Gubbio

Medieval pottery makers on a hilltop maze.

This medieval Umbrian hill town has steep cobblestone streets leading to the 14th-century Palazzo dei Consoli. Local artisans continue the town's centuries-old pottery traditions.

4.6
out of 5

Gubbio sits on the slopes of Mount Ingino in northeastern Umbria, its grey stone buildings and Gothic architecture dating back to medieval times. You can walk through the 14th-century Palazzo dei Consoli, explore the Roman Theater from the 1st century BC, or take a cable car to the Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo. Each May, the ancient Corsa dei Ceri festival fills the streets with locals racing through town carrying massive wooden structures topped with saints' statues.

Getting Around the Medieval Streets

A system of free public elevators helps you move between the three main terraces of Gubbio. As you walk the sloping pathways, you'll pass grey stone buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries, built when merchant families lived here. Each terrace gives you a different view of the Umbrian countryside, with stone stairways and small squares connecting the levels.

The Palazzo dei Consoli and Civic Museum

The Gothic Palazzo dei Consoli stands in the center of Piazza Grande, above the lower town. The Civic Museum inside spans five floors, with exhibits ranging from prehistoric artifacts to medieval art. The main attraction is the collection of Iguvine Tablets - seven bronze plates from the 3rd century BC with the largest surviving text in the ancient Umbrian language. The 14th-century palace had advanced engineering for its time, including running water and toilets.

The Ancient Roman Theater

The Roman theater at the foot of town dates to the 1st century BC and could hold 6,000 people. With its 70-meter diameter, it was the second-largest theater in the Roman Empire. You can still see the original limestone seating areas and remains of mosaic decorations. In summer, the theater becomes an open-air venue for evening performances.

The Corsa dei Ceri Festival

On May 15th each year, three teams race through Gubbio's streets carrying wooden "candles" topped with statues of saints. The yellow team carries Saint Ubaldo, the blue team Saint Giorgio, and the black team Saint Antonio. The race starts in Piazza Grande and climbs to the Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo on Mount Ingino. Thousands of spectators line the narrow streets to watch this 800-year-old tradition.

Local Food and Truffle Tradition

Restaurants throughout Gubbio serve pasta with black and white truffles found in the surrounding mountains. Try the local wild boar stew or the traditional stone-baked flatbread. Many restaurants in the medieval center have dining rooms in old stone cellars or terraces that look out over the valley.

Mount Ingino and the Basilica

A cable car takes you up Mount Ingino in two-person cages to reach the Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo. Inside the basilica, you'll find five naves with stained glass windows depicting Saint Ubaldo's life, and the saint's preserved body in a bronze urn. From December to January, the mountain slope becomes the setting for an enormous Christmas tree made of lights, visible from across the valley.

Average temperatures during the day in Gubbio.
December
8°
Jan
7°
Feb
9°
Mar
12°
Apr
16°
May
21°
Jun
25°
Jul
28°
Aug
28°
Sep
24°
Oct
18°
Nov
12°

What people say about Gubbio

4.6
People
4
Food
4
Spaces
5
Value
5
Safety
5

Places nearby Gubbio

Best places to visit in🇮🇹Italy

Articles about Italy

Image of Killing Eve filming locations
Image of Killing Eve filming locations

Killing Eve filming locations

May 2024,
The BBC thriller series Killing Eve has taken viewers to many places across Europe as it follows MI5 agent Eve Polastri and assassin Villanelle. The cat-and-mouse story unfolds in cities like London,
Image of The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe
Image of The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe

The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe

December 2023,
In the midst of European explorations, some cities remain less frequented by the throng of tourists yet hold an abundance of cultural wealth, natural beauty, and a compelling history. This guide aims
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world

The 30 best food cities in the world

November 2024,
This is a list of the top food destinations in the world based on the opinions of travelers from more than 100 countries. If you travel to eat, this is for you! It doesn’t matter if you are a foodie o
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851

All World Expo locations since 1851

November 2024,
For more than a century and a half, global citizens have congregated at World Expos to celebrate human achievement, explore pressing issues of the day, and experience the cultural expressions of peopl
Image of The best places to visit in January
Image of The best places to visit in January

The best places to visit in January

April 2024,
Many travelers eagerly anticipate the arrival of January. While some are looking for the beauty of the Northern Lights, or enjoying the best time for skiing, others aim to participate in vibrant cultu
Image of The World’s Most Stunning Hikes
Image of The World’s Most Stunning Hikes

The World’s Most Stunning Hikes

October 2023,
Are you an avid hiker looking for a challenge? Look no further than some of the world's most incredible trails! From the breathtakingly beautiful landscape of Torres del Paine in Chile's Patagonia to
Image of The best places to visit in May
Image of The best places to visit in May

The best places to visit in May

April 2024,
May is the month of blooming gardens and frolics in the northern hemisphere, but it also allows travelers to explore new horizons. This is a series of pointers on what to do in May: in Europe, one can
Image of The best places to visit in February
Image of The best places to visit in February

The best places to visit in February

April 2024,
When February comes off the calendar, you can’t blame everyone for wanting to go all-in on some of the most exotic travel experiences on offer anywhere in the world. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, steams wit
Popular on Humbo right now
Humboâ„¢AboutVisitedBucket listSustainable travelPrivacyTerms