Assisi Walking Tour: St. Francis Basilica & Historic Sites
Follow narrow medieval alleys to frescoes by Giotto and a Roman temple still standing in the main square.
A small-group walking tour of Assisi led by an official guide in English or Italian, visiting the Basilica of St. Francis, St. Clare's Basilica, Saint Rufino's Cathedral, and Piazza del Comune over 2.5 hours. The group stays under 15 travelers. Admission to the Basilica of St. Francis is included. Dress code (knees and shoulders covered) is required for all places of worship. On Sundays, major Catholic holidays, and October 3–4, guided entry to the Basilica is not permitted. Your guide explains from outside and you enter independently.
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Step-by-step itinerary
- Basilica of St. Clare15m
- Chiesa Nuova15m
Walking tour of Assisi highlights
- Meet guide at 10:30am
- Visit old Roman amphitheater ruins
- View Rocca Maggiore castle
- Walk through alleys to Saint Rufino’s Cathedral
- Visit Saint Claire's Basilica
- Explore Piazza del Comune and Temple of Minerva
- Visit Basilica of Saint Francis upper church
- Visit Basilica of Saint Francis lower basilica
- See Chiesa Nuova church
The experience
You meet the guide at 10:30am and start at the old Roman amphitheater, now a medieval neighborhood built from its stones. From there the route climbs through narrow alleys toward Saint Rufino's Cathedral and Saint Claire's Basilica, which is built from pink stone quarried from the Subasio mountain and holds frescoes from the 12th to 14th centuries. The tour reaches Piazza del Comune, where the Temple of Minerva, one of Italy's best-preserved Roman temples, sits surrounded by medieval government buildings. This square is where the city's layers show most clearly: Roman columns, medieval stone, and the everyday life of Assisi moving through it.
The Basilica of St. Francis is the centerpiece. Built starting in 1228, just two years after the saint's death, it holds the frescoes that drew you here: work by Giotto and the best painters of 13th and 14th-century Italy. The basilica has two parts: the lower church, solemn and dark, invites quiet. The upper church is Gothic and airy, with four bays and a polygonal apse. Your guide walks you through both and explains what you're standing in front of. On Sundays and major Catholic holidays, the guide provides explanation from outside the basilica, and you enter independently afterward in silence.
The group stays small, 15 travelers maximum, which means the narrow medieval streets don't turn into a crowd and you can actually hear the guide. An official guide of Assisi leads the tour and speaks either English or Italian depending on which option you book at checkout. Admission to the Basilica of St. Francis is included. You don't arrange it separately. Dress code is strict: knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women, or you risk being turned away at the door.
What’s included
- Guided walking tour led by an official guide of Assisi.
- admission to the Basilica of St. Francis.
- visits to St. Clare's Basilica, Saint Rufino's Cathedral, Chiesa Nuova, and Piazza del Comune.
- small group capped at 15 travelers.
Options for this experience
2 optionsBefore you book
Lasts 2h 30m, runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 10:30 and 10:00, from € 60 per person, with a live guide in English and Italian, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
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Operated by Umbria con Me
Is this one for you?Book the English-language option if you want the guide's full explanation of the frescoes and the history built into each street. Book Italian if you speak the language and want to move at a pace that suits a local group. Either way, the 2.5-hour walk covers the main sites without rushing, and the small group size means you're not competing for space in the narrow alleys or the basilica chapels.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
In English, at 10:30. In Italian, at 10:00.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.
What are the main churches I'll see on this walking tour of Assisi?
The tour visits the Basilica of St. Francis, the Basilica of St. Clare, and Saint Rufino's Cathedral. You also see the Temple of Minerva in Piazza del Comune and Chiesa Nuova, built in 1615 on the site of St. Francis's birthplace.
Can I enter the Basilica of St. Francis on a Sunday or Catholic holiday?
On Sundays, major Catholic holidays, October 3rd and 4th, and national holidays, guided tours inside the Basilica are not permitted. Your guide will explain the basilica from outside, and you'll enter independently and in silence afterward. On October 4th, the basilica is closed entirely.
What dress code do I need to follow for this tour?
Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. Failure to comply with this dress code may result in refused entry to places of worship.
How many people are in the group for this walking tour?
The group is capped at 15 travelers maximum, keeping the experience small and manageable on Assisi's narrow medieval streets.
Is the Basilica of St. Francis admission included in this tour?
Yes, admission to the Basilica of St. Francis is included. The guide takes you through both the lower and upper basilica to see the frescoes by Giotto and other 13th and 14th-century painters.
Assisi Walking Tour: St. Francis Basilica & Historic Sites
2h 30m · EN · IT
from € 60 per person