Gubbio Italy
A remarkably preserved medieval hill town in Umbria, Gubbio captivates with its ancient streets, stunning views, and unique traditions like the Festa ...

Highlights
Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit
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Experience the ancient Festa dei Ceri!
Gubbio Italy
Best Time
Experience the ancient Festa dei Ceri!

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A remarkably preserved medieval hill town in Umbria, Gubbio captivates with its ancient streets, stunning views, and unique traditions like the Festa dei Ceri.
"Gubbio is one of Italy's most well-preserved medieval cities, offering breathtaking views and a unique cultural experience."
Get Your 'Madman' License
Do 3 laps around Fontana del Bargello for a fun local tradition! :joy:
Ride the Unique Cable Car
The Funivia Colle Eletto offers incredible views and a unique ride to the basilica. :mountain:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Festa dei Ceri
Witness one of Italy's oldest and most spectacular folk traditions, a thrilling race with giant candles.

Funivia Colle Eletto
Ride this unique open-air cable car for breathtaking panoramic views of Gubbio and the Umbrian landscape.

Piazza Grande
Marvel at this stunning medieval square, one of Italy's most scenic, offering spectacular views.

Fontana del Bargello (Fountain of the Mad)
Participate in a quirky local tradition: walk around the fountain three times to earn your 'madman's license'.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Medieval Charm
Getting Around Gubbio
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Get Your 'Madman' License
Do 3 laps around Fontana del Bargello for a fun local tradition! :joy:
Ride the Unique Cable Car
The Funivia Colle Eletto offers incredible views and a unique ride to the basilica. :mountain:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Gubbio's medieval streets are steep and cobbled. :athletic_shoe:
Book Accommodation Early
Especially if visiting during Festa dei Ceri, hotels in Gubbio Italy fill up fast. :bed:
Tips
from all over the internet
Get Your 'Madman' License
Do 3 laps around Fontana del Bargello for a fun local tradition! :joy:
Ride the Unique Cable Car
The Funivia Colle Eletto offers incredible views and a unique ride to the basilica. :mountain:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Gubbio's medieval streets are steep and cobbled. :athletic_shoe:
Book Accommodation Early
Especially if visiting during Festa dei Ceri, hotels in Gubbio Italy fill up fast. :bed:
Explore Beyond the Center
Discover hidden churches and charming alleys away from the main squares. :camerawithflash:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Gubbio is widely praised for its stunning medieval preservation and authentic atmosphere, offering a genuine glimpse into Italy's past. Visitors rave about the unique cable car ride and the charm of its ancient streets. Some find the town's steep inclines challenging, and accommodation can be limited during peak events like the Festa dei Ceri.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Gubbio is accessible by car, offering a scenic drive through Umbria. The nearest major airports are Perugia (PEG) and Ancona (AOI). From these airports, you can rent a car or take a train to a nearby town like Fossato di Vico and then a bus or taxi to Gubbio.
Yes, the historic center of Gubbio is very walkable, but be prepared for steep, cobbled streets. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Walking is the best way to explore the medieval town. For reaching higher points like the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo, the Funivia Colle Eletto cable car is a popular and scenic option.
While walking is primary, there are local buses that connect different parts of the town, though they are less frequent in the historic center. The cable car is the main public transport for reaching the upper basilica.
Access to the historic center is restricted for non-residents to preserve its medieval character. There are parking areas outside the walls.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the town itself is free. However, specific attractions like the Palazzo dei Consoli (Civic Museum) and the Cathedral may have admission fees.
Opening hours vary for different sites. The Palazzo dei Consoli and Civic Museum typically have standard museum hours, while churches are usually open during daylight. It's best to check individual attraction websites for the most up-to-date information.
Yes, there is a fee for the Funivia Colle Eletto. It's a round-trip ticket that allows you to ascend to the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo and return.
The most famous event is the Festa dei Ceri on May 15th, a spectacular tradition. Other local festivals and markets may occur throughout the year.
The Festa dei Ceri is a public event held in the streets and piazza. While there isn't a ticket to 'enter' the festival, accommodation and transport should be booked well in advance due to high demand.
📸 📸 Photography
Piazza Grande offers iconic views, especially at sunset. The Funivia Colle Eletto provides stunning aerial perspectives. Don't miss the charming narrow streets and ancient doorways for atmospheric shots.
Absolutely! The Funivia Colle Eletto offers incredible panoramic photo opportunities of Gubbio and the surrounding Umbrian countryside.
Golden hour (early morning and late afternoon) provides beautiful light for photographing the medieval architecture. Midday can be harsh, but offers good light for capturing details.
Generally, photography is allowed in public spaces. Inside churches or museums, there might be specific rules, so it's always good to check signage.
A versatile lens (like a 24-70mm) is useful for capturing both wide cityscapes and street details. A wide-angle lens is great for the narrow streets and Piazza Grande.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Don't miss 'Friccò di Gubbio,' a rustic meat stew. Umbrian specialties like truffles, cured meats, and local pasta dishes are also highly recommended.
Look for 'trattorias' and 'osterias' tucked away in the side streets for a more authentic experience. Ask locals for their favorite spots.
While traditional Umbrian cuisine is meat-heavy, many restaurants offer pasta dishes with vegetable sauces, salads, and other vegetarian options. Vegan options might require specific requests.
The Fontana del Bargello is known as the 'Fountain of the Mad.' While not directly food-related, the tradition of drinking from it to get a 'madman's license' is a fun local quirk.
Yes, like most Italian towns, Gubbio has several 'gelaterias' offering delicious artisanal gelato. Look for places with natural colors and seasonal flavors.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Encourage them to explore the winding streets and imagine life in a medieval town. Pack plenty of snacks and water, and be prepared for lots of walking on uneven surfaces. Consider visiting during a less crowded time of year to make the experience more relaxed.
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers
Consider staying in a centrally located hotel or Airbnb to easily access attractions and restaurants. Engaging with locals at trattorias can lead to delightful conversations and recommendations.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Don't shy away from the narrow, winding alleys; they offer endless opportunities for capturing intimate street scenes, ancient doorways, and textures. The unique stone buildings lend themselves to dramatic black and white photography as well as vibrant color shots.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Festa dei Ceri: A Millennia-Old Tradition
Each Cero is topped with a statue of a saint: Saint Ubaldo, Saint George, and Saint Anthony. The race is not a competition between the Ceri, but rather a demonstration of devotion and community spirit, with the goal of returning them to the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo on Monte Ingino. The sheer energy and fervor of the event are palpable, drawing tens of thousands of spectators.
If you plan to visit for the Festa dei Ceri, booking accommodation and transport well in advance is crucial, as Gubbio becomes incredibly crowded.
Exploring Gubbio's Medieval Architecture
Beyond the main piazza, wander through the labyrinthine alleys to discover hidden courtyards, ancient doorways, and the Fontana del Bargello. This fountain is not just a water source but a site of a unique local tradition where visitors can earn a 'madman's license' by completing three circuits around it.
The city's architecture is remarkably well-preserved, offering a genuine glimpse into medieval life. The use of local limestone gives Gubbio a distinctive, almost ethereal glow, especially during sunrise and sunset.
The Unique Funivia Colle Eletto
The ascent offers spectacular panoramic vistas of Gubbio's terracotta rooftops, the surrounding Umbrian hills, and the vast countryside. It’s a thrilling and scenic journey that provides a unique perspective on the town and its landscape.
At the top, you can visit the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo, a significant pilgrimage site, and enjoy the expansive views before descending back into the town. The cable car operates seasonally, so it's advisable to check its operating hours before your visit.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit