness levels.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13): free.

What is the Porziuncola chapel and why do pilgrims visit it?

The Porziuncola is the primitive chapel inside the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli where St. Francis received his spiritual calling. It's one of the most important sites in Franciscan history, and the massive basilica was built around it to accommodate the thousands of pilgrims who come to pray there.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The morning is spent walking through Assisi's town center on foot, covering the basilicas and churches in the upper town. The afternoon uses an air-conditioned minivan to reach the hermitage of the Carceri and San Damiano outside the center, so you're not walking the full 6 hours.

Can I enter the Basilica of St. Francis on my own if the guided tour is suspended?

Yes. From February 15 to April 6, 2026, guided tours inside the basilica are suspended due to the exposition of St. Francis's remains. Your guide will provide an explanation from outside the church, and you'll then enter independently and in silence.

What should I wear to visit the churches in Assisi?

Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women: no shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. Failure to comply with the dress code can result in refused entry to the places of worship.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included. The tour covers the sites and transport. You'll have free time to eat on your own during the day.