Perugia is a great place to start discovering Umbria. This small university town is rife with history and surrounded by beauty. Pick up your hire car at Perugia Airport, and explore what the area has to offer.

Downtown Perugia is just a 20-minute drive from Perugia Airport on Via S. Girolamo.

Perugia’s historical significance is what makes this place so charming. In the middle of Piazza IV Novembre is the Fontana Maggiore. Built between 1275 and 1278, the fountain is a symbol of the city from the medieval age. There’s also the San Lorenzo cathedral, devoted to one of the city’s patron saints. The Etruscan well, which was built in 300 years B.C.E, is one of Perugia’s oldest remnants.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at the Perugina chocolate factory, before heading to Corso Vannucci, the city’s main drag, to soak up the views. If you have time to indulge in a bit of culture, bask in the artwork of Perugia’s most celebrated painter, Pietro Vannucci, who once played mentor to Raphael.

Nowadays, thanks to Perugia’s university atmosphere, this tiny town is full of restaurants, bars, and cafes. To say that people love to have fun here is an understatement. Discover the famous Italian café culture for yourself.

With Avis car hire, you’ll experience all that Perugia has to offer.  

Umbria is the kind of place where old-world traditions are kept alive, and where rugged beauty meets history. While driving along the roads of Perugia, you’ll discover many outstanding sights along the way.

Assisi

Assisi is Perugia’s sister city. Just 19km on SS75 from Perugia, this town is the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order of monks. Most people come here to view the jaw-dropping 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco, which stands guard on the hill of Asio, overlooking the region.

Lake Trasimeno

For a scenic escape, Lake Trasimeno is just a 40-minute drive from Perugia on Raccordo Autostradale 6 Bettolle-Perugia. This is the fourth largest lake in the country, and can be easily circumnavigated on four wheels. Stop at a traditional roadside restaurant along the way to grab lunch, and soak up the scenic views.

Gubbio

The roads to Gubbio provide a great driving experience. Less than an hour by car, the SR298 twists and turns, revealing views of the magnificent rolling countryside. When you reach Gubbio visit the Piazza Grande, where locals and tourists like to relax and have fun. Take the ‘cabinovia’, cable car, to the top of the hill for the best bird’s eye view of the town.

A road trip around the region of Umbria is an incredible journey. All you have to do is drive.

Perugia driving guide

Want a quick guide to the rules of the roads in Italy? We’ve unlocked them for your journey.

Driving around Italy

If you’re travelling around Italy in your rental car make sure you stay within the speed limit and enjoy the beautiful sights along the way.

Find your way

To make your journey even easier, we can include a sat nav with your car so you can relax and discover Perugia in comfort and style.

Your car hire at Perugia Airport awaits. The open roads are yours to explore. All you have to do is pick up the keys.