Assisi walking tour: Basilica of St. Francis and city highlights

Two basilicas, a Roman temple, and the story of how a saint rebuilt a church

A guided walking tour of Assisi lasting two and a half hours, visiting the UNESCO-listed Basilica of St. Francis, the Basilica of St. Clare, the Cathedral of San Rufino, and Piazza del Comune with its ancient Temple of Minerva. An official local guide leads the route in English or Italian. Admission to the Basilica of St. Francis is included. Dress code applies: knees and shoulders must be covered. From February 15 to April 6, 2026, the basilica's lower level will be closed to visitors, and the guide will explain the site from outside before visitors enter independently.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Basilica of St. Clare15m
2. Chiesa Nuova15m

Explore Assisi's main highlights

• Visit Assisi Cathedral
• See Basilica of St. Clare
• Tour Chiesa Nuova church
• Explore Temple of Minerva
• Walk Piazza del Comune square
• Visit Basilica of St. Francis lower church
• Visit Basilica of St. Francis upper church

The experience

Two and a half hours on foot takes you through the medieval heart of Assisi with a guide who knows the city's history and the stories embedded in its stones. You'll walk past the Temple of Minerva, a Roman building still standing in Piazza del Comune, and enter the Cathedral of San Rufino, where the baptismal font sits inside a church dedicated to Assisi's patron saint. The route moves through the city's layers (Roman foundations, medieval streets, Renaissance additions) each one visible as you move between the sites.

The Basilica of St. Francis is the centerpiece: a UNESCO World Heritage site begun in 1228, just two years after the saint's death, with a lower basilica built for penance and silence and an upper church that opens into light and height. You'll also visit the Basilica of St. Clare, built from the pink stone quarried from the nearby Subasio mountain, where frescoes from the 12th to 14th centuries line the walls and a crucifix hangs in the right chapel: the one, according to tradition, that called St. Francis to rebuild the Church of San Damiano. Admission to the Basilica of St. Francis is included in the tour price.

The guide speaks English or Italian, depending on which option you choose at checkout. Rocca Maggiore, the 14th-century fort perched on the hill above the city, is visible throughout the walk. Wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders. The dress code is enforced at all the churches and basilicas you'll enter.

What’s included

• Admission to the Basilica of St. Francis.
• an official local guide in English or Italian.
• access to the Basilica of St. Clare, the Cathedral of San Rufino, and the sites of Piazza del Comune including the Temple of Minerva.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour in English10:30

Tour in Italian10:00

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and SaturdayDepartures at 10:00 and 10:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years): free · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Italian

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.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by ARTexplorer Italy

Is this one for you?Pick the English tour for explanations in English or Italian for Italian. Both follow the same walking route covering the basilicas and main square in one continuous morning or afternoon outing.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

In English, at 10:30. In Italian, at 10:00.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years): free; Infant (under 4).

What's inside the Basilica of St. Francis that makes it worth the visit?

The Basilica of St. Francis holds two distinct spaces: the lower basilica, solemn and dark, designed for contemplation, and the upper church, which rises in Gothic style with French influences, bright and airy with four bays and a polygonal apse. The basilica was built starting in 1228 to receive the saint's remains and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Can I enter the basilicas on my own, or does the guide take me inside?

The guide leads you through the sites and explains them as you walk. From February 15 to April 6, 2026, the lower basilica will be closed due to the exposition of St. Francis's remains, so the guide will provide explanation from outside, and you'll be able to enter the upper basilica on your own after.

What should I wear to make sure I'm allowed into the churches?

Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women: no shorts or sleeveless tops. The dress code is enforced, and you risk being refused entry if you don't comply.

Is the Temple of Minerva part of the tour?

Yes. The Temple of Minerva, one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Italy, stands in Piazza del Comune surrounded by medieval government buildings and is included in the walking route.

Do I need to be in good physical shape for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's a walking tour through Assisi's medieval streets and involves moving between several basilicas and churches over two and a half hours.